Reviews

Holdstock has long been one of the most sophisticated practitioners of the SF/fantasy genre, with an imagination that never ceases to surprise and beguile. This first volume of the Merlin Codex sequence has an ambition and reach that could very easily have resulted in a grandiose failure, but the fact Holdstock pulls off his multi-stranded epic with such panache will not surprise those who have closely followed his career. The premise is that centuries before Camelot, Merlin wandered the Earth, enjoying eternal youth. Joining Jason on his quest to find the Golden Fleece, Merlin sets in motion actions that will cause him much regret hundreds of years later. The magician is obliged to set out on a trek to the north to rescue the sons of Jason, stolen by the enchantress Medea. Clearly, this is that very rare thing in the genre: a totally original concept - particularly welcome when so many fantasy tropes are tired rehashings.

Holdstock has long been one of the most sophisticated practitioners of the SF/fantasy genre, with an imagination that never ceases to surprise and beguile. This first volume of the Merlin Codex sequence has an ambition and reach that could very easily have resulted in a grandiose failure, but the fact Holdstock pulls off his multi-stranded epic with such panache will not surprise those who have closely followed his career. The premise is that centuries before Camelot, Merlin wandered the Earth, enjoying eternal youth. Joining Jason on his quest to find the Golden Fleece, Merlin sets in motion actions that will cause him much regret hundreds of years later. The magician is obliged to set out on a trek to the north to rescue the sons of Jason, stolen by the enchantress Medea. Clearly, this is that very rare thing in the genre: a totally original concept - particularly welcome when so many fantasy tropes are tired rehashings.

Long before his fateful meeting with Arthur Pendragon, Merlin-then known as Antiokus-traveled with Jason aboard the Argo. Centuries later, the immortal Merlin investigates rumors of a screaming ship in a lake in the icy northern lands and discovers the Argo with a still-living Jason aboard. With Merlin's help, Jason restores the ship and embarks on a new voyage to find the sons he thought were dead by the hand of his treacherous wife, Medea. The author of Mythago Wood launches a new series that combines Arthurian lore with world myth to give a new and refreshing turn to the tale of Arthur and Merlin. Holdstock's graceful, literate narrative style makes this a good addition to most fantasy collections. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.