Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Author: Everett Coles
Line/Publisher Archimedes Presse P.O. Box No. 62 TADCASTER North Yorkshire
LS24 9WP: United Kingdom
ISBN: 0954861809

The following review was contributed by: Molly Martin & CLICK TO VIEW  Molly Martin's Reviews

The narrative opens with a determined bearded man in a red cape shouting
orders as a battering ram is moved into place. Without warning in the inner
quartz cave where Merlin and others have slept for eons a horrendous
battering resounds. Merlin is aroused from his slumber by the precipitate
invasion of his rocky domain. Without warning the men preparing to forward
the ram once more became aware of an apparition before them. Fleeing in
terror Merlin is left to ponder what to do next. He knows the intruders will
return. To stop the invaders was going to take more power than Merlin alone
might muster. Merlin calls out to his blood lines. The planet nearest to his
quartz cavern is earth where youngsters who have no knowledge of their
kinship reside.

Responding to the call sent out by the Wizard; fifteen year olds Francis
Steel, and Zoe Bellamy along with Zoe's friend Allison, Curtis Brown 14, and
thirteen year old Jude Plunkett are compelled to gather in a forest area.
Drawn to an ancient stone gateway the teens descend into a musty darkness. A
sudden topple into an unseen body of water leaves the group wet, cold and
out of sorts. The land of Greensward is dominated by an evil ruler;
Calupsis. The teens have no idea where they are, how they have arrived nor
the importance of their visit. Fellow travelers, strange homes on wheels -
wandahomes- pulled by mammoths, a bird who babbles all, cheerful Moorfolk,
subterraneous caverns, a village named Meander, friends who will help, and
those who will not, dreams directed by Merlin himself, wondrous mythic
creatures, knights, a special key, Pits of Gloom, kidnapping, slavery all
abound in this absorbing tale of Merlin's descendants.

On the pages of Merlin's Kin Writer Coles has crafted an enthralling, fast
paced narrative sure to gratify the 10 - 15 age group target audience. Coles
sets in place an intriguing premise: what might take place should the Wizard
Merlin need aid and call upon descendants for help, and the author then sets
about spinning a tale certain to thrill the most discerning reader. Occupied
with tumult, potent ingeniously interwoven plots within a plot, stratagems,
snappy dialog, machination and wondrous creatures Merlin's Kin is filled
with the elements of a first rate fantasy. Forceful motivations, treachery,
friction aptly determined abound against a backdrop of sights and sounds,
fragrance and sensation designed to draw the reader straight into the tale.
Characters are richly fleshed, acceptable and believable. Dialog is tart, at
times gritty and hard hitting.

This audacious account is a pleasure read awash with change and spins and
awe and remarkable mythic creatures. Vocabulary used is British dialect.
Younger readers will enjoy the challenge in trying to figure out various
terms they have not seen before. Older readers will find the dialect only
adds to the charm of the tale.

Good addition to the classroom pleasure reading 'book report' list, personal
and home library and homeschool curriculum.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.