Arthurian Saga - Mary Stewart

Written by Mary Stewart
Read by Derek Perkins
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

The Crystal Cave
by Mary Stewart
Derek Perkins

Arthurian Saga, Book 1
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release date: October 3, 2016
Duration: 16:51:42

Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess, Myrdden Emrys—or as he would later be known, Merlin—leads a perilous childhood, haunted by portents and visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man’s-son, taking him from prophesying before High King Vortigern to the crowning of Uther Pendragon … and the conception of Arthur, king for once and always.

“The opening volume of Mary Stewart’s classic novels of Merlin and Arthur is at last available as an audiobook, and it was thoroughly worth the wait. Stewart was a scholar of the literature as well as a riveting and original storyteller, and Derek Perkins is her match. His delivery is faultlessly fine, conveying the heart-pounding excitement of Stewart’s tale and the gorgeous atmosphere she has created, all while bringing to life a young Merlin who does not yet know what he is or will be. There are followers of many gods in Stewart’s Dark Ages in Britain, with Mithras and Druid cults alongside the monasteries. Perkins is a marvelous interpreter of this fantastic and vividly imagined world and will leave listeners on tenterhooks for the next installment.” — Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

The Hollow Hills

Arthurian Saga, Book 2
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release date: November 22, 2016
Duration: 16:10:59

The spellbinding, suspenseful story of how Merlin, the Enchanter, helped Arthur become the king of all Britain—a magnificent novel set in a time when no life is safe, no law stable

Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain.

The prophetic voice of Merlin communicates not only the bristling atmosphere of the story’s ancient setting but also its profound relevance to our own time.

“Mary Stewart’s unique intermingling of history and fantasy earned critical acclaim more than 40 years ago, yet the work still enchants. Narrator Derek Perkins is a perfect guide into the fifth century and the legend of King Arthur, told from magician Merlin’s point of view. In this, the second in the trilogy, Merlin tells the story of Arthur’s birth and follows his growth into young manhood until he is made king. Perkins delivers appropriate solemnity to Merlin’s remembrances, while his infusion of youth and urgency identify Arthur. He slips in and out of secondary characters deftly, gliding over difficult place names and showing remarkable dexterity with names that have almost no vowels.”. � AudioFile

The Last Enchantment

Arthurian Saga, Book 3
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release date: December 31, 2016
Duration: 18:00:48

Arthur Pendragon is king! Crowned and recognized as High King, Arthur is unchallenged on the battlefield, and he melds the country together in a time of promise, as Merlin works in the shadows.

But sinister powers plot to destroy Camelot, and when the witch-queen Morgause—Arthur’s own half sister—ensnares him in an incestuous liaison, a fatal web of love, betrayal, and bloody vengeance is woven.

“Narrator Derek Perkins employs a conversational tone in the third book in Stewart’s renowned Arthurian saga. Merlin resumes his story with the coronation of Arthur, the king whom Merlin believes will be able to unite the kingdom. Perkins illuminates the evolving role of Merlin as teacher, prophet, and advisor to Arthur in their dialogue and in the long passages in which Merlin recounts events, political developments, and the growing lore about the king. As Merlin ruminates upon events in his own life and his waning powers, Perkins adopts a reflective attitude tinged with sadness as well as full confidence that his apprentice will serve Arthur faithfully.” � AudioFile

The Wicked Day

Arthurian Saga, Book 4
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release date: October 31, 2017
Duration: 14:48:15

Born of an incestuous relationship between King Arthur and his half sister, and prophesied by Merlin to kill Arthur, Mordred is stolen away from his mother and raised in secrecy by a kind couple on an isolated Orkney island in the hopes that he will defy his fate.

Mordred, known to history as a traitor and a murderer, is no villain, but a quick-witted young man, with hopes and dreams of his own. But try as he might, Mordred cannot escape Merlin’s prophecy.

His mother, the evil sorceress Morgause tracks her son down and takes him back, then feeds the flames of Mordred’s ambition, setting into motion a chain of events that will go down in history—and legend—as father and son are finally forced to confront each other one last time: on the wicked day of destiny, when Arthur’s final battle will be fought.

The Prince and the Pilgrim

Arthurian Saga, Book 5
Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 11-14-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Author Maryt Stewart returns to the magical world of King Arthur and Camelot–to tell a story of daring adventure, unexpected love, and unsurpassed enchantment . . . .

ALEXANDER THE FATHERLESS

Eager, burning, and young, Alexander has come of age to take vengeance on the treacherous King of Cornwall who murdered his father. He sets off toward Camelot to seek justice from King Arthur, only to be diverted by the beautiful and sensual Morgan le Fay, Arthur’s sister. Using her wiles and her enchantments, Morgan persuades the young prince to attempt a theft of the Holy Grail. He is unaware her motives are of the darkest nature. . . .

ALICE THE PRETTY PILGRIM

Motherless daughter of a royal duke, Alice has lived a life of lively adventure, accompanying her father on his yearly pilgrimages. Now, on her father’s final visit to Jerusalem, she comes under the protection of a young prince whose brothers were murdered, a prince who is in possession of an enchanted silver cup believed to be the mysterious Holy Grail itself.

Thus the stage is set for two young seekers to meet–and to find not what they are searching for but, instead, the greatest treasure of all . . . love.

Note: The last book was not part of the original trilogy but added years later by Stewart.