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Gods of Merlin
Merlin's story continues when... Eowlyn Patience is a girl with NO future until she's asked to kill her physics teacher.
Everything changes when Someone must claim Excalibur.
She is so not the right person... Trouble follows seventeen-year-old Eowlyn Patience around. Desperate for her current foster family to like her, her life all falls apart when the actual Sword in the Stone drops like a dead bird into the heart of London. And suddenly she has to attend some weirdo school in England with the irritating smart kid from science class.
After a teenage Merlin wakes from a fifteen-hundred-year nap, he takes the name Matt Emrys. Now he must track down the next Arthur before the apocalypse begins. But the Avalon Academy trials are being sabotaged by vicious gargoyles, and his growing feelings for exactly the wrong girl are getting in the way.
As Eowlyn desperately tries to master the skill of freeing Excalibur, she's plagued by her attraction to immense power and to the two hot boys who are so not her type. And Merlin fears the troubled path the girl is on will end with his heart broken and him sacrificed to a dark god. Can the destiny assemble the Round Table before the world ends in fire and blood?
Everything changes when Someone must claim Excalibur.
She is so not the right person... Trouble follows seventeen-year-old Eowlyn Patience around. Desperate for her current foster family to like her, her life all falls apart when the actual Sword in the Stone drops like a dead bird into the heart of London. And suddenly she has to attend some weirdo school in England with the irritating smart kid from science class.
After a teenage Merlin wakes from a fifteen-hundred-year nap, he takes the name Matt Emrys. Now he must track down the next Arthur before the apocalypse begins. But the Avalon Academy trials are being sabotaged by vicious gargoyles, and his growing feelings for exactly the wrong girl are getting in the way.
As Eowlyn desperately tries to master the skill of freeing Excalibur, she's plagued by her attraction to immense power and to the two hot boys who are so not her type. And Merlin fears the troubled path the girl is on will end with his heart broken and him sacrificed to a dark god. Can the destiny assemble the Round Table before the world ends in fire and blood?
300 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2019
About the author
Priya Ardis
8 books624 followersI love books of all kinds—lately funny ones are my faves. But who couldn't curl up with a good mystery or romance?
My writing comes from a childhood of playing too much She-Ra and watching too much Spock. When Belle gasped at the library the Beast showed her, so did I! Growing up, I spend so much time I spent there, I could have been the phantom of the public library.
I hand-wrote my first manuscript at sixteen, scribbling in long notebooks on train rides while on vacation in India. I'm a longtime member of RWA, SCBWI, SIC. If you are looking for writing help, consider joining your local organizations!
Looking for my books? Catch up with me at my website/blog at http://www.priyaardis.com/
Check out the bestselling YA: My Merlin Series! My Boyfriend Merlin, Book 1; My Merlin Awakening, Book2; Ever My Merlin, Book 3. Merlin returns in Gods of Merlin
If you like middle grade: Girl With Three Eyes is a fairy tale based on Indian lore! She would hate her third eye less if it actually gave her powers.
If you want a STEM chapter book for your kids: Merlin Raj and the Santa Algorithm, is a humorous dog's tale written under a new name D. G. Priya. Find it at Merlin Raj and the Santa-Algorithm, DOGS WHO CODE.
My writing comes from a childhood of playing too much She-Ra and watching too much Spock. When Belle gasped at the library the Beast showed her, so did I! Growing up, I spend so much time I spent there, I could have been the phantom of the public library.
I hand-wrote my first manuscript at sixteen, scribbling in long notebooks on train rides while on vacation in India. I'm a longtime member of RWA, SCBWI, SIC. If you are looking for writing help, consider joining your local organizations!
Looking for my books? Catch up with me at my website/blog at http://www.priyaardis.com/
Check out the bestselling YA: My Merlin Series! My Boyfriend Merlin, Book 1; My Merlin Awakening, Book2; Ever My Merlin, Book 3. Merlin returns in Gods of Merlin
If you like middle grade: Girl With Three Eyes is a fairy tale based on Indian lore! She would hate her third eye less if it actually gave her powers.
If you want a STEM chapter book for your kids: Merlin Raj and the Santa Algorithm, is a humorous dog's tale written under a new name D. G. Priya. Find it at Merlin Raj and the Santa-Algorithm, DOGS WHO CODE.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 29, 2022
Well see, the thing is... I have no idea if it was the book or ME. You know? Like, I believe I started imagining chapters halfway through.
January 27, 2020
This book was an exciting, intriguing, adventurous read filled with magical, mystical, and paranormal elements!!
I really enjoyed that this book was a modern day follow up to the classic Sword and the Stone fairy-tales and mythologies that many of us have grown up with.
I liked that Miss Ardis made sure all the lore love was ever so present front and center as she made sure King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, Lady of the Lake, Excalibur, and Camelot were all included and incorporated into the modernization story line.
I love when authors can pull a time-honored story and put a decent spin on it that allows the reader to reconnect with a favorite pastime read and build on to the story with a fascinating, but fitting story line that even the original authors would approve of. I’d like to say for the most part this book does just that.
I liked Eowlyn (pronounced A-O-Lin) and I definitely felt for her character arc. As she struggled through so many hardships such as being a foster kid; it was hard to not want success and positive opportunities for her. I liked her strength, determination, tenacity, compassion, and stubbornness.
I enjoyed all the crafty, (some of them) evil and creepy, and intriguing characters and creatures that were featured such as the gargoyles, shadow dragons, wizard candidates, and wizard guardians. I have always been curious, but also fearful of gargoyles so it was interesting to have them be a top antagonist and a main rival of securing the sword. However, I did enjoy learning more about them and their mythology.
I liked the training school angle at the Avalon Preparatory Academy that focused on teaching the students regular and irregular magic and preparing them for battle. However, it was very similar to the Hogwarts set up in the Harry Potter Book Series. Still it was enjoyable and entertaining but felt very familiar.
I enjoyed the race to find the successor of the sword and it was interesting to see so many characters come out of the woodwork trying to prove their powers, virtue, and claim as the champion and rightful heir of Excalibur, the one and true ruler of Camelot.
Miss Ardis did an excellent job of world-building and keeping up with the complexities and details of a fantasy, paranormal story. I felt the author did a skillful job at making sure all her bases were covered and that everything seemed to sync up. Although this was a fantasy, paranormal-based genre filled with magical and mystical influences, for every out-there scenario the author seemed to have a way to explain her reasoning, how it was possible, or how it came about.
I also would like to point out that I think the author did a fantastic job with the historical content and authenticity of the Arthurian Legend. It was very clear she was well-versed on the tales and myths and used that knowledge to really bring the story to life.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book has a creative modern story line spin, excellent writing style with vivid and detailed scenes, intriguing characters and creatures, is steady paced, and keeps you entertained.
This book is not part of a book series at this time and therefore, can be read as a standalone.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all young adult, fantasy, and paranormal readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
I really enjoyed that this book was a modern day follow up to the classic Sword and the Stone fairy-tales and mythologies that many of us have grown up with.
I liked that Miss Ardis made sure all the lore love was ever so present front and center as she made sure King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, Lady of the Lake, Excalibur, and Camelot were all included and incorporated into the modernization story line.
I love when authors can pull a time-honored story and put a decent spin on it that allows the reader to reconnect with a favorite pastime read and build on to the story with a fascinating, but fitting story line that even the original authors would approve of. I’d like to say for the most part this book does just that.
I liked Eowlyn (pronounced A-O-Lin) and I definitely felt for her character arc. As she struggled through so many hardships such as being a foster kid; it was hard to not want success and positive opportunities for her. I liked her strength, determination, tenacity, compassion, and stubbornness.
I enjoyed all the crafty, (some of them) evil and creepy, and intriguing characters and creatures that were featured such as the gargoyles, shadow dragons, wizard candidates, and wizard guardians. I have always been curious, but also fearful of gargoyles so it was interesting to have them be a top antagonist and a main rival of securing the sword. However, I did enjoy learning more about them and their mythology.
I liked the training school angle at the Avalon Preparatory Academy that focused on teaching the students regular and irregular magic and preparing them for battle. However, it was very similar to the Hogwarts set up in the Harry Potter Book Series. Still it was enjoyable and entertaining but felt very familiar.
I enjoyed the race to find the successor of the sword and it was interesting to see so many characters come out of the woodwork trying to prove their powers, virtue, and claim as the champion and rightful heir of Excalibur, the one and true ruler of Camelot.
Miss Ardis did an excellent job of world-building and keeping up with the complexities and details of a fantasy, paranormal story. I felt the author did a skillful job at making sure all her bases were covered and that everything seemed to sync up. Although this was a fantasy, paranormal-based genre filled with magical and mystical influences, for every out-there scenario the author seemed to have a way to explain her reasoning, how it was possible, or how it came about.
I also would like to point out that I think the author did a fantastic job with the historical content and authenticity of the Arthurian Legend. It was very clear she was well-versed on the tales and myths and used that knowledge to really bring the story to life.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book has a creative modern story line spin, excellent writing style with vivid and detailed scenes, intriguing characters and creatures, is steady paced, and keeps you entertained.
This book is not part of a book series at this time and therefore, can be read as a standalone.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all young adult, fantasy, and paranormal readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
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January 16, 2020I received this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read an excerpt and follow the Goddess Fish book tour here.
This book’s description really grabbed me. I’m a big fan of mythology stories, and I like a good helping of Arthurian lore, too. Toss in a magic school, and you basically had me at hello. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as drawn in by this as I hoped, which was disappointing.
The concept for this story is fantastic. The sword in the stone lands in modern-day America, and everyone’s after it. That set up for a lot of great tension, both on political and personal levels. I found the world fascinating and really wanted to dig into the consequences of King Arthur (or his successor) coming to power.
The execution, though, didn’t quite work for me. Once the sword dropped, so many things started happening at once, and many of them didn’t feel adequately explained or alluded to. The story picked up speed at an alarming rate, and I felt left in the wake of a train that was hurdling down the tracks just fast enough for me to keep it in sight but too fast for me to see any details. As a result, I got lost fairly quickly, and the scenes that followed couldn’t get me back on track.
I had a tough time connecting with Eowlyn. I felt for her in the first scene when she didn’t want to go back to foster care. As time went on, though, she hardened to a point where I just couldn’t feel real emotions from her. She spent a lot of time getting into arguments with other characters that didn’t seem to resolve anything. I wasn’t even sure what the reasons behind some of the arguments were. The other characters didn’t stand out for me. Each seemed to have a prominent personality trait that was almost always at the forefront, and they didn’t quite feel like real people. I also wasn’t sure if some of the characters were reincarnations of figures from Arthurian legend or the actual people who just lived a very long time. They were teenagers, but they were hundreds of years old. Those characters also spoke in an odd mix of formal and modern slang, which really tripped me up. I couldn’t find a pattern or reason for the changes, which just left me wondering why they kept alternating between styles.
The characters combined with the story jumping ahead without me meant I just couldn’t get into this like I wanted to. After a while, the action sequences seemed to repeat themselves, and the plot twists confused me. There was a hierarchical struggle between wizards and gargoyles, which was fine. There were also distinctions of magical and non-magical students at the school that I didn’t understand at all. Some students used magic. Some didn’t, I think, and others were candidates to pull the sword from the stone, but I was unsure if they also used magic. With some more clarification and fleshing out of the characters, I could have truly loved this. As it is, it was a great concept with an execution I couldn’t follow.
Read an excerpt and follow the Goddess Fish book tour here.
This book’s description really grabbed me. I’m a big fan of mythology stories, and I like a good helping of Arthurian lore, too. Toss in a magic school, and you basically had me at hello. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as drawn in by this as I hoped, which was disappointing.
The concept for this story is fantastic. The sword in the stone lands in modern-day America, and everyone’s after it. That set up for a lot of great tension, both on political and personal levels. I found the world fascinating and really wanted to dig into the consequences of King Arthur (or his successor) coming to power.
The execution, though, didn’t quite work for me. Once the sword dropped, so many things started happening at once, and many of them didn’t feel adequately explained or alluded to. The story picked up speed at an alarming rate, and I felt left in the wake of a train that was hurdling down the tracks just fast enough for me to keep it in sight but too fast for me to see any details. As a result, I got lost fairly quickly, and the scenes that followed couldn’t get me back on track.
I had a tough time connecting with Eowlyn. I felt for her in the first scene when she didn’t want to go back to foster care. As time went on, though, she hardened to a point where I just couldn’t feel real emotions from her. She spent a lot of time getting into arguments with other characters that didn’t seem to resolve anything. I wasn’t even sure what the reasons behind some of the arguments were. The other characters didn’t stand out for me. Each seemed to have a prominent personality trait that was almost always at the forefront, and they didn’t quite feel like real people. I also wasn’t sure if some of the characters were reincarnations of figures from Arthurian legend or the actual people who just lived a very long time. They were teenagers, but they were hundreds of years old. Those characters also spoke in an odd mix of formal and modern slang, which really tripped me up. I couldn’t find a pattern or reason for the changes, which just left me wondering why they kept alternating between styles.
The characters combined with the story jumping ahead without me meant I just couldn’t get into this like I wanted to. After a while, the action sequences seemed to repeat themselves, and the plot twists confused me. There was a hierarchical struggle between wizards and gargoyles, which was fine. There were also distinctions of magical and non-magical students at the school that I didn’t understand at all. Some students used magic. Some didn’t, I think, and others were candidates to pull the sword from the stone, but I was unsure if they also used magic. With some more clarification and fleshing out of the characters, I could have truly loved this. As it is, it was a great concept with an execution I couldn’t follow.
January 23, 2020
3.75 stars
“Gods of Merlin” by Priya Ardis is a young adult fantasy story that introduces the series of the same name. Eowlyn Patience has finally found a foster family that she is comfortable with, but she still doesn’t quite fit in with her peers at school. When she is forcibly recruited to join a quest that takes her to a magic school in England, she discovers that some of her classmates have more in common with her than she realized. Unfortunately, there are many forces at work, and discovering her connection to the stuff of legends embroils her in a struggle for the legendary sword Excalibur while trying to stay alive. Identifying foes and allies is virtually impossible when nobody is who they seem and she doesn’t even know why she’s in the middle of a world-changing conflict.
This engaging story was a nice twist on Arthurian legends, bringing many of the major characters into modern situations but keeping a magical twist to their trials. The hints of interference by gods from mythology add an intriguing dimension, and I hope subsequent stories in the series untangle some of the dangling threads that were established in this story. There are teen angst issues alluded to, including the awkward dance of attraction complicated by sibling (however old they may be) rivalry, and it was difficult for me to establish a connection to any of the characters at first, but that gradually changed.
I think it can be difficult to start a series because there are so many details that have to be established, but I’d like a little more depth to the characters so that I have a better idea of their motivations. There is apparently another series that came before this one, so it is possible that a lot of the backstory was presented in those books.
Those who enjoy magic or tales of King Arthur and young adult fantasy stories should give this a try and get to know these remarkable youngsters.
A copy of this title was provided for review
“Gods of Merlin” by Priya Ardis is a young adult fantasy story that introduces the series of the same name. Eowlyn Patience has finally found a foster family that she is comfortable with, but she still doesn’t quite fit in with her peers at school. When she is forcibly recruited to join a quest that takes her to a magic school in England, she discovers that some of her classmates have more in common with her than she realized. Unfortunately, there are many forces at work, and discovering her connection to the stuff of legends embroils her in a struggle for the legendary sword Excalibur while trying to stay alive. Identifying foes and allies is virtually impossible when nobody is who they seem and she doesn’t even know why she’s in the middle of a world-changing conflict.
This engaging story was a nice twist on Arthurian legends, bringing many of the major characters into modern situations but keeping a magical twist to their trials. The hints of interference by gods from mythology add an intriguing dimension, and I hope subsequent stories in the series untangle some of the dangling threads that were established in this story. There are teen angst issues alluded to, including the awkward dance of attraction complicated by sibling (however old they may be) rivalry, and it was difficult for me to establish a connection to any of the characters at first, but that gradually changed.
I think it can be difficult to start a series because there are so many details that have to be established, but I’d like a little more depth to the characters so that I have a better idea of their motivations. There is apparently another series that came before this one, so it is possible that a lot of the backstory was presented in those books.
Those who enjoy magic or tales of King Arthur and young adult fantasy stories should give this a try and get to know these remarkable youngsters.
A copy of this title was provided for review
December 27, 2019
Eowlyn (A-o-lin) Patience is a foster kid. Used to being on her own and taking care of herself, she is suddenly thrust into a life of magic and wizards. She might even be capable of a little magic herself! The famous sword in the stone has returned, plummeting to earth in Trafalgar Square with such force that it causes a worldwide tremor and people begin lining up to see if they are the one who can pull Excalibur from the stone once again.
When Eowlyn and others find themselves training at a special academy, they find themselves racing against time. One of them MUST free Excalibur before the gargoyles are able to get it. The power in that sword could destroy the world if wielded by the wrong hands. Training, battles, test, trials . . . and secret conversations that contain very clear threats if orders aren't followed. Who is the rightful heir? And will he or she free the sword in time?
I love it when authors try a "new spin on an old tale" and I am especially thrilled when they deliver a quality story with new twists. And boy does Ardis deliver in this novel! The magic of Merlin, the mystery of the Lady of the Lake, the legend of Excalibur and even the power of mythical gods. It's all here, beautifully woven together in a story that will keep you captivated right up until the last page. With surprises and twists that you don't see coming - and the promise of a sequel coming out in 2020! - Ardis has given the tale of Camelot a rebirth that is outstanding. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
When Eowlyn and others find themselves training at a special academy, they find themselves racing against time. One of them MUST free Excalibur before the gargoyles are able to get it. The power in that sword could destroy the world if wielded by the wrong hands. Training, battles, test, trials . . . and secret conversations that contain very clear threats if orders aren't followed. Who is the rightful heir? And will he or she free the sword in time?
I love it when authors try a "new spin on an old tale" and I am especially thrilled when they deliver a quality story with new twists. And boy does Ardis deliver in this novel! The magic of Merlin, the mystery of the Lady of the Lake, the legend of Excalibur and even the power of mythical gods. It's all here, beautifully woven together in a story that will keep you captivated right up until the last page. With surprises and twists that you don't see coming - and the promise of a sequel coming out in 2020! - Ardis has given the tale of Camelot a rebirth that is outstanding. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
February 2, 2020
In Gods of Merlin, Priya Ardis has written an action-filled adventure likely to appeal to teenage fans of the fantasy genre.
What I liked best:
1. I’ve got a fond spot for females who get to be the chosen one (for once) and I found Eowlyn to be particularly likable. I rooted for her from the start.
2. I’m a life long fan of the many variations of the King Arthur tale and it was fun to see it given a new twist.
What I liked least:
1. I thought there were too many parallels to a certain famous story line with a likeable orphan who mysteriously ends up at a British school for magical kids where those with wizards’ blood look down on those who don’t have it.
2. I found some sections too grisly and others too confusing (particularly flashbacks of Eowlyn tangling with other main characters in other times.)
I would recommend this book to young people who enjoy fantasy and particularly to fans of Harry Potter or King Arthur who are looking for more of what they love.
For the full post including more information about the book and its author, please see my post at https://zsquaredblog.org/2020/01/16/g....
What I liked best:
1. I’ve got a fond spot for females who get to be the chosen one (for once) and I found Eowlyn to be particularly likable. I rooted for her from the start.
2. I’m a life long fan of the many variations of the King Arthur tale and it was fun to see it given a new twist.
What I liked least:
1. I thought there were too many parallels to a certain famous story line with a likeable orphan who mysteriously ends up at a British school for magical kids where those with wizards’ blood look down on those who don’t have it.
2. I found some sections too grisly and others too confusing (particularly flashbacks of Eowlyn tangling with other main characters in other times.)
I would recommend this book to young people who enjoy fantasy and particularly to fans of Harry Potter or King Arthur who are looking for more of what they love.
For the full post including more information about the book and its author, please see my post at https://zsquaredblog.org/2020/01/16/g....
January 7, 2020
Wow! My mind is reeling after reading this book. I do love a good retelling of a fairytale or myth and that is what we have here ladies and gents. A pretty amazing retelling of the story of King Arthur and Camelot! We have olde English names, Excalibur, magic, Merlin, training, battles, gargoyles, trials, the Lady of the Lake, threats and the ever-present question of just who is the rightful heir? How could this not be exciting, I ask you? And it was, it was. The only thing I found it lacking was that special umph, that "it" factor, that one thing to take it right on into a solid five. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it was just me. I enjoyed the book and would encourage you to add it to your TBR list for sure.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this requested book free of charge and am voluntarily leaving my review. All opinions are my own.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this requested book free of charge and am voluntarily leaving my review. All opinions are my own.
July 25, 2020
EAGADS! What a twisted tale!! Although quite a bit long, there was never a dull moment. I loved Ewolyn Patience who was not-patient but she was in foster care and was moved around so much that she learned a golden rule to never trust adults. Busted when she stole a prom dress for the older girl living with her foster parents. throwing the dress inside, she slipped through security and headed home only only the door for a deliveryman handing her a package. All of a sudden. she invited to England on an all expenses paid trip where she did not know anyone. Dodging huge flying monsters with a crazy hot man, they got to the airport and she hated flying!! To say any more would giveaway the plot, BUT IT WAS GOOD!!
November 24, 2019
Waited so long for this
I loved the original series and always hoped Matt/Merlin would find love. I thought it interesting how the little princess Vane saved ended up being brought to the future to interfere with the original story, but ended up helping Ryan get the sword. I loved the whole story, can’t wait for the next book.
I loved the original series and always hoped Matt/Merlin would find love. I thought it interesting how the little princess Vane saved ended up being brought to the future to interfere with the original story, but ended up helping Ryan get the sword. I loved the whole story, can’t wait for the next book.
May 14, 2020
This is a new twist on King Arthur and Merlin . This story holds your interest from the beginning to the last page. I look forward to reading more of the LEGACY OF MERLIN by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
October 11, 2020
Merlin Raj, a service dog, is on a mission to save Christmas for his family. He never gives up when presented with obstacles- even when he almost ruins Christmas. I absolutely love how this book teaches about algorithms within a story.
November 24, 2019
Can't wait to dive back into this action-packed and steamy world!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews