Legend of the Emerald Rose

by Linda Wichman

Book Overview

King Arthur and his queen are dead and Merlin has vanished. Bound by Divine Providence but divided by distrust, Shadoe and Rayn must find a way to save the Isle of Might and themselves from the threatening evil. A tantilizing brew of fantasy, action, and romance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0825441099
• ISBN13: 9780825441097
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

back to Camelot

Another wonderful trip back to Camelot for any Christian fan of such tales. Wonderfully told. I want to see more from this author.

For lovers of fantasy, historical or romance novels

As a young boy Shadoe un Hollo Tors' life is shattered by the death of King Arthur and Guenevere to whom he was devoted. Together with the betrayal perpetrated by his father, Merlin and the loss of Camelot, his faith in God lays in tatters. After suffering torture at the hands of the evil Mordred, Shadoe flees to the Continent and into the life of a mercenary. Ignorant of her true heritage, Emerald Rose Rayn has been raised by Lancelot, in the ways of a warrior and not of a princess. Her mentor and friend, Mer, leaves her bereft when he dies but with a promise that her knight and godsend will come and to her alone will give his heart. A dream steeped in reality draws a reluctant Shadoe, with his stallion Destrier and his wolf Echo, back to his childhood home and into the path of the independent and vivacious Rayn, who both enchants and infuriates him. Shadoe's destiny is to appoint the rightful heir to Arthur's empty throne but he fights the memory of his father and the trauma of his past. Rayn's faith is both a blessing and a challenge to him but it will not go untested as the heir to the throne of Camelot is challenged by Shadoe's cousin and nemesis, Mordred and as his evil mother, Morgause summons the powers of darkness to secure his victory. It is no surprise that Legend of the Emerald Rose was the ACFW Book of the Year in 2005 and nominated for a Christy award in 2006. Linda Wichman has penned an epic tale of lore, loyalty and love and I was still completely enthralled when reading it for the third time for this review! Shadoe is a man of integrity and courage mixed with the vulnerability of a young boy traumatised by the loss of those he loved. Rayn is delightful as she transforms from a warrior waif into the regal princess she is, fighting it all the way. The attraction between the two is spirited and sparks fly with every interaction. Linda is not shy about revealing their true feelings which makes for an authentic read. Needless to say Linda does not restrict her excellent character development to the main protagonists. Merlin, Lancelot, Mordred and Niamh, Shadoe's estranged mother, are beautifully portrayed and you are transported to the shores of Camelot and the time of knights and maidens when the fight between good and evil was a noble and vital quest. This book would rate as one of my all time favourites and I would love to see a sequel. That being said I would read anything that Linda produces in the future.

Top Drawer Entertainment

Readers looking for literary angst won't find it here. Emerald Rose isn't that kind of story, nor is it intended to be. As the word "legend" in the title suggests, readers will find a rollicking great story in the best fairy-tale tradition that provides a welcome get-away from the work-a-day world. Wichman explores an alternate twist to the King Arthur tale with villains you love to hate, a wounded hero you'd love to fall in love with (except when you want to kick him), and a fiesty heroine you'd love to have as a friend. Hunting for a special book to escape with on a lazy afternoon? Here it is.

Great Historical Fantasy

Shadoe un Hollo Tors (Shad'ow un Hal'low Tore) son of Merlin, was twelve years old when King Arthur was killed. Shadoe was supposed to guard the king's back, but they were separated in the heat of battle. Now Arthur Pendragon lies on his back, clutching his famed sword Excalibur. Shadoe believes Merlin, his father, is dead. Rumor has it that Merlin, who once followed the dark ways of the Enchanter, turned his life over to Jesu, Savior of the world. Shadoe is a follower of the true God, but when Mordred le Fey, pretender to the throne, kills Arthur and then brutally murders Queen Guenvere, Shadoe believes God has deserted them. But God has a mission for Shadoe. An unwilling servent, still he promises he will accept the pendant of the Emerald Rose of Avalon. Only the High Steward can wear the pendant, and appoint King Arthur's successor. There is a rumor that a secret child of Arthur's escaped Mordred's murderous rampage. Shadoe's job is to find that child and make him king. His task would be a lot easier, if a frustrating, irritating, female named Emerald Rose Rayn would stop getting in his way. I've always loved tales of King Arthur and his court, and this one is a winner. The Legend of the Emerald Rose is filled with love, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil, and is well salted with biblical truths. Linda Wichman does a great job of recreating the fascinating world of the Isle of Might and the people who lived there.

Intriguing Blend of Myth and History-Excellent!

Who can resist a tale of King Arthur, Guenevere, and the Knights of the Round Table? Fact, myth, legend...what? It continues to fascinate. But this story is different. Now, Arthur and Guenevere are both dead, Merlin has vanished, and Camelot is no more. Still, the knights live on, and we meet Lancelot Percival, Galahad and others as they plan to restore the rightful Arthurian heir and rid the Isle of Might of its evil servants. Emerald Rose Rayn is this heir. Legitimate daughter of Arthur and Guenevere, Rayn was raised by Lancelot and is now a beautiful young woman of sixteen years. She does not know of her royal heritage, and believes herself the daughter of Lancelot. Trained as a warrior, tutored by Merlin, she has a solid and steadfast faith and belief in God. Young Shadoe un Hollo Tors, son of Merlin, having once run away in anger at his father's betrayal, has wandered the world pursuing his own pleasures. When a dream in which he is told he must help appoint Arthur's rightful heir to the throne, Shadoe reluctantly goes back to his island home. Shadoe turned his back on God at the same time he abandoned Camelot, and his bitterness keeps him at war with what he as been sent to do. He is determined to see it through but once done he will leave forever. Rayn has other ideas. She believes Shadoe is her "godsend" - the man promised to her by God. Shadoe resists. Though sharing a mutual dislike and distrust of one another, attraction lies under the surface and sparks are never far from igniting. Yet, because of his promise, Shadoe can't avoid being drawn into the plans of Rayn and the Knights to restore Camelot to its former glory and save the isle. Morgause le Fey, sorceress and half-sister of Arthur, has her own plans - to put her son Mordred, illegitimate son of Arthur, on the throne and capture the Isle of Might at all costs. Mordred is weak and becomes nothing more than a puppet being manipulated by Morgause's unspeakable evil. No one on the Isle of Might is safe from her relentless scheming and ruthless ambition. What a fun, and heart-stopping read of the battle between good and evil. As we watch the love develop between Rayn and Shadoe-will they ever accept it might be their destiny?-and pray with the Knights as they lay their plans, we know that whatever they do will be countered by Morgause's sorcery and demons. This is Linda Wichman's first novel, but it won't be her last! Legend of the Emerald Rose is masterfully woven with all the skillful elements of good story-telling. You can almost believe you're right back there in that ancient time; it's for sure you'll feel the goose-flesh rise when Morgause turns up, knowing something awful is going to happen. And only Rayn, Arthur's rightful heir, can end the violence and restore peace and order. But at what price? This is a `gotta read' and I say run, don't walk, to your nearest Christian bookstore and get this book. Young and old will enjoy it for the era it evokes and the richness o