The Crystal Cave – Mary Stewart

The Dramatic First novel in the classic Merlin Trilogy
A thrilling Adventure through the mystical age of King Arthur

Fifth Century Britain is a country of chaos and division after Roman withdrawal. This is the world of young Merlin, the illegitimate child of a South Wales Princess who will not reveal to her son his father’s true Identity.

Yet Merlin is an extraordinary child, aware at the earliest age that he possesses a great natural gift – the Sight. Against a background of invasion and imprisonment, wars and conquest, Merlin emerges into manhood and accepts his dramatic role in the new Beginning – the coming of King Arthur.

This story follows a young Merlin who at the age of six meets his uncle for the first time. Little did know that his uncle would change his life forever in the most unexpected way. Merlin is a solitude child he doesn’t play with the other kid not only is he weaker but he is also a bastard child so of course the other children pick on him. When Merlin is out one day he discovers a cave, which will one day become his home. There he meets a very good friend and advisor in Galapas. He is an old man who has been waiting for Merlin to arrive so he can teach him all he knows. Once Merlin grandfather dies and his mother enters a convent he realise he is now danger and he runs away. This is where the story really takes off but I can’t say to much as it will give away the many twist and turns. Merlin is a very gifted and smart child but never comes across as cocky if anything Merlin is a very modest character and if I was to plan a fantasy dinner he would be on top of my list of people to invite.

Needless to say I really enjoyed this book and I really hope that anyone that reads it enjoys it as much as I did.

This book is part of a 4 book series with The Hollow Hills next in the series. I will be reading and reviewing that book shortly.