Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard

   

 

 

 

 

 

Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard

"Arthur, now eighteen, is missing, and Merlin must find him before a shadowy pursuer catches him first.
With the High King and his kingdom caught in a trap of sinister deceit, Merlin has to find a way out before all is lost. Having everything to fight for, and almost nothing to fight with, Merlin and Arthur must rally Britain’s warriors against three overwhelming enemies: Saxen hordes in the south, Picti raiders in the north, and a chilling new enemy that has arisen in the west. At the same time, Morgana brings Merlin’s deepest fear to life and sets a horde of werewolves loose to destroy Britain. But when the secret purpose of this nightmare is finally revealed, will Merlin and Arthur find a way to survive—without unleashing an even greater evil?"

 

Leona's Review:

 

This is the third book of the Merlin series by Robert Treskillard.  The others are Merlin's Blade and Merlin's Shadow.

In this book Merlin now has two children by his wife, Natalenya.  The years have passed from the first books.  Any of the books can be read on their own. The author has The Story of Book 1, Merlin's Blade and  The Story of Book 2 , Merlin's Shadow  at the beginning of Merlin's Nightmare so the reader has an idea of what has happened in the previous books.

 

Robert Treskillard has such full descriptions of what is happening especially in the battles. This book had more war then the other two but necessary to accomplish the mission.  A werewolf is also part of this book which is interesting and unusual in the Arthurian books but the Voice is also different.

The reader finds many of the same characters in the first books of the Merlin Series.  Arthur, Merlin, Natalenya, Dwin, The Voice and Morgana. I liked the addition of the children in this third book; it helped make the book more personal.

 

Part One : Fear's Glance (page 21)

Ash, smoke, and flame: the young one looming.

Sin, spite, and hate: the sly shade luring.

Hand, soul, and heart: the black choice making.

Snare, lash, and trap: the death power waking.

Orb and fang, there at the dark demise.

 

Part Two: Terror's Grasp (page 159)

Battle, noise, and dust: the young one fighting;

Holy, pure, and strong:  the good God calling;

Spirit, hand, and heart: the white path choosing;

Gauntlet, shield, and torc: the kingship taking;

Skinned in death, there the moon will rise.

 

Part Three: Nightmare's Gallows (page 283)

Faster than crow, the bleak night coming;

Blacker than coal, the dread oath binding;

Stronger than steel, the great claws gripping;

Sharper than flint, the long teeth gnashing;

Sword and stone, there the prophet outcries.

 

Dedicated to: For Samantha Adele, Leighton, and Ness. Psalm 5:1-12

 

God is also a big part of the book as the characters pray often.

 

One similar chant I remember  when we spoke Latin in Church:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus-Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis.

 

A response in British:

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord-the God of mighty warriors.

Heaven and earth are filled with Thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

 

There are maps in the beginning of the book and a glossary in the back (page 408). I used the glossary many times because  of so many names.  There is also a pronunciation guide. (page 407)

 

This was a harder book for me to read than the other two books in the series. It was good but so many names and activities. It still will get a  5 star rating.

This is not the end of the series; it continues with the  Pendragon Series.

 

I received a complimentary copy from booksneeze.com to read and review. The opinions are my own.

 

Robert Treskillard may be reached at:

 

www.KingArthur.org.uk

and https://www.goodreads.com/treskillard

 

Many characters and happenings  are based on  legends and history but Merlin's Nightmare is fictional. It is good reading for  young people as well as adults.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Merlin's Shadow by Robert Treskillard

   

Merlin's Shadow by Robert Treskillard

From goodreads.com: 

Betrayal.

After destroying the sinister Druid Stone and freeing his people from its dark control, Merlin finds himself a royal advisor without a king. Along with his friend Garth and Natalenya, his betrothed, Merlin treks north with the orphaned Arthur in hopes of keeping the young ruler safe from soldiers misled by their turncoat captain. Relentlessly pursued by his old nemesis Vortigern, Merlin and his band make for the fortress of Dintaga.

But dangers multiply when Merlin realizes that Vortigern is not his only enemy. Even his own sister appears bent on Merlin’s destruction. As the threat on all their lives increases, Merlin discovers their only hope is sailing to the lands of eternal darkness and once again cleansing the world from an ancient and powerful evil.

Leona's Review :

This is the second book of the Merlin series by Robert Treskillard. The first is Merlin's Blade and best read first but Merlin's Shadow can be read as a stand alone book. On pages 9, 10 and 11 there is "The Story So Far" so the reader will have an idea of Merlin's Blade, the first book of Merlin's Spiral Series.

Merlin is trying to protect the young Arthur and plans to flee north to Dintaga, the fortress of King Gorlas, from Vortigern.  The group is Merlin, Natalenya, Merlin's betrothed, Garth, an orphan who lived at the abbey, Caygek, a fili ( The order of sages and poets within the wider order of the druidow. Filidow is the plural, and they are led by the arch fili.), and Colvarth, chief bard of Britain.

There is more violence I think in this book that the first book of the series, Merlin's Blade. Merlin goes through lots of torture over and over. 

The group is captured by the Picts where they become slaves, a thrall or thrail in Pickish. The Picts, or Prithager or Picti,  are the people who live in the wild lands of the north. I found this on the Net: http://skyelander.orgfree.com/celts11.html.

Merlin seems to have lost some of his faith in God in this book and he questions his faith. "A spark of hope-and of faith-filled Merlin's heart. Faith in the God who had led him during each painful step of his life: his childhood, his blindness, his battle with the Stone (book 1)- even during the journey of suffering over the last half of a year. Faith in the One, who had until now, protected them all." (page 403). This is where Merlin is trying to understand his questioning.

He has regained his eyesight in this book but still has his scars. Merlin feels he is ugly and that Natalenya no longer should love him and she feels she is ugly and that is why Merlin is no longer close to her.

The Stone is still an important part of the book but not as much in Merlin's Blade.

Merlin's sister, Ganieda, now hates and curses Merlin after the death of her mother, Monda, and their father, Owain.  She seems to become closer to her grandfather, Morganthu, but does not always trust him. He is her mother's father. Tellyk, a wolf who befriends Ganieda, is also present in this book as well as the first. In Merlin's Shadow, there is The Voice which is "a shadowy figure that appears to Ganieda and instructs her".

I was watching a show about Merlin on the History Channel last week and the term "light and dark" was used instead of what I was using, which was "good and evil". This defines what is happening in the books and to the characters.

As in Merlin's Blade there is a glossary of names and places and so appreciated by this reader. (page 424) It helps to know the characters of the books and I liked the three maps in front of the book. There is also a pronunciation guide. (page 423).

The letter "V" is used in place of the letter "U" in the titles of the chapters as well a cross for the "T".

There are three parts in this book

Part One: Fool's Choice (page 19)

FAST AS A FOX, THE HIDER HIDING;

WILD AS THE WOLF, THE HUNTER HUNTING;

HARD AS THE HORSE, THE BURDEN BEARING;

HIGH AS THE HAWK, THE SEARCHER SPYING;

PRISON BY SEA, FEAR THE RED SUNRISE

Part Two: FOOL'S LOSS ( page 147)

SHARP AS TALONS, THE CAPTOR'S CUTTING;

BLACK AND BLACKER, THE FANG DEATH SPREADING;

GLOP AS GLUTTON, THE EATER EATING;

DROWSE AS DREAMER, THE SLEEPER SLEEPING;

FORTRESS ON HILL, WARE THE WICKED GUISE.

Part Three: FOOL'S FAITH (page 293)

DARK AS THE DIRGE, THE SHARKS SWIMMING;

SWIFTH AS THE SWAN, THE CIRCLE SHINING;

LOUD AS THE LASH, THE PAGENS PRAYING;

GALL AS THE GRAVE, THE SLAYER SLAYING;

FOR ANCIENT YOUTH, AND INNOCENT'S DEMISE.

Merlin's Shadow is dedicated to: For Robin  Psalm 33:20:22

I received a complimentary copy of Merlin's Shadow to read and review. The opinions are my own. I will give this a 5 star rating  and look forward to reading Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard.

I highly recommend to readers who like Merlin, Arthur and history.

You man find the author at www.epictales.org, www.goodreads.com/author/6437336.Robert_Treskillard and www.KingArthur.org.uk

My review of Merlin's Blade is at http://mnleona.blogspot.com/2014/02/merlins-blade-by-robert-treskillard.html

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Leona Olson