Rating: 
Summary: Among the 5 best Arthurian stories I've read....
Review: ...and I've read a LOT of Arthurian stories. Quite literally dozens of them. I found Rob King's retelling of the Merlin myth to be firmly grounded in tradition, yet strikingly original. The first thing that impressed me was Merlin's voice, and the way the deft characterizations swept me into the story. The second thing that hit me was the writing style. It's impressive. So are the underlying ideas, and the cohesive vision painted from the lore of many cultures. The author is unusually literate, both in his use of language and his wide-ranging knowledge of classic and mythic lore. This is not to imply that the book is stodgy and academic. To the contrary. This book has both depth and sparkle. Rob King's sense of humor is disarmingly off-beat. This is clearly the work of someone who loves the sounds and shapes and textures of words. As such, it offers a genuine and rare treat for like-minded readers. I'm guessing that fellow Arthurian buffs, an admittedly varied and contentious group, will find much to enjoy here. The book is both fresh and familiar. I found myself sometimes nodding in recognition, and sometimes delighting in new explanations to well-known situations. The motivation behind the characters and events is cohesive and believable. The story behind Excaliber, in particular, was startling, but logical and resonant. Although most of Rob King's previous work has been in game-related fiction, his fans will not be disappointed. There's enough action to please the most avid readers of adventure fantasy. The battle choreography is exciting and visual. And it's hard to imagine anyone who wouldn't warm to Merlin's sublime silliness. A word about characterization: terrific. The scene that introduces a young and boastful Kay is both funny and spot-on. Guinevere's portrayal offered a nice respite from the usual tortured, adulterous queen. And although I love Arthurian lore, the portrayal of the central character occasionally leads me to wonder what all the fuss was about. (Tennyson's Arthur, for example. MZB's, for another.) Let's face it: Arthur is a tough character to portray. King's king makes you understand why men followed and bards still tell his tale. I could go on, and usually do. But you've got better things to read than this review. Get the book. Get two copies, and give one to someone you really, really like.
Rating:
Summary: A Superb Addition to the Arthurian Bookshelf
Review: As a voracious fantasy reader and writer, I read a LOT of Arthurian fiction, from the very-well-known (Mary Stewart, MZB) to the far less so (Turner's King of the Lordless Country), and this new offering from Rob King is among the best. Full disclosure time: Rob and I are friends and co-workers, having collaborated on novels and edited each other. However, that doesn't influence me in saying that I bought it sight unseen, took it home to glance at it, ended up reading it through at one sitting, and want more. In particular, Excalibur is handled brilliantly. Rob also conveys the feel of impending doom and bloodshed as well as any writer I've ever read, not just the clangour and shouting of actual battle. I look forward to sequels, if any. Buy it, read it, and see if you don't agree. This is both a keeper and one to give as a gift to friends!!!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting take on the story of Arthur
Review: As an avid reader of the Arthurian legend, I am always thrilled to find a different "take" than the stock retellings. And, in "Mad Merlin", J. Robert King has truly found a different take. This tale is a veritable mind barrage of conflicting theologies and mythos. Unfortunately, this strength was also a weakness for me. Thought I enjoyed the story as a story, I always felt that I was missing something by not being as versed in Norse, Roman, and Greek mythology as the author expected me to be. This is probably a personal problem, but anytime I see reference to Joseph Campbell, as I did in the liner notes of this book, I immediately think "dense and difficult". I realize that this is a weakness on my part, but, hey, I'm giving my take right now. . . None of this is to say I didn't like the book. I enjoyed the alternative characterizations of Merlin as defrocked god and part-time madman, Guinevere as earth mother (a refreshing departure from many of the self-serving, vapid treatments we see all too often), and the more benevolent handling of Nyneve. I have "Lancelot du Lethe" in my possession and it will be the next book I read. My favorite version of Merlin is probably the old standby of Mary Stewart, and "Mad Merlin" has done nothing to change that. But "Mad Merlin" is a welcome addition to the store of contemporary Arthurian literature and I, for one, appreciate every single one of them and enjoy the differences they offer.
Rating: 
Summary: Four stars for effort. . .
Review: As an avid reader of the Arthurian legend, I am always thrilled to find a different "take" than the stock retellings. And, in "Mad Merlin", J. Robert King has truly found a different take. This tale is a veritable mind barrage of conflicting theologies and mythos. Unfortunately, this strength was also a weakness for me. Thought I enjoyed the story as a story, I always felt that I was missing something by not being as versed in Norse, Roman, and Greek mythology as the author expected me to be. This is probably a personal problem, but anytime I see reference to Joseph Campbell, as I did in the liner notes of this book, I immediately think "dense and difficult". I realize that this is a weakness on my part, but, hey, I'm giving my take right now. . . None of this is to say I didn't like the book. I enjoyed the alternative characterizations of Merlin as defrocked god and part-time madman, Guinevere as earth mother (a refreshing departure from many of the self-serving, vapid treatments we see all too often), and the more benevolent handling of Nyneve. I have "Lancelot du Lethe" in my possession and it will be the next book I read. My favorite version of Merlin is probably the old standby of Mary Stewart, and "Mad Merlin" has done nothing to change that. But "Mad Merlin" is a welcome addition to the store of contemporary Arthurian literature and I, for one, appreciate every single one of them and enjoy the differences they offer.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of good, some bad.
Review: As the child of someone who studied the King Arthur in great depth, I have been fascinated with Arthur, Merlin, and the whole lot. It is a story told and retold throughout time, and is rarely looked upon with such a fresh set of eyes. This is not the standard fair for an Arthurian Mythos; In fact, Mad Merlin is, in many ways, quite the departure. Fair enough. There are far more views of the legends than are adequately represented in the thousands of fiction stories. Gone is the Merlin who was the quiet orchestrator, the man with a plan who pulled the strings behind it all. In his palce, we find an endearing and often humorous, yet tragic wizard. His memories are wracked by delusion, a madness to which he believes Arthur to be the cure. Merlin is haunted by delusions so intense he cannot seperate them from reality, which leaves his memory in a fragile status. Had he really been there? Did he dream the past? Was he dreaming of his salvation, or were his visions true? Woven into his madness are gods and the God-Killing sword Excalibur, and the boy that would grow to save him. Through his visions, he orchestrates the birth of Arthur, and he and Ulfius train him so that he may one day become King. Ulfius is a practical man, while Arthur tends to follow "Grandfather" Merlin with awe, latching onto his delusions and fantasies all the while. The first half of the book deals with Arthur's birth through the beginning of his reign, as naysayers challenge the right of a sword-puller to claim the throne. It also deals with the recovery of Merlin's sanity, and his final memories--Both of his origin, and of Excalibur. The second half deals with the aftermath and the forging of the great Kingdom. J. Robert King has taken some brave (And sometimes brilliant) ventures out into left field where the mythology is concerned. He involves Deities of many Pantheons in one large cosmology, where a God is only strong as long as people believe. The Norse God of mischeif plagues Merlin through his madness, and Wotan seeks Excalibur. Jupiter and the Roman Mythology are also present as is the Christian God (Often referred to as the Tetragammaton by fearful pagans). Excalibur and Avalon take their place in this giant mythos, each afforded decent explaination. While I do admire this departure, it was both confusing and contradictory at points. Sometimes I think King got lost too deep in this subplot, when the characters could have used some more attention. It is a minor quibble, however, as the large part of this mythos was pulled off quite marvelously. King's style is quite intruiging. Even when I was uncertain about this book, something in the first few pages drew me in, and kept me reading. Seeing what twists he had in store was quite the treat. Some people will not be pleased by this book. Some people only want to see the story told in variations on one of the many themes it has been presented in. Others will enjoy the book for what it is--A fun read with interesting variatons on an old theme, not a blasphemic slur of something Holy. While I would have liked to see more of the scheming Merlin we know from Malory, the mad mage was quite the enthralling character (He could have done with a little Machiavelli for his madness, though). All in all, an entertaining read. I give it 4 1/2 stars, with the singular caveat that you may not like this book if you cannot look past the difference in the euation. If you love fantasy and unique storytelling, you'll be hard pressed to be disappointed in this book
Rating:
Summary: A lot of good, some bad.
Review: As the child of someone who studied the King Arthur in great depth, I have been fascinated with Arthur, Merlin, and the whole lot. It is a story told and retold throughout time, and is rarely looked upon with such a fresh set of eyes. This is not the standard fair for an Arthurian Mythos; In fact, Mad Merlin is, in many ways, quite the departure. Fair enough. There are far more views of the legends than are adequately represented in the thousands of fiction stories. Gone is the Merlin who was the quiet orchestrator, the man with a plan who pulled the strings behind it all. In his palce, we find an endearing and often humorous, yet tragic wizard. His memories are wracked by delusion, a madness to which he believes Arthur to be the cure. Merlin is haunted by delusions so intense he cannot seperate them from reality, which leaves his memory in a fragile status. Had he really been there? Did he dream the past? Was he dreaming of his salvation, or were his visions true? Woven into his madness are gods and the God-Killing sword Excalibur, and the boy that would grow to save him. Through his visions, he orchestrates the birth of Arthur, and he and Ulfius train him so that he may one day become King. Ulfius is a practical man, while Arthur tends to follow "Grandfather" Merlin with awe, latching onto his delusions and fantasies all the while. The first half of the book deals with Arthur's birth through the beginning of his reign, as naysayers challenge the right of a sword-puller to claim the throne. It also deals with the recovery of Merlin's sanity, and his final memories--Both of his origin, and of Excalibur. The second half deals with the aftermath and the forging of the great Kingdom. J. Robert King has taken some brave (And sometimes brilliant) ventures out into left field where the mythology is concerned. He involves Deities of many Pantheons in one large cosmology, where a God is only strong as long as people believe. The Norse God of mischeif plagues Merlin through his madness, and Wotan seeks Excalibur. Jupiter and the Roman Mythology are also present as is the Christian God (Often referred to as the Tetragammaton by fearful pagans). Excalibur and Avalon take their place in this giant mythos, each afforded decent explaination. While I do admire this departure, it was both confusing and contradictory at points. Sometimes I think King got lost too deep in this subplot, when the characters could have used some more attention. It is a minor quibble, however, as the large part of this mythos was pulled off quite marvelously. King's style is quite intruiging. Even when I was uncertain about this book, something in the first few pages drew me in, and kept me reading. Seeing what twists he had in store was quite the treat. Some people will not be pleased by this book. Some people only want to see the story told in variations on one of the many themes it has been presented in. Others will enjoy the book for what it is--A fun read with interesting variatons on an old theme, not a blasphemic slur of something Holy. While I would have liked to see more of the scheming Merlin we know from Malory, the mad mage was quite the enthralling character (He could have done with a little Machiavelli for his madness, though). All in all, an entertaining read. I give it 4 1/2 stars, with the singular caveat that you may not like this book if you cannot look past the difference in the euation. If you love fantasy and unique storytelling, you'll be hard pressed to be disappointed in this book
Rating: 
Summary: An Arthurian Tale for Our Time
Review: Fans of Arthurian adventure stories will be heartened to learn that this tale is firmly founded on Thomas Malory--not only on his wondrous stories of Merlin and Arthur, but also on his intrepid spirit, reinterpreting a Dark Ages legend for his own time, the Age of Chivalry. So too, in Mad Merlin, you'll find all your friends waiting--Arthur, Merlin, Morgan, and Kay--with new faces for our time. Of course I love the book--I wrote it. But I thought you might also be interested in what a few critics are saying: "If you want a sumptuous fantasy feast by a fearless author, try Mad Merlin." John Dalmas, Author "Rob King's novel Mad Merlin is an excitingly original reshaping of the legends, folklore, and mythology surrounding the archetypal wizard Merlin. His story draws the reader into a secondary world of magic where otherworlds (whether Greek, Norse, or Celtic) mingle, crisscross, and overlap--and, ultimately, through the consciousness of Merlin, serve as conduits back and forth through time and space. The elusive mage cohabits caves, courts, and heavens in order to protect Arthur and the civilization they have built. Thanks to the encyclopedic reach of King's imagination and his engaging style, the reader is held spellbound as he follows Merlin in his escapades with the creatures of these otherworlds. In the vast gallery of wizards, Rob King's Merlin emerges as one of the most richly drawn since J.R.R. Tolkien and T.H. White." Thomas Hall, Professor of English, Valparaiso University "We understand the legends of King Arthur and Camelot too readily and all too often as a story about romance, a story of chivalry and courtly love. In Mad Merlin, King pushes us to the real depth of those tales, and he accomplishes this important task by creatively blending historical fact, myth, and legend together. Under his hand, a master story emerges from a rich potpourri of sources that puts a new and intriguing spin on the histories and myths of Western civilization. All good fiction says something profound. With riveting story telling as our guide, Mad Merlin leads us to a richer understanding of the stories we thought we knew." Richard DeMaris New Testament Scholar "From his involvement in the rise of Uther Pendragon and the birth of Arthur to the height of Camelot's power, the wizard Merlin labors under the curse of his destiny even as he seeks the truth of his identity. . . . Drawing on ancient Norse, Celtic, and Roman myths, King crafts an unusual blend of history and legend that should appeal to fans of the Arthurian cycle. For most fantasy collections." Library Journal
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Fans of the Arthurian cycle looking for a thought provoking, engaging story will love Mad Merlin. The variations King presents are unexpected, and entirely unique. Well written and fast paced, you won't want to put this one down. Save this for your day off, or plan to call in sick.
Rating: 
Summary: All flash - no substance
Review: I got about a quarter of the way through the book and lost interest. Apparently, JR King decided since every one was already familiar with Merlin, Arthur, etc, that there was no need for character development. The chapters are each little vignettes - 6-10 page short stories in chronological order. These usually involve Merlin eating everything in sight, forgetting who he is, and casting vast stage magic spells that consume much of the chapter in their descriptions. Arthur has no flaws, and thus is uninteresting. However, JR King does try to flesh out Sir Kay. When we first meet Kay, he is a youngster who is completely obsessed with fantasy. The entire chapter is devoted to his obsession, leaving the other characters barely able to squeak in any sort of personality to the mix. In later chapters however, the obsession is gone, as if it never existed. Kay somehow threw aside the character flaw and became a perfect warrior; thus becoming like Arthur - uninteresting. Maybe it's just me, but the Merlin I'm accustomed to was more of a schemer and plotter than stage magician. His reputation lay more in his mystery and subtlety than vulgar display of power. If you like flashy special-effects and don't really care about plot, this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect Arthurian book...
Review: I had already read "Lancelot Du Lethe", but hadn't yet gotten a chance to read this book. To put it simply, this is the story of Arthur in a mythological setting. All the gods are being killed by the Christian God, and Arthur seeks to create a land in which all of them can live in peace.
The overall feel is done well. They present Arthur as a great man, but not as invincible. In fact an unspoken truth goes through the whole book (although it may just be my knowledge of what will happen that made me imagine this), essentially you get the feeling that Arthur is just delaying the inevitable, which he is.
It's certainly an interesting twist to have Merlin be Jupiter, but one thing made the book perfect: the fact that it knows when to be serious, and when to be funny. Dagonet was hilarious, and Loki gave an interesting twist on what "pure evil" means, almost to the point where you wanted to argue against him being so, but couldn't see him doing ANYTHING that was less than amusing to himself (even when he helped others).
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