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Arthurian Saga #1-4
Legacy: Arthurian Saga
It took over ten years to produce. It has reached millions of readers. Now, the mysterious sorcerer of Arthurian Mythology, has found new life. The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment and The Wicked Day now stand united in Book one of the Legacy series -- the finest work of Mary Stewart's distinguished career.
In all of literature there has never been a more compelling look into this mysterious figure. Merlin, is most known as the keeper of King Arthur. In this Legacy series, we discover the true history of one of the most enigmatic figures in history. We'll follow Merlin as he discovers the secrets to the mystical arts and becomes the biggest name in folklore.
In all of literature there has never been a more compelling look into this mysterious figure. Merlin, is most known as the keeper of King Arthur. In this Legacy series, we discover the true history of one of the most enigmatic figures in history. We'll follow Merlin as he discovers the secrets to the mystical arts and becomes the biggest name in folklore.
1382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1970
146 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Mary Stewart
92 books2,871 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Lady Mary Stewart, born Mary Florence Elinor Rainbow, was a popular English novelist, and taught at the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years.
She was one of the most widely read fiction writers of our time. The author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for young readers, she was admired for both her contemporary stories of romantic suspense and her historical novels. Born in England, she lived for many years in Scotland, spending time between Edinburgh and the West Highlands.
Her unofficial fan site can be found at http://marystewartnovels.blogspot.com/.
Lady Mary Stewart, born Mary Florence Elinor Rainbow, was a popular English novelist, and taught at the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years.
She was one of the most widely read fiction writers of our time. The author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for young readers, she was admired for both her contemporary stories of romantic suspense and her historical novels. Born in England, she lived for many years in Scotland, spending time between Edinburgh and the West Highlands.
Her unofficial fan site can be found at http://marystewartnovels.blogspot.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 30, 2013
This first three of the books in Legacy are among my favorite books, consisting of three novels that follow the Arthurian legend through the eyes of Merlin. The first novel, The Crystal Cave was assigned to me in high school, as was Mary Renault's story about Theseus, The Bull from the Sea--what Renault did for Ancient Greece, Mary Stewart did for Dark Age Britain--bring it alive for me.
This has been described as fantasy, and there are touches of that, but much of Merlin's magic is rationalized--this is more historical fiction than fantasy, and as such made a big impression on me and felt all the more magical than any more fantasy-laden versions, because it made me feel, maybe it is real. For me this became the gold standard for Arthurian books, so when I read Whyte's or Bradley's versions of Arthur, these are the books I measured them against--and against which other versions seem wanting. The other thing is, compared to so many of the other versions, Stewart is just a fantastic storyteller with a beautiful evocative prose style, wonderful pacing, characterizations and sense of place.
The Crystal Cave takes the reader from Merlin's childhood to the conception of Arthur. The second book, The Hollow Hills deals with the young Arthur up to the time he becomes king, and The Last Enchantment takes Merlin up to his death. I love the relationship between Arthur and Merlin in the last two books and each book is like a map of the stages of man: the first a coming of age tale, the second in a sense the main "career" and "fatherhood" and the last old age--fighting to still make a difference, coming to peace with your own mortality and resolve unfinished business. Beautiful novels, all three of them, especially seen as a whole.
In the fourth and final book, The Wicked Day, we leave Merlin behind though: this book is centered on Mordred. I can't say I've read every take on Arthurian legend. (Who has? They're legion.) But I've read Arthurian novels by a lot of authors: Marion Zimmer Bradley, T.H. White, Thomas Malory, Jack Whyte, Gillian Bradshaw, Parke Godwin, Phyllis Ann Karr. And I've never seen a more sympathetic--or more memorable Mordred. I’d have to rate this a little lower than the first three books--but not by much, and that's a very high bar.
This has been described as fantasy, and there are touches of that, but much of Merlin's magic is rationalized--this is more historical fiction than fantasy, and as such made a big impression on me and felt all the more magical than any more fantasy-laden versions, because it made me feel, maybe it is real. For me this became the gold standard for Arthurian books, so when I read Whyte's or Bradley's versions of Arthur, these are the books I measured them against--and against which other versions seem wanting. The other thing is, compared to so many of the other versions, Stewart is just a fantastic storyteller with a beautiful evocative prose style, wonderful pacing, characterizations and sense of place.
The Crystal Cave takes the reader from Merlin's childhood to the conception of Arthur. The second book, The Hollow Hills deals with the young Arthur up to the time he becomes king, and The Last Enchantment takes Merlin up to his death. I love the relationship between Arthur and Merlin in the last two books and each book is like a map of the stages of man: the first a coming of age tale, the second in a sense the main "career" and "fatherhood" and the last old age--fighting to still make a difference, coming to peace with your own mortality and resolve unfinished business. Beautiful novels, all three of them, especially seen as a whole.
In the fourth and final book, The Wicked Day, we leave Merlin behind though: this book is centered on Mordred. I can't say I've read every take on Arthurian legend. (Who has? They're legion.) But I've read Arthurian novels by a lot of authors: Marion Zimmer Bradley, T.H. White, Thomas Malory, Jack Whyte, Gillian Bradshaw, Parke Godwin, Phyllis Ann Karr. And I've never seen a more sympathetic--or more memorable Mordred. I’d have to rate this a little lower than the first three books--but not by much, and that's a very high bar.
September 5, 2015
Just finished re-reading Mary Stewart's marvellous epic tales of Arthur and Merlin, re-issued as Legacy. Was as lost in the story as I was in the 1980s reading them for the first time. Good to see her interpretation of Mordred as not the evil arch fiend, plotting Arthur's downfall but rather a man caught in the web of Fate, unable to avert the prophecy of Merlin.
August 18, 2019
One of my favorites
As a fan of Arthurian legend, ancient history, lore, and magic, this saga overflows with incredible imagery. I've read it (the 4-book series) twice and will read it again. Stewart is a master and paints wonderful word pictures. I was completely swept away in the magic. Her grasp of ancient literature and the geography of the land gives her amazing tools to build on. Her craft of world-building and characterization is masterful. In many passages, I was completely caught up in the story and carried into it. I'm not one for battle scenes, but found these to be like a necessary history lesson in order to understand the whole. Definitely one of my all-time favorites in the historical fantasy fiction genre. I can only aspire to write as well as this author.
As a fan of Arthurian legend, ancient history, lore, and magic, this saga overflows with incredible imagery. I've read it (the 4-book series) twice and will read it again. Stewart is a master and paints wonderful word pictures. I was completely swept away in the magic. Her grasp of ancient literature and the geography of the land gives her amazing tools to build on. Her craft of world-building and characterization is masterful. In many passages, I was completely caught up in the story and carried into it. I'm not one for battle scenes, but found these to be like a necessary history lesson in order to understand the whole. Definitely one of my all-time favorites in the historical fantasy fiction genre. I can only aspire to write as well as this author.
January 1, 2012
for such a fantastically rated book, the ebook formatting is horrific.
11/1/11 still plugging away at this book. But now I've gotten to the part after Arthur is king and it's not as interesting.
1/1/12 ok taking this off my reader and read list for now. It's just not as interesting after the first 700 pages. I am giving it four stars because it is a very well written book it's just too long!
11/1/11 still plugging away at this book. But now I've gotten to the part after Arthur is king and it's not as interesting.
1/1/12 ok taking this off my reader and read list for now. It's just not as interesting after the first 700 pages. I am giving it four stars because it is a very well written book it's just too long!
May 17, 2014
It was a long read (and it took me a long time, on & off), but I enjoyed it very much. Narrated by Merlin, set firmly in post-Roman Britain, full of medicine, math, engineering and myth making. It's left me hungry for more Arthurian stories and more medieval history and literature. Thomas Mallory, Chrétien de Troyes & Pearl Poet, here I come!
Read
May 30, 2015Read and enjoyed before I learned about her and her husband. Now I don't even like to think of the book. Yes, sadly, I am so pedantic that the personality/actions of the artist does impact my perception of the art.
October 29, 2019
I loved the first three in this series when I read them years ago. I just became aware of The Wicked Day recently, and this collection seemed a good way to re-read the previous novels before launching into the fourth. However, I did not like the Nook version. The total number of pages seemed less than it should have been for the four novels added together, so I worried that I might be reading an abridged version. I later realized that they seemed to be cutting down on pages by cramming multiple paragraphs together. As conversations (in quotes) switch from one character to another, the convention is to begin a new paragraph each time. In this version, several statements by different characters were in the same paragraph, and it was occasionally difficult to be sure who was speaking. Although the stories follow pretty seamlessly from one book to the next, reading them one after the other made me like each one a bit less than the one before. I generally love Mary Stewart's writing style, but I may have been racing to get to the end rather than taking time to appreciate the visions she created.
April 21, 2020
The Crystal Cave changed my life with its tale of young Merlin and his royal background. As a youth myself when I read it, I identified deeply with Merlin and the historical fiction writing of Stewart really captures the Dark Age times the book is set in. I was so thrilled that there were sequels and I have read the entire quartet. I gifted a copy of the first book to my nephew, but I did not hear back from him about it. Stewart is a master at world building.
February 1, 2020
To be enjoyed slowly!
This book had so much detail with the characters and landscape, that I would recommend reading as slowly as you can. Go back and reread some passages just to ensure you visualize every detail given. We all have heard the story of Arthur and Merlin before but this writer has truly given us the opportunity to visualize BEING THERE WITH THEM! Thank you.
This book had so much detail with the characters and landscape, that I would recommend reading as slowly as you can. Go back and reread some passages just to ensure you visualize every detail given. We all have heard the story of Arthur and Merlin before but this writer has truly given us the opportunity to visualize BEING THERE WITH THEM! Thank you.
Read
May 7, 2025Timeless rendition of the Arthur/Merlin story Ever
Mary Stewart's interpretation of the Arthurian Legend is eloquent, poetic and magical in its rational and clever weaving of religion, culture and adventure to present a tale that reads like a modern novel. The world she creates is authentic and makes even the magic believable.
Mary Stewart's interpretation of the Arthurian Legend is eloquent, poetic and magical in its rational and clever weaving of religion, culture and adventure to present a tale that reads like a modern novel. The world she creates is authentic and makes even the magic believable.
August 31, 2025
Legacy, The Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart
This is a wonderful retelling of the Legends of Merlin from his very childhood and the path of his life. It's told as if from Merlin himself. It also tells the stories of people who are the main shapers of the whole legend and how they came to be. King Arthur, CAMELOT everything from the beginning to the very end.
This is a wonderful retelling of the Legends of Merlin from his very childhood and the path of his life. It's told as if from Merlin himself. It also tells the stories of people who are the main shapers of the whole legend and how they came to be. King Arthur, CAMELOT everything from the beginning to the very end.
December 12, 2019
Legend and suspense.
I love these books. Kings and queens. Obscure religious practices, history, romance are all included here. Family betrayal, witchcraft, and loyalty.
I love these books. Kings and queens. Obscure religious practices, history, romance are all included here. Family betrayal, witchcraft, and loyalty.
July 14, 2020
Listened to the audio books this time and was extremely pleased to hear this much beloved series come alive.
October 13, 2020
just not my style
June 10, 2021
These books are standouts for fantasy fiction.
June 13, 2025
What a great piece of historical fiction. This series adds a new dimension to an old tale. Told from Merlin’s perspective, it’s a joy to read.
July 26, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed these books and their take on the Authurian legends but I do feel the author waffled on a lot. I still read through the whole trilogy in a week and I loved the overall plot and thought she did a great job bringing her version of Merlin to life. If the editor had made her tighten the prose, this would’ve gotten close to 5 stars in my mind.
September 3, 2020
Rereading all four books. A long journey through another time and place into a believable magic.
Mary Stewart uses her historical and natural settings to advantage, making the legendary time of King Arthur’s Britain a reality. It held up wonderfully after a 50 year beginning. No lover of Arthurian fantasy should miss this collection. Love the first two.
Mary Stewart uses her historical and natural settings to advantage, making the legendary time of King Arthur’s Britain a reality. It held up wonderfully after a 50 year beginning. No lover of Arthurian fantasy should miss this collection. Love the first two.
August 15, 2023
Finished rereading this ebook omnibus of the 4 books in the Arthurian legend. Read it many years ago & enjoyed it! Still so good! This ebook omnibus seems to only be available for Nook, but I believe the books are all still in print. Because: classic & so good!
May 19, 2022
I'm currently re-reading all my old favorites, to see if they stand the test of time, and if they would pass muster in today's - um, interesting - cultural climate. I didn't really have much doubt about these in either case. Mary Stewart is a beautiful writer in any climate.
I've put her under historical fiction, because although she's based her series on Geoffrey of Monmouth's tales (and took them and made them her own) she does do her research insofar as it's possible. So little is know about the time historians now call 'the early middle ages' (when I was in school, it was the dark ages, and while I understand the reasoning behind the changes, the word dark still seems appropriate to me in any time before the printed word was common. Besides, as she says herself, the book wasn't written for historians, and it's doubtful any would read it. :)
This first book is before Arthur - it is all Merlin, Ambrosius, Uther, Gorlois and Ygraine. Stewart has given Merlin an interesting background, with massive amounts of study in every subject to explain much of his brilliance, without downplaying the magic - or as he would put it, the god-given power - he displayed.
So yes, it stood the test of time in readibility and enjoyment, and I really didn't find anything culturally inappropriate, unless one has a problem with Merlin's views on god(s). However, those views are historically accurate, and I hope I'm long dead before they start a widespread censorship of historical fact.
I've put her under historical fiction, because although she's based her series on Geoffrey of Monmouth's tales (and took them and made them her own) she does do her research insofar as it's possible. So little is know about the time historians now call 'the early middle ages' (when I was in school, it was the dark ages, and while I understand the reasoning behind the changes, the word dark still seems appropriate to me in any time before the printed word was common. Besides, as she says herself, the book wasn't written for historians, and it's doubtful any would read it. :)
This first book is before Arthur - it is all Merlin, Ambrosius, Uther, Gorlois and Ygraine. Stewart has given Merlin an interesting background, with massive amounts of study in every subject to explain much of his brilliance, without downplaying the magic - or as he would put it, the god-given power - he displayed.
So yes, it stood the test of time in readibility and enjoyment, and I really didn't find anything culturally inappropriate, unless one has a problem with Merlin's views on god(s). However, those views are historically accurate, and I hope I'm long dead before they start a widespread censorship of historical fact.
February 17, 2015
Five stars for M.S. but not Amazon-don't pay unless they re-edit!
These are some of the first adult books I ever read about Arthur. They are classics, a legacy,indeed,as Amazon has called them. Too damn bad they didn't really care! The transcribing of the first two books was well done,but apparently someone thought it was taking too long,or grew bored or sent in a ten year old to do the third and fourth books. Throughout them are constant grammatical and plain STUPID errors that should never have happened. An example? In the last,The Wicked Day, the Frankish empire is consistenly referred to as the "Prankish." Maybe Amazon U.K.'s dig at the French?
In any case,the last two are pathetic and desperately need new editing. I'd do it for free as homage to Mary Stewart, but her publishers might have different ideas about what is due to one of the grande dammes of British fiction.
These are some of the first adult books I ever read about Arthur. They are classics, a legacy,indeed,as Amazon has called them. Too damn bad they didn't really care! The transcribing of the first two books was well done,but apparently someone thought it was taking too long,or grew bored or sent in a ten year old to do the third and fourth books. Throughout them are constant grammatical and plain STUPID errors that should never have happened. An example? In the last,The Wicked Day, the Frankish empire is consistenly referred to as the "Prankish." Maybe Amazon U.K.'s dig at the French?
In any case,the last two are pathetic and desperately need new editing. I'd do it for free as homage to Mary Stewart, but her publishers might have different ideas about what is due to one of the grande dammes of British fiction.
April 15, 2016
The Kindle book Legacy included the major four books in Mary Stewart's Arthurian series: The Crystal Cave. The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, and The Wicked Day. The writing was excellent, but I can see why this American version was pulled from the market. It was obviously scanned and then spell-checked, but half-heartedly. It didn't catch some run-on words. It didn't catch "at tacked" for "attacked." My brain twitched each time I read about the "Prankish" (instead of "Frankish") kings. There were also some awkward line breaks and page breaks.
As you can tell from my reviews of the individual books, I loved the stories. I know for sure that Mary Stewart didn't write "Prankish." As it has replaced four thick books and as I love the stories, it gets 4.5 stars, rounded up by the sheer power of Mary Stewart's writing.
As you can tell from my reviews of the individual books, I loved the stories. I know for sure that Mary Stewart didn't write "Prankish." As it has replaced four thick books and as I love the stories, it gets 4.5 stars, rounded up by the sheer power of Mary Stewart's writing.
February 3, 2021
Loved as a teen, still fascinated by her take on the whole Camelot scene. I love her Merlin and Arthur. Also love her treatment of Mordred. I find her treatment of the women in the stories interesting. Actually Mary Stewart in general doesn't seem to love her women characters. I haven't read all of her books, but women tend to be fairly silly/weak or powerful/wicked. Definitely holds true in these books. I mean what else can you do with Morgan and Morgause, I wouldn't expect any less than powerful and wicked. But Guenievere could have played a real part. But that's not a fault in these stories necessarily, more like just not the focus. Anyway, I do love diving into the much loved world of Arthur here, it's a well done story.
April 4, 2012
This book is a collection of 3 novels about
Merlin and Arthur and 1 more about Mordred
who is Arthur's bastard son who leads to his
downfall. I really enjoyed the Merlin novels
and the story of how Merlin helped Arthur
grow up to be king. The relationship between the
two of them is very much like father and son
and is one of my favorite things about the books.
The Mordred novel is fast paced and full of
action, swords are always out. I enjoyed it
too but it was different, much more of an
action story. Mary Stewart developed Mordred
very well and it interesting to see Arthur's
court from the inside.
Merlin and Arthur and 1 more about Mordred
who is Arthur's bastard son who leads to his
downfall. I really enjoyed the Merlin novels
and the story of how Merlin helped Arthur
grow up to be king. The relationship between the
two of them is very much like father and son
and is one of my favorite things about the books.
The Mordred novel is fast paced and full of
action, swords are always out. I enjoyed it
too but it was different, much more of an
action story. Mary Stewart developed Mordred
very well and it interesting to see Arthur's
court from the inside.
February 12, 2017
1300+ pages of Arthurian goodness, focusing on Merlin's life from early childhood through advanced old age. I'd been wanting to read this series for years and was very pleased to find this electronic bundle - especially after getting drawn into BBC One's Merlin series. They complement each other very well.
September 26, 2018
If you love tales of Arthur and Merlin this is for you!
I first read these stories when I was very young. Recently I found this compilation on Kindle and had to to see if my memory was accurate. I love the Lady Stewart's beautiful reimagining of the timeless legend of King Arthur and his wizard Merlin!
I first read these stories when I was very young. Recently I found this compilation on Kindle and had to to see if my memory was accurate. I love the Lady Stewart's beautiful reimagining of the timeless legend of King Arthur and his wizard Merlin!
July 27, 2014
I bought this book because someone recommended it to me on the Inheritance Books blog. I can't believe I hadn't read it sooner.
It's the quintessential Merlin story. If you're a fan of the TV series (I am), you'll see instances where the writers used Mary Stewart's phrases and ideas and worked them into the new storylines.
A brilliant saga, wonderfully told.
It's the quintessential Merlin story. If you're a fan of the TV series (I am), you'll see instances where the writers used Mary Stewart's phrases and ideas and worked them into the new storylines.
A brilliant saga, wonderfully told.
March 20, 2011
I still think these are the best books about the Arthurain legends, I particularly like the fact that it is told from Merlin's point of view. I'm leaving Mordred's story for now, will come back toit as a later date
August 9, 2013
When I first read The Crystal Cave back in the '70's, I loved the romance of the story, set in the time of King Arthur. When I recently re-read it in the context of the 4-book series, I fell in love with the evocative language and the sense of time and place. This series is a keeper on my shelves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews