From School Library Journal
YA?Returning to the era of Arthur and his Camelot, Stewart has given life to two lesser-known characters from Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. She enlarges upon and gives wonderful detail to Alexander, a young prince who sets off on a quest to avenge his father's assassination and to Alice, a gentle young lass who accompanies her father on pilgrimages to Holy shrines. Their stories are told in five alternating chapters until they meet, fall in love, and vanquish the foe in the exciting climax. Interwoven within the plot are background details on other characters and the complex legends of the period, especially evil Queen Morgan Le Fay, who detains Alexander for her own greedy purposes. A British map (same one several times) appears frequently to identify various locales, and one family tree assists readers, but there is no preliminary list of characters to help keep the participants in mind. The appended author's notes and the legend itself are interesting and help pull everything together once the story has concluded. A light fantasy for fans of this period.?Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
The bestselling author of the acclaimed Merlin Trilogy returns to the magical world of King Arthur and Camelot--to tell a story of daring adventure, unexpected love, and unsurpassed enchantment. . . .
ALEXANDER THE FATHERLESS
Eager, burning, and young, Alexander has come of age to take vengeance on the treacherous King of Cornwall who murdered his father. He sets off toward Camelot to seek justice from King Arthur, only to be diverted by the beautiful and sensual Morgan le Fay, Arthur's sister. Using her wiles and her enchantments, Morgan persuades the young prince to attempt a theft of the Holy Grail. He is unaware her motives are of the darkest nature. . . .
ALICE THE PRETTY PILGRIM
Motherless daughter of a royal duke, Alice has lived a life of lively adventure, accompanying her father on his yearly pilgrimages. Now, on her father's final visit to Jerusalem, she comes under the protection of a young prince whose brothers were murdered, a prince who is in possession of an enchanted silver cup believed to be the mysterious Holy Grail itself.
Thus the stage is set for two young seekers to meet--and to find not what they are searching for but, instead, the greatest treasure of all . . . love.
"A wonderful love story set in the magical times of King Arthur and Camelot."
--Oklahoman --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. Review
'Mary Stewart lightens the Dark Ages with legend, pure invention and a lively sense of history. * New York Times * A fascinating story which lays a firm hold on the imagination * The Scotsman * A deft colourful . . . re-creation of Merlin's early life * Sunday Times * Her style is simple yet vivid, displaying a love of words and the sounds they make, and her story is poetically imaginative * Daily Telegraph * Mary Stewart brilliantly recreates the Britain of the fifth century * Books And Bookmen * Praise for THE CRYSTAL CAVE: 'Vivid, enthralling, absolutely first-class' * Daily Mail * Mary Stewart's skilful reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend is charming and surprising - a seamless bit of work. * Mail on Sunday * --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. 
