Review: Merlin's Shadow by Robert Treskillard

Title: Merlin's Shadow
Author: Robert Treskillard
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 437
ISBN: 978-0-310-73508-3
Publication Date: October 1st, 2013

Synopsis:

Betrayal.

After destroying the sinister Druid Stone and freeing his people from its dark control, Merlin finds himself a royal advisor without a king. Along with his friend Garth and Natalenya, his betrothed, Merlin treks north with the orphaned Arthur in hopes of keeping the young ruler safe from soldiers misled by their turncoat captain. Relentlessly pursued by his old nemesis Vortigern, Merlin and his band make for the fortress of Dintaga.

But dangers multiply when Merlin realizes that Vortigern is not his only enemy. Even his own sister appears bent on Merlin's destruction. As the threat on all their lives increases, Merlin discovers their only hope is sailing to the lands of eternal darkness and once again cleansing the world from an ancient and powerful evil.

Review:
Merlin's Shadow picks up right after Merlin's Blade ends. Merlin and his companions are on the run from Vortigern and his men, but they are not the only ones after Merlin. Old threats emerge along with new threats. It seems wherever they turn, someone wants to bring harm to either Merlin or Arthur. It is a non-stop ride following Merlin and his companions as they race away from these threats and try their hardest to keep the young Arthur safe.

Robert Treskillard is able to weave the mythology of King Arther and supernatural aspects with a bit of historical fiction from this time in Britain when it is out from under Roman rule, but still settling into what it will become. The world that is presented is a dark world that Merlin lives in, full of battles, and grabs a hold of you as you dive further into the story.

Merlin through the story, has pushed forward as the leader of this rag tag group of five. However, through his strengths he reveals his weaknesses. One weakness in particular, which is witnessed in the beginning, I wanted to slap him for. Merlin promised Natalenya and her mother that he would protect Natalenya at the end of Merlin's Blade. However, when times got hard for them, and their chase intensified, Merlin pulled away from Natalenya and in doing so, left her vulnerable. I would like to say it was Merlin being naive, but I don't know. His thoughts shifted from where I expected them to go.

All in all, I really enjoyed Merlin's Shadow. It was a fast paced book from the very beginning and it kept me questioning, "What will happen next?" I'm interested to see how things will wrap up in the third book, Merlin's Nightmare.

Too Read
4 out of 5

About the Author:

Robert Treskillard holds a BA in Biblical &Theological Studies from Bethel University, Minnesota. He has been crafting stories from his early youth, and is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometimes a bladesmith.








Thank you to Booklook (formerly Booksneeze), I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.