Guardian of the Freedom

by Irene Radford

Book Overview

1763: all of Europe is at war with each other and the Turks are storming toward Vienna. The magical protection of Britain requires that Georgina Kirkwood, a potential Merlin, leave the secret... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075640343X
• ISBN13: 9780756403430
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 564 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 4.3" x 6.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

American Revolutionary Swordswoman/Magical Adept

Since I love swordswomen, I knew I had to read this book when I saw the sword wielding woman on the cover. Bringing a swordswoman into an American Revolution context ups my interest even more. The dashing central character, Georgina Kirkwood, is also a magical adept who belongs to a family that is committed to the magical defense of England. Siding with the revolutionaries in the American colonies is therefore a cause for character conflict which makes for a great deal of drama. Georgina's niece Emily is also a strong character. This is the fifth novel in a series called Merlin's Descendants. I found it so extraordinary that I definitely want to read the rest of these books.

The latest of a great series

This is the latest of the series and the action moves to the USA just before the Boston Tea Party. We see much of the action through the eyes of one of Merlin's female descendants, Georgie. The family traditions have changed and the male descendants seem to think that they are the only ones who can lead. Georgie fools them all and assumes a male alter ego. She becomes a Mason and also joins other secret fraternal organizations. The book documents some of the ways these organizations played a part in the founding of our country. Magic abounds as usual and I hated to finish the book. I wish the author would get busy and write the next installment. I do hope this isn't the end of the series.

Good review of the American Revolution.

This is a great addition to the Irene Radfrod series on Marlin's Descendents and makes you wish for more. The Pendragons are finally brought to America, this time in the years leading to the Revolution. Interesting in the way it is handled and riveting in the writing.

fascinating and riveting Merlin's Descendants tale

Since the time of Merlin, the Pendragons have been charged with keeping Britain safe from her enemies. Drake Pendragon is the present head of the family and the society of magical practitioners; however King George III, unfamiliar with the British heritage, does not believe in the power of the Pendragon. Drake's sister Georgina, unwilling to stay a helpless female, runs away and hires herself as a mercenary to England's enemies. Her brother suffers from ill health and relies on his distant cousin Dr. Millen Marlowe who has the ear of the king. Marlowe wants to bring his eldest who was killed in the colonies back to life but to do that he must enter the archives that are heavily guarded by wards. Another son Barclay, a soldier in King George's army in the New World, has summoned a demon to cause chaos; when the time is right, he will grab he power his father covets. Georgina fights for the rights of the people who choke under English rule while across the sea; her cousin Emily does her best to keep Marlowe and his minions in check. A magical battle looms and if the forces of good lose, England will dissolve into chaos. The fifth book in Merlin's Descendants retains the freshness and excitement as the previous books contained. Georgina would be more at home in the twenty-first century with her ideas of women's rights but her love for the mortal Major Roderick Whythe keeps her grounded and happy and he is wise enough to give her the freedom she needs. Irene Radford uses actual historical events and intertwines then with the Pendragon magic to create a fascinating and riveting tale. Harriet Klausner