Myrriddin: Book II of the Merlin Factor

Steven Maines
Purple Haze Press (2008)
ISBN 9780977320042
Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (11/08)

 

“Myrriddin” owes a debt to many of its recent predecessors to recreate a realistic Arthurian world when Rome was falling and when Christianity was overtaking the Celtic religions. At the same time, the book has much that is original, especially because it is the middle of a trilogy. The first book “Longinus” told the story of the soldier who inserted his spear into Christ’s side during the crucifixion, and who ultimately came to have special powers through the lance. Longinus became a follower of Christ, to some degree, and also ancestor of a new dynasty, and would later reincarnate as Merlin.

“Longinus” was a fascinating book that kept me interested throughout, especially for its spiritual and magical elements. In this second novel, “Myrridin,” the main character, more commonly known as Merlin, realizes he is a reincarnation of Longinus. It is now the fourth century and Myrriddin has found the spear that was his in a former life. As previously in “Longinus” the voice of Christ speaks to him through the spear, apparently because Christ’s blood remains on the spear’s tip.

The prologue begins with a scene of St. Joseph of Arimathea coming to Britain. Reference is also made to Mary Magdalene. Steven Maines has chosen to depict the popular theories of Christ having married Mary Magdalene by stating they had a daughter Sarah. I was disappointed that this idea was not developed further in the novel—perhaps the connection will be brought up in the trilogy’s final volume. Those familiar with contemporary Arthurian literature will know of the theories that either Christ or his siblings founded the Grail line. The idea is not original, but interesting in the novel, if also perhaps pointless because not developed further here.

“Myrridin” focuses on a very short time-span in the life of Myrridin and his companions. Their village is attacked and Myrriddin must fight some evildoers, as well as rescue Igraines, a woman he loves, whom Myrridin realizes, through his ability to foresee the future, is destined to become the mother of King Arturius. While there are some twists and turns, the storyline is not really complicated. This novel is not a history of Merlin’s involvement with King Arturius but stops before Arturius is even born. The events seemed hardly significant enough to be the focus of the novel compared to more traditional tales of Arthur becoming king, the quest for the Holy Grail, or the Fall of Camelot.I was somewhat disappointed that the novel did not move farther into the future and the actual rise of Camelot and the highlights of the Arthurian legends. I also thought that at times the writing was a bit too wordy and some of the phrasing awkward—something I did not notice in “Longinus.” I found the Epilogue jarring because it has no connection to the novel but took place in the 1190s during the Crusades. I assume Myrridin/Longinus will be reincarnated into that period, but if the Epilogue is a precursor to what will be the focus of Book III of the Merlin Factor, I am disappointed the reign of King Arthur will be skipped over. With all the set up in these first two novels, I would have expected the story to go on for maybe seven volumes or more, but according to the author’s website it is only a trilogy. I find it hard to believe Maines will conclude the story so quickly when he barely even touched the meat of Merlin’s story in this second book.

Despite my longing for more about Merlin and Arthur, I am happy to add “Myrridin” to my large collection of Arthurian novels because of its unique aspects. I have followed the evolution of the Arthurian genre in the last few decades, and I believe Maines provides fresh insight into the characters that only a few of his modern predecessors like Marion Zimmer Bradley have achieved. What struck me most about the novel was the spiritual questioning of the main character and how his story, despite the action of the novel, is really an internal one of trying to understand and prepare himself to become a great spiritual leader and wizard. Steven Maines clearly has studied ancient religions, mysticism, and many of the New Age ideas relevant to reviving Celtic traditions.

Anyone who enjoys King Arthur stories will find “Myrriddin” by Steven Maines an interesting addition to the legend. I will definitely read the final volume of this trilogy when it is available, with hopes the trilogy will conclude as strongly as it began.

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