The Crystal Cave (Stewart, Mary, Arthurian Saga, Bk. 1,)

Rating:
Summary: I don't see what all the hype is about
Review: A friend shoved this book into my hands, and as it was a hard back with the paper sleeve missing, I had no idea what it was. I opened it a few nights ago and began to read. I was hooked immediately. The writing style is very vivid and I was instantly interested in the characters. Weither you're into the Arthurian legend or not, this is a great book and I can't wait to read the whole series!

Rating:
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.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: For once, Merlin feels like a real person. A really AMAZING real person. This book almost made me fall in love with him! I couldn't put it down! What a great book!

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: I have read this book twice now and I am amazed at how great it was. Mary Stewart is so skilled a writer especially in the areas of description. Sometimes today, a few years after reading the book, out of the blue a picture comes to mind of some far away medieval or classical place. I ask myself what movie it could have come from and then I realize it is from a description of some place in the Crystal Cave or the following books in the same series. You can visualize everything so clearly with her technique.
This book alone made me interested in the Arthurian Legend and after reading it I began a long period of research on the topic, which led me to read other novels from the Arthurian Romance.
The characters in this book are also very well-developed and I found myself feeling sad when Merlin was sad and surprised when Merlin found something out and it was almost always Merlin who I sympathized with because the novel is written in the first person. At the end of the book I know that you will have to read the second one because it is a cliffhanger and you don't want to stop being iside of Merlin's head. You feel connected to him.
Although the book has the prophetic skill in the book it doesn't feel like anything impossible happens in the book. Everything seems like it could have happened that way. You are in no doubt that this book is absolute truth.
I would reccomend this book to anyone interested in the lifestyle of the older days, history, prophecy, or anything like that.

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: I have read this book twice now and I am amazed at how great it was. Mary Stewart is so skilled a writer especially in the areas of description. Sometimes today, a few years after reading the book, out of the blue a picture comes to mind of some far away medieval or classical place. I ask myself what movie it could have come from and then I realize it is from a description of some place in the Crystal Cave or the following books in the same series. You can visualize everything so clearly with her technique.
This book alone made me interested in the Arthurian Legend and after reading it I began a long period of research on the topic, which led me to read other novels from the Arthurian Romance.
The characters in this book are also very well-developed and I found myself feeling sad when Merlin was sad and surprised when Merlin found something out and it was almost always Merlin who I sympathized with because the novel is written in the first person. At the end of the book I know that you will have to read the second one because it is a cliffhanger and you don't want to stop being iside of Merlin's head. You feel connected to him.
Although the book has the prophetic skill in the book it doesn't feel like anything impossible happens in the book. Everything seems like it could have happened that way. You are in no doubt that this book is absolute truth.
I would reccomend this book to anyone interested in the lifestyle of the older days, history, prophecy, or anything like that.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I read it for an English class in Highschool and still can't forget it.
Descriptive and captivating.
A must-read classic!!!

Rating:
Summary: Um...WOW
Review: I think we'll probably never know what the real Arthur of Britain was like, if indeed there ever was such a man. However, of all the Arthurian books in the world (which I admit I have not read most of), Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy seems to me the most authentic. A lot of it deals with real historic events, such as the Romans in Britain, and suppression of paganism, the raising of Stonehenge, and so on, all of which is incredibly fascinating, esp. to a medieval scholar such as myself. (Aint no perfectly pure Medieval Christian knights HERE, thank you.) The trilogy centers around Merlin, and "Crystal Cave" actually gives the reader a glimpse of Merlin's early years, following him through his rise to power to the conception of Arthur. A formerly shadowy creature is brought wonderfully to light in this book since it's Merlin himself who tells the story. (Arthur actually has very little to do in the trilogy, which is just fine.) This is an incredible page-turner. Once you start, you're pretty much hooked. There are very few books I'll read a second time, but this is one.

Rating:
Summary: The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Review: The book The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart tells of the life of Merlin the Enchanter from when he was six to about 24. His adventures are vividly described, whether its roaming the tunnels under his grandfathers castle or sneaking his uncle into the fortress of Cornwall. There is almost never a dull moment in this book. It takes awhile getting started, but it gets interesting around page 50, so hang in there. One part of the book I really enjoyed was when 13 year old Merlin takes a ride in the forest with his servant and catches his tutor up to no good. Overall, I'd say this book is excellent literature because it really describes everything. You can picture every scene and character in your head. I really felt like I knew each character and was genuinely upset when one died and outraged when one betrayed another. The book also teaches you a lot about the Middle Ages. There were castles, knights, maidens in distress, and all the usual stuff, but it also told about normal people. It tells of everyday life in medieval times. If you like this book, I recommend you read the 2nd and 3rd books in the Merlin Trilogy, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment. Both are just as good as The Crystal Cave. If you are fascinated with the legend of Arthur and Merlin, and are a patient reader who likes long, detailed novels like I do, you will adore this book!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent account of Merlin's life
Review: The tale of Arthur has been told countless times, through books, movies, and even children's cartoons. The reality of who Arthur was is indetermineable, but it has made an excellent setting for Mary Stewart's Crystal Cave. Book one of the Arthurian Saga begins with Merlin, in fact, Merlin's childhood. This was an innovative approach that gave the story a unique design. Do not make the misconception that Crystal Cave is about King Arthur, instead it is about Merlin prior to Arthur. Arthur makes his appearance in the later books.
What makes Crystal Cave such an amazing book is its realistic qualities. Merlin travels the lands that exist today, does not perform unrealistic magic, and even interacts with the real world to extents even as far as a corrolation to Stone Henge. Despite the fictional aspect of the Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart's account of Merlin's life is a realistic tale that will tantalize you with every turn of the page.
Mary Stewart exhibits excellent skills in writing, thorough plot and character developement, descriptive events and locations, and a quality of intrigue that enthralls a reader. Although lengthy, it is solid gold. If you're a Merlin fan, or just looking for a book to pass the time, this will fulfill your greatest expectations.

Rating:
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.