Merlin's Nightmare

Arthur took a deep breath. The time had come, and he would not shrink back.
”I am the High King, for my name is not Artorius, but rather Arthur, son of Uther. I am the one whom Vortigern longed to kill, yet I live. I am the one taken as a slave amongst the Picti, yet I survive. Behold! I am the one who was sacrificed, yet has been resurrected to lead all of the Britons against you…and I am the one who slew your brother. Leave here, now, or I will be your death.”

Book:Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard, Blink Publishers, 2014

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 14+

Subjects: Truth, Trust in God, Power

Summary: Merlin has kept his identity and that of Arthur’s a secret for over a decade. He’s kept the secret, not only from the outside world, but from Arthur as well. Soon the secret is forced out of him though. Their world is no longer a secure hiding place. Enemies on three sides are in pursuit of them and Arthur is right in the thick of it. Britian needs a strong king to lead them and Arthur is that king – or at least he will be if the Picti or Saxons blades don’t kill him and Morgana’s werewolves don’t destroy him.

Notes: A story based on the legends of King Arthur, Merlin’s Blade is the third book in The Merlin Spiral series. This story contains many of the traditional elements of the legend – the names, the fantasy elements, the objects. It is a well written adventure story, packing in so many events that a few days in the story seem like a few weeks. The spiritual elements are there but not as strong as in the first book.

The focus in this one is the fear that Merlin faces as he tries to shield Arthur from his destiny. He doesn’t want to leave his family but he is called to war. Then Arthur goes another direction and Merlin doesn’t want to let him go. No matter where he turns, there is danger for his loved ones and Merlin’s fear is ruling his decision making.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Job 28:23-28 – God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.' "

Psalm 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging

Thank you to BookLook for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.