The Crystal Cave : Book One of the Arthurian Saga

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Summary: Merlin--the enchanting enchanter!
Review: Ms. Stewart always has the fascinating touch with her writing. In my view, the Merlin series are the best of all. The characters are as real as one's next door neighbours, except they are far more exciting. The stories and the writing are enchanting, imaginative as well as educational! These books bring the reader to faraway land and time but always close at heart. I've read this series in Chinese and in English since childhood and found them even more captivating as I grow older.

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Summary: I really enjoyed this book!
Review: She brings her characters to life. You really care about these people and what is going to happen to them, even though you already know the story.

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Summary: Really Good with lots of realistic people
Review: In The Crystal Cave I felt like I was there alongside Merlin. It was a pretty easy read. Lots of tense moments and parts that make you understand the relationships of the charactors. Very good! I had to hold myself back from reading the sequal in the store!

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Summary: Merlin legend brought to life.
Review: The Crystal Cave (and the second in this series, The Hollow Hills) have been my all-time favorite books since I first read them over 20 years ago. Ms. Stewart's writing style keeps you glued to the page from beginning to end. She brings Merlin, and later a young Arthur to life better than any book I've ever read on the legend. I'vve read both over and over and they never get old. I would LOVE to see a movie based on these 2 books!

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Summary: Truly enchanting book and series
Review: The Crystal Cave, and others in the series, are books that will take you outside yourself to another place and time, where magic is a part of daily life, but not unbelievable to a modern disbeliever. The characters are entrancing, the story, fast-paced. The history and background are well-researched, but but obtrusively so... My all-time favorite, since I was a child, I re-read them over and over again, and you willtoo..

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Summary: Authurian legend through the eyes of Merlin the Magician.
Review: I read this book for the first time sixteen years ago. I have recently re-read the book and was just as delighted as I was before. I salute Mary Stewart in her ability to bring a wonderful and believable side to the Authurian legend through the eyes of the fabled Merlin the Magician. We are able to sympathize and rejoice for the 'sighted' lad who becomes the counselor and beloved of King Authur. This is a must read for fans of Auuthurian legend and fantasy in general.

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Summary: Historical realism combined with magical fantasy.
Review: When the BBC makes a television show of a novel, one is sure it is worth the read. Their 1991 dramatization of The Crystal Cave ranks this novel with the fantasy genre's classic Narnia books. The Crystal Cave is the first of the Merlin Trilogy, telling in detail the story of King Arthur's enchanter. Stewart downplays Merlin's magic, having her character dismiss it as mundane. The magic, when it appears, however, makes for a wondrous and fantastic tale. It is, quite simply, the best of Arthurian novels in modern times. Historical realism combined with magical fantasy paints a lively picture of Dark Age Britain that was lacking in Mists of Avalon and more contemporary attempts at the Arthurian tale

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Summary: The Crystal Cave
Review: I took a pleasurable excursion into Arthurian legend by reading Mary Stewart's "The Crystal Cave". This novel focuss specifically on Merlin, Camelot's famous magician. I have read versions of the ligend of Merlin, but Stewart takes a unique viewpoint. In her interpretation, Merlin isn't a dark and sinister being but a compassionate man with dreams, desires, and some unusual gifts. The novel opens in turbulent, fifth-century Britain. Merlin is the illegitimate son of the King's daughter. Despite his older brother's attempts to destroy him, Merlin esvapes and is reunited with his powerful father. He must now use his unique abilities to create his own destiny along with the destiny of Britain. Stewart's novel sheds light on one of the world's greatest legends while allowing the reader to be immersed in a mysterious and magical past. The characters are developed to such a degree that the reader begins to empathize with their thoughts and feelings. Suspenseful, romantic, and intriguing, the story never let my interest wane. I would recommend "The Crystal Cave" to anyone willing to read a vibrant interpretation of a classic legend.

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Summary: Enchanting
Review: This is the first fantasy book I ever read. My mother gave it to me when I was 10 and told me I would like it and I loved it. I have read the following 6 books. Now, fantasy is my chosen read.

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Summary: Young Merlin enchantingly evoked
Review: An enchanting fantasy.

Stewart has run with the Arthur semi historical myth - choosing Merlin as her narrator. And she's done it well. Sure we've got lots of the standard tools around a down and out [illegitimate] child maturing into power and influence, and most characters could be summed up as `Faithful servant #2', `virtuous old mentor', or `Evil priest #3', but what's wrong with that? These are enjoyable mythical characters. Moreover she's managed to maintain a sense of magic as an undercurrent or mood running through the book - something deeper and more powerful than the casual and costless flash of Eddings, Goodkind and their ilk. It reminds me a bit of David Gemmell too in the way that you can like the hero, who looks out for the underdog and is more a friend than a `master': Merlin's a one in a million sage, but a nice bloke too. He's also far more consistent than a lot of heroes whose authors' lavishly describe as paragons of virtue and intellect who don't necessarily do much that's selfless or smart. Stewart's Merlin rather earns our respect and affection - even when involved in the nasty backstabbing at Tintagel (this Arthur had just better be worth it...).

So, a capable story from the old romance, a nice place to escape to for a while. I mean, Merlin has a pretty big rap to live up to: it's impressive that you come away from Stewart's version satisfied and not at all disappointed. That'll do me.