Merlin: The Old Magic - Part 1 (Merlin (Warner)) [Mass Market Paperback]

James Mallory (Author)

Book Description

Series: Merlin (Warner) | Publication Date: August 1, 1999

A TIMELESS EPIC, A NEW CLASSIC FOR ALL AGES -- MERLIN

"Once upon a time...no, no, that's not the way to start. You'll think this is a fairy tale. And it isn't".

In the terrible years of tyrants and invaders, England's surviving pagans cry out for help to their deity -- and Mab, Queen of the Faery realms, creates for them a champion.

Merlin. Half human, half Magic; raised in the love of his foster mother, Ambrosia, trained in sorcery by the gnome Frick, destined by Mab to lead England back to the Old Ways. But Mab, once beloved, has grown selfish and cruel, so Merlin turns against her.

And their war of magic will change the world.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Merlin Part I: The Old Magic is the first of a three-part novelization of the very successful Hallmark Entertainment Merlin miniseries starring Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, and Martin Short.

Author James Mallory has long been fascinated with the Arthurian legends and their historical development, and he greatly expands upon the TV series, adding material derived from the original Celtic mythology, together with further invention of his own. Characters not seen in the televised series include Herne The Hunter and Idath, Lord of the Wild Hunt. Mallory also provides a foundation for the later Grail Quest, which the miniseries left offscreen.

The Roman Legions are abandoning Britain, and Christianity is spreading through the land. Mab, Queen of the Old Ways, is determined to fight the new religion, first by placing her hopes in the tyrant King Vortigen and then by creating the part-man, part-elemental Merlin. As a youth, Merlin falls in love with the Lady Nimue, but as Mab's evil grows he vows to oppose her and the Old Magic.

This is an off-beat version of the early part of an oft-told tale. It works best as an introduction to the Arthurian saga for those who loved the Merlin miniseries, or for young adults unfamiliar with the legends. Adult readers, or those who know the original stories, will perhaps find more satisfying other retellings such as The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead or Rosalind Miles's Guenevere series. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk

From Library Journal

Born of magic as a vehicle for Queen Mab's desire to restore a dying paganism to the lands of Britain, Merlin grows up in the care of a foster mother until Mab comes to claim him for her own. Based on the TV miniseries Merlin, Mallory's novelization stands alone as an accomplished retelling of the beginning of the Arthurian legend. A good choice for large fantasy collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Aspect; 1 edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446607665
• ISBN-13: 978-0446607667
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.8 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,778,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Arthurian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another take on the Merlin legend, May 26, 2000

By 

R. K. Smith (Texas Hill Country, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Merlin: The Old Magic - Part 1 (Merlin (Warner)) (Mass Market Paperback)

After the Romans abandon Britannia, the queen of the fairy world, Mab, is determined to bring the Britons back to worship her and the rest of the old gods. She first tries through King Vortigern, but, failing there, creates Merlin. Part human, part fairy, Merlin learns to walk a road between the old ways and the new, angering Mab. She turns on him, only to find his human side gives him powers the fairy queen never expected.

This is a good read. Compared to Mary Stewart's Merlin series, it's a little lightweight, but a really nice and off-beat look at Merlin.

It's a keeper in my library. So's the movie...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's the best book i have ever read!, March 5, 2000

By 

Inez (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merlin: The Old Magic - Part 1 (Merlin (Warner)) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is truly a fantastic book worth reading...I admit it's pretty thick, but don't let that scare you off..once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down! If anyone knows where you can find 'Merlin : The King's Wizard' and the third book ( I don't know what it's called ) please e-mail me at [e-mail]! Like I've already said, a terrific book looking back at the magical times. After you read this, you'll believe that a magical time really did exist!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The mini series adaptation and whole lot more!, May 27, 2001

By 

LUIS "wise in the ways of metal" (Obregon, Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Merlin: The Old Magic - Part 1 (Merlin (Warner)) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you loved (or even just liked) the Merlin TV miniseries, and also if you love Arthurian tales, this won't dissapont you. Granted, the tales is told in a lighthearted manner with many liberties taken with the legend of Merlin but that's what makes reading Arthurian tales interesting, each author brings his own spin on the story. What really makes this book worth reading is the wealth of background information regarding Merlin's life. Many scenes in the book are not shown in the Miniseries and that gives the story a wider scope. Parts like Merlin's magical training and his encounters with Idath and Herne the Hunter as well as a further exploration of the mystery of the Grail.