book review

The Rise of Merlin on Prime – Better Than Expected

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Prime has a new fantasy series, The Rise of Merlin, based on Stephen Lawhead’s Arthurian novels. As someone who has read the books, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I have mixed feelings about Lawhead’s trilogy. The first two books are strong, offering an interesting take on the Arthurian legend that blends history, mythology and spirituality in a way that feels distinctive. However, I’ve always felt the final book was a disappointment. It seemed rushed, as though the story was racing towards the finish line rather than letting events unfold naturally. It didn’t ruin the series, but it certainly took some of the shine off what had come before.

Perhaps because of that, Bernard Cornwell’s The Warlord Chronicles has always been my favourite retelling of the Arthurian legend. For me, it’s superior in almost every respect. The characters feel more authentic, the Britain of the period is vividly realised, and Arthur himself is portrayed as a believable war leader rather than a mythical king. Cornwell strikes the perfect balance between history and legend, creating what I still consider the definitive Arthurian trilogy.

Which makes it all the more frustrating that when The Warlord Chronicles was adapted for television, it was such a disappointment. I rarely give up on a series after a single episode—I usually believe every show deserves a fair chance to find its feet—but this one completely failed to capture the spirit of the novels. It lacked the atmosphere, the depth and the compelling characters that made the books so memorable. I never made it past episode one.

That brings me back to The Rise of Merlin. While it isn’t going to challenge the likes of Game of Thrones or, for me, the classic Robin of Sherwood, it’s actually… rather good.

I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the story is condensed, as adaptations often have to be, and inevitably some detail is lost. But it captures the essence of Lawhead’s work far better than I expected. The performances are solid, the pacing works well enough, and the world feels believable. More importantly, it remembers that Arthurian stories should have a sense of mystery and wonder alongside the political intrigue.

So I’m left in the slightly odd position of being mildly annoyed that the weaker book series has received the stronger television adaptation. Cornwell’s novels deserved this level of care and attention, yet it’s Lawhead’s work that seems to have benefited from it.

Still, I’m enjoying it more than I expected. In summary, mediocre but watchable. For me, it is the excitement of seeing people and parts of legend that don’t often get shown on mainstream media. Cernunnos, for example – Taliesin for another!

I’ll definitely be sticking with it to see where it goes.

Unveiling the Hauntings of Thirteen Tales of Ghosts

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Even as the days begin to stretch a little longer, there’s something timeless about the allure of ghost stories. They remind us that some mysteries linger, regardless of the season. Thirteen Tales of Ghosts has always been a collection close to my heart, a book that invites readers to explore the spaces where the living and the dead overlap. These stories delve into the questions that have fascinated us for centuries: what remains when we’re gone, and what might return?

Each tale in this collection offers a glimpse into a different kind of haunting. Whether it’s the unnerving repetition of Cycles, the poignant encounters in The Lost, or the quieter, creeping unease of other stories, I wanted to create experiences that aren’t just eerie but deeply human. Ghost stories, after all, aren’t only about fear—they’re about the emotions and truths that surface when we’re faced with the unknown.

What I love most about writing in this genre is its versatility. A ghost can be a symbol of regret, a lingering love, or even a warning. Each spirit has its own story to tell, and through their whispers, we learn something about ourselves. These tales aren’t just about the supernatural; they’re about the connections we make, the choices we regret, and the things we leave unsaid.

Thirteen Tales of Ghosts

Since Thirteen Tales of Ghosts was first published, I’ve been fortunate to hear from readers who have shared their thoughts and experiences. Some have mentioned how a story reminded them of their own brush with the unexplained; others have simply told me how they had to sleep with the lights on after reading. It’s those connections that make writing worthwhile—knowing that these tales have found a home in someone’s imagination.

If you’ve yet to dive into the collection, now is as good a time as any. Ghost stories are for all seasons because the questions they ask are timeless. What lingers after us? What can’t we let go of? Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or simply a fan of atmospheric storytelling, I hope these tales offer you something memorable. They’re best read in the quiet hours, with the world hushed around you, when every creak of the floorboards might just make you pause.

For those who have already read Thirteen Tales of Ghosts, I’d love to hear from you. Which story stayed with you? Did any of them evoke chills, or perhaps even tears? Your feedback means the world to me—it’s through your eyes that these tales truly come to life.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported my work, whether by reading, sharing, or simply recommending the book to a friend. Every reader who steps into these stories helps to keep their ghosts alive, and I can’t thank you enough for that.

So, if you’re ready to journey into the unknown, I invite you to pick up Thirteen Tales of Ghosts. These stories are more than just a collection—they’re an exploration of the things that haunt us, in every sense of the word.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. I hope these tales linger with you long after you’ve finished reading—after all, the best ghost stories always do.

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Book Hunting

Scott Andrew BaileyLeave a comment

If you are reading my blog then you probably agree that there is little better than browsing around a second-hand book shop. The smell, the atmosphere, it can’t be beat. And I am lucky to have some fantastic examples in easy reach.

I often just browse for the experience and the chance to be surprised by a good bargain, or for a book to catch me completely by surprise. As I seem to be doing this more lately I have had a few great finds.

This one for example – a real bargain as I can’t imagine the cost originally. A coffee table volume, 40 Years of Queen – my favourite band.

Another time, I was looking for a book on the origins of local place names – something I am fascinated with. I did not find anything but instead came across these beauties by Mark Forsyth. I have never heard of him but these are a great, light, but informative read. Great to dip into now and then.

In another shop, I spotted this, a collection from one of my favourite Podcasts – In Our Time by Melvyn Bragg. At the time I did not have enough money on me, but my wife, ever vigilant, noted my interest and went back to get it for my birthday.

But now a new theme seems to have entered my book hunting. One of nostalgia. OK – to be fair this has always been there. For one thing, I have many old copies of Enid Blyton’s books that are identical to the ones I had, the ones that sparked my lifelong reading passion. I brought these years ago when my eldest was first born, in the hope he would pick them up and do the same. That didn’t really work as expected but at least he does read, unlike many of his peers.

But the other day I spotted one that really stirred up the sentimentality. If you read my blog regularly you can probably guess that one of the early influences on my reading, writing and just life in general is The Lord of the Rings. I of course, already have a copy – I have always owned a copy since first reading it. The one sitting there calling out to me in the shop though was exactly like the very first one I owned.

Many years ago, in the dawn of time (or primary school as it was known) we were read The Hobbit by a supply teacher. It left a profound impact on me and that was when my dream of becoming a writer was born. I went home immediately and started writing a sequel called The Hobbit’s Cousin. A few weeks later I was visiting an Uncle and mentioned what I was doing. He explained to me that there was already a sequel and produced the above book – which he gave to me to read – thus changing my life forever.

Oddly, despite the fact that I had never seen this particular edition before in a bookshop, there were, in fact, two of these, I was sorely tempted to grab both but resisted that.

This experience got me thinking and I have decided to be a bit more purposeful in my book hunting – specifically looking for these old editions packed with nostalgia ( while still watching for new and exciting things). One of these is an edition of Dune.

Another life-changing book for me. I read this at a time when my interest in reading overall was waning (I was a teenager – other distractions were occurring). This rekindled it while also switching me from being a largely a fantasy reader to becoming much more of a SciFi fan.

So I have all my original Dune books still – brought in the 1980s. But there is an issue. As this was around the time that the David Lynch film version came out, I, of course, brought that version. The rest were not the same theme and artwork.

Now, I a not that OCD about these things, at least not these days. It would only mildly annoy me, and the fact is I have lived with it for years. But this particular set of books is special in that when they are all laid out open and in order the covers make one large picture. (See here and here.)

And I am missing the first part!

I have been traipsing around bookshops looking for that first one in the same cover variant as the others. So far, no luck. I have found all the others in plentiful supply but not the first one. It seems to be much rarer for some reason.

My son suggested going online and tracking it down. That would probably work, but where’s the fun in that!

Does anyone else like to track down original versions of books they read or am I just weird. What kinds of delights and surprises have you found in second-hand bookshops? Let me know.

Mankind Limited – Another Fantastic Review

Scott Andrew Bailey6 Comments

A detailed, in-depth and insightful review of Mankind Limited from Silver Threading. Check it out here.. and many thanks to her for the review!

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