The Crystal Cave

by Mary Stewart
The Crystal Cave cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Fantasy
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 7827
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Crystal Cave delves into the early life of the legendary wizard Merlin, exploring his mysterious upbringing and the supernatural forces that shape his destiny. Set in a time of myth and magic, the story weaves together elements of Arthurian legend with a richly imagined historical backdrop./n/n The novel is renowned for its atmospheric storytelling and intricate character development, offering readers a glimpse into a world where the boundaries between myth and reality are blurred. It's a captivating blend of fantasy and history that has captivated readers for generations.

Reviews
Reddit - Fantasy · Anonymous · 2025-12-18
positive 4.50

The book is praised for its excellent blend of legend, history, and fantasy, creating a sense of wonder and mystery. The writing is described as brilliant.

This reviewer is captivated by the way the book weaves together legend, history, and fantasy, creating a rich tapestry that feels both timeless and immersive. They highlight the brilliant writing that effortlessly conjures a sense of wonder and mystery, making the reading experience truly enchanting. The reviewer also appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot, which keeps the pages turning. They found the book to be a standout in the genre, offering a unique perspective on the Arthurian legend.

Quick quotes

    Excellent blend of legend, history and fantasy.

    Brilliantly written, easily creates a sense of wonder and mystery.

    This is a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Amanda's Book Review Site · Amanda · 2020-09-20
phenomenal 4.50

The descriptions are phenomenal, reminiscent of Tolkien's work. The attention to nature and the surrounding environment is particularly noteworthy.

Amanda was impressed by the rich and detailed descriptions in the book, which she compared to the work of Tolkien. She particularly appreciated the way the author brought the natural world to life, creating a vivid and immersive setting. Amanda also noted that the character of Merlin was well-developed, with a compelling mix of humanity and wizardry. Overall, she found the book to be a captivating and enjoyable read, with a strong sense of atmosphere and a well-crafted narrative.

Quick quotes

    The description is phenomenal…very much along the same lines of Tolkien.

    Trees and surrounding nature are given great care in the description.

    Mary Stewart's Arthurian trilogy is, quite simply, superb.

Reddit - Fantasy · 2019-01-01
brilliant 4.50

The book masterfully blends legend, history, and fantasy. It is brilliantly written, creating a sense of wonder and mystery.

This reviewer was captivated by the seamless integration of legend, history, and fantasy in this book. They found the writing to be exceptional, with a particular emphasis on the vivid descriptions of nature and the mysterious atmosphere that permeates the story. The reviewer also highlighted the character of Merlin, finding him to be both sympathetic and intriguing. Overall, they praised the book for its ability to create a sense of wonder and mystery that kept them engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    Excellent blend of legend, history and fantasy.

    Brilliantly written, easily creates a sense of wonder and mystery.

    Stewart's Merlin is an extremely sympathetic character.

She Reads Novels · 2014-09-20
great 4.50

The book is a great addition to Mary Stewart's works. It has a unique feel that sets it apart from her other novels.

This reviewer found The Crystal Cave to be one of their favorite books by Mary Stewart. They appreciated the unique feel of the novel, which they felt set it apart from her other works. The reviewer also praised the character of Merlin, finding him to be both sympathetic and intriguing. Overall, they found the book to be a captivating and enjoyable read, with a strong sense of atmosphere and a well-crafted narrative. They also noted that the book was well-written and that they had always enjoyed Arthurian literature.

Quick quotes

    The Crystal Cave is a great book and is now one of my absolute favourites by Mary Stewart.

    It obviously has a different feel from her other novels.

    The book is well-written, and I've always liked Arthurian literature.

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