vladdbad's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A collection of short stories adding Cthulhu Mythos elements to an Arthurian romance setting, the blend works surprisingly well, bringing back some of the mystery and horror to the Arthurian cycle that familiarity has lost for modern audiences. Some stories, like the novella "The Dreamquest Beast", lean into the Mythos more-- using the Dreamlands as a quest for a young knight on a Grail-like quest to redeem a troubled land. Here we see that the things we fear in the night are no less real for us than for those that we hope to inspire us. Some, like "Spawn of the Summer Solstice" and "The Maze Will Come to Me", lean more heavily on Arthurian elements, bringing back the fear that those ancient monsters once inspired. And some like "The King in Gold" remind us that no true monster is ever truly slain... Just waiting for the next opportunity. The stars were right for Arthur's reign, but the firmament continues to turn-- and it's not only Merlin watching the skies.
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