Monday 21 March 2011

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Prophecy 1: Clash of Kings - MK Hume

Release Date: 20/01/11

SYNOPSIS:

Amid the bloody battlefields of Britain, Merlin is marked for greatness...In the town of Segontium, a fugitive is washed ashore. He brutally rapes the granddaughter of the king of the Deceangli tribe, leaving her to bear his son, Myrddion. Spurned as a demon seed, the boy is raised by his grandmother and he is apprenticed to a skilled healer who hones his remarkable gift. Meanwhile, the High King of the Celts, Vortigern, is rebuilding the ancient fortress at Dinas Emrys. According to a prophecy, he must use the blood of a demon seed to make the towers stand firm. Myrddion's life is in jeopardy. But the boy has a prophecy of his own and a richer destiny to fulfil. Soon Vortigern shall be known as the harbinger of chaos, and Myrddion must use his gifts for good in a kingdom besieged by evil. So begins the healer's journey to greatness...


REVIEW:

Having loved Marilyn’s interpretation of the King Arthur story, I was interested to see where Merlin would take her. Whilst there are some similarities between this and the popular Channel Four two part mini-series starring Sam Neill, Marilyn’s writing not only enchants the reader but keeps them glued to every page as she weaves her own literary eldritch spell. It’s beautifully told, it has a more realistic feel and above all else it’s the characters that enthuse the reader from the start to finish. Whilst we all knew that the hero of the piece wouldn’t die, the moments of high tension really did bring a lump to the throat and have you wondering how he was going to escape his current predicament.

All in a story to keep of Historical Fiction that really does transcend genres allowing it to appeal to fans of Fantasy alongside Historical Fiction, add to this great prose, some delicious dialogue and when backed with moments of high tension made this a read that will leave you demanding the second instalment as soon as possible.

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