Staff Pick
This old legend retold by a master storyteller is woven with great respect, giving the well-known characters added depth and new life. Yolen captures the reader from the very beginning, luring one in without letting go until the spellbinding conclusion. It is a welcome addition to the Arthurian legend — a true standout! Recommended By Richard C., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
The newly crowned King Arthur is unsure of himself; worse, the people are unsure of him. Too many people want the throne, and treachery is everywhere. Merlin must do something before the king is betrayed, or murdered, or worst of all gets married. So Merlin magically places a sword into a slab of rock, lets it be known that whosoever removes the blade will rule all of England, and invites any man who would dare, to try to pull out the sword.
After a bit of showmanship, Arthur will draw the blade (with a little magical help, of course), and the people will rally around the young king.
Except someone else pulls the sword out first....
Review
"Yolen works her reliable magic on the old tale of the sword in the stone, not by re-telling it but by borrowing its themes and characters and shaping it into a whole new story, shot through with equal parts humor, intrigue and poetry." The Washington Post Book World
Review
"Although the prolific Yolen usually supplies more action, those who can't get enough of Arthur and his court will likely enjoy the different slant on his rise to power." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[A] page-turning tale of magic and adventure, betrayal, loyalty, and love. Through smooth, accessible prose, she draws her characters with broad strokes." School Library Journal
Review
"[I]n [Yolen's] hands, this old tale of King Arthur is fresh and alive....Yolen's words and phrases evoke this ancient time yet will appeal to today's reader. Put this at the top of your read-aloud list." Children's Literature
Review
"Yolen is a gifted writer of fantasy and has returned to this legend of Arthur and Merlin time and time again. She makes the action flow, blending the magic with reality." KLIATT
Review
"Yolen employs simple vocabulary and straightforward storytelling to weave a subtle, many-layered tale. Her characters have depth and personality....It is, as the book's ending tells readers, 'an old story but a good one,' and Yolen does it honor." VOYA
Synopsis
The newly crowned King Arthur has yet to win the support of the people. Merlin must do something before the king is betrayed, or murdered, or--worst of all--gets married. So Merlin creates a trick: a sword magically placed into a slab of rock that only Arthur can withdraw. Then he lets it be known that whosoever removes the blade will rule all of England, and invites any man who would dare, to try to pull out the sword.
But then someone else pulls the sword out first. . . .
Synopsis
A boldly imagined tale of the early days of King Arthur's court.
About the Author
Jane Yolen has written more than two hundred books for children and adults, including the three volumes in the Young Merlin Trilogy: Passager, Hobby, and Merlin. She has won several of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. Ms. Yolen lives in western Massachusetts and Scotland.
Table of Contents
I.Queen's Anger/Mage's Dream 1
1.Summons 2
2.Bloodlines 7
3.Queen's Entrance 15
4.Travel from Orkney 22
5.Message Delivered 36
6.Castle Mage 46
7.Dream 55
8.May Queen 65
9.Talking to Trees 72
II.Mage's Dream/King's Hope 79
10.Under the Oaks 80
11.Visitor to Cadbury 88
12.Fledgling 96
13.Dungeon 106
14.Hard Work 116
III.King's Hope/Prince's Danger 123
15.Riding South 124
16.Hard Hands 131
17.Brothers 138
18.Prince's Choler 148
19.Off on the Hunt 160
20.Aftermath 169
21.The Price of Honor 176
IV.Prince's Danger/King's Hand 189
22.The Marvel 190
23.Sword in the Stone 196
24.Courtyard 202
25.Helping a Mage 207
26.Round Table 217
27.Doves 229
28.Hand to the Sword 236
V.King's Hand/Queen's Magic 245
29.May Queens All 246
30.At the Gate 252
31.Queen/King/Mage 258
32.The Great Dinner 268
33.Curses 276
34.Confessions 283
35.Changes 297
VI.Queen's Magic/King's Sword 307
36.Reading the Air 308
37.Out to the Stone 316
38.Trying the Sword 324
39.Sword of the Rightful King 334
40.Weddings 344