The Third Magic

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. (Mar.)