Review: Prophecy: Clash of Kings by M.K.Hume

The Legend of Merlin begins...

In the town of Segontium, a wild storm washes a fugitive ashore. He brutally rapes the granddaughter of the king of the Deceangli tribe, leaving her to bear his son, Myrddion Merlinus. Spurned as a demon seed, the boy is raised by his grandmother and, as soon as he turns nine, 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 - a human sacrifice - 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.

Following the completion of her wonderful King Arthur trilogy M.K.Hume now goes back further in time and begins the story of Merlin. Again she reaches beyond the veils of myth and legend to create a real person living in a real world yet still one who from the moment he is bastard born is different. Intelligent and quick to learn, gifted with foresight and a desire to heal rather than destroy life and haunted by the need  for knowledge of his unknown father it isn't hard to very quickly relate to this young boy.

Set in 5th century Britain Myrrdion's early years are spent in the shadow of Mona, the Druid's Island, until he is kidnapped by Vortigern and taken south where after surviving Vortigern's attempts to use him as a sacrifice he finds himself working as a healer on the battlefields.

Whether she is describing everyday life, the art of healing or stirring accounts of gory battles M.K.Hume weaves a powerful tale that is the perfect mix of imagination and history. I particularly loved the haunting glimpses of Ygerne , Gorlois and their two little girls happy in their life at Tintagel and their ignorance of what is to come.

Wonderful historical fiction and I look forward to part two of the Merlin Trilogy.

Aussie Author Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge

Show Me 5 Saturday: Avalon by Anya Seton

A fun way to add variety to review formats this meme was created by Alipet at That's A Novel Idea.

Jenners at Find Your Next Book Here has added a Mr Linky again this week so we can link up our posts .

1 Book I read: Avalon by Anya Seton

2 Words that describe the book: Medieval goings-on.

3 Settings where it took place and/or characters you met:

• 
  
  The time period is the latter part of the 10th century and the story is set in many different places - France, Southern England, Iceland and Greenland.
• 
  
  Merewyn has grown up in Cornwall and takes great pride in being descended from King Arthur.
• 
  
  Rumon is a young French noble who has left his country in the hope of finding the blessed Western Isle, Avalon. When he is shipwrecked off the coast of Cornwall his future becomes bound with that of Merewyn.

4 Things I liked/disliked about it:

• 
  
  I liked the relationship between Merewyn and Rumon. Although there is a strong connection between them their story is not a grand romance which makes a nice change. It also means that other characters in the book are equally important - King Edgar and his family, St Dunstan, Merwinna, Merewyn's aunt who is an abbess of a convent, and many more.
• 
  
  I liked (loved) the historical background. The author was renowned for her meticulous research and she really brings the 10th century to life with her vivid description of the King's court, life at Glastonbury Abbey , within convent walls and the daily round of the ordinary folk.
• 
  
  I liked reading about the social issues of the time. The effect of constant Viking raids on the English and the life of St Dunstan who struggled to maintain a balance between church and state.
• 
  
  I liked the part of the story when Merewyn travels to Iceland and later, Greenland, as I haven't read a great deal about the history of those countries.

5 Stars or less for your rating?

4/5 Stars for a wonderful historical novel that I enjoyed as much as I did the first time I read it many years ago. I was inspired to do this by the Anya Seton month being featured at Historical Tapestry throughout June. Lots of reviews, articles and giveaways so head on over and check it out.

The Four Month Challenge 3