Customer Reviews

Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy

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Arthurian legends are usually that, legends of Arthur, but most don't seem to spend as much time delving into the story of Merlin. Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy is an amazing introduction into the magical world of Merlin. Dee Marie beautifully sheds light on the beginnings of the beloved, magical, and mysterious Merlin.

Set in a post Roman Britain, this recovering nation was still fraught with turmoil and war. The reader is transported to a time long ago with sights, and smells of the era. The scenery unfolds in the mind with each word until you are there with the characters in peace or in battle.

The characters are rich and complex. The mysterious Merlin, Lionel, Lot, Ambrosious, and Uther take us through their journeys and struggles. Our characters, sometimes misunderstood, seem to make the wrong choices until the bigger picture is revealed with a life lesson intertwined. The difficulties and hardship of the time are clear, but not without humor throughout to remind us of the characters' youthfulness and humanity. We watch Merlin grow from infancy and become the leader and prophet he is meant to become.

Merlin's Prophecy isn't only filled with beautifully written folklore, there are lessons woven throughout that relate to readers of all ages. Just because the characters lived long ago doesn't mean that they weren't facing challenges we can relate to. My favorite moment from the story comes from a scene when Merlin was speaking to Ambrosious. This conversation came to me at a time when I needed it: " ...'Peace or discontentment comes from within. Man may not rule his destiny, but he does rule his soul. Your reaction to life comes from within you, not from the world around you.'" (Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy, p.199)

Dee Marie's novel is not just for fans of Arthurian legends, but for anyone who enjoys good literature. Personally, Merlin's Prophecy has been a great introduction into a genre and world I had previously not visited. I hold a new respect and interest in Merlin, and plan to look into reading other Arthurian tales. I anxiously await her sequel to Merlin's Prophecy.

Dee Marie is one of the best modern authors I have read in a long time. Her writing style is fast paced, yet her prose are very well written. She pays attention to character detail and gives the reader a visual picture of her characters through words.

Once I started the book, I could not put it down. I am waiting now for the rest of her series. I recommend this book not only for enthusiasts of the King Arthur time period, but for those who just want to read a well written, interesting, and exciting book.

This novel is so visually stunning, coming to life right off of the page. It is like a virtual pop up book as the scenery and characters dance around and the smells fill the room you are reading in. You will find yourself unconsciously wrapping the blanket tighter around yourself as the mist rolls in. It is as if when you put the book down the characters will get out and follow you around begging you to come back and finish the story. You can feel the fires, feel the heated roman tiles, smell the dust on the tapestry, feel the tangle in the horse's mane, hear the gallop and whinny as they run and buck back on two legs, and feel the wind of the dragon's wings. I can still hear the crackle of the burning walls, and the swords sliding across each other as the heroes struggle for justice. I still have flashes in my memories of the vivid blues, reds, and greens. Dee Marie has made the characters so endearing. You find yourself rooting for the good guys, hating the bad guys (while secretly admiring them), and wanting to wrap your arms around Enid after eating one of her apple pies. This is not rocket science people this book is awesome and should be read at all costs. I am not known to be a fan of Arthurian literature, I am more of a Victorian/Gothic kinda girl, but now I am hooked. I can't wait until the next book in the series is published. The cool part is neither can my teenage boys. Now you know if you can find a common bond with a teenager that some phenomenal words have been put to paper. This book has drama, pageantry, romance, adventure, war, politics, history and fantasy. What else do you want in a book? And why are you still reading this review? You should be reading Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy.

I really loved reading Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy by Dee Marie. She had such great ways of describing the places and the characters. I also felt as though the emotion that was conveyed through the characters was remarkably easy to feel. The way the emotions were described, I felt I was right there watching the story unfold. The ending was so wonderful, that I almost exploded. It ended with bang, letting you know that there is more to come. I can't wait to read Sons of Avalon two. Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy is a great book for anyone, any age you are. Especially if you like the authorian type novels. GREAT WORK!!

I am not well-versed in Arthurian myths. My limited knowledge centers around Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot. Therefore, it was incredibly interesting to learn more about the legends surrounding Merlin. I had always thought of him as a wise, old sage, but thanks to Dee Marie's vivid depiction I now have a much broader notion of Merlin in his younger years.

I was captivated by this story and its rich descriptions of not only Merlin but kings and princes and fairy priestesses. Dee Marie combines extensive research of British, Celtic, and Druid history with terrific writing and gives us a very entertaining read.

From the moment I saw the strikingly impressive front cover of: Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy, the exhilaration of this enchanting tale began.

Dee Marie's solid grasp of the wondrous medieval time period; Arthurian, is highly evident as she takes us (readers) on a non-stop exciting tale. From the mystifying birth of Merlin, I was drawn into the magic. Dee Marie is successful in combining both early British history and mythical characters, masterfully weaved and brought to life.

Merlin is no ordinary child, and throughout the tale he uncovers his life's purpose, while coming to terms with his special powers. I experienced the bloodiness of the battlefields, love, and humor infused in this captivating story.

Sons of Avalon is not just a thrilling page turner, it is, a journey which is guaranteed to leave you anxiously awaiting the second book in the series - Absolutely Outstanding!

If ever a book is worthy of a six star review, Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy is the book! Highly recommended.

I absolutely LOVE Sons of Avalon, merlin's prophecy by Dee Marie!! This is my first Arthurian legend novel and I was not sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. Since I did not know about Arthurian legend, I found the book very educational, wonderful to read and very hard to put down. The attention to detail was amazing! I could see every detail Dee described crystal clear in my mind. I was honestly disappointed when the book was done. I am hoping that Dee Marie gets busy writing the sequel!

I have read this book three times. A good book to me is not only one that you can't put down, but one that takes you away -- an escape from your own reality.

Many authors can describe situations, develop characters, and recount history. Dee Marie has a true talent for bringing the reader into the story; a "movie" plays in the minds-eye. Her historic descriptions are written with accuracy, care and an attention to detail, but with a pace that keeps the reader attached, wanting more.

If you are looking for a true "escape," then read "Sons of Avalon." It now has a permanent place on my nightstand.

Dee Marie knows her history and her legends well. Her novel, Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy, is a fresh, new interruption of the Arthurian Story. In her first book of a proposed series--that begins with Merlin's youth and ends just short of Arthur's birth--she weaves genuine elements of Britain's post-Roman past with mythical tales of Merlin and Arthur, reflecting much of the writing of Saint Gildas the famous British historian of the 6th century and Bede who followed him. It was also clear that Dee Marie actually visited some of the sights, such as Stonehenge, where a major scene in the novel takes place.

Despite knowing the legend, it was impossible to anticipate what would happen next as Dee Marie picked different aspects of the legends, which by now have become something of a great ball of tangled string, with different writers having changed, or added various elements over the course of some fifteen hundred years. Dee Marie chose to adhere to Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae idea that Merlin assisted in disguising Uther Pendragon so that he could enter Tintagel castle, while rejecting Geoffrey's notion that Merlin created Stonehenge. She also appeared to have followed Robert de Boron, the French poet of the late 12th and early 13th centuries, version of King Lot's legacy. Yet she appeared to take some literary license with a few new characters--central to the story if not the legend--that added color and life to the work. The addition of Romanesque elements was a refreshing change that placed the story on a firmer, more believable historical ground.

The story itself is a very light and easy read. Unlike other stories of this type that focus more on Merlin's plan to bring about the conception of Arthur, Dee Marie makes a more interesting and engaging focus on the confrontational relationship between Merlin and Uther. This very complex interaction underscores the whole story and keeps you guessing not only how the story will ultimately turn out, but how, or if these two will reconcile their differences. The insertion of Lot as a young antagonist is also a highlight, providing that dash of villain that is needed in any good tale, but even here Dee Marie's portrayal is far from two-dimensional. Lot, like all her characters, wavers between good and evil leaving the reader to contemplate the nature of both.

Gold Star Award Winner!

I have always been enamored with the Arthurian legends.

I have read many of the books that have been published on the subject. The one thing that I have a problem with is that the legend changes according to each historian/author, and I have problems keeping the characters straight. There are lots of characters and the names are sometimes very much alike. Those are the problems - but the greatest thing is that the stories are fascinating and a lot of fun.

This rendition of the story of Merlin is great. It has a lot of charm and is written in a way most of us can understand.

Merlin is a fairy child. His mother is the Lady of the Lake. She left him as a babe in the woods and he was adopted by an elderly couple. At the age of six, he is violently taken from this couple and is sent by his mother to be the advisor to the current King and the future King of Britain.

Britain is being invaded by the Saxons and it is a brutal period in history. Merlin is gifted with many powers - he can heal, see visions, and predict the future. He advises King Ambrosious and his brother, Uther.

MERLIN'S PROPHECY is filled with intrigue, battles, romance, and fun. I can't wait to read the next installment in the SONS OF AVALON series.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison