The Last Enchantment

by Mary Stewart Book 3 in the Arthurian Saga series.

First published 1979

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4.2(18,126)

Arthur has secured the throne, but victory does not end the work of creating a kingdom. Merlin continues to advise him through rebellion, marriage, disputed loyalties and the dangerous consequences of Arthur’s own family history, while the older seer feels his power changing and his public role narrowing.

The arrival of the gifted young woman Nimue brings companionship, love and the possibility of succession, yet Merlin knows that legend has assigned her another place in his fate. Stewart presents the enchantment less as a simple betrayal than as the final stage of Merlin’s withdrawal from power, set against the tensions that will eventually fracture Arthur’s achievement.