The Wicked Day

Rating:
Summary: Mordred's POV is brilliant
Review: A great read even if you're not into fantasy or medival literature. Charaters are all fanastic as ever in a Stewart's novel. You will not be disappointed!
Loven the Merlin
Always loven the Oz

Rating:
Summary: Mordred .... a hero (?)
Review: After having read Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, I was rather reluctant to read this book. Having pre-conceived ideas of Mordred's evil character, I didn't want to destroy the 'feel-good' warmth that I had at the end of the trilogy. But, having started Stewart's journey, I just felt I had to finish it, even though I knew it would not be a happy ending.

How wrong I was!!!! This book threw all my expectations of doom and gloom out the window, and impossible as it may seem ... I actually ended up feeling good even if the end was rather tragic.

It is extremely refreshing to see Mordred put in an entirely different light - a courageous, strong-willed and honest man, instead of the evil, greedy and conniving son in other more common versions. Unfortunately, in this book, it was circumstances and misunderstandings that went against him. The best part was - it was totally believable!!!

If you only want to know 1 version of Mordred's story, then this should be it.

Rating:
Summary: Mordred .... a hero (?)
Review: I've always been attracted to the character of Mordred in Arthurian legend and who he was (or wasn't). Stewart tells a grim tale, densely,--and the ending is by far the finest I've encountered in any other Arthurian novel: Mordred and Arthur fighting against one another. Even Stewart admits in her notes that tracing back to the first mention of Mordred, there was no mention of him fighting *against* his father (or possibly his uncle), but simply dying in the same battle. Presented in "The Wicked Day" the way it is, the Mordred-Arthur "conflict" is much more heartrending and dark. I loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: Still great, but the Trilogy's better...
Review: I've read the Trilogy as well as the Book of Mordred and I think that "The Wicked Day" does not provide as much detail as the Trilogy, that's why it makes it seem a bit vague here and there. It's great how sometimes it leaves the reader wondering and wanting to know more but either the facts are revealed at the end of the chapter or it's not revealed at all (or maybe I'm not getting it =P). For instance, is Merlin still narrating the story? I know Merlin's disappearance or "death" if you'd like to call it, is mysterious so I wonder how he ends in Stewart's series... Mordred's search for Merlin and found him absent (especially at his hometown) can't really account for his end...oh well, just something to leave you thinking =). However, one thing that it seems to consist more of, than the Trilogy is that it's filled with more intesity and the unexpected... I mean, when you read certain chapters and then finish it, I guarantee you'd be thinking to yourself 'wow, he/she actually done it!' or 'it was him/her all the time!?!' That's what I like in a story, it "strikes" the reader and gives you that surprised feeling! I'd also like to add to this review that the Trilogy was an impressive piece of work which gives an excellent description of Merlin's youth to adulthood as well as Arthur's. It's good how Stewart doesn't neglect to mention the Legends at the end to avoid confusion. Overall, brilliant stuff... just brilliant!! I highly recommend them all!

Rating:
Summary: Not better as the 3-rd one, but quite good
Review: I've read the Trilogy as well as the Book of Mordred and I think that "The Wicked Day" does not provide as much detail as the Trilogy, that's why it makes it seem a bit vague here and there. It's great how sometimes it leaves the reader wondering and wanting to know more but either the facts are revealed at the end of the chapter or it's not revealed at all (or maybe I'm not getting it =P). For instance, is Merlin still narrating the story? I know Merlin's disappearance or "death" if you'd like to call it, is mysterious so I wonder how he ends in Stewart's series... Mordred's search for Merlin and found him absent (especially at his hometown) can't really account for his end...oh well, just something to leave you thinking =). However, one thing that it seems to consist more of, than the Trilogy is that it's filled with more intesity and the unexpected... I mean, when you read certain chapters and then finish it, I guarantee you'd be thinking to yourself 'wow, he/she actually done it!' or 'it was him/her all the time!?!' That's what I like in a story, it "strikes" the reader and gives you that surprised feeling! I'd also like to add to this review that the Trilogy was an impressive piece of work which gives an excellent description of Merlin's youth to adulthood as well as Arthur's. It's good how Stewart doesn't neglect to mention the Legends at the end to avoid confusion. Overall, brilliant stuff... just brilliant!! I highly recommend them all!

Rating:
Summary: Reconsidering Mordred
Review: The Story: Merlin is dead. Or, is he? It matters not, as this sequel to the wonderful Merlin trilogy contains very little Merlin. It focuses on Mordred, the illegitimate but eldest son of Arthur, the Dragon of Greater Britain. Mordred is raised in secrecy, as a pawn in the power games of his mother, the High King's half-sister, Queen Morgause. As he grows, he has to relearn the world repeatedly: he is the son of peasants; no, he is the illegitimate son of Arthur's dead enemy, King Lot; no, he is Arthur's son; he is Arthur's bane, as foretold by Merlin; no, he is Mordred, trying to make a place in history to be proud of.

Commentary: This is a well-told story I found by accident, even though I had read and reread the Merlin trilogy. It differs vastly from the trilogy, not only in Merlin's near-absence, but in the minimal role played by magic. Instead, the emphasis is on whether Mordred can overcome his beginnings, other tragedies, and Fate, to become a son of whom Arthur can be proud. I'm glad I found this treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the Merlin trilogy but still very good.
Review: Though not as good as the Merlin Trilogy this is still a very good book and a fitting conclusion to Stewart's retelling of Authorian lore. Stewart takes a completely different view of Mordred than most writters. He is not a sniveling, cowardly villian, but a potential hero. Doomed to infamy by prophecy.