Rating: 
Summary: A Great First book in a Great Trilogy
Review: (4.5 stars). I picked this book up because of its interesting cover and because that Ive never read a King Arthur book before. But this is no Sword in The Stone. Its that and more. Its about a boy Arthur "Who was and will be" He is the king and he isnt. Confusing? It'll all be explained once you read the book - which I highly advise. Its about a young boy named Oliver who is given a magic stone made of Fire and Ice from Merlin. Inside the stone he sees another story with him as the main character.
The book is filled with interesting characters. Some you hate some you love. It has lots of conflict and hidden secrets. It is exactly 100 chapters all of which are personal journals written by Arthur. I recomend this book to everyone. It is a great start to a new trilogy. And the second is just as - if even more - promising. And the third one has been released in England. So you can order it on Amazon.co.uk (the UK amazon). But if it dont want to pay the shipping charges it will come out soon enough! Once again - buy this book and you wont be sorry you did. Great if you like Arthur books or even if you dont!
Rating:
Summary: a superb mix of fantasy and history
Review: a brilliant and inspiring book, superbly written and a balance of the mind and fact. I would reccomend it to anyone who likes history and good fiction, as this book offers something for most people. A great buy and a modern classic, not to mention a great read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A sheer delight.
Review: A joy to read, aloud as well as silently.
Each chapter - and they all beg to be read aloud - is almost a snap shot into Arthur's life - and the end of the 12th century. People and places have great reality. And, for both readers and listeners, the seeing-stone offers the delight of recognition as the world of Arthur-in-the-stone unfolds.
Somehow, I am reminded of both Rosemary Sutcliffe and Dylan Thomas; this is a book that will only be lent to people guarranteed to return it! And now to the second volume (which is already available in Australia).
Rating:
Summary: A True King
Review: Arthur is the son of a knight from the Middle March, the strip land in-between Britain and Wales. This young boy's life is about to change forever. This book shows the beginning of his new beginning. Merlin once told him that crossing-places aren't quite sure of themselves; like midnight, the beach, bridges, and the March itself. Arthur is about to venture into his own crossing-place.
One of the many things in this book that I found that was put to extremely good use was the diary form in which it was written. It was very unusual about it was that each entry had no date attached. Arthur treated it like a friend that could confide his thoughts and the daily happenings to. Through this sort of writing you almost start to think of Arthur as an old friend that you have known for a very long time. He doesn't address you as a person but often says things such as, "I like my Nain's [his grandmother is called Nain] stories"
I'll admit that at the beginning this book is a little confusing if you don't first understand that it is a diary without dates. Also another part that might throw the reader into udder chaos is that Arthur never really fills you in on who he is, where he is, and what has been happening in his life before he started writing, but it is all clarified as you read on. The entries headings are a cross between a journal entry and a title of a chapter in a novel. The first thing you read is the title of the first entry, "Arthur and Merlin [speaking of himself and the mysterious old man who lives in the village]",
And then it goes straight into the writing.
This book interested me because I had never actually read a book about King Arthur before, but this one meet and exceeded my expectations of what this type of book should be. After I read the first few pages I came to realize that this Arthur is not the legendary King Arthur, but is almost a shadowy reflection of him. In ways the Arthur of this book is, yet is not, the Arthur of legend. As Arthur says, "I am living in two worlds [he says this because he has seen visions of himself as the king of Britain]."
This book reminded me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy because of the characters simplicity. Their beliefs and ways of living and thinking are very clearly defined. They knew what was right and what was wrong, and they tried their bests to do what was right. Some of their beliefs might seem foolish, but at least they had faith in those old myths. One example would be Arthur saying, "I listen to the beech trees, they sound like whispering spirits [that is what his Welsh grandmother told him]"
The way in which this book engulfs you is quite literally amazing. It gets you interested in the very beginning by introducing you to two of the main characters and a little bit of the mystery. By the second or third entry you are hooked. Then, in a manner of speaking, the plot starts throwing you around like a roller coaster. One thing that catches your eye at the beginning is when he exclaims, "Tumber Hill![this is the very first sentence of the book]"
This book was written with great care and hard work. It brings the Middle Ages to a level of understanding so that you can see and relate to some of the problems Arthur faces. This book is about how if you try, and never quit, anything is possible. That is why I gave this book a five star rating.
Rating:
Summary: The Seeing Stone
Review: I really like this book because it made me feel like I was there.
Also, the author is a really good writer which makes it even better. So, maybe it's not full of suspense, but I like that because it makes it seem more realistic.
Overall, I like it, and I like "At the Crossing Place" even better.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Look at King Arthur Legend
Review: I wasn't sure I would like this book, becauase i knew it didn't actually take place in Camelot with those characters. But I am very glad I read it. This book was written differently than other books I've read, and had very good details. I couldn't wait for Arthur to use the Seeing Stone again, because i had to find out what would happen to Ygerna.
I think everyone will like this book. I was afraid to finish it, because I didn't want it to end!
Rating: 
Summary: Unimpressive
Review: I've been on a bit of an Arthurian reading binge, and this one in particular looked like an interesting telling, possibly a counterpoint to TH White's "The Sword in the Stone" which was historically hideous but a read of great fun. This one, however, can't be described as fun -- or even very good -- by any stretch. Imaginative, yet flat.Arthur de Caldicot is a teenage boy living on a rather sickly manor in Wales, whose diary this book supposedly is. (Is it just me, or are the pages kind of thick?) His father's friend Merlin gives him a piece of stone (hence, the title) that gives Arthur flashes of times past--of another Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, whose life as the "once and future king" was eerily similar to Arthur'as own. Why are they so similar? What is the meaning of this? What is the present Arthur's destiny, is it linked to the man who was so like him in prior eras? These questions are partly addressed in this book (since it's a trilogy, this book really cannot stand alone) amid a bog of historical details, and the resolution just doesn't feel satisfying to me. This sort of storyline was the reason I read this in the first place. It's imaginative, intelligent, has never been done in such a manner before, and definitely deserving of a look. The problem is that the author doesn't flesh out his prose or characters well. He TELLS rather than SHOWING. I know this is a diary, first-person format but it is possible to have Arthur describe things well. Characterizations are all kinda flat. I didn't really feel drawn into any of the characters present. In addition, the parade of historical facts, politics, and interactions are impressive. Perhaps a little TOO impressive. Historical accuracy should never bog down a book, and details should not overwhelm the plot and characterizations. He does create some intriguing new descriptive terms -- not dumb ones. Another problem is Oliver, the priest. He's a big walking cliche of Roman-Catholic priests, unbending, pampered, snooty and self-righteous; he does, of course, spout Catholic doctrine that is carefully twisted into a half-lie. (Frankly I found Arthur's thoughts about him more than a little nasty and self-righteous as well) Crossley-Holland appears to be unaware that this particular nasty little cliche only detracts from the plot. (I wonder, how long will it be before we see nasty, stuck-up, pampered DRUIDS in these Arthurian books? It would only be fair) Overall, I recommend this book only if you're a devourer of all things Arthurian. I rate it two stars for the intriguingly original concept and the historical accuracy. For a nasty cliche and flat characters, I detract two stars from my initial rating. I hope the next two books are better.
Rating:
Summary: Unimpressive
Review: I've been on a bit of an Arthurian reading binge, and this one in particular looked like an interesting telling, possibly a counterpoint to TH White's "The Sword in the Stone" which was historically hideous but a read of great fun. This one, however, can't be described as fun -- or even very good -- by any stretch. Imaginative, yet flat. Arthur de Caldicot is a teenage boy living on a rather sickly manor in Wales, whose diary this book supposedly is. (Is it just me, or are the pages kind of thick?) His father's friend Merlin gives him a piece of stone (hence, the title) that gives Arthur flashes of times past--of another Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, whose life as the "once and future king" was eerily similar to Arthur'as own. Why are they so similar? What is the meaning of this? What is the present Arthur's destiny, is it linked to the man who was so like him in prior eras? These questions are partly addressed in this book (since it's a trilogy, this book really cannot stand alone) amid a bog of historical details, and the resolution just doesn't feel satisfying to me. This sort of storyline was the reason I read this in the first place. It's imaginative, intelligent, has never been done in such a manner before, and definitely deserving of a look. The problem is that the author doesn't flesh out his prose or characters well. He TELLS rather than SHOWING. I know this is a diary, first-person format but it is possible to have Arthur describe things well. Characterizations are all kinda flat. I didn't really feel drawn into any of the characters present. In addition, the parade of historical facts, politics, and interactions are impressive. Perhaps a little TOO impressive. Historical accuracy should never bog down a book, and details should not overwhelm the plot and characterizations. He does create some intriguing new descriptive terms -- not dumb ones. Another problem is Oliver, the priest. He's a big walking cliche of Roman-Catholic priests, unbending, pampered, snooty and self-righteous; he does, of course, spout Catholic doctrine that is carefully twisted into a half-lie. (Frankly I found Arthur's thoughts about him more than a little nasty and self-righteous as well) Crossley-Holland appears to be unaware that this particular nasty little cliche only detracts from the plot. (I wonder, how long will it be before we see nasty, stuck-up, pampered DRUIDS in these Arthurian books? It would only be fair) Overall, I recommend this book only if you're a devourer of all things Arthurian. I rate it two stars for the intriguingly original concept and the historical accuracy. For a nasty cliche and flat characters, I detract two stars from my initial rating. I hope the next two books are better.
Rating: 
Summary: The Seeing Stone
Review: Katrina Clancy October 24, 2002 The Seeing Stone, Kevin Crossley~Holland, 0-439-43524-2 Having your wrist cut of for stealing doesn't seem fair. But for Arthur de Caldicot it is part of growing up in his country manor in England, 1199. This realistic fiction novel takes Arthur on an adventure as he tries to unlock his future, past, and present through a gift given to him by his dear friend Merlin. The Seeing Stone was a roller coaster of emotions until the very end. Felling sympathy for the characters and also hate towards some. You can't be afraid of terrible things happening because this book is just like normal life. This book is also an extremely interesting book because the genre is realistic fiction. This genre seems to appeal to a lot of people because it allows you to use your imagination all the time. This story basically takes you on the ups and downs of the life of a family who lives on a manor and all their occupants. You won't want to put it down and you won't want to stop reading. While reading this book your understanding of how life was during the middle ages will increase but also the respect you had for people who lived during that time. The Seeing Stone held my attention until the very last page but I wouldn't recommend it to people who don't really enjoy this genre because it would seem confusing at some points for them. It's also important to remember that life was very different for the characters of this book and they did undergo strong emotional a physical changes. The Seeing Stone is a thought provoking book and anyone who reads it should be proud of their newly acquired skill because this book was not that easy to understand at first. Most people will be drawn in quickly however, because it is really easy to connect with the main character and his life problems as a person in general. I personally loved this book and look forward to reading this sequel. The story is amazing, it holds you to the last page, and I can confidently say that Kevin Crossley~Holland is a terrific author.
Rating:
Summary: Magical Arthur Stone
Review: Magical Arthur Stone The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley- Holland is a magnificent book providing numerous details about King Arthur. It takes place during the crusades and displays many characters plus it has a good plot behind it. Arthur De Caldicot is 13 and is named after King Arthur. Merlin, who is Arthur's father's friend, gives Arthur a black stone called obsidian. The stone starts to tell stories about King Arthur that is Arthur De Caldicot's namesake. When Arthur first received the stone, he does not know what it means and is very confused.
The stone plays an important part. Only Arthur can see stories in it though. The stone has a mind of its own and is mysteriously unusual. Sometimes the obsidian shows smoke and other weird thoughts and pictures inside it at different times. When Arthur is confused about his stone he tries to ask Merlin what everything but Merlin can't tell anything. Arthur has to figure it out his self. In one point in the book he sees his good friend Gatty in the stone. All through the book Arthur tries to figure out what the stone means to him. Merlin is the only person who knows about the stone. Arthur can't tell anyone though or else the magic doesn't work. Arthur has the only power in his warm palm to see the King Arthur stories.
I would highly recommend this book for a fun read and to people ages 12+. Although it contains violence sometimes it still is an incredible book. The book goes by in a snap. It is also easy to understand.
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