From the Bookshelf of Reading with Style…

The Crystal Cave (Arthurian Saga, #1)

Mary Stewart

Start date: June 1, 2014

Finish date: August 31, 2014

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Mar 17, 2024 Shirley (stampartiste) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: published-1900-1999, classics-500-plus-pages, to-read-in-2024, challenge-bingo-2024

In my quest to find another Arthurian novel to read (one of my favorite genres), my friend Sara recommended this book to me [thank you, Sara!]. The Crystal Cave is the first in Mary Stewart’s “Arthurian Saga” trilogy featuring the Arthurian wizard, Merlin. I loved this story and became immediately engrossed in it. It follows the early life of Merlin, the bastard grandson of the King of Maridunum in fifth-century Wales.

The reader meets Merlin when he is six years old and follows him through his e ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2012 Sam rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, books-of-2016

This...was a chore. I love the legend of Merlin and King Arthur, so I had high hopes for this novel, especially after hearing so many great things about both it and its author. But it just didn't click for me.

I had two major issues with this novel. The first is that Merlin makes precisely zero choices in the course of the book. Everything just happens to him, and however it worked out was the way it was supposed to. I don't mind a book where fate plays a role, but I need for the character to ta ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2012 Rosemary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ultimate-teen-guide

A wonderful historical fantasy telling the early life of Merlin up until the birth of King Arthur. Merlin is a complex but sympathetic character and even when there are bad guys you can see why they do what they do. I loved it and went straight on to the next in the series.

Like · see review