After meteorite falls it leave an enchanted stone behind that ensnares any who look upon it's blue flames!The Druids plan to use the power of the rock to overthrow King Uther's kingdom and take back Britain for their wicked practices! The stone must be destroyed but the only person it doesn't effect is Merlin,a blind son of a blacksmith!

Merlin must get over his inabilities and help his village but that's not his only concern he also has sworn to serve King Uther and his son Arthur! Merlin begins to despair with all the responsibilities but he must fulfill his designated task blind or no !

This was a beautifully written book and an amazing story! I can't wait to read Merlin's Shadow!

Merlin's Blade by Robert Treskillard

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a meteorite crashes near a small village in fifth-century Britain, it brings with it a mysterious black stone that bewitches anyone who comes in contact with its glow---a power the druids hope to use to destroy King Uthur's kingdom. The only person who seems immune is a young, shy, half-blind swordsmith's son named Merlin.

As his family, village, and even the young Arthur, are placed in danger, Merlin must face his fears and his blindness to take hold of the role ordained for him. But when he is surrounded by adversaries, how will he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil ... without losing his life?

This was a great book. I was a little nervous about it from the start as it is considered juvenile fiction. But it was very well written and engaging, and I thought the story was a really creative spin off the traditional King Arthur stories. I would recommend this book for 12 years and up, not that there was any objectionable content, but with over 400 pages it may not hold the interest of younger ones. And the cover! Wow, the cover is like ten stars on a scale of one to ten! I am so excited to read book two!

I received a free copy of this book through booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good Arthurian tale and have read many in the past. I haven't decided if it's the magic or the story line that centers around Arthur an/or Merlin, but I just know that when I see a book that involves these characters, I MUST read it!

I was thrilled to have the chance to read "Merlin's Blade". It's a fantastic story that centers around an almost blind Merlin and has quite a different take on the Arthurian tale. With fascinating characters, a captivating story, and a different religious focus, this story held a twist I was not expecting.

Robert Treskillard created a refreshing tale that kept me up long past bedtime and reading more than I should during the day. Although created for the young adult audience, I know that without a doubt that this novel (and series) will be welcomed and embraced by all ages! The only thing I really disliked about this series is having to wait to get my hands on the next book.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy as soon as possible! Highly recommended!!!!

I received this book through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

There appears to be a great deal of interest in the Arthurian legends generally, and Merlin specifically, among modern writers of youth fiction including those that would be considered Christian. I have not read the five-book Merlin series by Thomas A. Barron nor the six-book Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead, but both are reputed to be good. In Merlin's Blade, the first of the projected Merlin Spiral trilogy, author and Celtic enthusiast Robert Treskillar, a software developer and graphic artist who exhibited and I think even spoke at the Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo last year, gives his take on the life of Merlin, and it is a distinctly Christian one that portrays the conflict between paganism and Christianity in fifth century Britain. When the book opens, Merlin is a fifteen-year old young man who is partially blind due to a wolf attack.

Merlin's parents were Christians, but after his mother Gwevian drowned when he was but a child, his father Oswain, a swordsmith, married Monda, the daughter of a Druid arch priest, and turned away from Christ. However, under the tutelage of local monks, Merlin has become a believer. The Druids, led by Oswain's father-in-law Morganthu, return to Merlin's home village of Bosventor with a mysterious meteor stone that bewitches anyone who comes in contact with its glow. They hope to use it to destroy the high King Uthur who supports Christianity. Merlin, who seems immune to the stone, offers fealty to Uthur and his heir Arthur. When his family, village, and even the young Arthur, are placed in danger, Merlin must face his fears and his blindness to take hold of the role ordained for him. But how can he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil, all without losing his own life?

In the book, Merlin is pictured more as an up and coming prophet-bard than a magical "wizard." There are some references to drinking mead and wine and one instance of a euphemism ("drat" which literally means "God rot"), but nothing with any major objections occurs. Of course, a lot of fighting and killing happen, so this might not be a good book for younger or rather sensitive children, and the length of the chapters and nature of the plot may not be the best for reluctant readers. However, most teenagers will likely enjoy the story, especially those interested in Merlin and Arthur. Treskillard and his wife have three children and are still homeschooling their youngest. Book 2, Merlin's Shadow, in which Merlin finds himself to be a royal advisor without a king, so along with his friend Garth and Natalenya, his betrothed, he treks north with the orphaned Arthur in hopes of keeping the young ruler safe from soldiers misled by their turncoat captain Vortigern, was released in the fall of 2013. Book 3, Merlin's Nightmare, will be available in the spring of 2014.

Merlin's Greatest Weakness Could Become His Greatest Strength

When a meteorite crashes near a small village in fifth-century Britain, it brings with it a mysterious black stone that bewitches anyone who comes in contact with its glow---a power the druids hope to use to destroy King Uthur's kingdom, as well as the new Christian faith. The only person who seems immune is a young, shy, half-blind swordsmith's son named Merlin.

As his family, village, and even the young Arthur, are placed in danger, Merlin must face his fears and his blindness to take hold of the role ordained for him. But when he is surrounded by adversaries, how will he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil ... without losing his life?

Book includes location map and detailed character index.

My Review:

For me, book covers are not a heavy influence on whether I pick up a book or not. If a cover is awesome, I will want to read it, but if a cover scares the living lights out of me, I tend to avoid it, if possible. This novel has such a cover. My first thought was "what in the world am I looking at?" I took it for an animal of some sort, and I almost skipped the novel. Bring geared towards the younger reading set, I didn't know if I would enjoy and appreciate the story. While I enjoyed it after all, I there were a few things worth mentioning...

While there are a lot of exciting things going on in the story, I don't know that I would recommend it to the younger readers it was meant for. There is an enchanted demonic stone that makes trouble for everyone, and while God is thrown in there for good measure (called Jesu in the book) it really seems that evil is stronger than good. There are more books coming in the series, so I'm not overly worried that such will ultimately be the case. But it was depressing to see the constant prayer and no results.

This story is filled with demonic worship, friendship, faith, betrayal, spiritual vision, loyalty, and forgiveness. A lot of things are covered in this novel that make you think twice about the traditional legend we all know a little bit about, and Treskillard brings new life into a story that has been retold countless times. Overall, it was an thrilling read, but if your children have nightmares and rather tender hearted, give it a few years before you hand them this book. Some graphic scenes were included, so definitely hold off if you've got squeamish ones.

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.