Again Mary Stewart makes the magical legend of King Arthur come alive and make Merlin's life a human one. Arthur was tricked by Morgause into a night of passion before he realized it was incest. Morgause then tricks King Lot into a marriage and pretends the child came early. She and Lot had been lovers before Arthur. Lot is angry over the deception and has the child killed and other babies nearby similar to King Herrod in the Bible. However Morguese had the real child safely hidden away. Merlin agonizes over these deaths and goes secretly to see if he can find the real child. He is unsuccessful.
Then Arthur needs Merlin for other deeds such as making sure his other half-sister, Morgain is married and blessing his own marriage to Guenivere. Merlin is given a drug at Morgan's marriage and loses much strength. The curse apparently has begun its work. | ||
Plot & Themes FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - King Arthur Romance Yes Romance plotlets: - falling in love with the enemy Political power play Yes Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes magical powers: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Main Adversary How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths |