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Book Reviews of The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1)

The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1)
The Lost Years of Merlin - Merlin, Bk 1
Author: T. A. Barron
ISBN-13: 9780441010288
ISBN-10: 0441010288
Publication Date: 7/2/2002
Pages: 304
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 18

4 stars, based on 18 ratings
Publisher: Ace
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

5 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
A very good little book of action/adventure fantasy filled with deep emotional and spiritual undertones.
reviewed The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1) on
This is truly an extraordinary journey of mind, body and spirt ... I did so want him to win and find his answers! And, felt really sad when the novel ended. GREAT READ!
reviewed The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
It's not really engaging me
reviewed The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1) on + 1217 more book reviews
This first installment in a series about Merlin's shadowy youth takes some intriguing twists. Young Emrys washes up on a Welsh beach with a woman who claims to be his mother. For years, they share a hovel, but Branwen tells him nothing about his past. One day he discovers that he has some unusual powers; using them to kindle a fire in Branwen's defense, he is blinded by the flames. However, he learns to see without eyes?using his "second sight." Desperate to know about his past, Emrys, now 12, sets off on an ocean journey. He lands on Fincayra, where he plunges into a dangerous quest to rescue the island from the destructive blight caused by a pact between its king and an evil power. In the process, he befriends a young Fincayran girl and a dwarf who becomes a giant through a brave deed. Emrys also learns the truth about his origins. The Fincayran portion of the story is very much like Lloyd Alexander's "Prydain Chronicles": a young boy and girl team up with a cute non-human to save a kingdom from the force of evil, with Welsh-style names abounding. Also, while the characterization of the hero is excellent, the portrayal of some minor figures is fair at best. However, the fast-moving plot is sure to keep readers turning pages. The tale is compelling enough to ensure that they will anticipate the next book in the series to learn how the events ultimately tie in to the more familiar body of Arthurian legend.?
reviewed The Lost Years of Merlin (Merlin, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
If you love the character Merlin, you will love this series by T.A. Barron. This is the first book in what I think is a three book series. It is a tale of merlin as a young boy and how this grand wizard came to be.