Rating: 
Summary: Great story!
Review: I loved this book. Merlin is positively amazing! I enjoyed the way the first half of the story is told in flashback form, with little intervals of the present thrown in. Merlin makes a very believable madman. By the time his story is told, the reader will feel so sad for him! The only thing I wished was added was more physical description of Merlin. All that is really said is that he has golden eyes and dark hair. But, it is minor, and will detract nothing from the enjoyment of the second book of the Pendragon Cycle.For Richard: Perhaps Catholicism was Christianity then because there is no other form of Christianity that goes back that far. What else would it be?
Rating: 
Summary: Starts slow, finishes strong, and leaves you wanting more
Review: I never really thought I would read this book. After "Taliesin" I thought, "hey, what's another Arthurian legend? They're all essentially the same and are at best bathroom literature." I was wrong. Lawhead has just left the bathroom. "Merlin" starts painfully slowly for the first 150 pages. It took me about a week to muster the energy to get through that part. But after that, it becomes a real page turner. The author throws out the traditional "facts" of Arthurian history (for example, Merlin finds religion, the story behind Arthur's conception) and replaces them with believable legend that fits his characters, fills in gaps that other authors ignore and made me want to read more. I bought this book along with A.A. Attonasio's "Dragon and Unicorn." I'm finding Lawhead's series to be vastly superior to Attonasio's. If it didn't start so slowly, it'd be a 5 star book. You wont be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Immortal in Lawhead's writing
Review: I started out the Pendragon Cycle with "Taliesin", as was the chronological thing to do. After that came "Merlin" - and maybe it was the anticipation after reading "Taliesin", or maybe it was only the fascination I've held for Merlin ever since the first time I discovered Arthurian legend...whatever it was, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Now that I've finished reading the cycle, I can say without a doubt that "Merlin" surpasses all others in the series. Arthur is a genius, Llenlleawg a talented warrior, Pelleas a loyal companion...but Merlin is REAL. Merlin has gifts and flaws; he has a distinct personality that makes him come to life as a flesh and bone human (however immortal). For example, I found him to be vain and more snobbish as the story progressed! He is definately one of the most well-written characters I've ever read. After finishing this book in less than four hours, I eagerly acquired the rest of the Pendragon series, thinking that they would live up to the standard of "Merlin", if not surpass it. I should have known that such a perfect book full of plot and characterization is one of a kind. However, to my delight, Merlin's character only develops more in depth as the Pendragon series continued on. After all, Merlin's name is etched in legend...but in Lawhead's writing, he lives.
Rating:
Summary: Immortal in Lawhead's writing
Review: I started out the Pendragon Cycle with "Taliesin", as was the chronological thing to do. After that came "Merlin" - and maybe it was the anticipation after reading "Taliesin", or maybe it was only the fascination I've held for Merlin ever since the first time I discovered Arthurian legend...whatever it was, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Now that I've finished reading the cycle, I can say without a doubt that "Merlin" surpasses all others in the series. Arthur is a genius, Llenlleawg a talented warrior, Pelleas a loyal companion...but Merlin is REAL. Merlin has gifts and flaws; he has a distinct personality that makes him come to life as a flesh and bone human (however immortal). For example, I found him to be vain and more snobbish as the story progressed! He is definately one of the most well-written characters I've ever read. After finishing this book in less than four hours, I eagerly acquired the rest of the Pendragon series, thinking that they would live up to the standard of "Merlin", if not surpass it. I should have known that such a perfect book full of plot and characterization is one of a kind. However, to my delight, Merlin's character only develops more in depth as the Pendragon series continued on. After all, Merlin's name is etched in legend...but in Lawhead's writing, he lives.
Rating:
Summary: Immortal in Lawhead's writing
Review: I started out the Pendragon Cycle with "Taliesin", as was the chronological thing to do. After that came "Merlin" - and maybe it was the anticipation after reading "Taliesin", or maybe it was only the fascination I've held for Merlin ever since the first time I discovered Arthurian legend...whatever it was, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Now that I've finished reading the cycle, I can say without a doubt that "Merlin" surpasses all others in the series. Arthur is a genius, Llenlleawg a talented warrior, Pelleas a loyal companion...but Merlin is REAL. Merlin has gifts and flaws; he has a distinct personality that makes him come to life as a flesh and bone human (however immortal). For example, I found him to be vain and more snobbish as the story progressed! He is definately one of the most well-written characters I've ever read. After finishing this book in less than four hours, I eagerly acquired the rest of the Pendragon series, thinking that they would live up to the standard of "Merlin", if not surpass it. I should have known that such a perfect book full of plot and characterization is one of a kind. However, to my delight, Merlin's character only develops more in depth as the Pendragon series continued on. After all, Merlin's name is etched in legend...but in Lawhead's writing, he lives.
Rating:
Summary: A viseral adventure, romantic & magical epic!
Review: I was caught up in the epic...It was an easy read since the chapters/breaks were short and the font was average print. I journeyed along with Merlin on his various quests throughout his youth to middle age. I felt I was with "him". The story was heartwrenching & I made it more so by listening to Celtic music CD's as I read along which I will do with the rest of the Pendragon cycle.
Rating:
Summary: Lawhead is wonderful
Review: I've only read the first three books of the Pendragon series, but this one is the best so far. The story of Merlin hasn't been told nearly as well by anyone else. Lawhead puts too much religion into the series, in my opinion, but otherwise everything's flawless. Merlin and Arthur and the rest are portrayed as humans and not mythic figures. The books just pull you in. Not many authors can do that, and hardly any can do it this well.
Rating:
Summary: A saga of unparalleled richness
Review: If you've never read Steven R. Lawhead, prepare to be entranced by the breathtaking beauty of the universe which springs from his pen. He follows the man we know as Merlin from conception to the fruition of his potential, as a wise and powerful adviser to Britain's greatest king, Arthur. Lawhead's Merlin is not a shadowy druid lifted from the pages of Mallory, but rather a man whose exceptional ablities are complemented by the terribly heavy burden of his responsobility. He does not live in a time of chivalrous knights in shining armor, but a tumultuous malstrom of conflict in which barbaric kings scramble for scraps of power amongst the ruins of the Roman Empire. It is Merlin's task to guide and impart vision to the one man who can quell the bickering and unite the Isle of the Mighty under one flag. But there are many obstacles along the way. I would have hated for this book to end but for one fact: there are more books in the series! It only gets better.
Rating:
Summary: Stimulating, satisfying, rarely superficial. Superb sequel!
Review: In this second volume of his "Pendragon Cycle" series, Stephen Lawhead continues the story begun in "Taliesin" by telling the tale of Merlin, a remarkable warrior, king, bard, and prophet. Lawhead recounts his rise to kingship, his subsequent fall, and finally his important role as counsellor to kings. The story focuses on a time of great change in early Britain, as independent kingdoms under Roman rule vanish and become united under one High King. The transition from individual local kingdoms to one great kingdom under a great king remarkably parallels a similar transition in the Bible: from the anarchy and chaos of the Judges, to the unified rule under the Kings Saul and David. Merlin's role is much like that of the Biblical Samuel: the figure who ushers in this transition by his prophecies, wisdom and counsel. The parallels don't end there - for like Israel, early Britain is portrayed as a time of prophets (the druids), priests (the Roman Catholics) and kings. The world of upheaval in which Merlin lives is characterized by trials, tragedy and triumphs. Much like "Taliesin", the reader is treated to a vast array of human emotions described in most vivid details - from utter joy to utmost sorrow - and is subsequently tossed from the pinnacles of happiness to the pits of despair. But Lawhead does not delight in dragging his readers through gory details of bloodshed and death - in fact killing for revenge alone is presented as murder (p.314-5). Bloodshed for the sake of justice and truth has a clear purpose: the way is being paved to the "Kingdom of Summer" ruled by King Arthur where justice, truth and right will be defended and maintained (p.108). One of Arthur's predecessor's (Aurelius) must bear the sword all his days as king before this is achieved (p.318). Astute Bible readers will note here an unmistakeable parallel with the era of King David and King Solomon. Yet beneath such formalistic parallels with Scriptural narratives, lies a solid Biblical death. The foundation of any successful kingdom is clearly recognized and acknowledged: faith in the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ (p.113-4). Once again, Lawhead's Christian perspective shines through beautifully. Unlike much Christian fiction, it is not always obvious nor oppressive - but nor is it superficial. The conflict between good and evil, the powers of light and darkness is always sharply defined, and mirrors the conflict between God and Satan. Success is presented as possible only with God's help and His blessing. But "Merlin" also raised the questions that were evoked by "Taliesin". Why is Christianity is identified with Roman Catholicism, with its focus on holy places and objects, and materialistic view of the mass (p.112)? And does Lawhead have an overly optimistic view of Celtic religion, and does he leave room for Christians to use the occult? His assessment of the occultic and ancient rituals of the pagans does not appear harsh enough, since he appears to view it as a mild form of the truth ("In every age there is some good" p.191), and that the occultic powers can be harnessed by the Christian prophet for good - Merlin being a case in point. This is confirmed by his description of Lughnasadh, as being a time where "the veil between the Otherworld and this worlds-realm grows thin and allows the initiated a glimpse of what was, or will be." (p.397). Whether such a syncretism of paganism and Christianity is possible is highly debatable, unless of course Lawhead is intending to present Britain as a model of the pre-Christian era (the time of judges and kings?) prior to the cessation of prophecy and prior to the completion of the canon of Scripture. But as it is, leaving the door open to a favorable view of occultic activities left me distinctly uncomfortable. But don't let this decrease your appetite for Merlin. It's a gripping and satisfying tale, one that simultaneously evokes emotions, stimulates imagination, and causes reflection. The first person point of view is utilized superbly to present Merlin as thoroughly real man with flaws and failures as well as strengths and successes. Like "Taliesin", "Merlin" showcases Lawhead's myriad of talents in a delightful mix of romance, adventure, emotion, faith and even poetry. The Christian imagery is subtle and profound, and once again Lawhead has produced a fantasy gem that is greatly superior to most contemporary Christian fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Lawhead weaves British Legend into his fiction
Review: Meriln is by far the best in the Pendragon series to date. Lawhead fluently weaves into his tale legends of Stonehenge, Arthur, Merlin and many other stables of British lore. I found this book to be satisfying and intriguing in its use of these tales. The Pendragon series is an intellectual step above the Emperyion Saga and Merlin the best in the series. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in fantasy or British lore
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