From Publishers Weekly
Set in the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War, Radford's swashbuckling fifth book in her Merlin's Descendants series (after 2003's Guardian of the Promise) focuses on Georgina "Georgie" Kirkwood, newly appointed Knight of the Inner Circle of the Pendragon Society. Georgie serves as a counselor to her brother, Drake, who's the Pendragon (master magician) of England. Being a rebellious and free-spirited woman, Georgie chafes at the restrictions placed on females, so she disguises herself as a misbegotten, mercenary son of an earl and runs off to the Austro-Hungarian border, where she joins the battle against the invading Turks and is sorely wounded. Seven years later, she returns home to find her family being harried by some mysterious person who's trying to take over the society and kill Drake. Finally, blackmailed and forced to leave England, Georgie becomes a spy against the rebellious colonists in America. The smooth blend of historical fantasy, magic and audacious swordsmanship makes for an absorbing and fun read. (Apr. 5) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Radford's Merlin's Descendants saga, of which this is the fifth volume, is an impressive example of the new subgenre in which the Matter of Britain is projected forward in time. This volume, set early in the reign of George III, finds him not taking the advice of the current Pendragon, Drake Kirkwood. Kirkwood has the excuse of ill health for not being more forcible, but the situation allows for the increasing influence of Dr. Milton Marlowe, a member of the Pendragon Society with fewer than the requisite scruples. Drake is also handicapped by his sister Georgina's soldiering abroad, coming home to recover from wounds, and then being sent on a secret mission to the restive American colonies. There the deadly question is squarely thrown up to her: Is the Americans' quest for freedom likely to destroy the Pendragon line and unleash chaos on the world? Or does it represent the next stage in the cause for which Merlin's descendants have fought for centuries? Saga stalwarts will keep reading until they find out. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Romantic Times
Radford adds depth to the well-loved Arthurian legend.

Publishers Weekly
Fans of ingenious twists on the Merlin legends...should be well pleased.

Book Description
Set in the time of the Revolutionary War, Guardian of the Freedom takes the magical destiny of the Kirkwood family from the heart of Great Britain to America's troubled shores.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Set in the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War, Radford's swashbuckling fifth book in her Merlin's Descendants series (after 2003's Guardian of the Promise) focuses on Georgina Georgie Kirkwood, newly appointed Knight of the Inner Circle of the Pendragon Society. Georgie serves as a counselor to her brother, Drake, who's the Pendragon (master magician) of England. Being a rebellious and free-spirited woman, Georgie chafes at the restrictions placed on females, so she disguises herself as a misbegotten, mercenary son of an earl and runs off to the Austro-Hungarian border, where she joins the battle against the invading Turks and is sorely wounded. Seven years later, she returns home to find her family being harried by some mysterious person who's trying to take over the society and kill Drake. Finally, blackmailed and forced to leave England, Georgie becomes a spy against the rebellious colonists in America. The smooth blend of historical fantasy, magic and audacious swordsmanship makes for an absorbing and fun read. (Apr. 5) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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