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The Hollow Hills

The Arthurian Saga, Book 2

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About this listen

The Hollow Hills recreates the suspense and excitement of an ancient legend—how Merlin the Enchanter, prophet, visionary, and adviser to kings—keeps Arthur, the future king of Britain, safe. Merlin keeps watch over Arthur in remote secrecy, safe from the warring kings and Saxons who plot against his father, King Uther. Haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries, Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand. The regional kings look to the succession, and Merlin watches and waits, always providing for the security of the boy that his prophesies promise will become the greatest king of all.

©1990 Mary Stewart (P)1990 Phoenix Books, Inc. Epic Fantasy Fiction Historical Royalty Epic Fantasy Arthurian
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Good to have an old favourite so well read. The dark ages are given a believable framework and Merlin an interesting character.

Mary Stuart brings the legend to life.

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I picked up this book as a schoolboy, bored with all the other
similiar titles. I wanted to be different, so randomly chose something that nobody else would be reading, and which hadn't been stamped in a long time...ten years!

Well, I couldn't put the book down, it was an extremely unique look at the Merlin story, and one which has always made more sense than the fantastic telling of so many other authors.

I recommend listening to this audiobook, possibly for the same reason as I did, all those years ago. Who knows, you may actually enjoy it :)



It brought me to fantasy...

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The book itself was so good that the rather clumsy adaptation (did Dan Brown butcher Mary Stewart's original?) grates with me, but then I know the book almost by heart. Also, it's the middle book of a trilogy, which makes me wonder how someone unfamiliar with The Crystal Cave would get on with it.



I do wish someone had picked up narrator Nicol Williamson's 'Welsh' pronunciation - Myrddin is not said as Murdin, but Murthin, among other minor irritations. In spite of all that I was glad to listen to it and it has prompted me to re-read the others in the series.

Well, it's better than nothing

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Do not buy this version. The narration is horrific. The sound quality is very bad. I mistakenly bought this one and realised my mistake within minutes. Go for the unabridged version. It is far superior.

Awful adaptation

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This Mary Stewart series deserves to be read from cover to cover. This adaptation rips the heart out of the book and leaves us with something with all the charm of a telephone directory.

Always buy unabridged

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