The Lost Years of Merlin
Author: T.A. Barron
Series: The Lost Years Of Merlin (#1)
Publisher: Ace
How Received: gift
The Lost Years of Merlin follows just that - the childhood years of the infamous Merlin. Just as all adults, Merlin did not start out as the Merlin he's known as today.
Emrys, who, at the end of the book, becomes Merlin, is washed ashore somewhere in Wales with a beautiful women who, though he wants her to be, can't possibly be his mother. With no name, no home, and no recollection of his past, Emrys holds the secret desire to know all three while living with Branwen, the beautiful woman he was washed ashore with.
After an attempt on Branwen's life and Emrys tapping into his powers for the first time to burn the arms of of a boy - and accidentally burn his eyes, leaving him blind - he flees the life he has known so long and rides the sea to the mythical world of Fincayara.
Upon arriving at Fincayara, he makes friend after friend, from the hawk Trouble to the girl Rhia, from the little giant Shim to the poet Cairpre. After Rhia is kidnapped - though it is supposed to be him - Emrys sets off on a mission to save her. A mission that seems impossible, for he has sworn never to use his powers again, and the dark lord Rhita Grawr is not on their side.
This was a re-read for me, but it's such an amazing book that I enjoy rereading it.
I love this book! The description is amazing and the characters are like-able. I'd love to be Rhia and live in a huge tree... that'd be great. And to have a hawk that sits on my shoulder! And to be able to talk to trees... but... that's a whole 'nuther story.
This is the first book in the whole series (also dubbed The Lost Years of Merlin.)
Rating: 10 out of 10.
The Lost Years of Merlin or The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?: The Lost Years of Merlin in a heartbeat! The description is better, the characters are easier to relate too, and who wouldn't want to live in a tree?
Happy reading!
- Nicole