Set #70324 Merlok’s Library 2.0: This add-on set for the Fortrex Mobile Fortress was an exclusive and not extremely well priced in my opinion, however it is a very nice looking little addition if you get the Fortrex you definitely want to own this set as well, it has some nice play features. Read on to get my thoughts on the set.

Box/Instructions

Box: Not exciting as a design, but stands out well. It showcases the set adequately enough and the image of Jestro is quite creepy looking. If you’ve read my other reviews you’ll get more information on my feelings for these box designs.

Instructions: A modular build here with numbered bags. The instructions are as adequate as you’d expect from LEGO. They don’t include the checklist in the back this time because of the status as a store exclusive, however the rest of the cross-promotional material is still present.

Parts

Transparent orange flag piece and some nice dark blue pieces, including a large wall piece used in the construction of the library. You’ll also find another LEGO Book in this set.

Minifigures

Ava: The only unique Minifigure in this set, Ava is a young girl and I believe the apprentice to Merlok on the show. Her outfit is lavender in colour and is a double-sided torso print which is partially covered by her long hair, the same piece as the Librarian from CMF Series 10 in brown, in-keeping that Ava is also a ‘Librarian’ of sorts.

She features a single-sided face and uses a printed 1x2 tile to control the defenses of the library. This print is nicely done, it looks like a tiny game controller with two pads, a few switches and a large screen in the center with a dangerous looking indistinct Lava Monster… Really fun little piece.

Book of Revenge: The Knights definitely don’t want the Lava Monsters to get this book, it’s that same great pair of elements, this time the cover is translucent green with a claw tearing through the cover. Inside is a printed tile with some kind of lava spider thing trying to escape, whatever it is the Knights must do their best to prevent it from being unleashed.

Crust Smasher: We’ve discussed this figure before. He’s pretty much the same all across the board as the version seen in Chaos Catapult, the only difference is his weapon accessory, this time he’s using the large scimitar piece, making him look even more like a LotR Uruk-Hai with his helmet and weapon accessory.

Lance: Again we’ve discussed Lance in detail in his Mecha Horse set. Again he gets a new accessory here and additional parts to build a jet-pack on the back of his armour so he can properly defend the Library from the Crust Smasher in his flying vehicle.

This version of Lance’s namesake uses a silver ice-cream cone, some translucent LEGO elements and a standard Knight Spear to create a different interpretation of a lance. His jet-pack is a simple build using white versions of the Space gun to serve as wings/jet thrusters. Overall a decent alternative look for the character.

Toxic Sting Nexo Power: Printed on an orange shield element the Toxic Sting features a lime-green drop being clutched by a black scorpion on the front, this is a truly interesting looking Power element and would make an excellent use for classic LEGO Knights Kingdom enemies as their standard when carried into battle. At least in my opinion… It’d also look nice with Pharaoh’s Quest Mummies/Anubis Warriors and the like. It’s ability is obviously to launch a stream of poison or something similar at the Lava Monsters… Pretty dangerous if Lance aimed at the wrong person and accidentally hit a friend.

Ice Dragon Nexo Power: We’ve seen this ability before, one of the Ultimate sets released included this particular power. It’s a decent enough alternative ability for Lance to use and multiples of this particular power aren’t bad for folks looking to custom up some standards for old Dragon Knights. Please see my other review for a detailed look at this shield.

The build

Bag 1: All three Minifigures, the villain’s vehicle and the lower section of the library are covered in the build section of this bag. It’s a relatively simple construction job, there is nothing that stands out as difficult, there is a few minor placement of stickers moments that could require assistance. Other than that everything should be finished quickly.

Bag 2: The top of the library and the two side-walls used to attach the model to the Fortrex are build next. There’s a bit of repetitiveness in the side-wall construction, and more sticker placement requiring a delicate touch, however the build is fairly simple and easy to accomplish.

The completed model

Flame Bat: According to the official description this little marble shooting assault vehicle is called the Flame Bat, sounds like something Batman would use to deal with Mr. Freeze. It’s a decent enough little model, it looks like a giant flying gargoyle head the way it’s built up. The marble shooter works as well as it always has, Knights beware.

Merlok’s Library: Not much of a Library, however the NEXO Knights can bring books to computer screens to read and stuff so this Library is certainly in-keeping with the Theme. It includes two stud launchers and a disc launcher to defend itself from the Lava Monsters, the flag element is attached to a play gimmick, which when hit by the large marble from the shooter blows out the wall and reveals the Book of Revenge.

This build has a lot of playability and certainly works great on its own, but it works even better as an enhancement and add-on for the Fortrex. I’m not a fan of the price for it though as we’ll discuss more shortly. Overall this model isn’t terrible, however I will note that it could have stood to have a slightly taller external wall structure for better defense, the middle sections of the walls should have had more parts added to make them taller and add more places for characters to stand while keeping the connector elements on both side at the same height for matching up with the Fortrex.

Overall opinion

This set is difficult to rate because it’s a large add-on, similar to how Helm’s Deep was handled back during The Lord of the Rings days. While everything in the set is great, I feel that 30$ Canadian is a bit high-priced for the actual contents of the model here. If the walls had been a little higher with more areas for knights to stand it could have been a great addition, unfortunately it’s a bit weaker.

I would definitely still recommend it though even with the issues of price and other elements because once attached to the Fortrex it gives a much more complete looking profile and even more stuff to do when playing with both sets. Recommended.

Merlok's Library 2.0 is an OK set but its name is highly misleading. Let's read on to see if this set is worth your money.

Box/Instructions

The box displays Lance and Ava defending this small structure against a Crust Smasher.

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[url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXkV3][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXkV3]P8231859[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

Parts

The parts included are the norm for this line. Browns and oranges for the "bad guys" and blue and reddish orange for the knights. 2 bags are included in this set along with a sticker sheet with 7 stickers. Every single sticker is clear in nature and quite a hassle to get on straight as they're also quite long. Needless to say despite superhuman patience you will end up with smudged images and fingerprints all over these stickers. You'll have some trans pieces as spares along with a few spiky tiles and some fangs, not to mention a number of technic pins and connector pieces.

You also get two nexo powers, though in relation to others powers in the line these are not as useful.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxWP1][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxWP1]P8231860[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXhZd][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXhZd]P8231880[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

Minifigures

The minifigure selection is quite good for the knights but very dry for the lava monsters. We get Lance along with a jet pack build and Ava with her signature hand held gaming device. The Crust Smasher has been in a few sets but retains its wonderful prints throughout. The Book of Monsters included is excellent. The new book design is fantastic it has printed work on the cover and on the inner tile and can be held by figures while still functioning as a book.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LoWU43][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/LoWU43]P8231861[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxWed][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxWed]P8231862[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxV23][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxV23]P8231869[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Lk1WRP][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/Lk1WRP]P8231865[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxVEN][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/LhxVEN]P8231866[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

The build

The build was average though again with reliance on plenty of technic parts. These may be difficult for younger builders to bear with but they are crucial in the stability and play features of the enemy craft and structure.

The completed model

The model looks pretty decent. It can also be connected to the Fortrex for added play. For a set called a library, however, the inclusion of one book seems some what odd. It looks more like an outpost or gatehouse that the knights can use to delay a major enemy attack at best, a simple bump in the road at worst. The figures make up for the very small nature of the set and it comes with a fun version of Lance since he has a jet pack.

The biggest flaw is the stickers. Since two are applied to trans-orange red pieces they need to be transparent. They were hard to line up and despite my best efforts still ended up off-kilter. That the rest of the stickers which are applied to solid colors were also transparent also didn't help much.

The vehicle for the Crust Smasher is actually the better build. It works and looks fantastic plus the printed ball element it uses as ammo is awesome looking.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXjDA][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXjDA]P8231867[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXiko][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/KuXiko]P8231874[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/139708441@N07/]Macster Tome[/url], on Flickr

Overall opinion

Overall it is an average set. The bad guy actually has a powerful vehicle and it seems like the knight has no chance against it either as he can be knocked over by that ball rather easily despite his heavy equipment.

For imaginative play, however, the possibilities are endless. The walls can be folded in and out quite a ways. With multiples of these you can make an actual mini fort though I would recommend the Fortrex instead as that is a proper fort.

As with a few of the sets in this line having a few other Nexo sets livens up the scene and adds more to do for an imagined adventure. Also buy it when it is on sale if you do really want it.

I was interested in this set as soon as I saw it because of the Ava figure and the fact that it's supposed to attach to the Fortrex, which is my favorite set in this theme.

Box/Instructions

The depiction on the box is perfectly accurate, and the instructions are excellent as almost all Lego instruction manuals are.

Parts

Basic Nexo Knight parts that are plentiful in in other much better sets like the Fortrex. The only things I can think of that might be exclusive are the small bits like the book and the Nexo powers.

Minifigures

The highlight of the set is the exclusive Ava figure, who is also one of the relatively few female figures in Nexo Knights. She has a really nice hair piece.

Lance appears in a few sets in various forms, and has a cheaper set that bears his name. This version differs a little from the others in what gear he has.

Crust Smasher appears in one of the $10 sets, but I find all of these bad guys to be almost the same in appearance so I never get a set based on them.

The build

The middle tower is fun to build while it lasts. It is stabilized by a technic element so it's a lot more than just stacking bricks. The walls aren't that interesting as they are so small and contain so few pieces.

The completed model

The tower is perfectly fine from the front, but the back has inexplicably exposed technic racks that could easily have been covered up with some flat pieces. There isn't much room to place the figures on, as the thing is so tiny. Attached to the Fortex, it's kind of ridiculous because it just makes the Fortrex easily accessed by the enemy who could simply step over the tiny walls.

There is a projectle that shoots out of the front, but since the tower doesn't actually move, the enemy would have to walk right into its path to be struck.

There's a small enemy vehicle that's clearly only there to make the set playable by itself, but it actually might be able to take on the somewhat unimpressive Merlok Tower.

Overall opinion

I don't see how this is really a library or a reasonable attachment to an impenetrable beast of a castle like the Fortrex. The walls are way too small. The main reason I would recommend buying one of these sets is to get Ava, and because it's really not that expensive.

If you want to buy two (or more) Merlok Libraries, you could make it a much better set by making the walls much higher. If you bought enough of these, you could even assemble a whole castle! However, I would not recommend doing something like this unless you already own the Fortrex, which is a much more unique and cool castle than anything you might make with Merlok's Library.

Anyway, I only can recommend this to Nexo Knights fans. If you're not sold on this theme, start elsewhere. Even the $10 catapult would be a better starting point.