The Swithen 

Merlin - fathered by a demon, converted to good by a strong mother. This is no made up tale, but the original story of Merlin from the year 1215 AD, interpreted for readers of today. Discover the real legend of King Arthur, which begins a generation before Arthur's birth. The devil wants a man on earth to work his evil plans. He decides to bring this about by impregnating a human woman. That woman, Meylinde, finds her life turned into a nightmare as a demon picks off her family one by one until only she is left. Soon the demon's work is done - in a time when an illegitimate child incurs the punishment of death - and she is desperate to save her own life while thwarting the devil's plans for her child: a child who will become Merlin, the greatest wizard of all time.

Based on the oldest known accounts of Merlin, the Lancelot-Grail, and Prose Merlin romances from around 1215 and 1450, this is Merlin's actual origin story, not some made-up story, thoroughly reimagined to be compelling to today's readers. It is a work of horror and fantasy, with surprising elements of tenderness between a mother and son, and a fascinating look at the formation of Merlin's mind and how his mother influenced his sense of morality.

Filled with wonder and wit, this audiobook brings the bizarre and weird world of the 15th century, where magic was as real as the air we breathe, to life for the present day. This is the first audiobook in the series The Swithen, which will continue to honor the original tales of Merlin, King Arthur, Guinevere, and the Knights of the Round Table in exciting versions interpreted for modern readers.