Review #49: Merlin's Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton (BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY)

Title: Merlin's Harp

Author: Anne Eliot Crompton

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Format: ARC from Publisher

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level: Young Adult

ISBN: 978-1-4022-3783-6

Price/Pages: $7.99/app. 241

Release Date: March 2010

*Originally published in 1995

Description from back cover:

Nivienne never thought she'd be in direct contact with barbaric Humans-let alone help them. She's only heard stories of the evil that occurs outside the forest. But her dear friend Merlin has brought word that Arthur's kingdom-where Humans dwell- is threatened by the Saxons. If Nivienne doesn't help, it could be the end for her own peaceful home. Nivienne must now learn to trust the Humans and her heart. Even more difficult than going to war alongside your enemies is discovering you are falling in love with them. Anne Eliot Crompton will immerse you in a world of fantasy, passion and adventure.

My Review:

Honestly, I was really excited to read and review this book. From the front cover and the mini reviews I had read compared it so strongly to The Mists of Avalon, one of my favorite books. From the first line "When I was yet a very young woman, I threw my heart away", I thought I would be swept up in a romantic adventure.

Unfortunately I was only swept up in a garble of flowery fantasy. I'm ashamed to even say that I could not finish this one and that honestly rarely happens to me. The author has a lucid way of piecing together her words that I think would be better suited for poetry and not an attempt at a linear story.

I had a hard time understanding the flow of the story and did not see the comparisons to The Mists of Avalon at all. Crompton's characters were not fleshed out or real to me. Feminist take on the Arthurian legend? Hmm...from the perspective of a fairy?

This is geared towards young adult readers but I would certainly plant it firmly in the fantasy genre. The cover art is wildly beautiful and deceptive. The reader has to go into it with an attention to detail and patience for a weaving story line.

It is hard for me to be so harsh and give a negative review. Though released recently this month, it was actually originally published in 1995. With that said, I think as a reader of current young adult fiction/fantasy/horror, it did not compare in style and that was my own issue of comparison to overcome.

Rating: Due to not finishing it, I leave this book unrated. My review sums up my thoughts.

GIVEAWAY:

I do have 2 copies to give away. This book has an audience. Don't be discouraged. The audience just wasn't me but I've never been a strong fantasy reader. The fantasy books I have read are few and far between and generally hold enough romance to get me through. ! My curiousity in exploring and discovering new authors and books is what paired me with Merlin's Harp. I do not regret it.

If you are interested in a copy, please leave a comment below with an email address. I will pick a winner by Monday March 28. If you are a lover of fantasy, you may find the heart of this book.

Check the other stops on this blog tour for other reviews.

http://litbites.blogspot.com/ 20-Feb http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/ 22-Feb http://fayeflamereviews.blogspot.com/ 23-Feb http://www.devourerofbooks.com/ 23-Feb http://yainsider.blogspot.com 24-Feb http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/ 1-Mar http://booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com/ 2-Mar http://ultimatebookhound.blogspot.com/ 2-Mar http://bookrevues.blogspot.com/ 3-Mar http://bookworm0440.blogspot.com 3-Mar www.thebookjournal.com 3-Mar http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/ 4-Mar http://www.howlinggooddbooks.com 5-Mar http://thebookowl.blogspot.com/ 7-Mar www.jenrothschild.com 8-Mar http://alwaysriddikulus.blogspot.com/ 9-Mar http://stephsureads.blogspot.com 10-Mar http://bookalicio.us/ 11-Mar http://neverendingshelf.blogspot.com 12-Mar http://www.galleysmith.com/ 13-Mar http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/ 15-Mar http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/ 15-Mar http://www.jennsbookshelves.com 15-Mar http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com 16-Mar http://reveriemedia.blogspot.com/ 17-Mar http://www.thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/ 18-Mar http://darkfaerietales.com 19-Mar http://edward-cullen.net 20-Mar http://redheadedbookchild.blogspot.com 22-Mar http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com 23-Mar http://dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/ 23-Mar http://www.capriciousreader.com/ 24-Mar http://examiner.com (Portland) 25-Mar http://www.theveronicaproject.blogspot.com/ 26-Mar

As always, thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading.

red headed book child