The Hollow Hills: The Arthurian Saga

Written by Mary Stewart

Narrated by Nicol Williamson

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phoenix Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 1, 1990
• ISBN: 9781607475866

Reviews for The Hollow Hills

[kslade-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another in the series I read a long time age. Arthur, Merlin, etc.

[themulhern · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The second book in the series has the same flaws as the first, only more so. Everything is justified by senseless prophecy. I remembered the events in this one even less than in the previous one.Of course, the destined heir, hidden away and being revealed in his youth, is an almost universal theme, going all the way back to the story of Cyrus the Persian emperor in Herodotus.

[Ron Henning · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A true masterpiece.!
Mary Stewart is quite the magician herself

conjuring these fine images and
sharing tales in such a way that I felt as if I was right there
Wonderful indeed
It has been many years since I read one of her books and I’m glad I did read this our hair this wonderful tale

[jthierer_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a product of its times so content warning for some troubling attitudes about sexuality and women. That said, I loved this series when I first read it in high school and I'm still loving it as I revisit as an adult. I love how Stewart provides non-magical explanations for most of the legendary aspects of the story without completely eliminating Merlin's power. It makes for a world that feels simultaneously real and magical.

[jamestomasino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

See comment on The Crystal Cave. This trilogy should be read all at once. It's not very long.

[reading_fox · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not as fresh as the first in the series, but still inventive and fun. Merlin is now 20 or so and we start the wait for Arthur to grow old enough to become King and lift the Sword. The tale picks up immediately from the end of Crystal Cave which I wasn't expecting, but quickly skips a few years, once a safe foster home is worked out. Merlin wonders around a lot, trying not to become tied to the location that Arthur is hidden. One of the drawbacks of this middle trilogy book, is that nothing really happens, we know what we're expecting to happen, and just waiting for enough time to pass until it does. There's very limited amount of suspense that can be induced and mortal danger to any of the protagonists is precluded.There's a little bit of politicking and some Kings, petty and otherwise of territories we don't care about jostling for rank and status, but its all forgettable. Women make a slight appearance in that Uther has two daughters, Morgon and Morguese, and their fates will tie into arthurs in the future - and the first of the knights of the round table are mentioned, although not at clear that this telling will feature them. There's a hidden sword which merlin finds and hides and reveals to Arthur, again on drama, but cleverly done just about in keeping with the popular traditions, but reworked uniquely and believably within the previously set limits of this universe. By no means bad, and certainly compelling enough to continue with the series, just lacking some action.

[antiquary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second of Stewart's Merlin series, retelling the Arthur legends from the first-person viewpoint of Merlin. It makes some effort towards a realistic late Romano-British setting, though Merlin also has "the Sight" and sometimes believes himself to be acting on behalf of the gods, notably when he brings Uther to Igraine to beget Arthur, an event which has just happened the night before the beginning of this volume. It covers Merlin's involvement in Arthurs' upbringing, ending with Arthur's taking the throne. Since the book runs almost 500 pages, this means the action is rather slow-motion, though Stewart is a competent writer with much previous experience of writing modern adventure novels. .

[electrascaife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in a series dealing with Merlin and Arthur, this one is solid and entertaining enough. I do love Stewart's Merlin, but the story did drag in parts. Definitely enjoyable, but not as magical as reading Malory or The Mabinogion, I think.

[memccauley6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in Mary Stewart’s series tells the story of Merlin as he watches over Arthur from his birth until his ascension to the High King of Britain as a teen. I really like this “old school” fantasy with no graphic sex or violence and the way it portrays Merlin as a thinking, feeling, vulnerable person who truly loves his cousin Arthur like a son, not just the forbidding old sorcerer featured in other Arthurian tales.

[jean_sexton-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This second entry in Stewart's Arthurian series picks up the story in more familiar territory. In many ways, when you put down The Crystal Cave and pick up The Hollow Hills, it is simply a straight continuation. This covers from the birth or Arthur to his becoming king. All the seeds are sown for the politics behind the continuing story, including Mordred. What is different in this book is the focus on Merlin -- where he goes, what he does while Arthur is growing up. There are different takes on iconic objects -- the sword in the stone is quite different, but so logical, for example. If you enjoy Arthurian literature and haven't read this series, you really should. I think you'll love it.

[tlmorganfield · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Slow starting and seemed to drag a bit through the first two sections, but picks up nicely after that.

[elpaca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love the whole trilogy.

[justabookreader · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book in Mary Stewart’s Arthurian legend series following The Crystal Cave. Some spoilers may apply.Arthur is about to be born and Merlin is called on by Igraine and Uther to keep him safe, which he agrees to do until the time is right for the world to know of the new High King who will unite the land of Britain. Keeping a small child safe and well-hidden is not an easy task in a country fighting over land. When the time to reveal Arthur comes, Merlin is left in awe of the gods and Arthur as the new High King.I love Arthurian legend and I liked The Crystal Cave very much. I’ve read only a few stories told with Merlin as the narrator and that was certainly a reason for picking up the series. However, this second book was extremely slow reading for me. At one point, I considered scrapping it and moving on but decided to keep going. I was rewarded in the end but there were way too many info dumps to get to that point. Stewart takes this story slow telling you everything about Merlin and repeating often told tales more than once. Yes, Merlin is the one telling you these things so he can explain how wrong it is or how valuable the tale is for the ages but, I don’t want all that. Maybe it’s because I’ve read so many Arthurian based books that I get bored with the back story sometimes, but I don’t think that was the case here. Frankly, the first part of the book was just boring. Merlin is roaming around making sure no one knows about Arthur but it’s boring with him meandering around. When he finally settles down, and meets Arthur, it does get more interesting. Also, I wanted more of the magic and there isn’t much of that here. It’s not necessarily a bad thing as I don’t usually want magic in these tales but honestly, I just wanted something, anything other than what I had here. It was slow moving, meandered just as badly as Merlin rambling about the countryside, and was just boring in parts. Yes, I know I already said that but if Merlin can do it, so can I.Here’s the deal I made with myself about this series. I have the third book in my house. I will read it and if it gets better, I’ll turn to the library for the rest. If it bores more, the series is done but I can say I gave it a good try. My quest to read Arthurian legend has not come to an end and I’m hoping Stewart’s third book makes up for it. Did you read this? Thoughts? If you liked it, I want to hear why. My opinion is not the last.

[condorena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Merlin believes that his main purpose in life is to bring into the world and then bring into power a man who can truly unite Britain. He is convinced this purpose is why he has been given his magical powers from God in the first place. This is the basic story of THE HOLLOW HILLS. The great warriors Ambrosius, Merlin's father and Uther Pendragon , his uncle have paved the way for a new era and Arthur, Uther's son steps up with all the qualities appropriate for a great leader .

Mary Stewart makes it all seem so real, as if it were truly a history of the past that she is reciting. I am enjoying this series tremendously.

[thelorelei_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Merlin Ambrosius as written by Mary Stewart may be one of my favorite narrators. There is immense pleasure in how calm, intense, and sharp he is, and it gives an interesting edge to the narrative, because he isn't the type to spill his secrets in the narration. There is plenty of suspense in how he will solve each seemingly impossible conundrum as it comes his way. This sequel to "The Crystal Cave" picks up almost immediately after the events of the first book, with Merlin making his way back to his home and nursing his wounds from the fight at Tintagel. Once again there is incredible attention to period detail, which suffuses the entire book with a sense of authenticity. The Dark Ages of Britain are brought to roiling life once again.What I really enjoy about Stewart's writing is that even though I am fairly familiar with the events of Arthurian legend (especially all of the tragic twists and turns), she puts her own spin on them to make sense for her narrative, and still manages to imbue the book and characters with a strong sense of hope in the future. When Arthur takes an accidental step that seals his fate, it twists in the reader like a knife, even though we all know how the story has to end, and we all know what has to happen for the story to be an adequate interpretation of Arthurian legend. The author's skill is in making us come along for the ride, invested with all our heart, despite our knowledge of legend.

[beckykolacki · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[jepeters333 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Arthur is raised by Ector. At the end takes the sword out of the stone.

[willowcove · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

 Classic must-read series that gives a more realistic view of Merlin.

[2chances · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So we're carrying on with the Arthurian legend in elegant Mary-Stewart style. The Hollow Hills picks up where The Crystal Cave left off; Merlin, having maneuvered Uther and Ygraine into conceiving Arthur, is nursing wounds both physical and psychic. The mystical force that drove him seems to have deserted him, but much remains to be done if young Arthur is to survive and become King. As always, Stewart manages the magical elements of the Arthurian legend (Arthur's fostering with Count Ector, the Lake which holds the great sword Excalibur, and the mystical Sword in the Stone) with great skill, giving them plausibility without either making them ridiculous or stripping them of magic altogether - a tricky tightrope to walk. And also as always, her characters are engaging and believable, their actions making far more sense in Stewart's world than in Malory's.

[steph78_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Hollow Hills continued the story where the Crystal Cave leaves off, and continues until the crowning of King Arthur. While I enjoyed the book, this one did not live up to my memories of reading it as a teenager. The pace was not quite so smooth as the first book and while all the characters were well imagined, the development seemed to progress in fits and starts. I wasn't too keen on the cast on female characters either. All in all an enjoyable book though, and I'm looking forward to reading the final part.

[martinal_42 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great series

[jewels1864 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I enjoyed reading this book, I liked The Crystal Cave more. The pace seemed slower in the beginning and I didn't feel drawn in to the story until the last 150 pages or so. Much of the storyline could fit under the title of part 1, Waiting, because it felt like that's what I was doing, waiting until Arthur was crowned king. Like I said, though, it was a good book and no doubt has set the stage for a great third one. Having never read any books on the Arthurian legend, I am enjoying learning both the historical and mythical aspects of the story and am intrigued by the view of Merlin as not simply a common magician with 'showy' magic but whose power comes from will of the 'gods'. I also find the time period particularly interesting concerning how the country was undergoing a religious conversion from pagan beliefs to Christianity and all the social and political adaptations that were byproducts of this shift.

[tadad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found the first novel magical (no pun intended). This one took a step back toward "another Arthurian saga." Still worth reading, just not as good as the The Crystal Cave.

[alexthehunn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stewart writes so well, that I am drawn into her world of Arthurian lore in spite of my stodgy desire to stay away. This is book two in her trilogy.

[maryh10000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mary Stewart's books will always be my view of Merlin.

[merrymary_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stewart's Merlin books touch something magical in me. The magic is there, but the characters (all or most drawn from what few facts there are about this period)are human and believable. This book doesn't rely on special effects. It relies on solid plot construction and lyrical writing.