Review of Nimue: Freeing Merlin (Barnes & Noble Edition)
Posted: 14 Jan 2024, 14:58
[Following is a volunteer review of "Nimue: Freeing Merlin (Barnes & Noble Edition)" by Ayn Cates Sullivan.]
Magic is essential to every story whether seen or unseen, it weaves the story together for both the reader and the author which creates a sense of understanding between them. The best storytellers know that knowledge is essential but how much to let the reader know throughout the story is what makes great storytelling. Even magicians know that revealing too much to the reader can spoil how the story unfolds. One such famous Celtic wizard knows not to reveal too much to a young priestess as she starts on her journey. Nimue must form her own opinions as she learns the magic to weave their own story. This book reveals to us one of the most ancient of stories one told retold and muddled throughout the years of a young misunderstood woman. The telling of Nimue’s story in this modern form shows a young priestess of long ago as she learns a long-forgotten truth.
This Celtic story told by Ayn Cates Sullivan was very detailed, it is very apparent that she did a lot of research to make the story more accurate. The preface, glossary, and post-face containing additional details given at the end of the book show the dedication of the novelist to the story. I think due to their research I was able to enjoy how the magic of the story unfolded. I was transfixed by the details of how the magic was created in Ayn Cates Sullivan’s novel. This is a great book for those with an interest in magic and Celtic history and mythology.
I deeply enjoyed the story once I could really get into it, though there were times when the story would drag on. I believe that once you can get into the story it can make for an interesting read. The story, however, was somewhat confusing when the characters swapped identities. The transition did leave me feeling a little jarred with the transition from a Seventeen-year-old girl and an ancient magical being. Then the story picks up later through the book albeit a bit fast leaving the rest of feeling rushed. The fast-paced ending of the book left much to be desired leaving me feeling I missed out on a portion of the story.
Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 4. I think this was a great story that combines old legends of Arthurian views and modern storytelling. The telling of Nimue: Freeing Merlin makes such classical tales easier to digest for younger readers. Ayn Cate Sullivian's glossary enhances the flow of words to a more digestible understanding for young teen readers. This modern version of Nimue is a tremendous story for readers who would love to know more about magic from its Celtic roots.
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Nimue: Freeing Merlin (Barnes & Noble Edition)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Magic is essential to every story whether seen or unseen, it weaves the story together for both the reader and the author which creates a sense of understanding between them. The best storytellers know that knowledge is essential but how much to let the reader know throughout the story is what makes great storytelling. Even magicians know that revealing too much to the reader can spoil how the story unfolds. One such famous Celtic wizard knows not to reveal too much to a young priestess as she starts on her journey. Nimue must form her own opinions as she learns the magic to weave their own story. This book reveals to us one of the most ancient of stories one told retold and muddled throughout the years of a young misunderstood woman. The telling of Nimue’s story in this modern form shows a young priestess of long ago as she learns a long-forgotten truth.
This Celtic story told by Ayn Cates Sullivan was very detailed, it is very apparent that she did a lot of research to make the story more accurate. The preface, glossary, and post-face containing additional details given at the end of the book show the dedication of the novelist to the story. I think due to their research I was able to enjoy how the magic of the story unfolded. I was transfixed by the details of how the magic was created in Ayn Cates Sullivan’s novel. This is a great book for those with an interest in magic and Celtic history and mythology.
I deeply enjoyed the story once I could really get into it, though there were times when the story would drag on. I believe that once you can get into the story it can make for an interesting read. The story, however, was somewhat confusing when the characters swapped identities. The transition did leave me feeling a little jarred with the transition from a Seventeen-year-old girl and an ancient magical being. Then the story picks up later through the book albeit a bit fast leaving the rest of feeling rushed. The fast-paced ending of the book left much to be desired leaving me feeling I missed out on a portion of the story.
Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 4. I think this was a great story that combines old legends of Arthurian views and modern storytelling. The telling of Nimue: Freeing Merlin makes such classical tales easier to digest for younger readers. Ayn Cate Sullivian's glossary enhances the flow of words to a more digestible understanding for young teen readers. This modern version of Nimue is a tremendous story for readers who would love to know more about magic from its Celtic roots.
******
Nimue: Freeing Merlin (Barnes & Noble Edition)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon