From Publishers Weekly
The protagonist of this first novel in a fantasy series of the tales of King Arthur is Arylwren, nicknamed Wren, daughter of Myrddin Emrys, The Merlin, and Deirdre, high priestess of the Druids. Raised among her father's wards, Wren falls in love with one such ward, Curryl, who, to no reader's surprise, turns out to be the eventual Arthur, Ard Rhi (High King) of Britain. Meanwhile, to protect her from political and religious intrigues, her father forces Wren into marriage with the abusive Carradoc, already involved in an incestuous affair with his demon-ridden, promiscuous, magic-working daughter, Nimue. Arylwren has a long and difficult journey through life, rescuing her father from Morgaine (in the novel as in legend, a sorceress) and her retainers from her husband, and eventually dying while bearing Arthur's child. This is not an impressive addition to the canon of Arthuriana, despite obvious folkloric expertise and several good passages (the two rescues head the list). Wren is more a collection of virtues than a believable human being. The author seems torn between scholarship about the Celts and modern neopagan images of them. And the sexual politics are piled on with an overly lavish hand. Much of the legend is here, including the extraction of Excalibur from the stone and the love of Lancelot and a Guinevere so pathetic one wonders what the man saw in her. Unfortunately, all the elements are so jumbled together that much of the spirit of the classic legend gets buried. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
As the daughter of Merlin and the goddess whom he serves, Wren grows up in the shadow of the boy who will one day inherit the title of Pendragon. Despite a loveless marriage and the enmity of her husband's family, Wren pursues a destiny spun for her by the goddess of the land. With this first in a series of novels focusing on the mythical bloodline of Merlin, Radford embarks on an ambitious project that should have certain appeal for fans of Arthurian legend and goddess-centered magic. A good choice for most libraries.Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
In volume one of Irene Radford's magnificent new saga, Merlin's Descendants, Merlin's daughter, Wren, is more powerful than even The Merlin can perceive. And she must learn to master these talents, for soon she will be called upon to serve as both sword and shield for The Merlin, for Arthur, and for the people who would be put in her charge....

"An ambitious project that should have certain appeal for fans of Aruthurian legend..."--Library Journal

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Her name was Arylwren - Wren to those she numbered among her friends. She was the child who should not have been, daughter of Myrddin Emrys - The Merlin - and Deirde - The Morrigan - high priestess of the Druids. Both had been promised to the gods, and Myrddin, gifted with prophecy from childhood, has been sworn to eternal celibacy in exchange for the Sight. As a child Wren roamed the land with her father, the two welcomed everywhere for the bardic tales and the information they brought. Thus The Merlin could secretly watch over his other charges: Arthur, who would one day be King, and the other youths who would prove Arthur's most loyal followers. During their travels Myrddin taught his daughter of the old ways and the small magics and bardic skills. But even The Merlin could not foresee the power with which Wren had been blessed. Nor did Wren tell him of the visions which had been given to her alone: images of war to come, of a forbidden passion brought to fruition, and of those whom she loved in peril of being devoured by all-consuming forces of darkness. She only knew that she must learn to master the talents she had been born with, for a time would come when she must become both sword and shield for The Merlin, for Arthur, and for the people who would be put in her charge.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The protagonist of this first novel in a fantasy series of the tales of King Arthur is Arylwren, nicknamed Wren, daughter of Myrddin Emrys, The Merlin, and Deirdre, high priestess of the Druids. Raised among her father's wards, Wren falls in love with one such ward, Curryl, who, to no reader's surprise, turns out to be the eventual Arthur, Ard Rhi (High King) of Britain. Meanwhile, to protect her from political and religious intrigues, her father forces Wren into marriage with the abusive Carradoc, already involved in an incestuous affair with his demon-ridden, promiscuous, magic-working daughter, Nimue. Arylwren has a long and difficult journey through life, rescuing her father from Morgaine (in the novel as in legend, a sorceress) and her retainers from her husband, and eventually dying while bearing Arthur's child. This is not an impressive addition to the canon of Arthuriana, despite obvious folkloric expertise and several good passages (the two rescues head the list). Wren is more a collection of virtues than a believable human being. The author seems torn between scholarship about the Celts and modern neopagan images of them. And the sexual politics are piled on with an overly lavish hand. Much of the legend is here, including the extraction of Excalibur from the stone and the love of Lancelot and a Guinevere so pathetic one wonders what the man saw in her. Unfortunately, all the elements are so jumbled together that much of the spirit of the classic legend gets buried. (Mar.)

Library Journal