The Third Magic [Paperback]

Welwyn Wilton Katz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1989 | Age Level: 9 and up

Fifteen-year-old Morgan Lefevre is mistaken for one of her ancestors while visiting Tintagel, King Arthur's birthplace in England. In this vivid and innovative interpretation of the King Arthur legend, she is summoned through time to the alien world of Nwm. With her only companion, the boy Arduu, she is caught between the opposing cruelties of the two Magics, the Circle, and the Line, who have been fighting one another over the centuries and across many worlds. When Morgan and Arduu gain possession of an ancient sword of the Third Magic, Earth itself is drawn into the struggle. Times and worlds merge as Morgan is brought face to face with her own destiny. The Third Magic will appeal to young readers of fantasy and mythology. An exciting new cover rejuvenates the earlier edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Katz ( Witchery Hill ) here reworks Arthurian legend into fantasy. Morgan Lefevre, 15-year-old daughter of a Canadian television show host, travels with her parents to the ruins of King Arthur's castle at Tintagel in England. While exploring the castle, she is mistaken for one of her ancestors, Morgan LeFay (only sister of King Arthur), and abruptly bidden from her life in the 20th century to the kingdom of Nwm, where the magical forces of the Circle and Line have long been locked in conflict. Bewildered by this alien world and her disorienting time travel, Morgan befriends Arddu, a boy later revealed to be King Arthur. Together, he and Morgan defend themselves against the feuding of Circle and Line (Earth also becomes embroiled in the battle) and eventually arrive at a better understanding of their roles in the Arthurian scheme. This complicated adventure story emphasizes plot and setting (each, at times, contrived and laboriously elaborate) over character development, transforming the events of legend with the addition of new material. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9-- An advanced course in Welsh history would help readers of this book. Arddu and Rigan are twins in the world of Nwm. Rigan is a Sister of the Circle "missioned" to Earth, but Arddu does not share any part of her First Magic. Morgan is a 20th-Century Canadian teenager on vacation in Tintagel. The enemies of the Circle, the Line, summon Rigan back to Nwm, but bring Morgan by mistake. Although separated in time by 15 centuries, the two girls look enough alike to be twins. Arddu takes Morgan in hand, trying to get her sent back to Earth, and readers primarily follow the two in their quest to be free of the magic of both the Circle and the Line. There is a sub-plot: Rigan, on her mission, is a servant to M'rlendd, coincidentally the fifth most powerful Linesman on a mission of his own. The two forces struggle to control his pupil, Arthur. So, when Arddu and Morgan come to Earth, they come having found the Grail and Excaliber on Nwm. Consequently, Morgan becomes Morgan Le Fay (replacing Rigan and her First Magic) and Arddu becomes Arthur (replacing the Arthur influenced by M'rlendd's Second Magic), and they step into history as a Third Magic, "the link that bends the line." This is all dispatched tidily. However, the depth and breadth of ideas which have become historically attached to Arthurian legend (and which Katz acknowledges in the text) are only diminished when plot of this kind is imposed on them. The symbols in this particular story have lives of their own, and Katz' plotting simply cannot contain them in anything like a linear way. The characters of Morgan and Arddu are generally well drawn, but others are mere sketches. And, while there are some deft moments, Katz' insistent use of capitalization and High Fantasy Rhetoric only serves to blur what is an already hazy focus. The simple fact is that she has too much stuff for one book: too many ideas and too much story. --Christina L. Olson, Beverly Hills Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books; 2nd edition (March 31, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888993854
• ISBN-13: 978-0888993854
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,918,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional ride from the present to the past., August 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Third Magic (Library Binding)

It was amazing. I read the book quite a while a go, but the images that I pictures were so vivid and the description of the battle of cruelties between the two magics were so imaginative - 5 stars way up!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best fantasy has to offer, master-fully written, March 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Third Magic (Library Binding)

My copy of The Third Magic is tattered and faded, but the words are clear despite eons of re-reading. It is my favorite fantasy novel for several reasons. It is masterfully written, never have I been so transported to realms of awe and wonder. This book also supplies a unique and beautiful blending of breath-taking legends and supplies a new and exciting perspective to such Arthurian characters as Merlin, Arthur, and my favorite, Morgan le Faye. The combination of the Irish Goddess, the Morrigan, and Arthurian's Morgan le Faye is brilliant. I will keep re-reading my tattered copy until it inescapably crumbles, and when it does, I will buy a new copy of it, right here at Amazon.com. By Erin Watkins

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, February 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Third Magic (Hardcover)

I thought this was the best book I had ever read. I loved how the author brought you into to this fantasy world as you were soon off on an adventure with Rigan, Morgan, and Arddu. If you haven;t read this book you should,. -A grade 6 student feb.16,99.