emcrem 's review for:

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

5.0

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book feels like home; it is the mark of a good retelling that I feel such a deep yearning for a world lost to myth and characters entombed as legend. I’ve loved the Arthurian stories since I was very young, so it was the heart of a younger version of myself I think that was captured by The Crystal Cave, allowing me to become so lost in the world that upon finishing the book I felt a jarring disconnect from myself and my surroundings. The first person narrative of Merlin is constructed with such care and character that into the legend is breathed true life, allowing for a vivid illustration of the difficulties of following an ordained path towards destiny - a destiny that may necessitate a disconnect from and disregard of true nature and morality. What worth is the sacrifice of one man’s free will in the building of a golden age, a nation united in peace and common understanding? I don’t know how Stewart will end Merlin’s tale (how far does history and legend limit her choices as the hands of fate limit Merlin’s?) but I know it will be a feat of storytelling!