The Seeing Stone (Arthur Trilogy, Book One)

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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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Summary: Move over Harry Potter...
Review: My 13 year old son had a great time reading this book. He was very fond of Harry Potter and Lords of the Ring. I am glad we found another series that he will enjoy reading. We recommend this book.
Keep on Reading !!

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Summary: A WELL READ ADDITION TO ARTHURIAN LORE
Review: The first of a promised Arthurian trilogy by British author Kevin Crossley-Holland is inventive and entertaining. Stage and film actor Michael Murphy gives apt reading to this tale of young Arthur de Caldicot who lives in an English manor during the 12th century.

His dream is not unlike the dreams of many boys his age - he yearns to grow up and be a knight, very much like his namesake. Young Arthur's father has an intriguing friend - Merlin who gives the boy a magic stone. When the boy looks deeply into the polished stone he can see the life of another Arthur. The puzzle is what is in store for his life and is it, by any chance, reflected by the events he sees unfolding in the stone?

"The Seeing Stone" is a choice piece of historical drama which will be particularly enjoyed by all Round Table aficionados. Details of medieval life, codes of chivalry, and court etiquette abound.

As this story closes young Arthur de Caldicot is to achieve his ambition of becoming a squire and he will go with his father on a crusade to Jerusalem.

Listeners will eagerly await the next in this trilogy, a welcome addition to Arthurian lore.

- Gail

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Summary: WOW!!!!!
Review: The novel The Seeing Stone (Arthur Trilogy, Book One)
by Kevin Crossley-Holland was one of the most amazing that I have ever read. Just recently I read the harry potter series and since then have been waiting for another series of its quality and detail to come out, and this book completely went up to and over the level that harry potter was written at. If you like history, adventure, or even love in an novel, do yoursel a favor and buy this book. You will be extremely happy with this purchase.

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Summary: The Seeing Stone: Sure to be a Favorite
Review: The Seeing Stone is a wonderful book full of interesting things you cant't keep your nose out of. This read is creative and exciting. The plot is a great one although it starts out a little confusing and slow. I do recommend this book.

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Summary: Arthur and the Seeing Stone
Review: This book is extremely confusing and boring at times, but if you get into this book it can be very interesting. The basic summary of it is Arthur is a thirteen year old boy who dreams of going into service . He is the son of a knight . His father disagrees and says he should wait until he is older until he goes into service. Merlin a mysterious wizard who is friends with Arthur's father,gives Arthur a stone rough on one side and smooth on the other . Arthur wonders what the stone does . Merlin says he must find out himself if he does not know . Arthur soon finds he can see the future with his stone . He sees his year old brother die . He also sees himself and two dragons come out and attack each other . Arthur grows and finds more about his soon to be life . It ends with not much of an ending . It leaves alot of questions open for the second book . I am probably not going to read the second book, but I will read more about King Arthur .

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Summary: The Seeing Stone: Sure to be a Favorite
Review: This book starts out with a boy that is very confused about what or who he is. Aurthur de Caldicot also has a special friend that has been seen many times before in other King Aurthur stories, Merlin. Merlin give Aurthur a seeing stone which starts to make the story a lot more interesting.

Before the stone was given I was kind of bored and didn't understand how this had any tie-in with King Aurthur, but when you first experience the magic of the Seeing Stone you become a lot more intrigued. This book is worth buying in my opinion and I'm looking forward to reading the next two.

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Summary: Different but entertaining
Review: This book starts out with a boy that is very confused about what or who he is. Aurthur de Caldicot also has a special friend that has been seen many times before in other King Aurthur stories, Merlin. Merlin give Aurthur a seeing stone which starts to make the story a lot more interesting.

Before the stone was given I was kind of bored and didn't understand how this had any tie-in with King Aurthur, but when you first experience the magic of the Seeing Stone you become a lot more intrigued. This book is worth buying in my opinion and I'm looking forward to reading the next two.

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Summary: An Engaging Read
Review: This book was cleverly written and was engaging to read. It is separated into short chapters, which are each akin to short bursts of thinking on the protagonist's part. Crossley-Holland successfully portrays a maturing boy with concerns about his future, the class system of the time, and his tail bone, which he believes is growing.

As part of a trilogy, this book is promising. However, it takes a while for the action to begin, and the seeing stone of the title is not employed until nearly half way through the book. The book will be found more interesting by those who have a good knowledge of the original Arturinian legends, since they will be more able to see the parallels between his life and the Arthur of this series'.

Overall, this book is enjoyable and the series is promising.

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Summary: engaging but lacking that certain spark...
Review: This is a most entertaining and engaging book which is well constructed and cleverly pieced together but it lacks that certain something which makes a book a classic.

As the first part of a trilogy it sets up the story well and establishes a fair bit of background BUT unlike other trilogies (Dark Materials, Wind Singer etc.) is doesn't quite make it as a stand alone novel. You feel there is more to come and that the author could have got cracking with the plot a lot earlier (we are nearly 100 pages in before the seeing stone is put to any use).

Having said all that I am intrigued to see how the story unfolds and will read the next two books but without the eagerness I had after reading Northern Lights for example.