Recommended reading: Arthurian legends/books?

[fanantic]

Have you ever read 'Queen of Camelot' by Nancy McKenzie? Originally it was two books, 'The Child Queen' and 'The High Queen', but more recently the editors compiled it into the one volume.
Anyway, it's the Arthurian legends, but told from Gwen's point of view. It's one of the reason why I try to hold out faith that the writers will do *something*

Comments

[kattale]

I grew up on Mary Stewart's trilogy - which has provided episode names for so many Merlin episodes - The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Wicked Day. Merlin was amazing in this, more naturally psychic, and very human - quick witted and wise.

Also I love the Sharan Newman trilogy - Guinevere, The Chessboard Queen, and Guinevere Evermore. They had a lovely pagan element to them that really spoke to me.

[cat_o_wen]

I'm going to check out Sharan Newman! Thanks for the contribution!

[angelqueen04]

One book that I like that's for teen readers is Nancy Springer's I am Morgan Le Fey. It covers Morgan's early years, from when she lived with her sister and parents in Tintagel (where she witnessed Gorlois' conflict with Uther over Igraine, and the conception of Arthur) and the rest of her early years where she literally begins to grow into her own legend. It's a really decent book, and a quick read.

[mizzy2k]

A more off-the-wall rec would be Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising" sequence. Especially the fourth book (but all five work best.)

[misscake]

Seconding!

[noxelementalist]

Third, motion carried!

[chaneystarr]

THIS! This was always one of my favorite series and probably prompted me delving further in Arthurian legends and books.

[devymel12]

I love The Dragon's Son by Sarah L. Thomson. It's really for middle-schoolers (I read it in 7th grade) but it's so wonderful, I can't recommend it enough.

[noxelementalist]

If I can add a Merlin one onto this amazing list (seriously, I second all of it), may I rec "the lost years of merlin" by T.A.. Barron? It's the first in a series of 5, the series bearing the same name, and was a decent hit here in the States. It's the author's attempt at filling in a large gap in the normal Arthurian lore about Merlin's life (roughoy his teen years, pre-Camelot). I loved it myself- tons of strong characters, lots of witty dialogues, and manages to be a great primer for mythology as well.