Merlin tells the story of the legendary bard and wizard in a very interesting way. In this story, Merlin is the son of Taliesin. Lawhead combines many elements of the legendary figure of Merlin to create a complex character, and as in Taliesin there is a strong underlying theme of the power of God and the influence of Christianity. This Merlin finds his strength, purpose, and power in serving God rather than in following paganism. What an interesting take on the legend! Another intriguing twist is that the people that escaped Atlantis are still major players in this fantasy story - the Atlanteans have a much longer lifespan than the Britons and Celts, and as a descendent of an Atlantean, Merlin's life is long indeed, spanning several generations. By the end of this book, we have also been introduced to Arthur and events have been set in motion for his eventual kingship. I loved this book - it was at times very dark and brooding, yet the hope of a coming "kingdom of summer" and the triumph of good over evil kept it from becoming too depressing.
What an interesting twist!
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