Merlin: The Dragon’s Call

I first heard about this book from a friend of mine who also does book reviews. I thought it might be interesting because I also enjoy the tv show that the book is based on. Next thing I knew she was offering a giveaway - and I actually won!

The book (and tv show) is about Merlin and Author as young men. Merlin is the main character, but Author plays a big part in the story as well. Merlin arrives in Camelot eager to take it all in, and just a little bit overwhelmed by it all. One of the very first things he sees is an execution. King Uther ruled that all magic is evil twenty years ago, and now all caught practicing magic are immediately put to death. It's a somber warning for Merlin, who was born with an incredible ability to use magic.

Merlin doesn't heed the warning very well though. He's a hot blooded young man with a keen sense of justice, and when he should be keeping a low profile and going about his work for Gaius, he finds himself in trouble time and time again. Usually from a run in with Author, who as a young man is brash, arrogant, and a bully. Merlin always finds a way to get out of trouble, but sometimes it's a rather close thing! By the end of the book he finds himself the unwitting savior of Author, and as a reward, Author's servant.

During all this Merlin is hearing a mysterious mental summons. It's obviously magical in origin, but how could that be? Eventually the call pulls him below the foundations of the city where he meets the only remaining dragon. What the dragon has to say is fantastic to say the least, and Merlin doesn't really know how to handle it.

I've enjoyed watching the series because I've always loved the Arthurian myth. I'm enjoying seeing it from the perspective of Merlin, and with both of them as young men. At times I have to shake my head at some of the things the authors choose to put in, but it's a good bit of fun. The book follows closely with what I remember of the first episode from the series adding insight into the different things people were thinking.