The Third Magic

A 20th-century visitor to Tintagel is swept back to the time of King Arthur and a land of magic.

Recommended age: 14 and up.

Mistaken for one of her own ancestors, Morgan Lefevre is summoned through time to the alien world of Nwm. With only the boy Arddu as companion, she is caught between the opposing cruelties of the Circle and the Line, the two Magics of Nwm that have fought one another over the centuries and across many worlds. When Morgan and Arddu gain possession of an ancient weapon of the mysterious Third Magic, Earth is drawn into the struggle as well, and the reader comes to understand the King Arthur story in a whole new way. Times and worlds merge as Morgan is brought face to face with her own destiny.

Comments on publication of The Third Magic:

"...A unique recasting of a legend."
-- Centre for Children's Books, Boston, February 1989

"A fine adventure, complex but carefully developed."
-- Kirkus, February 15, 1989

"...Beautifully crafted."
-- London Free Press, Dec. 31, 1989

"An imaginative tour de force."
-- Montreal Gazette, January 21, 1989

From letters to Welwyn:

"I just wanted to send a quick message to say how wonderful I think The Third Magic is. I read it first when I was in grade seven for an english project, and have read it several times over in the years since then (I was 12 then, now I'm 20). I picked it up the other day just for something to read, and I couldn't put it down. I finished it in a few days, and then started again from the beginning. It's funny how even though I've read it quite a few times , when I read it now it's still exciting and new."
-- Lee H., Email February 1, 2005

Reviews from Goodreads.Com

"Teenage Me could not get enough of this book. I always loved Arthurian legends, and this is such a vivid and unusual telling. I wrote a review of this book on Amazon.com once, after I had bought a stack of Teenage Me books in a fit of nostalgia. And, amazingly, I got an email from the author! He thanked me for my kind words, and was very glad that I had enjoyed the book. For that, this book will always be a favorite." (Laura)

"I read this book when I was much younger, maybe 11 or 12. I remember pulling it off the shelf at the Big Bend Library in St. Louis. I was immediately immersed in this Arthurian legend of sorts. So magical.

For YEARS, I searched for this book, but I had the title all wrong. I was searching for The Third Planet (because there is some interplanetary-ness to the plot). I don't know what popped in my head to search for The Third Magic, but I did and I found it. It was every bit as magical as when I read it as a preteen over 20 years ago."(Kate)

"I loved this book as a child and reread it constantly throughout my school years. I haven't touched it in a while, but it definitely gave me a lifelong love of books set in alternate worlds, and retellings of familiar myths and stories. It also gave me a love of Welwyn Wilton Katz - I read everything of hers that I could get my hands on. She and I are from the same city and I loved that some of her other books (eg. False Face) were set there." (Laura A)

"One of my favourite books!! It's been years since I read it, but I was thinking about it the other day, and am about to start a re-read. The first time I read it I was in grade 6 or so, and I fell in love with the whole genre. It's what started my love of it, I'm sure." (Susanna S.)

"I read this book when I was a child and loved it. It absolutely sparked my interest in fantasy novels at a very young and impressionable age. If you have kids, or you yourself loved Harry Potter, you should enjoy this book immensely." (David)

"Fell in love with this book in public school and its been with me ever since then. Its one of the only books that no matter how much I prepare myself, I cry, and always at the same part." (Samantha)

“ I adored this book as a child. It was right up there with The Chronicles of Narnia and A Wrinkle in Time as my favorite fantasy books that I read when I was young. In fact, when it was time to get rid of the books that I'd outgrown, I couldn't bear to part with this one. It's still sitting on my bookshelf alongside the copies of the books I mentioned above and will soon be gracing my 8 year old daughter's shelf, though I might have to read it one more time before I pass it on to her. Just saying. ;)” (Christine)

“ It's been a long time sing I've read this book, but I remember enjoying it quite a bit. I'd love to come across it again to see if it's just as good as I remember it. Update: So I've now reread this book, and I enjoyed it just as much, if not more. When I first read it, I wasn't very familiar with the King Arthur legend, so a lot of it went right over my head. Actually knowing what was being referenced made a huge difference!” (Natalie L)

Groundwood Books, Toronto, Buffalo; 1988, hardcover, out of print.
ISBN 0-88899-385-4
McElderry Books, New York, 1989, hardcover, out of print.

Autographed copies of Welwyn's books for children and young adults may be ordered from the author.
Our Prices for The Third Magic are $9.95 (PB) and $24.95 (HC). Go To Order Page

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