Rating: 
Summary: Barron takes a step in the right direction...
Review: With this book, T. A. Barron has taken a step in the right direction. His most well-known novel to date, *Heartlight*, was well-received. Unfortunately, it relied heavily upon material already covered by Madeleine L'Engle in her *Time Fantasy Quartet*.
For now, though, Barron has drifted from the realm of science fiction for young adults to fantasy for the same age group. *The Lost Years of Merlin* covers the childhood of the timeless wizard. Washing up on a shore in Wales with no memory of his name, his home, or his parents, he ekes out a life with the woman who claims to be his mother. Eventually, Merlin, then called Emrys, feels a need to fly on his own. Setting sail from the same spot where he washed up, he comes to shore on Fincayra, a mythical (or not so mythical island) and finds that only he can save the beautiful land from ruin.
Although the book is delightful, it's main fault is still originality. Many or most of the characters were resurrected from Welsh myth, and some of them were resurrected with little or no grace. Additionally, the book relies on Lloyd Alexander's *Chronicles of Prydain* like a one-legged man relies on a strong crutch. For example, Shim is nothing more than a cross between Alexander's Gurgi and Doli--uses strange wordings ("totally, absolutely, honestly" as opposed to "munchings and crunchings"). Like Doli, Shim has a trait that he can't fulfill--being tall, just as Doli couldn't become invisible. Like Doli, Shim's problem is solved by the last page. Next up: the Cauldron of Death. It can be destroyed only if a living person willingly climbs inside. Sounds like the Black Cauldron to me. Admittedly, Alexander probably dug that up out of Welsh myth himself, but he did a deft job of it and Barron didn't. The Galator could only be activated by the power of love--as could Eilonwy's golden bauble.
That's just skimming the surface. Not to mention using the idea that "not many of the trees are still awake" and Druma Wood--which is one big Xerox of Tolkien's Fangorn.
Also, Mary Stewart covered Merlin's child. Sorry, but it's not exactly a new discovery.
Barron takes a step in the right direction with this book, but his footing is still WAY off. I'm doubting whether I will have the courage to pick up *The Seven Songs of Merlin* and watch plagarism take place again...but perhaps I will, because Barron's writing, I'm convinced, could keep me interested in immeasureably worse plots. That single fact redeems this book's rating to a 7.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a terrific book!
Review: This was probably the best book I have ever read. I was so excited Emrys first met Rhia. I was so scared when he found out who his father was. T.A. Barron wrote his book with so much enthusiasm that I Just want to jump up and scream! As I said, this book was terrific, and I just can't wait for more.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read.
Review: This was the best book I have ever read. I never really liked fantasy books untill I read this. It has no pictures but when you are reading you can not stop yourself from seeing a picture of what is going on. The way T.A. Barron writes is amazing. It makes you not able to stop reading. When I had finished the book I let a friend borrow it. I felt odd not having the book to read. Whenever I would stop reading I would think to myself: Where am I? Because the book made me feel like I was there, in the book. I'm not going to tell you about the book because, first of all it's to complicated to understand (but if you read it you'll understand it,) and second of all, one word could spoil the book. I am in the fifth grade and never have I read a book this good!!
Rating:
Summary: The impossible has happened! An original story about Merlin
Review: For centuries the character of Merlin has facinated and
intrigued readers with his magic and otherworldly knowledge.
Now, the magician's boyhood is explored using early
Celtic mythology in addition to well realized characterizations.
This book is a real winner
Rating:
Summary: a magickle book
Review: I found this book at a Barnes & Noble bookstore while looking for another. After reading the book description, I did not hesitate to buy it. I read it in a few hours and could not put it down (I did try seeing how I started reading at midnight) at daylight I finally went to sleep and dreamt I was adventuring with Emrys(Merlin), Trouble, Shim and Rhia. (great fun indeed!!)a few days later I picked up the rest of the books and loved them all, every last page was filled with magic and a feeling of good fun. The books are well written, and will capture the readers attention, even the slow parts are exciting because you are just dying to know what will happen next. I recommend these books over Harry Potter any day of the week. Do yourself a favor and read these books.
Rating: 
Summary: Lacking in depth, detail, and development
Review: I read The Lost Years of Merlin twice, once in an evening to follow the story, and the second time out loud to my son, over a period of many weeks. When read quickly the lack of development and detail gets brushed away by the addled pace. There are a few good concepts, though they are diluted by digressions and contrivinces, and the plot moves along quickly.
However, when read slowly these problems dominated the narrative and left me frustrated and bored. My 6 year old son, who loves to draw pictures to illustrate the stories that he hears, was unable to find inspiration. That a visually precocious child could gain no mental picture of a crucial plot element, the shrouded castle, says it all.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of Excalibur
Review: I thought the book was really skookum because the author, T.A. Baron, is very descriptive when he writes. He makes you feel like your seeing a movie in your mind. He has excellent words that educate me on every page. When he described the setting it sounded like it was a real place. I think anybody who likes sorcery, Harry Potter, or whoever just wants to read a good book, should read The Lost Years of Merlin.
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