In this acclaimed sequel to CELTIKA, Merlin is returning to Alba, the future England, with his companions, the crew of the resurrected Argo. Wandering the paths of the world, husbanding his magic to keep himself from aging, Merlin eschews, for the most part, the affairs of men. Few are those he deigns to call 'friend' and fewer those who welcome his friendship - it is not safe to walk for long in the wanderer's strategies. Those who do, both willing and unwilling, must usually pay a price. Caught up in events beyond their ken are characters destined to become the very stuff of legend: the mythic champion Jason; Urtha and his vengeful children; the northern sorceress Niiv; and Kinos, Jason's son, whose appearance is both terrible and tragic. And at the centre, moving along his never-ending path, is Merlin himself, an enchanter in the prime of his life, reckless, curious, powerful, yet a stranger to his own past - a past that is catching up with him.
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Three warnings greet Merlin on his return to Alba, the future England, and to the deserted fortress of Taurovinda. He is not the only one making the journey: Urtha, High King of the Cornovidi, is coming home to reclaim his stronghold. And Jason is coming to seek his younger son Kinos, 'the Little Dreamer', hiding somewhere in the Celtic kingdom. He sails on Argo, resurrected after seven centuries. But Urtha's fortress has been taken by warriors from Ghostland. There will be war against the Otherworld. Holdstock weaves myth and history into a fabulous tale of honour, death and magic. And at the centre, moving along his never-ending path, is Merlin himself, an enchanter in the prime of his life: reckless, curious, powerful, yet a stranger to his own past.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Long before King Arthur is born to rule England, the enchanter Merlin is caught up in a tangled web of magic and mayhem, treachery, truth and heady enchantment
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Those in the know will spot straight away from my e-mail address that I'm a fan of Holdstock's writings. I've read his work and enjoyed immersing myself in the worlds of his stories for over a decade.
The Iron Grail is a follow on to Celtika (ideally they should be read in order) and takes up soon after the stories narrator Merlin returns to Alba. Almost immediately a vividly written scene in a long hall let's the reader know that this is Holdstock at his brutal best. We're taken on slow burning quests as characters from the first book are reintroduced and their plots divert and distract. As with Celtika one is never really sure what the main story is as the reader becomes so engrossed in the immediate action.
One of the most haunting and powerful sections of the book is the introduction and explanation of the 'Argonauts of grey demeanour'; the plith of these poor souls is very well written and not a little disturbing, even if their situation is lifted directly from Celtic mythology. The Character of Merlin has lightened a little from the first book, he is now trying to juggle and deflect the attentions of 4 'enchantresses' and his desire to help Urtha recover his lost children makes him positivly likeable, no matter that his reasons are not what they seem.
The last part of the book concerns an island hopping voyage deep into the world of the Dead and Unborn. Maybe it was the switch from a Celtic to Greek based mythology but I found this to be a little disappointing. From misty murky forests we are transferred to calm seas and sunny islands - all a little too clean and shiny for my taste. It was a bit of a struggle to maintain the image of the brooding winter bound 'spirit of the ship' deep within the heart of Argo.
Once again, Holdstock has managed to deliver the goods in his strange way with another absorbing read. If you are new to Holdstock and enjoyed this book go and find a copy of Lavondyss which for me is still his most magical story.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book follows on almost immediately from Celtika and continues the adventures of Merlin and his friends and enemies who were encountered in the previous novel. Initially this one drags but like other Holdstock books gets much better once a quest has been embarked upon. By having a sometimes unreliable narrator who keeps things from the reader the book is reminiscent of Gene Wolfe. This is a good thing, as is the character of Merlin who's quite different from your standard fantasy wizard. While not as good as Mythago Wood (very few books are) this is an intelligent, sometimes thought-provoking novel that I enjoyed and I'll certainly buy the next one in the series.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Celtika and Iron Grail
14 Sep 2005
By HistoryShowsUs
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Any fan of mythology will love this book. Brilliantly blends ancient Greek heroes with Arthurian Heroes and a Celtic backdrop. Fast moving story with larger than life characters. I wouldnt spoil the story for anyone but this is a must for any fantasy reader. The only fly in the ointment was Mr Holdstock's chronological displacement of Greek mythological events. The Argonauts came first and then the Trojan War because one of the argonauts was Peleus, Achilles father. In fact it was Peleus' wedding that leads indirectly to the Trojan war. When Eris was not invited to the festivities she cast a gold apple to the guests which was to be given to the fairest. That apple became the prize that Paris later awarded to Aphrodite in exchange for Helen of Sparta. That being said it in no way spoiled the story any more than the changes made to the recent movie Troy. I am eagerly awaiting the third book.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
28 Feb 2009
By J. Webster
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I loved this book. Holdstock is a wonderful writter. I did like Mythago better, but highly recommend this talented writer.
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
delightful fantasy
5 Mar 2004
By Harriet Klausner
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Seven hundred years have passed since Merlin and Jason (see CELTIKA) searched for the Golden Fleece, but now the magician resides in Alba where he receives three warnings including one about a man who wants him dead for betrayal. Also Merlin is warned to beware of a being used by a man and a ship that is more than a ship.
Merlin travels to Ghostland to rescue the children of the warlord Urtha at about the same time that Jason sailing the Argo arrives in Alba still seeking his son Kinos the "Little Dreamer" after failing in his reconciliation with his older boy. Merlin joins Jason on his quest to the Otherworld, where the latter's wife Medea probably has hidden Kinos from him. Jason believes the Mage is assisting him out of guilt because Merlin's first love Medea faked the deaths of the sons she had with Jason. Still the Argo captain wonders if he can trust the magician once they locate Medea who may have Merlin under her spell.
Combining English and Greek mythology, Robert Holdstock provides the audience with a delightful fantasy as the audience will enjoy the exploits of Merlin and Jason as they struggle to find the lost lad. Though some of the early fantasy scenes seem unnecessary, this epic tale is exciting non-stop action especially once Jason arrives on the scene. The second Codex tale is a treat for Camelot fans and Greek mythos readers who will want to hitch a ride on the Argo as the adventures in Otherworld are fun to follow as the two heroes each know that love can blind the purest.
Harriet Klausner
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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