This was way better than I expected! I absolutely adored the characters and the dynamics. The writing was easy to follow and made for a very engaging read. I really recommend this!

One of my favorite parts of a mom to tweens is finding books that I think they'll love. It's even better when I end up loving them, too. I started Merlin's Apprentice wondering how deep into Arthurian legends we would go. With this being the first in the series, I was pleasantly pleased and surprised to find myself fully immersed in a novel that I had to know what was going to happen next. The world building was phenomenal and the emotions this book stirred up had me feeling like I was walking alongside Pip, the main character who is a mage that is hiding his newly found magic. When he and his parents are taken in to be sold to other mages as slaves due to a royal decree, he reveals that he is also a mage. It is then that Merlin decides to take him on as an apprentice and Pip's adventure starts.

I am incredibly excited and anxious to see where Pip, Merlin, and Merlin's scribe slash Pip's new friend, Alfred, go next.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me the chance to receive an advance reader's copy in exchange for my review on this book. I already cannot wait for the next one.

A brilliantly imagined take on the Arthurian Legends! Pip is a really likeable main character and I enjoyed the story! I hope we get to see more of Pip's adventures.

I love a good Arthurian tale and this unique spin did not disappoint. The story centers around Pip, a young man that is rescued from the threat of slavery and finds himself apprenticed to Merlin. This is a clean story appropriate for all ages. Adventure and magic awaits!

I've got a new obsession with Susan McCauley. Merlin's Apprentice gave me chills. I love how McCauley turned an Arthur legend on its head and gave the glory to a young apprentice for Merlin.

Pip is adorable, yet fiercely independent. His love for his family made me ache. I love how Pip wanted to help his family, but the stupid choices he made in his quest made him all the more loveable. I really wanted to reach out and hug Pip when he was having visions through mary's eyes. Poor Mary.

McCauley gives us just enough Arthur to keep readers aware of the Arthur connection, but on the flip side gives us pure magic. I can't wait to read the next novel in the series. I happily award Merlin's apprentice 4 out of 5 stars.

I'm sucker for anything related to Merlin or Arthurian and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
Well plotted, compelling, good character development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

An Arthurian tale where we meet Pip on his journey becoming Merlin’s Apprentice. If you are a lover of reimaginations of the world of King Arthur then this is a must read. It was a quick read, as it was a middle grade fantasy, but it did not shy away from the grim realities of war. As an adult I enjoyed this!

Any book I read about Merlin has a very high bar to reach as the Mary Stewart series is one of my all time favourites and my go-to comfort read. The first half of this book was very good with excellent world-building and character development but I felt the development of Pip's magic in the second half was too fast and therefore I became less engaged. Despite this I feel that it's a great book for older children and deserves to be a huge success.

Gosh do I love a Merlin fantasy story. What fun. I highly recommend this for young adults, YA, and kids. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.