The Fires of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin Series #3) FROM OUR EDITORS
The famous young wizard (without the lightning-bolt scar) is having his magic and humanity put to the test in T. A. Barron's spellbinding third installment of his Lost Years of Merlin Epic. Fincayra is being threatened by an ancient creature -- Valdearg the dragon, also called the Wings of Fire. Magically put into a deep sleep by Merlin's grandfather, Valdearg is awakened after his unhatched eggs are brutally destroyed and seeks to kill the young wizard, who he believes committed the act. As described in a prophecy, only a descendant of the dragon's previous conqueror can stop the dragon's terror, and this means Merlin. But first, the wizard must locate a magical pendant being kept by Dark Fate, an old hag in the Haunted Marsh, and come to realize the fires of his own self, the true powers that lie deep within him. A bewitching page-turner that will leave you salivating for the other four Merlin books, The Fires of Merlin is a necessary read for lovers of magical epics and ancient lore.
ANNOTATION
Having voyaged to the Otherworld in his quest to find himself, the young wizard Merlin must face fire in many different forms and deal with the possibility of losing his own magical power.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Wings of Fire, the sleeping dragon, has awakened, threatening to revenge himself against all of Fincayra. Only young Merlin has the power to stop him-though the price may be his very life.
SYNOPSIS
Barron's dazzling Arthurian fantasy continues as young Merlin faces the evil, bat-like kreelixes who exist only to destroy magic; the mysterious Wheel of Wye; and the sorceress Urnalda, who holds the treasured Galator. Third in the series. Map.
FROM THE CRITICS
VOYA - Kathleen Beck
Fans of Barron's first two Merlin volumes will welcome the further adventures of their reluctant hero. Having earned his staff in Seven Songs of Merlin (Philomel, 1997), the would-be wizard has undertaken serious training with the bard Cairpre. He must interrupt his efforts, however, when the sleeping dragon Valdearg awakens to threaten the isle of Fincayra again. Dwarf queen Urnalda demands his help-but unbeknownst to Merlin, she has struck a deal with the evil Rhita Gawr to steal Merlin's magic in return for a promise of safety for the dwarves. Before he can confront the dragon, Merlin faces a series of perils including eluding the kreelixes, fearsome birdlike creatures once thought extinct, and decoding the prophetic Wheel of Wye, whose power can either help or destroy him. He is aided by his twin sister Rhia and new allies Hallia and Eremon, sometimes human and sometimes deer, who share with him their power of transformation. Merlin must first conquer his own fear that, his magic lost, he is no wizard after all. Barron originally intended a trilogy but now projects five volumes in Merlin's saga. He certainly does not lack for inventive situations and characters. One adventure leads to another without a clear sense of dramatic arc or resolution, but the action hardly pauses long enough for one to notice. Readers of Tolkien or Lloyd Alexander's Prydain series may find this a reworking of familiar material with a few twists thrown in, but the appeal of Merlin, Arthur's enchanter, is bound to draw others who will appreciate Barron's clear, readable style and non-stop action. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Broad general YA appeal, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).
KLIATT
This third book in the Lost Years of Merlin series continues the story of the young boy who is just growing into his powers. Young Merlin is about to finish his first magical musical instrument, a rite of passage for any young wizard, when he and his teacher receive bad news. The dragon called Wings of Fire has awakened from centuries of sleep and is threatening the land of Fincayra. Prophecy proclaims that a descendent of the dragon's enemy will defeat him; Merlin's grandfather bested the dragon years ago, and so the prophecy seems to point to him. Unfortunately, the prophecy also says that the destroyer will himself be destroyed. And that seems all too likely when an old enemy steals Merlin's magic, leaving him only his wits with which to battle the forces arrayed against him. Reading the first two books in the series will help the reader understand the background of this exciting quest tale, but the book fills in enough from the previous two for the reader to follow it easily. Stories about young wizards are popular now, and this well-written novel is an excellent choice for all YA collections. KLIATT Codes: JS—Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 1998, Berkley/Ace, 275p, 18cm, $5.99. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Deirdre B. Root; Ref. Libn., Middletown P.L., Middletown, OH January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)
School Library Journal
Gr 6-9-This third installment in what is slated to be a five-book "epic" finds the still-untried Merlin battling the great dragon Valdearg, who was put to sleep by Merlin's grandfather many years ago. The young wizard hopes to save the magic island of Fincayra from the wrath of this creature who is awakened when someone destroys the eggs containing the last of his offspring. According to an ancient prophecy, Merlin will perish in the battle, but he persists with the help and hindrance of a varied cast of characters. To make matters worse, he seems to have lost his magic. Still, he perseveres. There are no surprises here, but that is precisely what will appeal to fans of the series. Sometimes the prose is overwritten in an attempt to sound properly grave and ends up reading a little like a parody of the genre, but the constant action and flow from one predicament to another keep the story going. Because the frequent references to prior events will confuse those who haven't read the previous titles, this book is best read in conjunction with the others.-Carrie Schadle, Beginning with Children School, New York City
AudioFile
Young Merlin struggles to develop his blossoming wizard powers in this third book of the Lost Years of Merlin series. Already directed by his strong commitment to righteousness, Merlin faces many magical foes, including the newly awakened dragon threatening to destroy all of Fincayra. Fortunately, Merlin finds assistance from magical allies, such as deer people and a courageous stallion. Kevin Isola narrates with a whispery British accent generally suitable to the story but cloying for female characters. Other characterizations are sometimes overdramatic, such as the malevolent sorceress, who sounds like Star Wars' Yoda, and the angry dragon, whose growls overwhelm his dialogue. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable book for those intrigued by Merlin. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
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