Review: Merlyn's Raven by Rose Vanden Eynden

Merlyn's Raven (goodreads.com)

By: Rose Vanden Enyden (website)

eBook,
Published April 17th 2012 by Soul Mate Publishing
ISBN 13: 9781619350

Source: Tour, for the purpose of an honest review

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Stars: 5
Flames: 2

Summary from Goodreads

Falling in love is the ultimate magic. For Gwendydd, a young woman in 5th century Wales, it seems an unobtainable fantasy. She dreads the day her chieftain grandfather will marry her off to increase his allies among the warring tribes of Britain. When she meets the mysterious and handsome druid apprentice Myrddin, Gwendydd realizes just how difficult falling in love can be. The ire of her disapproving grandfather is not her only obstacle. Myrddin’s clairvoyant visions of a king who will unify the battling tribes and bring peace to the land become a dangerous obsession that threatens to obliterate their union. Can Gwendydd support her beloved, the man destined to become the world’s most powerful enchanter, King Arthur’s legendary Merlyn? Or will her devotion destroy her and everything she holds dear?

Review

This story is one we are familiar with but yet not. This is a story of Merlyn but instead of the wizard that he was so well known for being. We learn of him as a young man and the young girl who fell in love with him. I love this time period and sword play but the best thing about this time period is the magic. In this age everyone knows of magic some are scared and believe only a demon would wield such powers and others just believe. This story has both of those people.

This story takes place in 5th century Wales. I found this tale to be very well written and enjoyable. The plot kept you engaged and turning the digital pages to see what happened next. I am hoping the author will continue this story with a sequel as I am interested to see what will happen next.

The characters were well written, believable and enjoyable. Gwendydd is the girl who falls in love with Merlyn. She meets Merlyn in town and then later at her home where the druid that trains Merlyn is to become an adviser to her grandfather. Her grandfather is later convinced by the druid to allow him to train Gwendydd in healing so that she may be a more sought after wife. However it is not the druid who is to train her but Merlyn himself. When it is announced that she is to marry a man to bring two tribes together it is Merlyn who saves her from the marriage with a prediction. In turn when the High King spirits Merlyn off in the middle of the night it is Gwendydd that saves him. Their love was a more gradual love than love at first sight which also made it more believable.

Also the locations in this story were well described. I wish we were able to spend more time on Avalon. I have always loved hearing about Avalon. This time period has always been my favorite, I love castles, sword play and hearing about the general life of the people. The magic and superstition that was alive in this time period also was intriguing. As a child I used to read all I could about King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. That is why I had to check this book out since it is a never before read angle for me on Merlynn before he became a legendary character.

I must say that as far as secondary characters go in this story I am curious if Rhydderch will be in more stories.  Rose has said there will be another book but it is TBD date. I will be reading the next in the series as well. I give this book 5 stars.

Have you read this book yet? If so please feel free to leave me a comment and let us know how you felt. If you haven't read it feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.

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VBT: Promo Stop of Merlyn's Raven by Rose Vanden Eynden

Merlyn’s Raven

By Rose Vanden Eynden

Soul Mate Publishing

Short Blurb

For a young woman, falling in love is the ultimate magic. But what if the object of her affection is Merlyn, destined to be King Arthur’s legendary advisor? Can Gwendydd work her own magic to capture the heart of the world’s most powerful enchanter, or will her desire destroy her and the people she loves most?

Back Cover Blurb

Falling in love is the ultimate magic. For Gwendydd, a young woman in 5^th century Wales, it seems an unobtainable fantasy. She dreads the day her chieftain grandfather will marry her off to increase his allies among the warring tribes of Britain. When she meets the mysterious and handsome druid apprentice Myrddin, Gwendydd realizes just how difficult falling in love can be. The ire of her disapproving grandfather is not her only obstacle. Myrddin’s clairvoyant visions of a king who will unify the battling tribes and bring peace to the land become a dangerous obsession that threatens to obliterate their union. Can Gwendydd support her beloved, the man destined to become the world’s most powerful enchanter, King Arthur’s legendary Merlyn? Or will her devotion destroy her and everything she holds dear?

Soulmate Publishing                     Amazon

About the Author:

Rose Vanden Eynden has always believed in magic, which probably explains how she is able to be a writer as well as a wife, mother, medium, massage therapist, minister, and instructor. She resides in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, twin teenaged sons, and a dachshund named after Rudyard Kipling. In her spare (!) time, she enjoys performing in live theatre, watching films, reading, and walking in the woods. An avid believer in a balanced life, she meditates and eats chocolate daily.

Light Journey Enterprises
www.vandeneynden.biz
Read Rose's blog, STANDING BETWEEN THE WORLDS www.vandeneynden.biz/blog
Rose's books, available at all major bookstores: 
SO YOU WANT TO BE A MEDIUM? A DOWN TO EARTH GUIDE
METATRON: INVOKING THE ANGEL OF GOD'S PRESENCE

ASK A MEDIUM: ANSWERS TO YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPIRIT WORLD

Do you Twitter? Follow Rose: http://twitter.com/RoseofAvalon

Rose on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoseVandenEyndenOfficial

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/542711.Rose_Vanden_Eynden

Look for Rose's first novel, MERLYN'S RAVEN, coming April 17, 2012 from Soul Mate Publishing.

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Merlyn’s Raven

Excerpt

By Rose Vanden Eynden

It was nearly impossible to face Myrddin the next day. When I brought the meal to the druid quarters, he tried to draw me out with jokes and questions, but my short responses and melancholy looks eventually silenced him. Blaise seemed oblivious to it all and, after eating a light meal, retired to the comfort of his private chamber. I walked to the drying table and took up the pestle, throwing a weed I couldn’t recognize into the mortar and grinding it without thought.

I felt Myrddin watching me, his bewilderment palpable in the air, but I did not dare glance his way. I feared collapsing into tears or, worse, confessing my undying love to his great embarrassment. He would know about Lot soon enough, but how could I hide my distress from him without telling him my true feelings? Tears stung my eyes as I pounded the herbs until a hand stayed mine.

“Gwendydd, stop. You’ll shatter the poor mortar, and then what shall we do?”

His tone was light, and it made me angry. I tore my arm away and heaved the pestle across the room. It sprayed dried leaves in an arc across the table as it flew before striking the wall with a sharp ring. “I cannot bear you making fun of me today, Myrddin.”

“I was not making fun. I was trying to distract you from whatever poisons your thoughts.” He reached to touch my shoulder, but I darted away, keeping my face turned askance. I knew if I looked into his eyes, I would lose any control that I had. “Come, what is it?”

I sighed. Sooner or later, he would hear anyway, and had I not told him the truth in all? “My grandfather has found a husband for me. He comes now from Lothian, to be here at Christmastime.”

“I see.” A long pause followed.

Eternal moments later, I could bear it no longer. I whirled towards him, my anger stoked again. “Is that all you can say?”

Myrddin spread his hands in a gesture of acquiescence. “What do you want me to say?”

“You know how unhappy this makes me. How much I hate that I have no say in this, that I must instead be the dutiful granddaughter made into the obedient wife. How can you stand by and watch me suffer?”

“Do you expect me to stop it?” He cocked his head to one side, scowling. “You are the only one who can control your life, Gwendydd. Have you learned nothing in these last months I’ve been instructing you?”

“But that’s a lie!” I shouted. “It’s a lie that I have control. Is that not what magick is, mastery over circumstance? How can I control anything when I am not even the mistress of my own life?”

He took a step toward me, his voice firm. “Of course you have control. It is hard to see now, but there are things you can do. You always have a choice.”

“You’re wrong. I’ve been given no choice here, and it hurts more than you can possibly understand.” I stalked to the door of the chamber and threw it open, trying to check the shaking in my hands so that he would not see my weakness. “I believe our lessons are at an end.”

He frowned. “What do you mean? This does not need to change—“

“Yes, it does. The purpose of these lessons was to make me more attractive to a suitor. Now that Grandfather has promised me to Lord Lot, there is no need for me to study further.” I looked him in the eye, all my tears dried in the wake of my fury. “I thank you, Lord Merlyn, for your guidance. I know that what I have learned will make me a better wife.” I spit out the last word, spun on my heel, and dashed from his sight before he could protest. I headed straight for my chambers and did not emerge until the next morning, promising myself I would cry no more. I was empty inside.