Allreaders.com
Author Simon Hawke booklist (click here)

Book Review By Michael Jung
The Wizard Of Camelot by Simon Hawke

In the near future, Earth's environment, economic system, and governments have degenerated into anarchy. Urban rioters roam the streets, families starve in their homes, and suicide is common. It is in this world that Tom Malory, an English soldier, sneaks into a restricted forest to chop down an oak tree and steal enough wood to keep his family warm. Instead, Malory's axe releases Merlin the Magician who has been imprisoned in the oak for centuries.

Deciding that only modern magic can save humanity, Merlin sets out to re-establish his authority and create a new school of sorcery. But convincing a jaded world that mankind's greatest wizard has returned isn't easy. Talk show hosts ridicule Merlin. Religious fanatics try to assassinate him. Even Malory starts wondering about the strange old man living in his house. Through it all, Merlin perseveres and begins ushering in a new age of magic -- even as frightened, obsessed factions do everything they can to stop him.   


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - cynical or dry-wit
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world
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 - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - long lived adults
If magical mental powers: - can talk to animals - fire/lightning/weather cntrl - telekinesis - clairvoyant - teleportation - can cast many different spells - healing - can grant wishes
Really unusual traits?

Main Adversary
Identity: - society
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book.

Setting
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Back To Main Menu