Ex Libris Merlini: Wrath of the Scarlet Maidens

Name: Ex Libris Merlini: Wrath of the Scarlet Maidens
Price: 16.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780359786442

✍️ T G Roettiger

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$16.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1924 occult quest for Merlin's tomb turns into a deadly game of deception in New Hampshire.

The story follows Benjamin Franklin Wentworth after he acquires a text pointing to Merlin's tomb in the White Mountains. He recruits Professor Hecate Ni Fidelma, a reputed witch, for the expedition. The group dynamic collapses as secrets surface and trust erodes. Hecate goes into hiding while pregnant, facing threats from those who know her true situation. The plot focuses on her isolation and the dangerous individuals closing in on her location. Roettiger uses this setup to explore themes of betrayal and survival within a supernatural context.

Key Themes

occultist Benjamin Franklin Wentworth Professor Hecate Ni Fidelma Merlin the Magician tomb

Literary Context

Set in New Hampshire during the fall of 1924, the narrative draws on American gothic traditions and Arthurian legend. The story utilizes the White Mountains as a backdrop for supernatural events involving an occultist and a reputed witch.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

M.R. James · H.P. Lovecraft · Daphne du Maurier

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2019 📖 226 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780359786442

📝 Description: Ex Libris Merlini: Wrath of the Scarlet Maidens

T G Roettiger presents a narrative centered on occultist Benjamin Franklin Wentworth, who discovers an ancient text in the autumn of 1924. This document suggests that the tomb linked to Merlin the Magician lies within New Hampshire's White Mountains. Wentworth gathers a group for this expedition, notably including Professor Hecate Ni Fidelma, a woman known as a witch. The journey encounters significant complications, leading to fractured alliances and hidden motives among the participants. Hecate eventually separates from the group, choosing to hide while pregnant and isolated. Her vulnerability attracts unwanted attention from individuals who suspect her secret and seek more than the historical artifact. The story unfolds through these tense interactions, focusing on survival and deception rather than scholarly discovery. Roettiger constructs a plot where trust is scarce and danger is immediate. This volume suits readers interested in early twentieth-century occult fiction and gothic suspense set in rural America. It appeals to those who enjoy character-driven mysteries involving hidden lineages and ancient legends. The book may not satisfy readers seeking extensive historical documentation or non-fiction accounts of Arthurian lore. The narrative remains firmly within the realm of supernatural fiction, relying on atmospheric tension and personal stakes to drive the plot forward.

💎 Our verdict on Ex Libris Merlini: Wrath of the Scarlet Maidens

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Roettiger effectively constructs a tense atmosphere where trust erodes rapidly among the expedition members. The focus on Hecate’s isolation and vulnerability creates genuine suspense, shifting the narrative from scholarly discovery to immediate personal danger. The book succeeds in its gothic ambitions, utilizing the White Mountains’ rural setting to enhance the sense of entrapment. It suits readers who enjoy early twentieth-century occult fiction and character-driven mysteries involving hidden secrets. However, those expecting extensive Arthurian lore or non-fiction accounts may find the supernatural focus limiting. Overall, it delivers a solid, atmospheric experience centered on survival rather than resolution.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This title offers a compelling blend of occult mystery and psychological tension for those who prefer character-driven horror over action-heavy plots. Readers seeking atmospheric dread and themes of betrayal will find value in the isolation of its protagonist, Hecate, as she navigates a collapsing group dynamic. The book appeals to fans of gothic suspense who enjoy exploring hidden lineages and ancient legends without the burden of strict historical documentation. It is ideal for those who appreciate supernatural fiction where personal stakes drive the narrative forward, providing a tense exploration of survival and deception in a remote, hostile environment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Roettiger effectively constructs a tense atmosphere where trust erodes rapidly among the expedition members. The focus on Hecate’s isolation and vulnerability creates genuine suspense, shifting the narrative from scholarly discovery to immediate personal danger. The book succeeds in its gothic ambitions, utilizing the White Mountains’ rural setting to enhance the sense of entrapment. It suits readers who enjoy early twentieth-century occult fiction and character-driven mysteries involving hidden secrets. However, those expecting extensive Arthurian lore or non-fiction accounts may find the supernatural focus limiting. Overall, it delivers a solid, atmospheric experience centered on survival rather than resolution.