Sometimes it is the later books in a series that really bring the whole thing together. This is definitely the case when it comes to The Hollow Hills. The story doesn’t exceed The Crystal Cave, in fact, I would say the Crystal Cave is by far the more interesting novel, but I firmly believe that The Hollow Hills takes the story of Merlin, and makes it a legend. I think that it is this novel that makes me think back to The Crystal Cave with a smile, because the happenings of that novel are constantly referred to in The Hollow Hills. Characters tell his tale amongst themselves in a very embellished manner. Merlin himself lives in his own legend in this book, as The Hollow Hills tells the tale of Arthur, and Merlin’s role in his rise to the throne.Book II: The Rise of the KingThe second book starts shortly after the first ends. Therefore, a little bit of a refresher course may be needed. Merlin, the son of Ambrosius, raised as the bastard child in a small kingdom in central Britain, helps his father overthrow the High King Vortigern, with the ambition of uniting all the small kingdoms of Britain in order to have a more powerful Britain. However, this meant defeating King Vortigern and all his allies, including the Saxons, who are always a threat to the British throne in these novels. After securing Amrbosius’s place on the throne, Merlin goes to Ireland to take the King’s Stone to Britain to build the “Giant’s Dance” (Stonehenge). Upon returning, Ambrosius has died, and his brother Uther has taken the throne.Uther falls in love with the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. Her name is Ygraine, and with Merlin’s help, they are married and they conceive what is to be the child of Merlin’s prophecy, Arthur, whom Merlin has said is to be “the king of kings.”So our story begins here, with the birth of Arthur, whom Uther wants put in hiding in hope of conceiving a child that would not have the title of bastard. Merlin hides Arthur with people he is familiar with; first with Moravik, who was his own servant in his grandfather’s castle. Later Arthur is moved to the kindom in Galava, where he is raised separate from his royal family without the knowledge of his royal blood.Characters: Less is Sometimes MoreIf you’ve read my review of the first book, located here, then you know that one of my biggest peeves of the first novel is the fact that merely every character doesn’t make it to the back cover. Stewart might have taken a similar form of criticism as in the continuation of the tale, less characters are introduced and less therefore, go away.Of course, the main introduction of the novel would be Arthur, who we get to see raised from around the age of 9. We also learn of his friend Bedwyr, who is probably the most underdeveloped character throughout the rest of the story. Arthur, who is completely unaware of his heritage, is raised as a bastard who’s family has died, but he is trained by the most gifted educators and swordsmen. Merlin himself also teaches Arthur, though more as a friend, as Arthur does not know his teacher is the great enchanter Merlin.In continuing development of characters known in The Crystal Cave, we learn more about Uther, who says true to his old description as a rash warrior type, instead of the level headed Ambrosius. Another character who doesn’t go through much change is Merlin himself, as he seems to live through his own legend that was formed in the pages of The Crystal Cave. In all of his travels, he hears his own tales, and when the people know who it is they are speaking to, they speak in complete awe.Overall, the character development is vastly improved from the first novel, as there is by far less character turnover, except for one spot, which would be Merlin’s assistant. I believe Merlin goes through 3 or 4 different assistants within The Hollow Hills, each with very interesting characteristics that you want to tell Stewart, can we please keep this one?Plot: The Road to the ThroneThis entire novel is basicly the fulfillment of Merlin’s earlier prophesy, and there are not many twists and turns on the way there. This might be the downfall of magical prophesy within a fantasy tale, as if the prophecy wasn’t to come true, one might question the magic at hand, and therefore, discredit our main character.Merlin is alone for much of the book, and travels throughout Europe. He brings a lot of legend and lore into the tale, telling the story of Maximus, the great Roman King who united all of Britain, much in the same way that Ambrosius whished to accomplish. It tells the story behind the great sword in which Arthur must hand (sometimes known as Excalibur, though not in this book.)Story-wise, I’d say The Crystal Cave has the edge, but that is not to take away from this one either. This story includes the same level of magic as well as the same level of prophesy, though maybe not at the same grand level. The reader is taken through a wonderful adventure lead by the great enchanter Merlin throughout Britain, which is again well mapped out by Stewart, in the same manner as the first one. Once again I will mention it is important to look back at this map throughout Merlin’s travels, as it will enhance your understanding of the adventure.Recommended For:I did enjoy this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The Crystal Cave, as they are written in the same general style. The level of detail is comparible, as well as the objects in which Stewart deems worthy of her detail. If you are a lover of historical fantasy and don’t mind missing out on some of the more interesting details of some of the climaxes, then this story is definitely a winner, because the tale in its totality is surely a well written one.
When I wrote up my review of The Crystal Cave, I said I had read the first two books in this Arthurian series by Mary Stewart years ago, but I think I may have been wrong. None of what I read in this second volume felt at all familiar to me (except in the general Arthurian sense), so I’m not sure I ever read it after all. Of course, it’s only been a short time since I finished it and it’s and is already fading from memory, so who knows?The only distinct impression I have after reading The Hollow Hills is that I really didn’t like Merlin at all. Since he’s the first person narrator it makes it difficult to enjoy the book as a whole. His self-righteous assurance that everything is going to happen exactly as it’s supposed to not only leeches any tension from the narrative, but it makes him rather unsympathetic as a character. He has no doubts, no conflict between his own desires and what his God wants him to do, nothing that makes him feel like a person instead of a divine tool. He never even expresses the least bit of discomfort at the near-legendary status he’s already achieved in his life. Confidence is sexy, sure, but he just comes across as an entitled prick, naturally deserving of the accolades and honors that come his way, even though (he freely admits) he really didn’t have anything to do with it, since he was just a tool for his God.I actually cheered when Morgause seduced the young Arthur, right under Merlin’s nose, because it’s the only thing that happened that threw him for a loop. Poor Morgause. We’re not supposed to like her, I know, but I couldn’t help feeling empathetic towards her. She’s one of only two women in the book given a voice.* We first meet her at age 14, when she asks Merlin to teach her magic. His response is pretty much to pat her on the head and say, “Pretty young girls like you don’t need to learn magic, go make us some tea.” is it any wonder she goes “bad”? She wanted power and influence in her world, and since legitimate channels were refused her, she had to take some less savory routes to achieve it. It’s hard to get excited by a world view that automatically assumes that women who want power must be evil.As a side note, this is the first literary version of the legend where I’ve seen Morgause and/or Morgan depicted as Uther’s children, instead of related to Ygraine (sisters or daughters). I had wondered where the two recent TV series came up with that idea!Aside from not liking the main character, and the book’s lack of positive female characters, I didn’t actually hate it – I’m just not that enthusiastic about it. The writing is good enough, though the story is weaker than in the first book, largely because of the aforementioned lack of tension. It covers Arthur’s birth through his ascension to the throne. Arthur’s youth and education is not nearly as entertaining as it is in The Sword and the Stone (book or movie), unfortunately, but Arthur is likable enough. It does some interesting things with the historical and legendary sources, weaving in the tale of Macsen Wledig, and suggesting that the “fay folk” are actually the non-Romanized early Brits who hide in the hills and mountains (but not necessarily without magic). The actual discovery of the sword Caliburn (Excalibur) feels a bit contrived, as Merlin has to do a lot of maneuvering to set up events that will generate both the sword in the stone legend as well as the Lady of the Lake** origin story, while still preserving a historical sensibility for the event instead of something that is purely mythical or magical. I still like the blend of history and legend – I just wish the historical viewpoint was not so narrow-minded when it comes to women.All in all, I’d say this was worth a read for someone interested in the literary Arthur, but it’s not something I can see myself coming back to read again in the future, and it wouldn’t win a space on my bookshelves. It’s just not that compelling.Definitive, Unofficial Ranking of Arthurian Novels (that I’ve read):The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart (1970, Book One of the Merlin Trilogy)The Hollow Hills, by Mary Stewart (1973, Book Two of the Merlin Trilogy)* The other is Merlin’s old nurse, and all she really does is praise him.** Of course there is not actually a lady involved, because we couldn’t have that any powerful females in the story. There’s a grim bit where Merlin is cleaning up an old chapel, and as he is restoring many of the pagan icons that the previous caretaker had removed, he mentions that he’s glad a bloody, curved knife has been disposed of permanently, because nobody ever wants to invite the goddess’s presence into things.
What do You think about The Hollow Hills (2003)?
This book was a sequel to The Crystal Cave. It many ways my opinion about the two books is very similar. Like the first one, I felt that The Hollow Hills starts out really slowly, and doesn't pick up much speed or get all that interesting until you are more than halfway through it.Though this series is about the life of Merlin, Stewart doesn't exactly give Merlin the most exciting life imaginable. Though he does travel, he also spends a good deal of time on his own, in his cave or living as a hermit. Because of this the most exciting parts of the novel are when he is interacting with young Arthur, who doesn't make an appearance right away. However, there are some good aspects to this book as well. For all that the beginning lacks, the second half is extremely interesting and exciting. If you have any knowledge of the legends of King Arthur you'll have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen, but it's interesting to see it through Merlin's eyes.
—Becky Ginther
I remember the Hollow Hills as one story with the Crystal Cave, so I repeat my review. This is a sequel that will not disappoint. Before the Lord of the Rings, there was Arthur—Arthur and Merlin, Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Arthur and Camelot. I had seen the movies Sword in the Stone and Camelot, read T. H. White’s Once and Future King, and other accounts of Arthur and the Knights, including translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight—but my very favorite of all these stories was those written by Mary Stewart in the 1970s, the Crystal Cave and the Hollow Hills. These are stories of Myrrdin Emrys, the man—not Merlin, the magician—and told by him in the first person. These stories span from his childhood and maturation, and that of Arthur's. These are stories of his search for his father, for adventure, for the destiny that would lead him, first, to his father and his uncle, and then to Arthur. He is touched by prophecy, not magic, and skilled in herb lore and engineering. This is the very human and compelling story of Merlin’s pursuit of his destiny in the context of the destinities of Arthur and Britain.
—Cindy
This book was nothing compared to 'The Crystal Cave'. I felt the book was merely a bridge to the next 'The Last Enchantment'. I really wanted to Love this one, but there was no true magic in the story throughout the entire book. I'm currently on book 3, and will continue until I have read them all. Hoping this was the only one that is nothing special. List of the Merlin Series by Mary Stewart is as follows:1.) The Crystal Cave (1970) 2.) The Hollow Hills (1973) 3.) The Last Enchantment (1979) 4.) The Wicked Day (1983) 5.) The Prince and the Pilgrim (1995)
—Vivat Regina
