This is the second book in Stephen R. Lawhead's epic Arthurian series and stays second place in my ranking. I haven't read the following books yet so I can only compare it to the first, "Talliesin."

"Merlin" is shorter but feels longer than the first book. It spans many decades and has long very drawn out parts in the midst of a good plot.

Merlin's childhood is hard to get through and I often found myself reaching for other books. His youth and power in battle is definitely more exciting but then there's another drawn out boring part while he returns from his exile. Suffice to say, the book keeps this pattern the whole way through.

When it's good however, it is very good and really feels like you're in the middle of ancient Britain. That being said, I hope the third one is more exciting. It should be, since the first two books are really laying the ground-work for the rest of the series (I assume).