Reviews (3)

King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table
In all honesty, though I have always loved the stories of Arthur and Camelot, I too bought this audio book merely to hear the amazing voice of Sean Bean. The two combined make for a very powerful and gripping story.

This would be a perfect gift for children, the young-at-heart, or anyone who is captivated by the stories of Camelot.

A Voice to be Heard
I honestly have to say that I purchased this audio CD through Audible.com only to hear the beautiful voice of Sean Bean. I wasn't disappointed! Then, after hearing a great story, I purchased it again through Amazon for my 9 year old nephew. Sean does a brilliant job, that would keep any person, young or old, interested in hearing the story of King Arthur. Highly recommended!

Good Version for Children - and Adults too
When I originally purchased this "Junior Classic" - as a gift for my little brother, an Arthur aficianado - I didn't expect to enjoy it much myself. However, the adaptation is well-done, and is not so inane as to make it unbearable to anyone over ten, which is what I expected. I was so pleasantly surprised that I went out and bought myself a copy!

British actor Sean Bean has an incredible range of voices and accents, which he uses impeccably to enrich the characters he reads (though all the narrative is done in his lovely native Yorkshire). Morgana le Fay, Lancelot, Elaine, and, yes, Arthur all come to life as one listens. A very enjoyable audiobook, for bedtime or listening to in the car, or just as a mini-holiday! ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The Honorable Knights of the Round Table
The Knights of the Round went through numerous adventures in their time. In the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, the author, Sidney Lanier, illustrated some of the knights' quests. Written from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur, this novel has eight mini books on the Knights of the Round Table. From the "Coming of Arthur" to the "Passing of Arthur" Sidney Lanier depicted Arthur's knights such as Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Gareth of Orkney, La Cote Mal Taile, and Sir Tristram. There wasn't much conflict between the different knights, except for when they decided to joust.
This medieval book, written in third person, concentrates on the Knights of the Round Table, not as much on King Arthur. I highly recommend not reading this book because it doesn't have much conflict, so it isn't very interesting. For this reason, the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, is unique (because of the fact it doesn't have much conflict). This book should be read by people 13+ because of its unique words and ideas, and by people who are interested in learning more about King Arthur and his Knights.

A great legend that everybody should read
The Legend of King Arthur is a book that everyone should read at least once in his life. The Legend actually consists of hundreds of stories passed down for generations orally. Then somebody wrote it down, someone else read different ones of those and wrote his own. This way there are many different versions. The one that I read, and this review is about, is written by Roger Lancelyn Green. Unlike the other ones, which are hundreds of years old, this book is written in modern English. Because of that you can read it pretty fast.

Every chapter in this book is a story for itself, which have only a little to do with each other. The only character which is mentioned in every of those stories is King Arthur. He is the famous King of Logres, the holy realm. The story takes place in the 400s, when the Saxons invaded Britain. God thought that Britain will fall if he doesn't support them. So he decided to establish the Realm of Logres, which should be ruled by King Arthur. As soon as he began to ruled Britain, most of the world's best knights were at his court. The most famous one is Sir Launcelot. He was the best knight at the Round Table, but Logres also fell because of him and the beauty of King Arthur's wife.

And when Britain is in need, the Holy Realm of Logres can be reestablished at any time.

Awesome tales in the truest sense of the word.
I really like Rosemary Sutcliff's books, including her Arthurian
trilogy; however, I prefer Green's King Arthur because, for me,
it captures the sense of dread and awe that hangs over the
legends so well. The illustrations are very nice, as well. For my money this is a first-rate rendition.

a little fantasy for a change - almost interesting
I am 14 years old. I had to read this book for school, and considering the school usually assigns boring books, this one was pretty good. I thought it was okay, because I like fantasy books, and this book has a lot of fantasy and love stories. It was rather interesting, but I never would have read it if I hadn't had to.

King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green, were a whole bunch of different stories. They were how Arthur was raised and became king, how each of the knights came apart of the round table and how each of the went on their quest for the Holy Grail, and the departing of King Arthur and his kingdom.
The author, Roger L. Green, emphasized some differences to the original tale. For instance, Launcelot never loved Elaine. Elaine loved Launcelot very much but she was sad because Launcelot did not love her back. So Elaine went to Brysen who was a sorcerer and she made Elaine appear as Guinevere (Launcelot's love). When Launcelot saw Elaine that appeared as Guinevere he asked her to marry him and she said yes. The next morning when Launcelot saw Elaine in bed with him instead of Guinevere he went mad and started to live in the forest. Another change in the story was that the author called the Lady of the Lake, Lady Nimue. This book took place in the 6th century and the narrator is in 3rd person. The themes of the book were basically stories of each knight on their quest for the Holy Grail.
I would recommend this book to avid readers and people who enjoy fantasies. This reason because it is hard to understand some of the words are difficult to understand. ... Read more

Book Description

Washed up on the shores of ancient Wales, the boy had no home, no memory and no name... he was determined to find all three.

This best-selling series follows the adventures and training of young Merlin on the mist-shrouded isle of Fincayra, an enchanted land between earth and sky that is being destroyed by blight.With this land's inhabitants to guide him, the boy will learn that Fincayra's fate and his own quest are strangely interwined.

He is destined to become the greatest wizard of all time--known to all as Merlin.

"Fans who have followed young Merlin through his many adventures will still enjoy trekking with him." (The Horn Book) ... Read more

Reviews (153)

Merlin's Beginnings
The book The Lost Years Of Merlin, by T.A. Barron, is the story of a seven year old boy who is thrown onto shore by a storm and, in the process, hits his head resulting in amnesia. A woman named Branwen, who claims to be his mother, takes him in and lives with the boy, Emerys, for six years. During this time, he discovers he has mystical powers. Since Branwen won't explain his past, Emerys finds he must travel to a world named Fincayra, a place Branwen claims to be from, to find out. Emerys sets out on a raft and reaches the coast of Fincayra. Emerys discovers that this land is in grave danger and he may be the only one who can save this world. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, fantasy, mystical powers, and the possiblility of other worlds. You also get the chance to watch a boy's life unfold and discover his past along with the character himsself. It's wonderfully suspenseful as you meet new characters and discover the effect each one has on Emerys, who risks his life every step of the way. It is a very well written book that creates a perfectly woven image of a mystical world.

A fantastic book for seven-year-olds who like fantasy
This book is absolutely brilliant! It begins with a boy who doesn't even know his name, washed ashore on the rocky shore of Gwynedd. He cannot remember his past, but he sees a woman, who may be his mother. The story gets properly started when Emrys finds out the name of the strange pendant that a person who claims to be his mother always wears. The pendant is called Galator, and turns out to have vast magic powers. But evil forces are looking for it. Always surprising, with exciting twists and turns, this book also has a great central character in Emrys. You can't help liking him because he's lost and lonely, but kind to growing things. This book and its sequels are for people who are thoroughly interested in Arthurian books, and in what happens to Merlin in his young life. It should be especially interesting for people who like magic and fantasy.

just so shallow...
Spoiler Warning.

There are few books that I can find that I could personally find a better way to write it - this is one of them. It was painfully predictable - and get this. The dude is practically blind, and plainly says it's hard to see - then lists a million details. Is it just me, or is that wrong? In addition, I didn't like the writing style. At all. Randomly, our of the blue, things happen. Two characters were chatting, and boom! Six heavily armed goblins appear! Me, here's what I would have done. I would have built up the suspense - let the reader know something's out there before I introduce them. Next, the mom of the guy - the author plainly stated she wasn't the mother. I mean, come on! Be reasonable! A scene that just killed me what when a whole sequence was about eating. God. It's food. Get over it. What else can I say? Oh yeah, when the main character finds out who his dad is, it's just so cliche. Is this Star Wars? The sad thing is, in Star Wars, it worked! In this... it just didn't fly. If you actually want depth, don't read this book. You won't get any.

Runescape Crooker
"This magical story is a great journey for the discryptive things young Emry's see's and does are extraordinary, "He goe's from small normal town with mean kids to a mystical island full of goblins and talking tree's. T A Barron does a great job of putting you in the driverseat, you can almost feel everything that happens.
The technoligy is not advance in Emry's world and he as many difficulty's traveling. he has an accident that change's him forrever, now he walk's through woods,grasslands,mashlands,and more.
I wood rate this book 10 out of 10 becaus of the challenge and conflicts of a (290) page story full of adventure.

Good Read
I picked this book up at my library because I had nothing else to read, thinking that it might be interesting. It was better then that, T.A. Barron did a wonderful job of bringing Emyrs (Merlin) to life. A young boys journey to discover the truth about himself, it was great and I couldn't put it down until I finished reading through it. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Sword in the stone
The book "The Sword in the Stone" by: T.H White, is about a young boy named wart along with many friends going on long journeys during the Middle Ages, through out royal land and castles, getting lost in the woods, and meeting strange mystical people along with meeting Merlin the magical magician. I really liked the book "The Sword in the Stone" because I found it very exiting and extremely interesting because once you get into it, it's very hard to put the book down. It's a book for all people because it has action, science/fiction, and comedy. Even though it is a short 288 page book, there is still a lot of action and there is definitely a lot of Medieval people, events, etc. The best part of reading "The Sword in the Stone" is that there is a lot of things to learn about and there is a lot of interesting parts in the book. If you really like a book with character and exiting action, comedy, and interesting facts, you should read "The Sword in the Stone". I really think that the author "T.H White" did a very well job with keeping myself and everybody interested in the book and making it an extremely lovable book. In conclusion, I think "The Sword in the Stone" is one of the best Middle Ages books to read, it's an educational book, and especially, I think that more people should read it and get other books written by T.H White, because he writes the best medieval books.

The Sword in the Stone
A boy named the Arthur, called Wart, livng during the Middle Ages, is taught by a magician about the past, present, and future, and about all creatures living on the Earth. When the opportunity arises for the Wart to become King, he must recall everything he has learned to pull the magic sword from the stone and become the new leader of England. I enjoyed this book because it had so many exciting battles and page turning adventures. Even a small bit about Robin Hood! The plot really doesn't appear until the last few chapters, where you realized that every story within the book was connected all along. It is nice to know that there are fun and interesting books to read about the Medeival times. I think that if you are looking for a book with lots of adventure, this is truely one that you should read.

The Sword in The Stone
There are parts in the book that start to bore you at times. T.H. White puts anachronisms to make it more interesting. The book was not very thrilling. The book can seem like it is never ending. But I'd say that this book is plain boring. It does have some adventure. I did not like it. I DONT RECCOMEND IT!

There's different versions of this story!
T.H.White must have published at least three slightly different versions of this story.

When I read the full Once And Future King book a few years ago, there was no Madame Mim episode, there was a buttery version of the fairy castle (Robin Hood) episode, there was an Archimedes/Wild Geese episode, and some other minor changes/additions.
When I read a paperback Sword In The Stone twenty years ago, there was a much nicer non-buttery version of the FairyCastle/RobinHood episode, and I don't think the Giant Galapas episode was there, etc.
Now I've just read the illustrated hardcover Sword In The Stone edition, and the FairyCastle/RobinHood episode is replaced by an Anthropophagi/RobinHood episode, Giant Galapas is there, and the Archimedes/WildGeese isn't (its been replaced by an Archimedes/Athena episode).

Anyone else notice these differences and have an explanation for them?

Delightful, whimsical and tragically flowed
The five star reviews are right on and I have nothing more to add in praise of this book, but a word of warning: this book contains unacceptable racist language and excuses, even glorifies, slavery in language that though describing serfdom closes mimics arguements used to dismiss condemnations of slavery in the Americas. Any adult who purchases this book for children should be aware of this and make plans to discuss these passages together. ... Read more

Book Description

Merlin's mother has fallen ill. To save her, he must learn the Seven Songs of Wisdom, which will enable him to journey into the spiritual Otherworld and obtain the elixir he needs. But first Merlin's growing power will be put to the test when he has to defeat a vile ogre whose merest glance means death...

"Full of action and excitement...while its origins are epic, it is foremost a tale of the heart...it is Merlin's inner journey that readers will cherish above all: His development is convincing and heartwarming. A rich and resonant read."-- Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with harrowing escapades and many surprises....A delightfully original story of magic and myth."-- School Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (61)

The second story of an incredible epic
This is the second book in The Lost Years of Merlin series.
In this book, Merlin has been entrusted with the Flowering Harp, which can bring life to the dead lands that had been destroyed earlier. Merlin, in a fit of Hubris, shirks his duty and brings his mother to the island of Fincayra, a place she had left years ago. But upon her arrival, she is struck by a dark magic that will kill her in thirty days, unless Merlin can master the seven songs of wizardry and journey to the overworld.
This book was a little bit of a disappointment for me, for the characters, but was as good as the others in the series. The main grip for the series is Merlin in the beginning. He was acting very, very dumb. He flaunted his power and as a result, brought his mother to near death. This is a very typical thing for a hero to do, and because he heard many greek stories, I would have guessed that he would have known better.
Other than that, the story was excellent. The neat thing is the songs. Reading them, I realized that they have a consiterable relevence to 'real' life.
This is another good character changing story. Barron takes us slowly as Merlin is brought down a bit after learning some things about friendship, all the way to mastering the songs and becoming all the wiser for it. The Merlin in the beginning is different from the Merlin in the end.
The plot line about the two gods, good and evil, struggling for power is in a little more clearer focus now. Merlin actually talks with them in the story.
Lastly, we get to see more of Fincayra's residents, and more of the island.

The Seven Songs of Merlin
I think this book is an excellent book because of all the fantasy and amazing lessons Merlin learns in this chapter. It teaches him his own skills in magic and he also learns more about himself and about his past. It contains mystical creatures you probably have never heard before and many perilous journeys that happen on the mystical island of Fincayra. If you are about to read this book, be prepared to hold this book for hours and read it like a movie going through your mind. This book is so much like Harry Potter but much more better. Harry Potter is just simple childish magic. Merlin is a more interesting and powerful magic that can keep you reading for hours and hours straight.
This book is about Merlin, about 12 years old, and he has just defeated an evil king that happened to be his possessed father. He has just found out that is mother is about to die and he must save her by going to the Otherworld and getting the elixir to heal his mother. He must first solve Seven songs that will then show him where the way to the Otherworld is. He performs all of these tasks well and finds out that his friend, Rhia, is his sister. So he finds out more about himself and his unknown powers and he gets the elixir from the god, Dagda. Now his mother is still weak but alive. Merlin then continues on with his life now knowing more about himself.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Great Book, good read
This book is a great fantasy book, good enough to rival LOTR and Harry Potter. When you read this book it takes you away to places that you never thought that you would go. It is a great sequel to the first book the Lost Years series. In this book Merlin even comes up with the mysterious sword Excalibur. He doesnt say that he does but the clues hint to the name. If you liked Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings you will definetly love the Series The Lost Years of Merlin.
T.A. Barron-PROPS

This Book is Good
This was almost as good as the first- but not quite. The storyline fell somewhat short of expectation and many of the outcomes of the conflicts were predictable. A few good twists and turns but still not reaching full potential.

Gotta Read this book
A few things I liked about this book were the magic, the action, and the regular storyline. Other books that were written by the same author were The Lost Years of Merlin, The Fires of Merlin, The Mirror of Merlin, and The Wings of Merlin. I think The Lost Years of Merlin is the best. Anybody who likes the Harry Potter books would probably like this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No kid should have to grow up without a healthy helping of King Arthurand his noble knights (to better understand Monty Python later in life, ifnothing else), and this stunningly illustrated, faithfully recounted collectionhas few equals.

Originally published in 1962, the handsome reprint includes the sameillustrations that made the original so compelling: the late Swedish artistGustaf Tenggren (also responsible for the bestselling kids' book of alltime) captures these stories' bravado and high adventure with majestic,almost theatrically composed paintings, many of which stretch dramatically overtwo pages. Tenggren's credits also include the original concept art for Disney'sSnow White and Pinocchio, and you'll find thatsame posed, classical style here. (Although be warned that, like the Arthurianlegends themselves, things can get a little messy, whether it's Lancelot's swordsplitting Meliagrance's helmet in half or the giant Taulurd getting his armchopped off by Sir Tor.)

Tenggren's illustrations are clearly the star of the show, but the collectionalso features excellent text from Emma Gelders Sterne (who was pretty nobleherself, as a civil rights and women's suffrage activist), with the help of herdaughter Barbara Lindsay. Perhaps realizing that these tales sometimes requireaffection and patience to fully appreciate, they never shirk from occasionallychallenging but satisfying period language, from damsel's "wimples" to "churlsin armor." (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Book!
I first read this around 1967, when I was 10 years old. I remember it quite fondly. It felt very real, read very smoothly, and the pictures were amazing, if a little gory. I strongly recommend this book for young readers. I'm completely impartial, too. My mother and grandmother were the co-authors! :)

A thoroughly entertaining retelling of the classic legends
Superbly illustrated by Gustaff Tenggren, and collaboratively retold by Emma Gelders Stern and Barbara Lindsay, King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table is an informative and thoroughly entertaining retelling of the classic legends of King Arthur and Camelot for young adult readers. Filled with museum quality, stylized full-color artwork, King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table presents the whole course of King Arthur's life, and those of his allies and enemies, in skillfully narrated, straightforward prose immediately accessible to young people of intermediate reading skill and above. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is enthusiastically recommended for personal, school, and community library Mythology & Folklore collections. ... Read more

Book Description

It is 1199 and young Arthur de Caldicot is waiting impatiently to grow up and become a knight.One day his father's friend Merlin gives him a shining piece of obsidian and his life becomes entwined with that of his namesake, the Arthur whose story he sees unfold in the stone. In this many-layered novel, King Arthur is seen as a mysterious presence influencing not just one time and place, but many. The 100 short chapters are almost like snapshots - not only of the mythic tales of King Arthur, but the earthy, uncomfortable reality of the Middle Ages. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

The Seeing Stone
Katrina Clancy October 24, 2002

The Seeing Stone, Kevin Crossley~Holland, 0-439-43524-2

Having your wrist cut of for stealing doesn't seem fair. But for Arthur de Caldicot it is part of growing up in his country manor in England, 1199. This realistic fiction novel takes Arthur on an adventure as he tries to unlock his future, past, and present through a gift given to him by his dear friend Merlin.

The Seeing Stone was a roller coaster of emotions until the very end. Felling sympathy for the characters and also hate towards some. You can't be afraid of terrible things happening because this book is just like normal life. This book is also an extremely interesting book because the genre is realistic fiction. This genre seems to appeal to a lot of people because it allows you to use your imagination all the time. This story basically takes you on the ups and downs of the life of a family who lives on a manor and all their occupants. You won't want to put it down and you won't want to stop reading. While reading this book your understanding of how life was during the middle ages will increase but also the respect you had for people who lived during that time.

The Seeing Stone held my attention until the very last page but I wouldn't recommend it to people who don't really enjoy this genre because it would seem confusing at some points for them. It's also important to remember that life was very different for the characters of this book and they did undergo strong emotional a physical changes. The Seeing Stone is a thought provoking book and anyone who reads it should be proud of their newly acquired skill because this book was not that easy to understand at first. Most people will be drawn in quickly however, because it is really easy to connect with the main character and his life problems as a person in general. I personally loved this book and look forward to reading this sequel. The story is amazing, it holds you to the last page, and I can confidently say that Kevin Crossley~Holland is a terrific author.

An Engaging Read
This book was cleverly written and was engaging to read. It is separated into short chapters, which are each akin to short bursts of thinking on the protagonist's part. Crossley-Holland successfully portrays a maturing boy with concerns about his future, the class system of the time, and his tail bone, which he believes is growing.

As part of a trilogy, this book is promising. However, it takes a while for the action to begin, and the seeing stone of the title is not employed until nearly half way through the book. The book will be found more interesting by those who have a good knowledge of the original Arturinian legends, since they will be more able to see the parallels between his life and the Arthur of this series'.

Overall, this book is enjoyable and the series is promising.

The Seeing Stone
I really like this book because it made me feel like I was there.
Also, the author is a really good writer which makes it even better. So, maybe it's not full of suspense, but I like that because it makes it seem more realistic.
Overall, I like it, and I like "At the Crossing Place" even better.

A True King
Arthur is the son of a knight from the Middle March, the strip land in-between Britain and Wales. This young boy's life is about to change forever. This book shows the beginning of his new beginning. Merlin once told him that crossing-places aren't quite sure of themselves; like midnight, the beach, bridges, and the March itself. Arthur is about to venture into his own crossing-place.
One of the many things in this book that I found that was put to extremely good use was the diary form in which it was written. It was very unusual about it was that each entry had no date attached. Arthur treated it like a friend that could confide his thoughts and the daily happenings to. Through this sort of writing you almost start to think of Arthur as an old friend that you have known for a very long time. He doesn't address you as a person but often says things such as, "I like my Nain's [his grandmother is called Nain] stories"
I'll admit that at the beginning this book is a little confusing if you don't first understand that it is a diary without dates. Also another part that might throw the reader into udder chaos is that Arthur never really fills you in on who he is, where he is, and what has been happening in his life before he started writing, but it is all clarified as you read on. The entries headings are a cross between a journal entry and a title of a chapter in a novel. The first thing you read is the title of the first entry, "Arthur and Merlin [speaking of himself and the mysterious old man who lives in the village]",
And then it goes straight into the writing.
This book interested me because I had never actually read a book about King Arthur before, but this one meet and exceeded my expectations of what this type of book should be. After I read the first few pages I came to realize that this Arthur is not the legendary King Arthur, but is almost a shadowy reflection of him. In ways the Arthur of this book is, yet is not, the Arthur of legend. As Arthur says, "I am living in two worlds [he says this because he has seen visions of himself as the king of Britain]."
This book reminded me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy because of the characters simplicity. Their beliefs and ways of living and thinking are very clearly defined. They knew what was right and what was wrong, and they tried their bests to do what was right. Some of their beliefs might seem foolish, but at least they had faith in those old myths. One example would be Arthur saying, "I listen to the beech trees, they sound like whispering spirits [that is what his Welsh grandmother told him]"
The way in which this book engulfs you is quite literally amazing. It gets you interested in the very beginning by introducing you to two of the main characters and a little bit of the mystery. By the second or third entry you are hooked. Then, in a manner of speaking, the plot starts throwing you around like a roller coaster. One thing that catches your eye at the beginning is when he exclaims, "Tumber Hill![this is the very first sentence of the book]"
This book was written with great care and hard work. It brings the Middle Ages to a level of understanding so that you can see and relate to some of the problems Arthur faces. This book is about how if you try, and never quit, anything is possible. That is why I gave this book a five star rating.

A Great First book in a Great Trilogy
(4.5 stars). I picked this book up because of its interesting cover and because that Ive never read a King Arthur book before. But this is no Sword in The Stone. Its that and more. Its about a boy Arthur "Who was and will be" He is the king and he isnt. Confusing? It'll all be explained once you read the book - which I highly advise. Its about a young boy named Oliver who is given a magic stone made of Fire and Ice from Merlin. Inside the stone he sees another story with him as the main character.
The book is filled with interesting characters. Some you hate some you love. It has lots of conflict and hidden secrets. It is exactly 100 chapters all of which are personal journals written by Arthur. I recomend this book to everyone. It is a great start to a new trilogy. And the second is just as - if even more - promising. And the third one has been released in England. So you can order it on Amazon.co.uk (the UK amazon). But if it dont want to pay the shipping charges it will come out soon enough! Once again - buy this book and you wont be sorry you did. Great if you like Arthur books or even if you dont! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bestselling author Jane Yolen does not retell the tale of King Arthur in this imaginative novel for young readers so much as re-invent it. There are familiar characters such as Arthur, Gawaine, and Merlin (here called Merlinnus), and elements from the traditional story, including the famed sword in the stone. But The Sword of the Rightful King treats these as ingredients to cook up an entirely new story. In Yolen's version, Arthur is a young king. He wears the crown but sits perhaps a bit uneasily upon the throne. It has been reported to the king that there are some who will betray or even kill him in order to rise to power. To assure the subjects, the magician Merlinnus places a sword in a stone and announces that whosoever pulls it out, will be the rightful ruler of England. The fact that someone else pulls the sword out of the stone first is just one of numerous intriguing twists. Yolen manages to update the legend and make it fresh for a modern younger audience without resorting to gimmickry and incongruous references (no one says "dude", Lancelot does not ride a skateboard). Instead, she recasts the characters as real people: flawed, troubled, and altogether human. And while they still exist in long-ago England, the people we meet and the situations they find themselves in are accessible to readers of any age. (All ages) --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (7)

King Arthur With a Twist
Most people seem to have some familiarity with the legend of King Arthur but it won't help them with this completely fresh version of the story.

Arthur is the High King of all Britain but there are some lords who do not recognize him as such. Among these is Pendragon's widow Morgause. She wants one of her boys to be on the throne, possibly her eldest Gawaine. Although Arthur is a fair and just king it will take more to win over some. Merlinnus (Merlin) comes up with an idea to cement Arthur in his position. An idea involving a stone and a sword.

In Cadbury (Camelot) much is going on. Gawain and his brothers are arriving, Gawen has arrived and become Merlinnus's helper, word has it that Morgause is sending an assassin, and a shepherd finds a mysterious stone with a sword sticking out of it.

You may have thought you knew the story but this version is fresh and full of surprises. A wonderful fantasy full of magic and intrigue.

the Kind and the Sword
This is a wonderful book. Jane Yolen did a great job with a King Arthur story. The characters really pop through the pages and the emotions are so thick.
Yolen really doesn't miss a beat with this story. It's fresh and has a great story to go with the King Arthur chronicles.

Sword Of The Rightful King-An Excellent Story!
This is the story of a newly crowned Arthur. As usual, too many are unsure of him and others desire the crown for themselves. Merlinnus plays a major role in plotting Arthur's success with the "sword in the stone." However, there are a few twists along the way. Did someone else pull the sword out of the stone before Arthur? Has the sword been enscorelled by Morgause? Who is the newcomer to Arthur's kingdom? Is he really what he seems? These questions and more are entertainingly answered with many surprises.

I bought this book knowing it was for young adults, which I definitely am not, hoping for an alternative and entertaining story that was fresh. I didn't think it could be done (I've read hundreds of Arthurian Literature books) and certainly didn't expect the surprise this book turned out to be! Additionally, I believe some of the words in this novel would be difficult for many adults, let alone young adults to understand, so keep that dictionary handy as you are reading. Buy this book and read it! It is extraordinary!

read this
This is my favorite book about King Arthur. It has all elements of a well written story. The characters are developed and you look at a well known story in a different way. I would recommend this to others.

A Twist on the Familiar Sword in the Stone Story
Young Arthur, High King of Britain, is a good king, but not everyone thinks so. Merlinnus (more commonly known as Merlin), the castle mage, knows this is dangerous, so he secretly makes a sword in a stone. He lets everyone in the kingdom know that whoever pulls the sword out of the stone will be king. With a little magic he thinks he will help Arthur pull it out. But when the time comes, it doesn't work it out the way Arthur and Merlinnus expect.

Not only was this book well-written, but it also had an awesome plot! I liked how Arthur and Merlinnus always had to be on the lookout, because anyone could be a spy, or worse, an assassin. I also liked the ending because there were lots of surprises. The one thing I didn't like was that one of the big "mysteries" was solved too quickly.

I would recommend this book for both boys and girls ages 10-14. If you like this book, Jane Yolen has also written more than 200 books for kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Long ago, the great wizard Merlin planted the seed that wouldbecome the peaceful world of Avalon. Now, though, Avalon is suffering from mysterious droughts. Then the very stars begin to lose their light, and it seemsthat the Lady of the Lake's dire predictions are about to come true. The fate ofAvalon now rests with Tamwyn, a wandering wilderness guide; Elli, an apprenticepriestess; and Scree, a young eagleman. One of them is the true heir of Merlin,the only person who can save Avalon . . . and one of them is the dreaded childof the Dark Prophecy, fated to destroy it.

As in his acclaimed epic The Lost Years of Merlin, T. A. Barron has created aradiant, richly imagined world, full of high adventure and un-forgettablecharacters. ... Read more

Book Description

This is book four in the national bestselling saga of young Merlin, destined to become the greatest wizard of all time.

Something wicked is lurking in the swamplands on the magical isle of Fincayra-an encroaching evil intent on destroying the land-and only young Merlin possesses the power to stop it.

Merlin must embark on a journey through the haunted land to find his stolen sword.But then he discovers a magic mirror capable of altering a person's destiny-and the visage he finds within the glass is someone he never imagined he'd see . . .

"Young sorcery fans...set aside Harry Potter and pick up Merlin." (The Cincinnati Enquirer)

... Read more

Reviews (31)

The astonishing fourth book in this fantastic saga.
T.A. Barron's deepest and most harrowing novel of The Lost Years Of Merlin shines with wisdom and adventure, and it is impossible to put down. The Mirror Of Merlin continues the epic story that began with The Lost Years Of Merlin, The Seven Songs Of Merlin, and The Fires Of Merlin - and it is one not to be missed. When there is a strange disturbance in Fincayra, something too deep and dark to know, Merlin, joined by the deer woman he loves, Hallia, journeys to the Mirror deep in the Haunted Marsh, where the shadowy and unhelpful Marsh Ghouls reside. The Mirror, a mirror of deep magic and deep fears, is able to pull its looker through into a world of the future, an alternate reality both haunting and dangerous that just may doom its captor. And when Merlin finally does look through the Mirror, he finds someone he never expected to find, as well a grim prophecy that is locked in mystery - and the future he finds just may be the one he only saw in dreams...or nightmares. The Mirror Of Merlin is the gripping fourth novel in the five-book saga. Written extraordinarily and breathtakingly, just like the first three, it is poetic, deep, and wondrous.

Book 4 is another must-read in the Merlin series!
In book 4, the young Merlin finds even more troubles and obsticals to overcome. Feeling overshadowed by his amazing destiny, Merlin has difficulty due to the feeling that his choices are not his own, because he is destined to do so many great things. Meanwhile, the young wizard and his companion Hallia, accompanied by a very nervous ballymag, must venture into the Haunted Marsh to recover his stolen sword. There he meets many fierosme obsticals, including the sorceress Nimue. During his stay in the marsh, in a fascinating way, Merlin discovers more about himself than he ever felt possible and learns to accept his destiny and know his choices as his own. A wonderful and exciting tale, The Mirror of Merlin leaves us breathless for the 5th book in the wonderful epic.

The Miror of Merlin
I liked this book because it presented problems not yet thught of in the average reader's mind. This bookis also intertwined with the other books so you didn't have to meet the whole cast of characters. It took little characters from the other books and made them bigger in one way or another.In every book new information is presented, this book holds alot. Not considering learning about Fincayra itself this book is only second to the fifth book.
I think the best part of this book was when he meets himself, it was a comical meeting. Full of questions and anwsers. The meeting of young and old made me feel and think of pity, sorrow, laughter and wonder on what is to come in the future.
I think the most vivid part of this book was when older Merlin grows a tree right in his own house. In the middle of his own living room! Reading the tree grow is as if you are right in the room when it happens. As if the tree is planted in the book and you are riding it yourself. Not only do you feel that you were there but that you belng there.

This book was the best book I've ever read
In the long winter in a enchanted forest a child was born Merlin enchanted life. This book was a skill fully written book by Rosemary Sutcliff. A novel that will catch the readers eye. Set in England and partly in Norway, far away from the world we know to a unreal universe beyond imagination.

This book set in a fantasy/ medieval setting. The main character in this book is the all powerful Merlin, described as a towering, wise and tattered man. Merlin created by the evil, dark, shadowed, witch, and queen of evil Mab to bring the people back to the old ways. Queen Mab's plan backfired and merlin will do anything to get the queen back for killing his aunt Antasia. At just a hand wizard merlin is ready to fight. But is Merlin ready for the challenges he is about to face? Read the book and find out.

This phenomenal book I would recommend it to any young reader looking for a good book. If i were to rate this book on a scale from 1 to 10 it would be a 10. Any young reader would love this book.

This book review was written by Philip Davis

I love Merlin stories
The Mirror of Merlin is a great book. It is fourth in the series but you don't have to read the first three unless you want lots of information to understand it better. If you don't read the first three books, it will take you a little while to catch on, but once you understand it, you will understand what you previously read. I chose this book because I like stories with Merlin and Arthur and every one that I have seen or read was different in one way or another.

This book is about Merlin and Hallia on their adventure to stop the Marsh Ghouls from destroying things and to find out why they are destroying things. Their adventure started out as helping a frightened ballymag back to his homelands, the Haunted Marsh. However, what started as helping a poor defenseless ballymag return home, turned into an adventure to save the Marsh.

This book has great description and is full of surprises. I especially liked how the author described Gwynnia the dragon: '...a young dragon. Her purple and scarlet scales aglow, sat beside us. She was tucking her leathery wings, still quivering from flight, against her back." Something that surprises me is how Merlin always finds a way to do things, no matter what they are.

So if you want to read a book that's full of surprises, read The Mirror of Merlin. ... Read more

Book Description

In their fourth adventure, the Time Soldiers rescue Arthur Pendragon, the boy-king who has to prove himself by pulling an ancient sword free from the stone that holds it fast. They struggle to escape an evil knight, face the terror of a swinging rope bridge being cut from beneath them, defeat a raging dragon and more. The mysterious men in dark suits are still watching as the Time Soldiers witness Arthur fulfilling his destiny; meet Merlin, the magician of the ages; and then return home, determined to solve the mysteries of the time portal. ... Read more

Book Description

The dragon called Wings of Fire has awakened from his enchanted slumber. And only Merlin-the descendent of the wizard who first defeated the dragon-possesses the power to stop him. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

AMAZING! A MUST READ FANTASY THAT WILL TOUCH THE SOUL
This was all in all a great book. Once again, in the land of Fincayra, there is trouble. An old prophecy seems to state the sure death of Merlin when an old dragon awakes from his ever so long slumber. Due to past help from the dwarves, Merlin now owes them a favor-even if it means certain death. This book is filled with tricks and treachery as you travel with Merlin on this great adventure, seeking what is right and just. When he is put to the final test he realizes that all things have their place in the world and some of the truest power comes from within. Come and explore Fincayra with Merlin and his friends and experience magic in some of its earliest forms. Dravia, dravia Fincayra. (Live long, live long Fincayra.)

The best book I've ever read!!
The third book in The Lost Years of Merlin series, The Fires of Merlin, is one of the best books I've ever read. Another fantastic book written by T.A. Barron, The Fires of Merlin give fantasy readers what they want. In this book, Merlin must set out to battle the dragon Valdearg who has awakened after centuries to find who killed it's offspring. Merlin must face the dragon all while wondering who kept the evil kreelixes alive. These vile creatures can kill any magical creature with just one bite. Plus, with the help of the witch,Urnlanda, Merlin loses his magical powers. So now not only must he destory Valderag, but he also has to find a way to get the talisman that might help him beat the dragon. A real work of art, Barron's book will leave you wanting to read more.

amazing but not so great as "seven songs of merlin"
i loved it.........but it does not compare to seven songs of merlin in any way. the dragon of fincayra's children have been killed (except for 1). now he is on a wraging rampage. the only one who can stop him is merlin. but merlin is fighting simply to keep his magic.

WOW!
Do not view these as five individual books, but as five pieces of a whole saga. To read only one would be to cheat one's self of seeing an entire picture.

The epic begins with an child with no memory being raised by a mysterious woman in a small village. Both of them are regarded as local oddities and driven to live in a convent. The boy is known as Emrys, but never feels that that is his true name. As he matures, he develops gifts and wonderous powers, along with an increasing need to know who he is. Eventually, he goes upon a quest in search of his heritage, one that will lead him to the lands his mother's stories spoke of, the Hidden World outside of time and this life. He finds himself in the midst of a battle between warring demigods, and finds a new name for his own, Merlin.

As Merlin journeys through the five books, he makes new friends and bitter enemies. This is a world filled with dragons, witches, goblins, and lost treasures. Secrets that are as powerful and painful as a two edged blade are discovered. Otherworlds are crossed, time itself bends to give the boy a glimpse of his own destiny, and choices musst be made that will affect far more than just Merlin.

***** Elements of other classics are hinted at, but applied in new ways and familiarity only serves to endear. This is a grand saga without the weightiness of other epics. Rather, it is easy to read and charming. This Merlin can stand alongside Tolkien's hobbits or Harry Potter proudly. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

A Great Read
T. A. Barron takes the cake once again! This book is not only adventurous, but it chronicles and takes you through this part of the childhood of Merlin. A highlight of the book is the poetry of Cairpre that adds realism and a different flavor. The constant excitement and suspence that keeps you turning the pages is another highlight. Something that keeps me reading this great series in the careful, delicate description of things. An example is Hallia and Eremon, the deer-people of the story. The description of them is so precise that you can immediately picture them. Also great is the clearly developing love of Merlin for Hallia. Another of the many wonderful things about the book is the ending, which shows many of the lessons that Merlin has learned during his travels and how they will help him in the future. I give this unbelieveably great book a 5 of 5. It is, by far, my favorite book that I have ever read. ... Read more

Book Description

Six rousing legends of King Arthur and his knights. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Awful writing, terrible grammar, bad for children
In addition to the ham-handed telling of the story, the writing in these Bullseye books is just terrible. Half-sentences. Written like this. Or this. Part of the value of such books is that young readers will learn to read "chapter books." But the English and grammar in these books is so abysmal as to render them useless for this task. I was very disappointed.

Perfect for reading to a younger child
I agree that this is not the finest book written on King Arthur, but it is one that can be read aloud, and easily enhanced by a grandmother anxious to read these legends to a second grader---- finding something appropriate for a young listener has not been easy!

Textbook example of how NOT to write sentences
It is hard to believe a book this poorly written could make past the editors! There were so many run-on and incomplete sentences I had trouble reading it to my daughter. I can only imagine what my second grade daughter went through reading on her own. We will keep this book if only to serve as an example of how NOT to construct sentences. There is a year's worth of grammar exercises in this book.

Knights of the round Table
I think this is a very good story because its placed in history. I like when the giant takes off his head. You should get this book for your child.

There are many better renditions than this!
This is an overly simplistic and poorly written introduction to the Arthur legend. If there weren't many better presentations of these tales for young readers, there might be an excuse for such a substandard rendering. Unless you want your kids to think that writing sentence fragments is preferable to constructing clear complex sentences, you might want to stay away from the entire "Bullseye Step Into Classic" series. ... Read more

Book Description

Thirteen-year-old Artos is not as good as swordsplay, romance, or any other knightly accomplishment as his foster brothers Cai, Bedvere, and Lancot. An orphan raised by the kindly Sir Ector, he doesn't even know the identity for his parents. But one day, Artos stumbles into the cave of an old and lonely dragon who offers to teach him the game of wisdom. Artos accepts, and becomes the Pendragon--the son of the dragon, the dragon's boy. And with the dragon's guidance, Artos sets out on a journey to a remarkable destiny--one that he never dreamed could be his own.

Reviews (3)

Unique Arthurian story
Everyone's read the oft-accepted story of King Arthur's boyhood, right? A seemingly orphaned fosterling is raised by kindly Sir Ector, doesn't really know who he is. This story gives a mild but enjoyable twist on the old tale.

Artos is a young orphan in Sir Ector's castle, whose only playmates are the sons of Sir Ector, who often look down on him. One day, as he chases the dog Boadie into the woods, he comes across a cave that appears to have a massive dragon inside it. Though Artos is initially afraid, he befriends the ancient dragon. The dragon, in exchange for foodstuffs from the kitchen, will teach Artos wisdom.

The teachings that the dragon give Artos unconsciously change his outlook and his treatment of other people - even those below him. But after a strange incident in which the dragon temporarily vanishes, Artos discovers the truth about his friend.

Aside from the works of Gerald Morris, I don't think I've found a more likeable version of King Arthur than Artos. The lessons that he is taught are mild but creep into the mind and take root, transforming him effectively from a "bulky, unruly, illiterate boy" to a thoughtful and compassionate soul (he isn't perfect, but who is?)

The supporting cast is sparkling, from "Garlic" Meg the kitchen maid, ancient Druid wiseman Linn, and the cheerful smith who provides Artos with his first sword. The writing style is admittedly a bit bare at times, but not so much that it is difficult to read. The dialogue and visualization of the final chapter are perhaps the best part, almost mystical.

A small note to those reading this book for the first time: Read carefully what the supporting characters say, and you might just guess ahead of time what is up with the dragon.

A magical tale without real magic, this is an enjoyable tale for lovers of a darn good story and a must-see for Arthuriana nuts!

The Dragon Boy
I loved this book and it was so cool because I liked the dragon he was cool looking and his teeth are a little bit long and sharp. The book isn't scary at all and the boy meets the dragon in the begining of the book.The book is pretty cool. You should read it it's good. The three main characters are Mag, Sir Ector, and Artos. What I liked about this book was that they're is a dragon in it and a red diamond, and what I didn't like about this book was that all they did was talk about Mag, and Artos. The author is a very good writer. This book was very good you should read it.

Amazing Arthur
When I first read this book I had no clue it was about King Arthur, as a young boy or otherwise, because the copy at my library didn't proclaim in bold letters "A Tale of Young King Arthur." Not until the very end did it dawn on me that this wonderful book I was reading had anything at all to do with the legendary King Arthur I had already read so much about. But this book is not about King Arthur until the very end. For the most part it is about a boy named Artos and his trials and tribulations in growing up and meeting a dragon. This dragon teaches him things he would have no chance to learn anywhere else and balances out his life in a most peculiar way. ... Read more

Book Description

This collection contains nine treasured tales from Medieval Europe - from the mysterious Celtic world of Finn MacCoul to the enchanted realm of King Arthur.Readers will meet the noble French hero Roland and the merry English outlaw Robin Hood. They will learn about the brutish chieftain Beowulf, the chivalrous knight Sir Gawain, and the brave young prince Hagen.And they will be entertained and enlightened by Marie de France¹s honorable Werewolf and Chaucer¹s venerable but clever-witted rooster, Chanticleer. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Too simplistic for the age range given
The reading level for this book is given as ages 9-12, but the fairytale-simplicity of the retelling of the stories makes this collection much more appropriate for the *under 9* age group. The stories are sanitary enough to read to very young children. The part of the collection I found most useful for my 12 year old who is currently studying the Middle Ages, was the notes in the back of the book. "Notes on the Stories" tells the background and time period of each story and a brief bio of the author (when known). "Story Forms of Medieval Times", "Some Early Peoples of Western Europe", "Time Periods", "Words Related to Medieval Times", and "The Evolution of the English Language" are all very brief (total of 3 1/2 pages for all) but informative.

Knights, Monsters, Heroes, and Dragons.....
As Mary Pope Osborne tells the reader in her marvelous introduction..."In the beginning of medieval times in Europe, books did not exist. Most people were unable to read or write. Nevertheless, there were stories - stories of heroes and monsters, told by minstrels and poets, that were passed down orally from one generation to the next..." Eventually, these stories were written down by scribes, and Ms Osborne has collected nine favorite tales to share. From Robin Hood And His Merry Men, The Sword In The Stone, Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, and Finn Maccoul, to Beowulf, The Werewolf, The Song Of Roland, Island Of The Lost Children, and Chanticleer And The Fox, these engaging retellings are dramatic and entertaining, easy to read, and often better when read aloud. Meet monsters, knights, heroes, and dragons, and travel to faraway, mysterious, and enchanting places. Troy Howell's vivid, lush paintings, stay true to the medieval style, and add just the right touch to enhance each story. Ms Osborne and Mr Howell include informative reference notes on the stories, medieval story forms, people, time periods, language, chronology, and the art of the middle ages that is sure to peak the interest of young and old alike. Perfect for youngsters ten and older, Favorite Medieval Tales is a masterpiece of intriguing storytelling that will whet the appetite, and send readers looking for more.

A good sampling
I was taking a course on storytelling for children when I came upon this book. What first caught my eye were the old-style illustrations by Troy Howell. They were done in such a way as to enhance the book without distracting from the story. When I was able to peruse the book, I was impressed with the way the author chose and arranged the stories so that you could almost track the evolution of medieval storytelling (and quite possibly has one of the more easier versions of Beowulf that second and third graders could manage). The stories are short enough that they can be read out loud for a class or reading circle; yet have enough content to hold the children's attention.

Another bonus to the book (for parents and teachers) is that Ms. Osborne in her introductions gives her reason why she chose the tales in this volume... and (for the kids, as well as parents and teachers) in the back there is a glossary of sorts-- notes to each story as to where it came from, and why it was written, brief writeups for the different cultures, story forms, time periods, and evolution of the English language. There's even a small section with words.

This would be a good book to have in libraries for teachers and parents; for the children to be exposed to several different classical stories, as well as give them a variety to read and experiment with. It might encourage a love of history as well as a love of literature.

Good Intro to medieval literature
Well, I don't really like Osbourne's "Magic TreeHouse" tales, but don't judge THIS beautiful book by "those." THIS BOOK is very nicely done. All the representative tales from the middle ages are here, retold in a clear, easy to read (or listen to) prose that captures most of the original (in most cases.) The illustrations are captivating. Each tale includes a title page that has a short quote in the original language (with a modern translation) which will intrigue some children, and there is a fine time line at the back of the book. We used this to supplement medieval studies in our homeschool for a second grader. A great resource. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sir James Knowle's epic tale of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Tale is resurrected in this ornate children's edition. Intricate black-and-white drawings of knights, damsels in distress, and wizards add to the mystery and folklore of Sir Arthur. Perfectly suited as both a "read aloud" book or for more advanced readers to conquer themselves, children of all ages will be whisked back in time with this classic tale. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

King Arthur and His Knights
This book was about how King Arthur's life supposedly was. He was born after King Uther tricked an enemy duke's wife into thinking that Uther was her husband. That child was given to Merlin, and he was un-christened, and was given to Sir Ector. He became a squire at his new home and had a bigger stepbrother to help. When the sword in the stone appeared, all the knights and noblemen around England appeared to try and pull it out, since the person who pulls out the sword in the stone is supposedly the king of all England. Throughout his life he encountered many people like Sir Lancelot of the Lake, who fell in love with his beloved wife, Guinevere, and also gave birth to a child with his half-sister when she disguised herself. He would later become a legend for all the things he had done during his life.

I read this book because I watched the movie from Disney called "The Sword in the Stone." It sparked my interest of knights and I was fascinated with the Middle Ages ever since. Then when I went to the library, this book was the only one about King Arthur that wasn't checked out, so I read this wonderful recount of the amazing life of Arthur.

I recommend this book to everyone above the age of 9. There are some "not so good for children parts" in this book. If you are a child who wants to read about King Arthur, then you should choose this book. If you want something that is easier, I suggest you not to select this book since it is kind of a hard book.

Classic stories, difficult text
This book is a bargain, but make sure your reader is ready for it. Its style is rather "olde englishe biblical" -- not obsolete spelling, but somewhat difficult language for modern readers. If your reader is in the mood for thee-thou-mayhap-hath-milady, then go for it!

Along with Robin Hood, these ancient legends are a must-read
Who hasn't heard of King Arthur and the knights of his Round Table? In this book you meet them all ' including the magician Merlin, and the brave knights Sir Lancelot, Sir Gareth, Sir Tristam, Sir Bors, Sir Key, and Sir Galahad. All the old favorites are included ' Arthur drawing the sword out of the stone, Arthur receiving the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, Arthur becoming emperor, and Arthur's marriage to Guinevere. These events are recounted with surprising little drama. But don't give up too soon ' the best comes with all the quests and adventures of the knights that follow, including the Quest for the Holy Grail. This book is chock-full of entertaining adventures involving knights in shining armour, damsels in distress, fierce jousting and sword fights to the death, battles against hoards of enemies and giants, tournaments and miracles. Accompanying the text of this hard-cover, are ornate black and white pictures and images that contribute splendidly to the atmosphere evoked by the text.

The medieval setting is painted in a rather idealized fashion, limited to the nobility and figures of the court, who embrace all that is beautiful, brave and noble. These virtues are sometimes portrayed rather simplistically, as unknown knights engage in mortal combat, and only after they have virtually killed each other do the introductions begin: 'What is your name?' Behind this medieval mayhem is a heightened sense of chivalry more reflective of legend than fact, where knights battle to the death for the sake of a woman - even one they have only just met. But isn't that what the Arthurian legends are all about? Nobody is under the illusion that they are to be taken too seriously. Journeying to Arthur's Camelot is a form of escapism - suspend your sense of disbelief, watch the flashing swords and fearful battles, and enjoy.

That's not to say that the Arthurian tales do not reflect any reality. Arthur's world is in many respects a real medieval world. Medieval beliefs in paganism and Christianity are evident throughout. Witchcraft and enchantment is presented as alive and deadly, and conversely the true religion ' in this case the beliefs of the medieval Catholic church ' is evident throughout as knights commend themselves to God in prayer, thank him for his help, and even repent from their sins. The whole notion of the Holy Grail is of course a very Christian tradition ' although a tradition that represents more fiction than fact. And the moral virtues of justice, truth and right for which the honorable knights fight are still noble ideals of virtue today. Arthur's kingdom is presented as a kingdom blessed by the grace of God, a beacon of light symbolizing all that is good and true and right, and a worthy model for kingdoms in today's world because it revolves around timeless virtues. Tales that promote dignity, courtesy, courage, respect for right, respect for female dignity and purity are as ennobling as they are entertaining.

How much truth there is behind the Arthurian tales will always be the subject of debate. The fact remains that there is an extensive and confusing body of legend to wade through. In this 1923 work, Knowles has essentially followed Malory's fifteenth