Customer Reviews

The Fires Of Merlin (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Lost Years of Merlin)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this book gives another level of understanding Merlin a littie bit more.I've also read the other two books in this series, but I think this one is a must read for fantasy lovers(Ialso think you should read the other ones in order before you read this one).I can't wait to read The Mirror of Merlin.I like the way this book explians why everyone is trying to kill him or give him to the dragon.This book ,and all of the rest of The Lost Years of Merlin books,always explian whats going on so you arent left in the "dust".

The ancient dragon Valdearg was briefly introduced in T.A. Barron's "Seven Songs of Merlin." So guess what the antagonist of "The Fires of Merlin" is!

The third volume of this Arthurian fantasy epic introduces some nasty new beasties, magical threats and some explosive dragon action. Barron seems to have overcome his initial roughness, and allows the plot to flow as smoothly as his nature-based writing, as well as the introduction of some interesting new characters.

After barely saving his mother's life, Emrys Merlin is relaxing with his family... only to have their peace destroyed when a monstrous magic-sucking monster called a kreelix appears. They were supposedly extinct, but have somehow reappeared -- and to make matters worse, Valdearg (aka "Wings of Fire") has awakened from his slumber, and is on the warpath for whoever killed his hatchlings.

The problem is that there is a prophecy that Wings of Fire's clash with his old enemy (presumed to be a wizard) will result in both of them dying. So Merlin sets out to discover what is happening on "Fincayra's darkest day," and finds himself enmeshed with strange sorceresses, a magical conspiracy, a pair of deer-people, and eventually with the ancient dragon himself...

"The Fires of Merlin" sets aside the foresty Celtic symbolism of the previous two books, in favor of fire -- harps burn, lava burns, dragons blast fire, and homicidal anger rages out of control. He also seems to have exhausted his mythological store for the moment, because most of the magical goings-on in this book are pretty original creations.

Barron's writing sometimes gets a bit overlush, but it's loaded down with haunting, detailed moments (the deer-people's transformations), eerie threats, and the occasional moment of comic relief (the baby dragon). But the story is overall very grim, particularly since this is the first of Merlin's stories in which his death seems to be assured. Whether or not he will actually die, there's a dark cloud hanging over everything he does.

The biggest problem is perhaps the kreelixes -- they're an interesting idea, but they sound more like something out of Star Trek than Arthurian legend. I'm just saying.

Merlin is a little older and wiser in this one, and he seems to be feeling the first stirrings of romantic feelings for the bland deer-woman Hallia. And Valdearg is a wonderful antagonist -- he'a an aggressive killer, but he's not evil and at times he even shows signs of dignity and endearing sentiment.

"The Fires of Merlin" temporarily ditches the Celtic myth'n'legend, in favor of dragons and a few new inventions of the author's. A solid, richly-written fantasy.

This book is the 3rd book in a 5 book series (the last hasn't been published yet). It is the continuation of the story of Merlin before he became aurthur's mentor. In this book Merlin has just completed training as a wizard which includes making an instrument. Just as Merlin is about to test his instrument and see if he can indeed be a wizard. Urnalda of the dwarves who readers met in the last book summons Merlin to help save her people. As it turns out the "darkest day"on Fincayra has come and the greatest of all dragons, Valdereg, has awoken from the enchanted sleep he had been put in by Merlins grandfather, Tuatha. As Merlin reaches Urnalda he realizes he has walked right into a trap. He escapes and a random act of kindness doesn't go unrewarded. The prophesy speaking of Valdereg's awakening and of the only way to defeat him and who the only one to defeat him can be is interpted all wrong and Merlin sets out to find out why it was the dragon and Fincayra's darkest day and on the way meets many strange and ineresting characters and a new race of people is introduced. Merlin must trust his own wit, instinct, and his heart to find out more about the dragon and a suspious race of winged creatures, magic eaters, that were supposedly extict long ago but now roaming Fincayra in ever increasing numbers. This book combines wit, humor, fantasy, love, terror, revenge, and true kindness in a wonderful blend that keeps the reader entralled throughout the story. This is a must read book and once you start you can't put it down. The only unsatifying bit is that Rhia who readers will remember from the first 2 books has a very small part in this book which is upseting since she is a terrific character and the female who takes her place in these books is not as fully developed.

Book 3 is another great work added to T.A. Barron's fantastic series. In this story, Merlin must solve an ancient riddle and confront a fierce dragon, in what seems to be an event that will claim the young wizard's life. Besides that, there is the dreaded kreelix, the magic-destroying animal which was thought to have been distinct years before. While Merlin searches for the answer to the riddle and the culprit in the mysterious killing of the dragon's eggs, he meets Hallia and her brother Eremon, two brave and loyal deer people, who are brother and sister. He must also confront Domnu, in hopes of regaining the treasured Galator. In The Fires of Merlin, the wizard matures even more, and discovers much about himself, friendship, and bravery that he never knew before. An entertaining read, number 3 is definitely a must-read book!

"Sometimes it's easier to see someone else's dragon than your own." "The Fires of Merlin", is an exciting tale of the unforgettable Legend of Merlin. The story tells of Merlin's dangerous quests for others and confrontations to himself. He must also defeat the dragon Valdearg, who had been under a deep sleep for thousands of years, and had now suddenly awakened to cause havoc on the lands of Fincayra.
Before he can face the rampaging dragon's fire, he most face other fires, including the fires within himself. He most avoid or confront the magic-eating Kreelixes; discover the secrets of the Wheel of Wye, and take back his treasured Galator from the evil hag, Domnu. On his quest, he discovers his true magic was not in his staff but within his heart and soul. He learns this through his tragedies and the people that he meets. For example he learns that there is more magic within himself than any within his staff. To understand both sides of this problem he cannot not to judge someone for being related to one of evil doings, for even he has the blood of the once evil ruler of Fincayra, Stangmar, and Merlin's father.
This stunning work of art is an exciting fantasy about confronting yourself and discovering what you are really capable of. It shows the meaning of bravery and the meaning of the heart. The author uses descriptive words and sentences so the reader can understand and get a distinct picture in their head of a scene or speculation. In my opinion, the author really made his point to his readers and wrote from his heart. I recommend this book to all people who enjoy creative fantasies and luminous stories.

T. A. Barron takes the cake once again! This book is not only adventurous, but it chronicles and takes you through this part of the childhood of Merlin. A highlight of the book is the poetry of Cairpre that adds realism and a different flavor. The constant excitement and suspence that keeps you turning the pages is another highlight. Something that keeps me reading this great series in the careful, delicate description of things. An example is Hallia and Eremon, the deer-people of the story. The description of them is so precise that you can immediately picture them. Also great is the clearly developing love of Merlin for Hallia. Another of the many wonderful things about the book is the ending, which shows many of the lessons that Merlin has learned during his travels and how they will help him in the future. I give this unbelieveably great book a 5 of 5. It is, by far, my favorite book that I have ever read.

In this epic tale about a wizard named Merlin he has to make an instrument that will increase his power but during the process which he has only one chance in his whole life. Urnalda the elf queen comes and seeks his assistance. There is a dragon in the lands named Valdearg who rage is endless. The reason why he is angry is because someone killed his offspring and he thinks it's the elfs because the elf land is nearest to the dragon's lair. Will Merlin succeed in facing the dragon? Even if the prophecy says that two of them will die! You have to read this great book to find out.

The third book in The Lost Years of Merlin series, The Fires of Merlin, is one of the best books I've ever read. Another fantastic book written by T.A. Barron, The Fires of Merlin give fantasy readers what they want. In this book, Merlin must set out to battle the dragon Valdearg who has awakened after centuries to find who killed it's offspring. Merlin must face the dragon all while wondering who kept the evil kreelixes alive. These vile creatures can kill any magical creature with just one bite. Plus, with the help of the witch,Urnlanda, Merlin loses his magical powers. So now not only must he destory Valderag, but he also has to find a way to get the talisman that might help him beat the dragon. A real work of art, Barron's book will leave you wanting to read more.

This was all in all a great book. Once again, in the land of Fincayra, there is trouble. An old prophecy seems to state the sure death of Merlin when an old dragon awakes from his ever so long slumber. Due to past help from the dwarves, Merlin now owes them a favor-even if it means certain death. This book is filled with tricks and treachery as you travel with Merlin on this great adventure, seeking what is right and just. When he is put to the final test he realizes that all things have their place in the world and some of the truest power comes from within. Come and explore Fincayra with Merlin and his friends and experience magic in some of its earliest forms. Dravia, dravia Fincayra. (Live long, live long Fincayra.)

This book can't compare to the excitement of the first book, but it is still a worthwhile read.

In this new installment of the Lost Years of Merlin series, Merlin is faced with new challenges such as battling a dragon and new monsters that steal magic.

Merlin must find where his magic comes from. On his quest, he meets many new friends. Like in Book Two of the Merlin books, old friends and foes are reintroduced.

People who are familiar with the other Merlin books will enjoy this one, but people who haven't read any of them should begin with the first.