Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Merlin of St. Giles Well
Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Ann Chamberlin
Class/Genre: Fantasy Magic Historical
Series: Joan of Arc Tapestries # 1
Tor, Sep 1999, $23.95, 320 pp.
By the middle of the fifteenth century, Christianity has strong roots in France. Most citizens, from the lowest peasant to Le Roi believe that pagan practices no longer exist in the nation. However, the ancient ways still keep the earth and related forces in harmony. Giles and Marie de Ross, two minor nobles, journey into a sacred forest and attempt to kill a stag.
A peasant child, Yann Le Drapier receives the call of the king stag and intercepts the arrow with his hand. MERLIN OF ST. GILES WELL, a descendent from the great Merlin, saves the lad who has the gift of sight. When Yann goes into an epileptic fit, he sees visions of the future. Merlin has a disciple tutor the lad in the old ways. The magician knows they prepare Yann to play a major role in upcoming events.
The “Joan of Arc” trilogy provides readers with a paradigm look at one of histories most courageous and renowned figures. Starting with the exciting MERLIN OF ST. GILES WELL, Ann Chamberlin focuses on a hypothesis that Marlin recruited Joan, a practitioner of the old ways. The clever intertwining of fantasy and history works extremely well as readers will fully relish this novel and foresee that the companion tales will be as great.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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