Merlin’s Charge by Peter Joseph Swanson

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Merlin’s Charge
Author: Peter Joseph Swanson

Author Site

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Publisher: Stonegarden.net Publishing

Genre: Fiction/Sci-fi/Fantasy

Length: 224 pgs.
Reviewed by: Jes

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 4

Story: 5

Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating: 

                                                  

About The Book: In the wasteland of Britain in the year 500, a cranky Merlin tutors a teenage Arthur. Missing the comfort of the Realm of Dragons, Merlin amuses himself with two simultaneous sneaky marriages to the feuding witches, Nimm and Mother Hubbard. With the help of young Parsifal, they all begin the search for the holy grail, their town's communal cauldron, which was stolen by a Pict witch to make a demon bell. Recovering the cauldron will end the drought in time for Arthur to be King. Along the way they meet a host of colorful characters and face obstacles of a most phenomenal nature. Classic Peter Joseph Swanson—wickedly bawdy.

The Review: Merlin’s Charge is a novel from Peter Joseph Swanson set in 5th century Briton and it focuses on one story of Merlin and Arthur on the quest for the Cauldron of plenty. This is a well written story that takes from classic legend and ideologies of the Great King and his tutor with adding an updated feel to the characters. Merlin’s Charge follows the young prince as he faces and battles the Pict witch who has stolen the Cauldron of Plenty from an already suffering village. The whole land of Briton is in the middle of a drought and a Cauldron which never empties is a dream come true for the starving people, it is truly the grail as it is more important than gold or treasure. Add in the complications of Merlin’s two wives and Parisfal the Inheritor; you have an interesting weave of personalities.

 
I enjoyed the writing that Swanson provided: the quips as well as dialogue between all of the characters. It was light hearted and kept the reader intrigued and involved in the story. I felt that Swanson had revitalized the story of Merlin and Arthur. He managed to create a young Arthur who was learning the ways of being a king and kept light hearted to the ideals of youth, while Merlin had an air of knowing and otherworldliness that you would come to expect from a great wizard such as Merlin.

What I appreciated as a reader was the consistency which the author kept to his characters; they had a solid design and kept to the personalities which were introduced. I find that this is one of the harder things in writing, that many authors forget small details either about the characters or their surroundings, where this wasn’t missed in Merlin’s Charge.
 

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys fantasy and Arthurian tales or legends. Swanson has managed to refresh very old and popular characters, giving a believable story and respecting the current ideas.

Pagan Elements:

Yes, this is a high fantasy and there are some elements of classic Druid and Celtic pagan leanings. It is light in terms of pagan elements and does not identify to being a pagan by today’s definitions, but I would call it “pagan light”.

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Aries Rising by Syrell Starr

PAGAN & PEN REVIEW

Title: Aries Rising

Author: Syrell Starr

Author Site

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Publisher: Carnal Passions

Genre: science fiction/erotic romance/M/F

Length: 103 pgs.

Other: Voyeurism; Foot Fetish; Mild Bondage; Spanking

Pagan & Pagan Elements: None

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

About The Book: One man has the unique gift of being able to read photographs, and he uses his skill to provide mates for men who pay well for the privilege. Gondar Lem is such a man. Selected to guard a secret that could destroy worlds, he secludes himself on a far away outpost in the middle of nowhere. For nine years he’s lived alone but hopes for the day the matchmaker will find him a special woman.


Sierra Madison poses nude to help raise funds that will pay for her brother’s surgery. Little does she realize what that photograph will cost her. Kidnapped by an alien who claims she was chosen for his mate, she’s whisked away to exotic planets on an adventure that brings her more pleasure than she ever dreamed possible.

The Review: Sierra and her best friend, Candy, are abducted by aliens who treat them little better than property. Luckily, neither of the young women have family ties to earth so they might as well enjoy the intergalactic ride.

Gondar, a man of few words but lots of angst, is determined that Sierra marry him—so much so that he slaps a bonding bracelet on her wrist that not only prevents her from escaping but also makes her more receptive to his advances.

At their first stop over, an alien matchmaker offers up Candy as a bride to a bartender with a knobby, vibrating head. She bulks at the idea at first but quickly jumps into bed with her new husband, leaving Sierra alone with Gondar who makes short work of seducing her with the help of his extra alien “appendage that aids sexual stimulation.”

Although I felt rushed by the author and wish that I was allowed to see more details of the alien worlds, their inhabitants and cultures, Sierra and Candy are likable and fun, and the love scenes are imaginative and unique.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 10 The cover is amazing! The artist did a fabulous job!

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & the Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.