Where to start with Mary Stewart
Begin with The Crystal Cave, the first book in the Merlin Trilogy, which launches the Arthurian Saga. This novel offers a foundational narrative within the series, presenting a reimagined origin of Merlin from a young boy’s perspective. Proceed in publication order through the trilogy: The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment. After completing the trilogy, continue with the remaining books in the Arthurian Saga: The Wicked Day, which serves as the final installment in the sequence. All standalone novels are distinct from the series and may be read at any time. The standalone works include Nine Coaches Waiting, The Moon-Spinners, My Brother Michael, and Airs Above the Ground, among others. Each stands independently and reflects Mary Stewart’s signature blend of romance, suspense, and historical setting.
Series by Mary Stewart
-
Buy on Amazon1970 · Mary Stewart
A 1970 fantasy novel by Mary Stewart. Set in fifth-century Britain, a country of chaos after the Roman withdrawal, Myridden Emrys, later known as…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1973 · Mary Stewart
A 1973 novel by Mary Stewart set in the Dark Ages. Merlin Ambrosius watches over the young Arthur Pendragon while haunted by dreams of the magical…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1979 · Mary Stewart
A 1979 novel by Mary Stewart. It follows Merlin through adventure, enchantment, and wonder as he spurs Arthur and his knights toward building Camelot…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1983 · Mary Stewart
In Mary Stewart's 1983 novel, Mordred, Arthur's bastard son, attempts to resist the prophecy of doom foretold by Merlin. However, his efforts are…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1995 · Mary Stewart
Prince Alexander is spirited away as an infant to escape the jealous rage of his uncle, the King of Cornwall, who murdered Alexander's father, in…
Read more →
Standalone books
Frequently asked questions
How many books has Mary Stewart written?
We list 17 books by Mary Stewart across 1 series, published between 1954–1995 — each shown in full reading order.
What order should I read Mary Stewart's books?
Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Crystal Cave.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.
Where can I buy Mary Stewart's books?
Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.