Mary Stewart

The first volume of the Merlin trilogy tells the life of Merlin from childhood to the conception of Arthur — a rational, historically grounded retelling of Arthurian legend in which Merlin is a genuine historical figure with remarkable intelligence rather than a supernatural wizard. The finest Arthurian historical novel.

The second Merlin novel covers Arthur's childhood in hiding, his education, and his discovery of Excalibur — following Merlin as he watches over the boy who will become High King from a careful, loving distance. Less structurally ambitious than The Crystal Cave but emotionally rich.