Merlin: The Nightmare Begins (Children's, 11 years +)

September 2010, Bantam Children, 

176 pages, Hardback

Review copy

Children's, 11 years +, TV Tie-in, fantasy

Themes: magic, Arthurian legend, secrets, persecution, evil creatures, flight, lots of moderate peril, some humour

Summary from Random House

When Morgana's nightmares spill into waking house she becomes terrified that she has magic. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good but Merlin won't stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she's going through and he knows she needs the truth. Is Merlin about to reveal his secret at last? 

Willfully disobeying Gaius, Merlin risks everything to help Morgana, little guessing what the far reaching consequences might be. Lives are put in danger, loyalties are tested, and Morgana is reunited with the strange young druid Mordred, who the Dragon predicted would one day kill Arthur...

Nayuleska's reasons for loving Merlin: he has a good heart and wants to save everyone, but in this book learns sometimes taking what seems like a cruel action will be the best in the long term. 

Is there another character who deserves a mention? Morgana: This is the one where her evil side begins to stir. It should really be renamed Morgana: The Awakening

How evil/nasty is the enemy? If something injures you with poison it isn't an act of friendship. Most of the the threat from the druids was ill conceived. Beware cute looking children! 

Are there lots of plot twists and surprises? I had seen this episode on TV so knew what was happening, yet I loved the insight into each character's thoughts which aren't examined as deeply in the drama. 

One of my favourite parts was...when Merlin was dodging Arthur's questions - it was hilarious on TV and I instantly remembered the way Merlin reacted. 

This fantasy tale gets 9/10. 

You can find out more about the show here. 

Suggested read

Try another Merlin book Merlin: The Mark of Nimueh

Merlin: The Mark of Nimueh by Various

October 2009, Bantam Books

208 pages, Hardback

Review Copy

Children's, TV tie-in

Cushions: 2 (even if you've seen the TV episode)

Smiles: 5

Tissues: 1

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Random House Children's Books

A deadly plague is rife in Camelot and Gwen is suspected of witchcraft. Merlin must help Gaius find a cure and save his friend from execution...

Once more the world of Merlin - and Arthur - is brought to life, something which can't be said for some of the characters in this tie-in with the popular BBC series Merlin. An evil sorceress has conjured up a plague for Camelot, determined to watch the town die, and to make Uther suffer. I agree with the making Uther suffer (he isn't the kindest or most compassionate person in the land), but making other people suffer is wrong.

People close to Merlin's heart suffer. Poor Gwen's father is sick. Merlin likes her (as a friend - although Arthur believes otherwise in this story) and can't bear the thought of her father suffering. So, against the orders of Gaius he dabbles with magic. He may have saved Gwen's father, but he has condemned her death because he does something foolish. He endeavours to find a way to save her, and everyone else.

Once again I enjoyed getting further insight into the characters. More time is given for the sorceress, which makes me hate her even more. Having watched the series, I have a clear image in my head of what everyone looks and sounds like. This adds to the fun of the story. I could see the TV episode clearly in my mind, and knew the expressions Arthur and Gaius were pulling at certain points. It's a good reminder of what happened in the TV series - until I read the summary I had forgotten what this episode was about. Even if you haven't seen the TV series, this is a great book to have.

Liked this? Try the earlier books in the Merlin series of The Dragon's Call and Valiant.

Valiant by Various

September 2009, Bantam books
200 pages, Hardback
Review copy,

Children's, TV tie-in

Cushions: 3
Daggers: 1
Smiles: 3
Tissues: 1
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Once more we are taken back into the magical realm Camelot. Merlin is now Arthur's servant, much to the prince's disgust. Merlin is such a clutz that it is easy for Arthur's arrogant side to come out. However, Arthur has a softer side to him, one which is portrayed in some ways more in this book than in the TV series. The book spells out for those of us who, when watching the series, pay more attention to the costumes and scenary than the actors, what is really going on in the characters' heads.

I have greater respect for Arthur - he has an awful lot of responsibility on his shoulders. It can't be easy with Uther as a father, a man who shows little compassion or encouragement. In Valiant Arthur has a lot of pressure to uphold the title of champion in the duelling competition. I can't imagine how Uther would react if his son lost the final match. That reaction is nothing to how he'll react if Arthur doesn't survive the match...

...for evil is afoot in Camelot. Sometimes I think Arthur should carry a sign on his head saying 'Hello danger, I'm here'. Once again someone wants to kill Arthur. And that someone uses magic in the tournament, a magic which involves my most feared creature - the sn*ke (missing letter is the first one of the alphabet). At least while watching the TV show I could look away whenever I heard hissing. I have no such warning in the book, and I'm just glad I don't live in a stone castle otherwise I'd be terrified to sleep. For the mystery sn*kes in the knight Valiant's shield are not inanimate.

Another character who I got a greater understanding of in this book in Gaius. I always saw him as a teacher for Merlin, and a parent of sorts (not that Merlin always listens). I didn't ever really think about him as being a protector for Merlin. He has an idea of Arthur's destiny, and that Merlin is tied up in it. He apologises when he believes he is being too harsh, although I do think sometimes Merlin doesn't realise how hard it can be for Gaius when his young apprentice dabbles in magic. It is Gaius who has to deal with the problem until Merlin finishes his business and can come and rectify the mess he created. Including raving dobermans.

This book is full of danger, sn*kes, and courage from most of the characters. It demonstrates the nature of a true knight, and lays several plot lines for stories.

This book is up for grabs in Competition #4.

Liked this? Make sure you've read the first book, The Dragon's Call by Various.

Merlin: The Dragon's Call by Various

September 2009, Bantam Books
200 pages, Hardback
Review Copy

Children's, TV tie-in

Cushions: 2
Smiles: 5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

The tale of Arthur and Merlin is currently running on BBC 1 in the series Merlin. Yes, I have been watching it. If I remember correctly, this installment follows Merlin in the first episode when he arrives at Camelot.

Merlin, a boy full of powerful magic and a fair amount of mischief is bewildered by Camelot. Compared to his mother's home, it is busy and full of life. He soon feels at home when he stands up for a servant being bullied by an arrogant youth. Poor Merlin, he wasn't to know that youth was Prince Arthur. Earning a stint in the stocks Merlin meets Gwen, the maid to Morgana who is King Uther's ward. This chance meeting saves Merlin from trouble when he ends up in Morgana's chambers: Morgana doesn't see him and thinks he is Gwen.

Merlin is taken in by the court physician, Gaius, who uses him for many tasks, including carrying medicines to patients. It is on such an errand that he enters the chamber of a visiting singer, Lady Helen. Unusually Lady Helen has her mirror covered up. Merlin didn't see the reflection in it as he left - a good thing too or Lady Helen would have killed him. She isn't the Lady Helen, but a wielder of magic who has a grudge against Uther - not that you can blame her, since he killed her son for using magic. Ah yes, magic. Merlin may be a wizard, but he can't show it to anyone in public or he too will die. During his adventures sometimes using magic is the only answer to save the day. He can't always hide what he does, which leads to various punishments, before and after Arthur makes Merlin his manservant.

This book follows the TV show closely. It was fun to relive the episode, seeing Merlin have the nerves to call Arthur names, recalling Arthur's arrogance and Gwen's sweet side. The story adds a new level to the TV show because it lets the reader enter the heads of all the characters. I have a deeper understanding of how trapped Morgana feels as Uther's ward, unable to make changes because her guardian sees life differently. Most importantly I got to delve into the fake Lady Helen's thoughts, showing how deep her desire for revenge was. I want to watch the episode again, to view it in a new light.

This book is currently up for grabs in competition #4

Liked this? The series continues in Valiant (soon to be reviewed).