The Last Enchantment

by Mary Stewart

The third book in Mary Stewart's classic Merlin trilogy.

I love Arthurian legend and this is one of the very best modern tellings.

The story is told in the first person through the eyes of Merlin. The focus is on Merlin's life, legend and accomplishments. Merlin is put in a very human light with only a hint of magic. Mary Stewart makes Merlin and Arthur come to life as three dimensional, believable characters.

This book focuses on the years after Arthur has become the high king, up until Merlin's "death".

I highly recommend it.

The first two in the series are: The Crystal Cave and The Hollow Hills. There is also a fourth book: The Wicked Day which picks up where this book leaves off but it's not officially part of the Merlin trilogy; it's more of an afterward. All are excellent and I've read them several times.