Customer Reviews

Legend of the Emerald Rose: A Novel

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who can resist a tale of King Arthur, Guenevere, and the Knights of the Round Table? Fact, myth, legend...what? It continues to fascinate.

But this story is different. Now, Arthur and Guenevere are both dead, Merlin has vanished, and Camelot is no more. Still, the knights live on, and we meet Lancelot Percival, Galahad and others as they plan to restore the rightful Arthurian heir and rid the Isle of Might of its evil servants.

Emerald Rose Rayn is this heir. Legitimate daughter of Arthur and Guenevere, Rayn was raised by Lancelot and is now a beautiful young woman of sixteen years. She does not know of her royal heritage, and believes herself the daughter of Lancelot. Trained as a warrior, tutored by Merlin, she has a solid and steadfast faith and belief in God.

Young Shadoe un Hollo Tors, son of Merlin, having once run away in anger at his father's betrayal, has wandered the world pursuing his own pleasures. When a dream in which he is told he must help appoint Arthur's rightful heir to the throne, Shadoe reluctantly goes back to his island home. Shadoe turned his back on God at the same time he abandoned Camelot, and his bitterness keeps him at war with what he as been sent to do. He is determined to see it through but once done he will leave forever.

Rayn has other ideas. She believes Shadoe is her "godsend" - the man promised to her by God. Shadoe resists. Though sharing a mutual dislike and distrust of one another, attraction lies under the surface and sparks are never far from igniting. Yet, because of his promise, Shadoe can't avoid being drawn into the plans of Rayn and the Knights to restore Camelot to its former glory and save the isle.

Morgause le Fey, sorceress and half-sister of Arthur, has her own plans - to put her son Mordred, illegitimate son of Arthur, on the throne and capture the Isle of Might at all costs. Mordred is weak and becomes nothing more than a puppet being manipulated by Morgause's unspeakable evil. No one on the Isle of Might is safe from her relentless scheming and ruthless ambition.

What a fun, and heart-stopping read of the battle between good and evil. As we watch the love develop between Rayn and Shadoe-will they ever accept it might be their destiny?-and pray with the Knights as they lay their plans, we know that whatever they do will be countered by Morgause's sorcery and demons.

This is Linda Wichman's first novel, but it won't be her last! Legend of the Emerald Rose is masterfully woven with all the skillful elements of good story-telling. You can almost believe you're right back there in that ancient time; it's for sure you'll feel the goose-flesh rise when Morgause turns up, knowing something awful is going to happen. And only Rayn, Arthur's rightful heir, can end the violence and restore peace and order. But at what price?

This is a `gotta read' and I say run, don't walk, to your nearest Christian bookstore and get this book. Young and old will enjoy it for the era it evokes and the richness of the writing.

Peggy Phifer @2005

Linda Wichman weaves an intriguing tale of romantic fantasy about Rayn, the daughter of King Arthur and Queen Guenevere. Although I've read almost all the novels about Arthur, this is the first in which his heir is the main character. Merlin's son, Shadoe, plays the role of the hero, and the sparks of attraction and antagonism between them light the way throughout the challenges they face together.

Most stories of the legendary king are steeped in magic and mysticism. Wisely, Wichman chose not to ignore that legacy, but instead incorporated the myths as the power of God working in His children. In contrast, she also shows clearly that Satan has the strength to help those who follow him.

Vivid description abounds amid the struggle of good vs. evil as Shadoe and Rayn work together to save the island. I look forward to Wichman's future novels.

Shadoe un Hollo Tors (Shad'ow un Hal'low Tore) son of Merlin, was twelve years old when King Arthur was killed. Shadoe was supposed to guard the king's back, but they were separated in the heat of battle. Now Arthur Pendragon lies on his back, clutching his famed sword Excalibur.

Shadoe believes Merlin, his father, is dead. Rumor has it that Merlin, who once followed the dark ways of the Enchanter, turned his life over to Jesu, Savior of the world. Shadoe is a follower of the true God, but when Mordred le Fey, pretender to the throne, kills Arthur and then brutally murders Queen Guenvere, Shadoe believes God has deserted them.

But God has a mission for Shadoe. An unwilling servent, still he promises he will accept the pendant of the Emerald Rose of Avalon. Only the High Steward can wear the pendant, and appoint King Arthur's successor. There is a rumor that a secret child of Arthur's escaped Mordred's murderous rampage. Shadoe's job is to find that child and make him king. His task would be a lot easier, if a frustrating, irritating, female named Emerald Rose Rayn would stop getting in his way.

I've always loved tales of King Arthur and his court, and this one is a winner. The Legend of the Emerald Rose is filled with love, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil, and is well salted with biblical truths. Linda Wichman does a great job of recreating the fascinating world of the Isle of Might and the people who lived there.

As a young boy Shadoe un Hollo Tors' life is shattered by the death of King Arthur and Guenevere to whom he was devoted. Together with the betrayal perpetrated by his father, Merlin and the loss of Camelot, his faith in God lays in tatters. After suffering torture at the hands of the evil Mordred, Shadoe flees to the Continent and into the life of a mercenary.

Ignorant of her true heritage, Emerald Rose Rayn has been raised by Lancelot, in the ways of a warrior and not of a princess. Her mentor and friend, Mer, leaves her bereft when he dies but with a promise that her knight and godsend will come and to her alone will give his heart.

A dream steeped in reality draws a reluctant Shadoe, with his stallion Destrier and his wolf Echo, back to his childhood home and into the path of the independent and vivacious Rayn, who both enchants and infuriates him. Shadoe's destiny is to appoint the rightful heir to Arthur's empty throne but he fights the memory of his father and the trauma of his past. Rayn's faith is both a blessing and a challenge to him but it will not go untested as the heir to the throne of Camelot is challenged by Shadoe's cousin and nemesis, Mordred and as his evil mother, Morgause summons the powers of darkness to secure his victory.

It is no surprise that Legend of the Emerald Rose was the ACFW Book of the Year in 2005 and nominated for a Christy award in 2006. Linda Wichman has penned an epic tale of lore, loyalty and love and I was still completely enthralled when reading it for the third time for this review!

Shadoe is a man of integrity and courage mixed with the vulnerability of a young boy traumatised by the loss of those he loved. Rayn is delightful as she transforms from a warrior waif into the regal princess she is, fighting it all the way. The attraction between the two is spirited and sparks fly with every interaction. Linda is not shy about revealing their true feelings which makes for an authentic read. Needless to say Linda does not restrict her excellent character development to the main protagonists. Merlin, Lancelot, Mordred and Niamh, Shadoe's estranged mother, are beautifully portrayed and you are transported to the shores of Camelot and the time of knights and maidens when the fight between good and evil was a noble and vital quest.

This book would rate as one of my all time favourites and I would love to see a sequel. That being said I would read anything that Linda produces in the future.

Linda Wichman's classic romantic tale of adventure, myth, and the power of love is sure to become a favorite for anyone looking for a continuation of the legends surrounding Camelot. I look forward to seeing more great reads from this author.

In this compellingly real love story, Linda Wichman successfully weaves history, legend and a touch of mysticism under the Christian realm. The foundation for the story is laid with characters nearly everyone has met somewhere along the way: Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot and Merlin-but this book takes the legend to the next generation with fresh authority. Throughout the tale, the reader is reminded of God's power and supremacy while being thoroughly entertained in a story of good vs. evil and love that will not be suppressed. This novel is true to the faith it upholds while providing a romantic escape into a vividly portrayed legend.

Linda Wichman takes the Arthurian legends into the next generation and weaves a tale of duty to God and country with romance and intrigue. Capturing your interest within the first pages, The Legend of the Emerald Rose skillfully blends a fascinating story with godly principles in a manner that will clearly speak to any who read it. The author's style is highly readable and I found it difficult to put down. Even if you don't know a thing about King Arthur and Camelot, you will enjoy The Legend of the Emerald Rose.

If you're a fan of Arthurian legend, check out Legend of the Emerald Rose. After the deaths of Arthur and Guenevere, the remaining knights of the round table and Merlin protect and hide the identity of a young child, Emerald Rose Rayn, from everyone, including herself. She's been raised as Lancelot's daughter and Galahad's sister, but that's not her real self.

Shadoe un Hollo Tors is the illegitimate son of Merlin and one of the le Fey sisters, Niamh. He was only a boy of twelve when he failed to save Guenevere from assassination, then was tortured by Mordred before escaping off the Isle of Briton. He makes his return seventeen years later to fulfill the single task left to him by his father Merlin: delivering the medallion of the Emerald Rose to its rightful owner, thus proclaiming the true heir to the throne.

The problem? He's both instantly enthralled by the enchanting Rayn, and repelled by her wild and willful ways. This novel is an nontraditional love story between Shadoe and Rayn as they are pushed together and pulled apart by the violence of their times (late AD 400s) and the clash between good and evil, between the Pendragon dynasty and Morgause le Fey and her minions.

Story plusses? There's never a dull moment when Rayn and Shadoe are in the same location. Sparks fly: sparks of passion, sparks of fury.

Readers looking for literary angst won't find it here. Emerald Rose isn't that kind of story, nor is it intended to be. As the word "legend" in the title suggests, readers will find a rollicking great story in the best fairy-tale tradition that provides a welcome get-away from the work-a-day world. Wichman explores an alternate twist to the King Arthur tale with villains you love to hate, a wounded hero you'd love to fall in love with (except when you want to kick him), and a fiesty heroine you'd love to have as a friend. Hunting for a special book to escape with on a lazy afternoon? Here it is.

Seriously. If you are a Christian, and you have a secret love of lurid romance novels, you might give this a 5 star rating.

But for the rest of us, this story is, well...shockingly awful. I love fantasy novels, and as a Christian I like try to find books that are acceptable for a Christian mind. This one had a nice name, and the cover looked interesting. It wasn't. The charecters were flat, with a horrible tendancy to make the strong minded main female charecter something to be "tamed" (which, by the way, she was.) And for a Christian book, I found the overt and unnecessary sexual references out of place. I don't mind sex scenes in a book if they are part of the story, but this book seemed to throw them in haphazardly.

Please, support the cause of intelligent Christian readers everywhere and skip this book. If you want fantasy with a Christian perspective, try Stephen Lawhead or Tolkien.