The Crystal Cave

The Crystal Cave. Mary Stewart. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1970. 521 pp.
Merlin was known as the wise, the magician, and the prophet. He performed many deeds in his older years but does anyone know the story behind the legendary Merlin’s younger years? Grow with Merlin through the early years of the story never told. His father was the prince of darkness, his mother the daughter of a king. Merlinus Emrys, as his true name is, wonders off one day along the river path and comes across a cave inhabited by a magical hermit who becomes his mentor and his friend. In this cave is hidden the magical crystal cave from which Merlin receives the power enough to see the future. On one night of tragedy he is left with no other option than to put himself in the god’s path and let it take him to greatness. He becomes the personal prophet to the exiled son of the old king of England and helps him in his conquest to recapture his rightful throne. This is a must read to all who love the fantasy of magic with the action of wars.
THE CRYSTAL CAVE is a suspenseful thriller that captures your attention by putting you in the midst of the plot with its descriptive details. This book is unique in that it tells the story never told of Merlin’s past. This is an excellently written book that is perfect in all aspects. It raises the bar for all other action fantasy books that enchant readers with wizards and magic. The most appealing aspect of this book perhaps, is the sense it gives that readers are reading an historical account of medieval England and because of that I rate this book a ten.
Reviewed by: Brett