Rating: 
Summary: Sophomore Slump???
Review: I truly enjoyed The Crystal Cave (Book 1). This book, however, left me skipping pages trying to find a part of the story that was truly interesting again. The book takes an unusual look into the life of Merlin and the first 14 years of Arthur's life. Perhaps the boring nature of Merlin's travels far and wide, the introduction and exit of many minor characters and the still under-developed story of Arthur's childhood are the reasons that other authors have simply glossed over this section of the story. IT IS BORING. I finally found true interest in the last two sections of the book - an easy 250 pages in.
Read the last section - when Arthur discovers his identity, Morgause begins her trechery, Lot attempts to usurp the boy king and Uthur dies - that's all you need to move onto book 3. The rest is filler at best.
Rating:
Summary: Sophomore Slump???
Review: I truly enjoyed The Crystal Cave (Book 1). This book, however, left me skipping pages trying to find a part of the story that was truly interesting again. The book takes an unusual look into the life of Merlin and the first 14 years of Arthur's life. Perhaps the boring nature of Merlin's travels far and wide, the introduction and exit of many minor characters and the still under-developed story of Arthur's childhood are the reasons that other authors have simply glossed over this section of the story. IT IS BORING. I finally found true interest in the last two sections of the book - an easy 250 pages in.
Read the last section - when Arthur discovers his identity, Morgause begins her trechery, Lot attempts to usurp the boy king and Uthur dies - that's all you need to move onto book 3. The rest is filler at best.
Rating: 
Summary: Forget the Cruise!
Review: I was on a Caribbean cruise when I read this book. After about 40 pages, I had no interest in blue water or glamorous ports-of-call. To read this book is to understand Merlin. Call it "fiction;" I couldn't put it down. Read it! Add it to your library now!
Rating: 
Summary: Yawn.....ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZz
Review: If I didn't have to read this book for school I wouldn't have read past the first chapter. It's incerdibly boring and if you have not read "The Crystal Cave" you might be a little lost. (As I was) I would only recommend this book to readers who are extremely in love with Arthur's legend.
Rating:
Summary: Outrageously Boring
Review: Mary Stewart is considered to be one of the major milestones, if that's the word, in Arthurian Literature. Yet I found myself skipping pages repeatedly. The plot in itself was interesting, mixing traditional arthurian legend with Stewart's own creativity. It is a powerful mix, but the potency is lost. Why? The passages are far too long, the descriptions uninteresting and repetitive. In detailing everything, the story was lost.
Rating:
Summary: Spellbound
Review: Mary Stewart's view of Arthur and, in particular Merlin, is as refreshing and as engrossing as anything I've read. These books are really top notch. I liked this one even better than the first (The Crystal Cave}. I can hardly wait to read the other two now. For anyone who is as enthralled with the Arthurain legend as I am, I highly recommend that they read this series. It's the best I've read so far.
Rating: 
Summary: So Far - The Best
Review: Mary Stewart's view of Arthur and, in particular Merlin, is as refreshing and as engrossing as anything I've read. These books are really top notch. I liked this one even better than the first (The Crystal Cave}. I can hardly wait to read the other two now. For anyone who is as enthralled with the Arthurain legend as I am, I highly recommend that they read this series. It's the best I've read so far.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: Merlin, as the narrator of this tale, is an interesting and exciting voice to listen to. Although the action is small, when it appears it leaves you breathless in its wake. The Hollow Hills is a beautiful story, aimed at those who enjoy the history under the coming of Arthur. If you were captured by the detail of Tolkien, you will be likewise captured in Stewart's The Hollow Hills.
Rating:
Summary: Merlin Comes To Life!...Beautiful and Enchanting tale
Review: Merlinus Ambrosius, gifted physician and enchanter is vividly brought to life in this historical fiction by Mary Stewart. The gift of this book is how Stewart "humanizes" all of the characters, she literally brings them to life right before our eyes and the results are unforgettable.This is a painstakingly detailed account of the pre Camelot legend from Merlin's prospective. There is no better telling of the rise of King Arthur, and you will have chills when you read Stewart's account of the how he pulled the sword from the stone. It's as if you are right there in the midst of the action. The entire book is mesmerizing! Every page is drenched in imagery and descriptive detail. Mary Stewart has a very sharp pen, and a strong command of the english language. She tells a fascinating and beautiful tale. Don't miss this one. Four stars because it moves slow, but is well worth your time. Cris
Rating:
Summary: Merlin Comes To Life!...Beautiful and Enchanting tale
Review: Merlinus Ambrosius, gifted physician and enchanter is vividly brought to life in this historical fiction by Mary Stewart. The gift of this book is how Stewart "humanizes" all of the characters, she literally brings them to life right before our eyes and the results are unforgettable. This is a painstakingly detailed account of the pre Camelot legend from Merlin's prospective. There is no better telling of the rise of King Arthur, and you will have chills when you read Stewart's account of the how he pulled the sword from the stone. It's as if you are right there in the midst of the action. The entire book is mesmerizing! Every page is drenched in imagery and descriptive detail. Mary Stewart has a very sharp pen, and a strong command of the english language. She tells a fascinating and beautiful tale. Don't miss this one. Four stars because it moves slow, but is well worth your time. Cris
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