Merlin's Apprentice
The Mage
by Susan McCauley
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Pub Date Jan 10 2023 | Archive Date Feb 03 2023
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Description
Twelve-year-old Pip must embrace his magical powers to rescue his family from slavery—or help the king save the realm—a decision that will tear his world apart.
Desperate to keep his family together, Pip hides his power so he can be sold with them. But when his father and brother are sold to different mages and the slavers attempt to separate his mother and sister, Pip loses control and injures a slaver with magic. The uproar catches the attention of the southern king's druid advisor, Merlin, who quickly offers a place to Pip, his sister, and his mother. On the road to King Arthur's court, bandits attack their camp, and his family is further torn apart. Pip has no choice but to work with Merlin—who may not be the evil mage Pip assumes him to be—to learn to harness his powers so he can help King Arthur stop Mordred. Only then might Pip have a chance to see his family together again.
Advance Praise
"With vivid scene-setting, McCauley expertly draws readers into a perilous, sometimes ruthless world as experienced through the eyes of a boy consumed by guilt and grief over his family's plight and the uncertainty about who he is becoming." - Kirkus Reviews
"Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage is a powerful and exciting new book for younger readers. It takes an unflinching look at the horrors of slavery but in ways that will start important conversations while entertaining middle grade and adult readers alike. Brava!" -Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of Black Panther: Doomwar and editor of Don't Turn out the Lights
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1093242
This was way better than I expected! I absolutely adored the characters and the dynamics. The writing was easy to follow and made for a very engaging read. I really recommend this!
Taylor M, Reviewer
One of my favorite parts of a mom to tweens is finding books that I think they'll love. It's even better when I end up loving them, too. I started Merlin's Apprentice wondering how deep into Arthurian legends we would go. With this being the first in the series, I was pleasantly pleased and surprised to find myself fully immersed in a novel that I had to know what was going to happen next. The world building was phenomenal and the emotions this book stirred up had me feeling like I was walking alongside Pip, the main character who is a mage that is hiding his newly found magic. When he and his parents are taken in to be sold to other mages as slaves due to a royal decree, he reveals that he is also a mage. It is then that Merlin decides to take him on as an apprentice and Pip's adventure starts.
I am incredibly excited and anxious to see where Pip, Merlin, and Merlin's scribe slash Pip's new friend, Alfred, go next.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me the chance to receive an advance reader's copy in exchange for my review on this book. I already cannot wait for the next one.
Jessica K, Bookseller
A brilliantly imagined take on the Arthurian Legends! Pip is a really likeable main character and I enjoyed the story! I hope we get to see more of Pip's adventures.
Christi C, Reviewer
I love a good Arthurian tale and this unique spin did not disappoint. The story centers around Pip, a young man that is rescued from the threat of slavery and finds himself apprenticed to Merlin. This is a clean story appropriate for all ages. Adventure and magic awaits!
Kimberly G, Reviewer
I've got a new obsession with Susan McCauley. Merlin's Apprentice gave me chills. I love how McCauley turned an Arthur legend on its head and gave the glory to a young apprentice for Merlin.
Pip is adorable, yet fiercely independent. His love for his family made me ache. I love how Pip wanted to help his family, but the stupid choices he made in his quest made him all the more loveable. I really wanted to reach out and hug Pip when he was having visions through mary's eyes. Poor Mary.
McCauley gives us just enough Arthur to keep readers aware of the Arthur connection, but on the flip side gives us pure magic. I can't wait to read the next novel in the series. I happily award Merlin's apprentice 4 out of 5 stars.
Librarian 431790
I'm sucker for anything related to Merlin or Arthurian and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
Well plotted, compelling, good character development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Nina A, Reviewer
An Arthurian tale where we meet Pip on his journey becoming Merlin’s Apprentice. If you are a lover of reimaginations of the world of King Arthur then this is a must read. It was a quick read, as it was a middle grade fantasy, but it did not shy away from the grim realities of war. As an adult I enjoyed this!
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