The Crystal Cave

by Mary Stewart

Watching Game of Thrones has re-ignited my interest in King Arthur, so I reached for this first book in Stewart’s Merlin trilogy. Of course, this novel is what my Arthurian lit professor referred to as “Arthurian schlock,” but it still satisfied my needs.

The Crystal Cave concerns itself with the following:
• Merlin’s humble beginnings as a bastard;
• Merlin’s metamorphosis into a seer or prophet; and
• Merlin’s rise in importance/value, especially once he finally meets his father.

Though it starts out rather slowly, I really enjoyed Merlin’s story. Merlin doesn’t get a lot of press in Arthur’s story, at least in the more literary or classic interpretations of the Arthurian legend.

Merlin is an interesting character, and you can count on me to continue to read this series. Next title: The Hollow Hills.

5/16/13