What do you think?
Rate this book
A mysterious new knight arrives in Camelot for the sword tournament. His fighting skills are impressive but Merlin suspects that dark magic is involved. With Prince Arthur next in line to fight, time is running out for Merlin to prove that evil is afoot.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Mike Tucker
93 books44 followersMike Tucker is a special effects expert who worked for many years at the BBC Television Visual Effects Department, and now works as an Effects Supervisor for his own company, The Model Unit. He is also the author of a number of original tv tie-in Doctor Who novels (some co-written with Robert Perry), and three books based on episodes of the television series Merlin. He co-wrote the factual books Ace! The Inside Story of the End of an Era with Sophie Aldred in 1996, and BBC VFX - The Story of the BBC Visual Effects Department with Mat Irvine in 2010.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 23, 2017
I've recently spent the past few days rewatching BBC's Merlin, which while it was still airing, was easily one of my favourite TV shows. Along with my love of this show came my desire to get the novelisation of each episode too. However, when I initially looked for them, I could only find four (and not the first four in the series either) but at the time, I did not mind. Anyway, I thought it was about time that I reread these and attempted to review them properly.
The plot of Valiant is the exact same as the second episode of the first season (also titled Valiant). A mysterious knight arrives in Camelot to compete in a renown fighting tournament, however Merlin believes there might be more to his success then his impressive fighting skills. To be perfectly honest, I am not a huge fan of this episode and it is even one of my least favourites from the first season. Although I love swordfighting, these tournament episodes of Merlin (of which there are quite a few) never really held my interest. For this one in particular, the plot jumps too quickly at times, especially towards the end which was a little irritating as things seemed to conclude far too fast and far too conveniently. However, I will say that some things mentioned in this book were new and were not included in the TV episode, although there was not a lot of this and nothing was incredibly important either.
In terms of characters, as this is only based on one episode of Merlin, they are not particularly well developed, but there is very little that could have been done to change this while also sticking to the original story, so that can be excused.
The writing style was very long-winded and description heavy at times, which is probably because they were unable to create too much extra dialogue that did not feature in the episode, which allowed some parts to become boring pretty easily. Although the actual story is told in third person, it moves between characters which I was quite happy about, as it offered different points of view on the situation as well as on the other characters.
I originally gave this 2 stars the first time I read it and I do not think that I enjoyed it any more or less than then. It was an easy and quick read, but I am just not a huge fan of this storyline, whether it be in TV or book form.
Rating - 2/5
★★
There is also a link to this review on my blog here!
The plot of Valiant is the exact same as the second episode of the first season (also titled Valiant). A mysterious knight arrives in Camelot to compete in a renown fighting tournament, however Merlin believes there might be more to his success then his impressive fighting skills. To be perfectly honest, I am not a huge fan of this episode and it is even one of my least favourites from the first season. Although I love swordfighting, these tournament episodes of Merlin (of which there are quite a few) never really held my interest. For this one in particular, the plot jumps too quickly at times, especially towards the end which was a little irritating as things seemed to conclude far too fast and far too conveniently. However, I will say that some things mentioned in this book were new and were not included in the TV episode, although there was not a lot of this and nothing was incredibly important either.
In terms of characters, as this is only based on one episode of Merlin, they are not particularly well developed, but there is very little that could have been done to change this while also sticking to the original story, so that can be excused.
The writing style was very long-winded and description heavy at times, which is probably because they were unable to create too much extra dialogue that did not feature in the episode, which allowed some parts to become boring pretty easily. Although the actual story is told in third person, it moves between characters which I was quite happy about, as it offered different points of view on the situation as well as on the other characters.
I originally gave this 2 stars the first time I read it and I do not think that I enjoyed it any more or less than then. It was an easy and quick read, but I am just not a huge fan of this storyline, whether it be in TV or book form.
Rating - 2/5
★★
There is also a link to this review on my blog here!
February 11, 2024
This is the second book in the series following along the tv episodes (Series 1 episode 2) Merlin is now the servant of Prince Arthur. We watch Merlin adapt to his new role and seeing how well he gets on with Arthur.
It is the annual knight tournament, where the knights across the realm come to compete. One knight- Valiant has other motives and will do anything to win.
I loved the book it is quite accurate to the episode. We got to see more into the characters thoughts and extra scenes that weren't included.
It is the annual knight tournament, where the knights across the realm come to compete. One knight- Valiant has other motives and will do anything to win.
I loved the book it is quite accurate to the episode. We got to see more into the characters thoughts and extra scenes that weren't included.
November 10, 2024
i love love LOVE reading the merlin books like sure it's not literary price worthy and i already know what's going to happen but still it's so much fun, i'm having such a great time and it brings me so much joy !!!
+ i like the way we have access to the inner thoughts of Arthur and Merlin, and Gaius, Morgana and Gwen as well ! it gives us a lil more depth to the story and that way it isn't just a plain retranscription of the episode.
i giggled and kicked my feet the whole way through like if you think that three (3) meet-ugly and strong, unnecessary antagonism would stop Arthur and Merlin from becoming pratically best friends in barely a week of knowing each other... you would be wrong !!!
exhibit A :
"It had been obvious from the day they had met that the two of them had fairly low opinions of each other, but whereas most servants would just bite their lip and knuckle down, Merlin was constantly challenging him, constantly forcing him to re-evaluate himself and his opinions.
He should be finding it annoying, possibly even discourteous, but instead Arthur found Merlin's frank openness almost refreshing."
exhibit B :
"Perhaps they were going to make a better team than either of them had thought."
exhibit C :
"Merlin had revealed himself to be far more than Arthur had first thought. He had proved himself loyal and hardworking, he had earned a certain amount of respect, and that growing respect seemed to be mutual."
anyway when i say BEST you say FRIENDISM !!! best friendism (ihi)
on another note : @ uther pendragon IF I CATCH YOU !!! worst father of the year, the decade, the CENTURY, THE MILLENNIUM
+ i like the way we have access to the inner thoughts of Arthur and Merlin, and Gaius, Morgana and Gwen as well ! it gives us a lil more depth to the story and that way it isn't just a plain retranscription of the episode.
i giggled and kicked my feet the whole way through like if you think that three (3) meet-ugly and strong, unnecessary antagonism would stop Arthur and Merlin from becoming pratically best friends in barely a week of knowing each other... you would be wrong !!!
exhibit A :
"It had been obvious from the day they had met that the two of them had fairly low opinions of each other, but whereas most servants would just bite their lip and knuckle down, Merlin was constantly challenging him, constantly forcing him to re-evaluate himself and his opinions.
He should be finding it annoying, possibly even discourteous, but instead Arthur found Merlin's frank openness almost refreshing."
exhibit B :
"Perhaps they were going to make a better team than either of them had thought."
exhibit C :
"Merlin had revealed himself to be far more than Arthur had first thought. He had proved himself loyal and hardworking, he had earned a certain amount of respect, and that growing respect seemed to be mutual."
anyway when i say BEST you say FRIENDISM !!! best friendism (ihi)
on another note : @ uther pendragon IF I CATCH YOU !!! worst father of the year, the decade, the CENTURY, THE MILLENNIUM
October 29, 2023
Merlin! My one true love of a BBC series. I often find myself wanting to relive the nostalgia of the old series and the books are a perfect hit for that. I need a Merlin and Arthur fix and the whole book was just a lovely heartwarming return to childhood.
I’ve been collecting all of these books and hoping to find more of them to relive the episode. Each book is based on a specific episode of the series with the same name, and as we’ve come to know and love all the characters so well, reading these books is just so easy.
The banter, the magic, the wonderful world of Camelot all in a book. As a Merlin fan, can’t resist! Valiant was a great episode and it was greatly adapted into book form too. They honestly make for epically effortless and enjoyable reads!
I’ve been collecting all of these books and hoping to find more of them to relive the episode. Each book is based on a specific episode of the series with the same name, and as we’ve come to know and love all the characters so well, reading these books is just so easy.
The banter, the magic, the wonderful world of Camelot all in a book. As a Merlin fan, can’t resist! Valiant was a great episode and it was greatly adapted into book form too. They honestly make for epically effortless and enjoyable reads!
January 31, 2019
The second novelization in the BBC Merlin series. I really like these so far, they give a more in-depth analysis of what the characters thought processes are, which fills in quite a number of plot holes. This book also has a couple of scenes that weren't included in either the episode or any of the deleted scenes, which makes me wonder how much freedom Tucker had with novelizing these, or whether he was directed by Julian and Johnny. One scene in this book that I would have LOVED to see in the episode was Gaius distracting the Doberman with steak, while Merlin sneaks into his room through the window and retrieves his book of spells with a fishing rod. That would have been a sight to see!
2019 Golden Trio Reading Challenge: Prompt #16, Godric - Read a book that represents Gryffindor's values.
2019 Golden Trio Reading Challenge: Prompt #16, Godric - Read a book that represents Gryffindor's values.
January 9, 2018
This was basically like a novel version of the season 1 episode Valiant and i love it very much. so much fun. there were even scenes in here that wasn't in the episode which i loved, overall i highly recommend it if you are a fan of the show!
January 7, 2019
I love reading these. Gives a little more insight into what characters are thinking, but, pretty much like reading an episode. Makes me want to watch the series again!
December 31, 2021
i love silly little stories about a silly little gay knight and his silly little gay warlock boyfriend :)
October 26, 2022
It was a breeze to get through! Lovely book.
March 20, 2023
I love it
June 26, 2011
strange as it sounds, i'm loving reading these books. they're based on the BBC TV series, and the minute i saw them on the shop shelf i knew i had to read them. i was given 7 of them for christmas (having been told i'd probably only get 1, so it was rather exciting that i kept unwrapping more and more!) and haven't really gotten round to reading them until now.
i'm enjoying them though, because i can see each of the scenes from the TV show in my head, and through reading it i'm noticing things that i'd not noticed before and at times things i wasn't quite sure about have been answered. i'm also enjoying reading sentences which describe things i did notice and find entertaining, along with how the friendship between arthur and merlin is evolving through words, instead of acting. it just shows how goo bradley james and colin morgan actually are as arthur and merlin.
i'm reading these books between reading robert jordan's wheel of time series, as i find just reading through this series gets a bit tedious, due to the size of writing and length of each book, so i'm enjoying a simple read on the edge of a really nitty-gritty series.
i'm enjoying them though, because i can see each of the scenes from the TV show in my head, and through reading it i'm noticing things that i'd not noticed before and at times things i wasn't quite sure about have been answered. i'm also enjoying reading sentences which describe things i did notice and find entertaining, along with how the friendship between arthur and merlin is evolving through words, instead of acting. it just shows how goo bradley james and colin morgan actually are as arthur and merlin.
i'm reading these books between reading robert jordan's wheel of time series, as i find just reading through this series gets a bit tedious, due to the size of writing and length of each book, so i'm enjoying a simple read on the edge of a really nitty-gritty series.
August 14, 2012
I enjoyed this book, the writing was crisp and the story moved along nicely. It had a few insights into the characters which was interesting! I liked that we got a look into Valiant's mindset, thoroughly unlikable add he is.
I'm all ready onto the next book in the series! :O) So this one is well worth a read.
I'm all ready onto the next book in the series! :O) So this one is well worth a read.
August 16, 2014
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I didn't like this one as much as The Dragon's Call. After all, I never really liked the episode. But parts of this book were really cute and funny. I liked the bit at the end where Morgana's mad at Arthur so she scouts the other knights. It was hilarious. And it's still pretty awesome to know the inner workings of the episode bad guy.
Read
August 12, 2011one of the worst merlin books very good at the begining and just goes down hill well that just for me it will properly be different for someone different.
May 6, 2013
Really enjoyed this book - even though I've seen the episode many times. I learnt a lot more about the characters and what didn't happen on screen. A great, quick read. :D
October 30, 2012
It was a pretty good story and for those who like legends, magic and the BBC TV series the Merlin books are based on, it is a must.
January 18, 2013
i love this book to. there was this person that wanted a magic shelid so he can win the tornament and it was snakes so when a person is to hard for him he will call the snakes so that he can win
May 1, 2013
I've watched the TV series, when you read it's like watching it. I love it!
April 12, 2015
This book made me really want to watch the first season again. I had honestly forgotten how much genuine dislike was between Merlin and Arthur in the beginning (and I miss good Morgana!).
August 26, 2021
Terrific and really enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews