Merlin

Pendragon Cycle Book 2

By: Stephen R. Lawhead

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

He was born to greatness, the son of a Druid bard and a princess of lost Atlantis. A trained warrior, blessed with the gifts of prophecy and song, he grew to manhood in a Britain abandoned by its Roman conquerors - a land ravaged by the brutal greed of petty chieftains and barbarian invaders. Respected, feared and hated by many, he was to have a higher destiny: to prepare the way for the momentous event that would unite the Island of the Mighty - the coming of Arthur Pendragon, Lord of the Kingdom of Summer. This is the second book of The Pendragon Cycle.

©1988 by Stephen R. Lawhead (P)1995 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A fine storyteller, he brings the Arthurian characters to life without sacrificing any of the haunting pleasures of the legends." (Omaha World Herald)
"Highly recommended... Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis." (Library Journal)

all Merlin

This is the 3rd Book of the Pendragon Cycle and probably the best out of the four. Very nice plot.
Even so, there are several movies of this Story and it makes me wonder, how different the relationships of people are described compared to the book, when you have read all four it makes all sense. But just one thing I couldn't figure out is how old people get in these days. But as it is all tale, some people may live for some centuries. Why not? :o)

Wonderful story

This is a wonderful backdrop and twist to the standard idea of Merlin as a old wizard.

a wonderful story

a wonderful story well told. very enjoyable. looking forward to hearing the next one.

Fantastic story! Horrible reader.

That’s a pretty gross generalization, spoken from a pulpit of Misknowledge

I love this story, and the one before it, Taliesen, even better. The reading of the first by Wanda McCaddon is glorious! She gives the story such vibrant and such character. She instill in it, everything you could want in a performance.

Contrarily, Frederick Davidson has a snobby, affected, poncy Voice that made it extremely difficult to get through this book. I only stayed with it because I love the story so much. I can’t imagine that the author would want such a narrator to read his work. Stomach another reading by Davidson. so I will not be able to listen to the next book in the Pendragon cycle, Arthur. That grieves me. But I just cannot listen to that man prattle on anymore.

How have I never heard of these books??

Good pace. Super interesting take on the Arthurian legends. not my favorite sounding reader but he does a good job.

Just cannot get past the narration

I read this book many years ago and remember loving it. Audiobook version I just cannot get past the narrators voice and performance. Like so many other reviewer‘s voice seems inappropriate for the story, nasally and frankly irritating. Most of the time even if I don’t like a narrator the story usually is enough to distract me and I enjoy the book but just could not to do so in this case. Made it to chapter 7 when I decided I would just rather read the book.

Brilliant epic story

Loved the story!
The narrator did a good job even though I did not like his voice at the start.
Overall this is a good read if you love epic fantasy.
WaAr

More poetic, read by a poetry reader

Upon listening I understand why the producers selected a poetry reader. There are numerous poetic passages of remembrances bookending the narrative and action portions of the book.

Another good one from Stephen R. Lawhead

Lawhead is a good writer. He's descriptive and practically poetic in his prose. I really am enjoying this book except, again, as I reviewed in his previous book, Taliesin, I sincerely doubt that Merlin was a Christian. Perhaps wishful thinking on the author's part? Whatever...it's his story. That being said, I am not enjoying the narrator at all. He reminds me of an 1930's American actor trying to speak with a British accent. He sounds so fake and pretentious. I've never heard a Brit speak like this. Also, he tells the story in the first person however, when Merlin speaks, it's a completely different, more believable accent. I'm enjoying the story regardless and hoping the next in the trio has a different narrator.

I can't get past the mispronounced names!

The continuation of the story of an alarmingly christian Merlin will keep you. Beware, however, the often cringey misrepresentations of names and places of familiar legend.