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The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn

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The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn

by Ally Carter

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	594 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	470 pages

The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn is a historical fiction novel by Mary Stewart. It was first published in 1981 and is the second book in the Arthuriad series. The novel tells the story of Merlin's madness and his imprisonment by Nimue.

Plot

The novel begins with Merlin at the height of his powers. He is the advisor to King Arthur and has helped him to establish a golden age in Britain. However, Merlin's pride and arrogance have begun to get the better of him. He has become increasingly isolated from his friends and allies, and he has begun to dabble in dark magic.

One day, Merlin is visited by Nimue, a young woman who claims to be a priestess of the ancient gods. Nimue warns Merlin that he is on a dangerous path and that his pride will lead to his downfall. Merlin ignores her warnings, and he continues to pursue his own selfish desires.

As Merlin's madness grows, he becomes increasingly paranoid and unstable. He begins to see enemies everywhere, and he turns against his closest friends. Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot are all forced to flee for their lives.

In the end, Merlin is defeated by Nimue and imprisoned in a cave beneath the sea. He is destined to remain there until the day when the world is in need of his wisdom once again.

Characters

Merlin: A powerful wizard and the advisor to King Arthur. He is arrogant and proud, and his pride leads to his downfall.
Nimue: A young woman who claims to be a priestess of the ancient gods. She warns Merlin of his impending doom, but he ignores her warnings.
Arthur: The King of Britain. He is a noble and just ruler, but he is unable to save Merlin from his madness.
Guinevere: The Queen of Britain. She is a beautiful and kind woman, but she is unable to stop Merlin's descent into madness.
Lancelot: A knight of the Round Table. He is one of Merlin's closest friends, but he is forced to flee for his life when Merlin turns against him.

Themes

The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn explores a number of themes, including the dangers of pride, the power of love, and the importance of friendship.

Merlin's pride is his downfall. He believes that he is invincible, and he ignores the warnings of those who love him. This ultimately leads to his imprisonment and his eventual defeat.

The power of love is also a major theme in the novel. Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot all love Merlin, and they are willing to do anything to save him. However, their love is not enough to overcome Merlin's madness.

The importance of friendship is also explored in the novel. Merlin's friends are his greatest allies, and they are the only ones who can truly understand him. However, Merlin's madness drives them away, and he is left alone to face his demons.

Critical reception

The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised Stewart's writing and her ability to create a believable world, while others found the novel to be too slow-paced and lacking in action.

Despite the mixed reviews, The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn is a well-written and engaging novel that explores some important themes. It is a valuable addition to the Arthurian canon, and it is sure to please fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike.

The Arthuriad Volume Two: The Madness of Maelgwn

by Ally Carter

4.3 out of 5