The Wings of Merlin (The Lost Years of Merlin) (Hardcover)

by T. A. Barron (Author)
Key Phrases: stargazing stone, marsh ghouls, runt wizard, Rhita Gawr, Emrys Merlin, Forgotten Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. Barron brings his Lost Years of Merlin saga to a resounding, satisfying close with this fifth volume. Although Merlin's mastery of his powers continues to grow, he now faces a particularly daunting challenge: Fincayra and the Otherworld will soon come together and Rhita Gawr, warlord of the spirit world, and his evil forces will invade. Merlin's only hope is to get Fincayran creatures and races to put aside their distrust of one another and do battle together. This formidable task is complicated by the emergence of a masked warrior who is attacking children throughout the land in an effort to lure Merlin into a battle to the death. As the fast-paced story winds to a conclusion, Merlin faces his most difficult decision yet. A love of the natural world and sense of spirituality infuse the saga as a whole, and we see Merlin, who has come to understand his dark side as well as his strengths and ideals, finally ready to become the legendary magician and mentor to King Arthur. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
Young sorcery fans...set aside Harry Potter and pick up Merlin. -- Cincinnati Enquirer --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (September 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399250247
• ISBN-13: 978-0399250248
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #272,240 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The last, best chapter, November 4, 2000

By	Julie Fudge Smith "fudgesmith" (Fredericksburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Wings of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin) (Hardcover)

All good things must come to an end, and no good thing could come to a better one. The last chapter in the Lost Years of Merlin saga is the best. It is full of everything that makes Barron's books so wonderful- excitement, suspense, surprises, and unexpected twists. It is a tale of love and friendship, of hope and despair, of defeat and triumph, of revenge and forgiveness. Here is a wonderful, heartbreaking story, a story to make you laugh and cry, a jewel of a story to treasure forever, to read again and again. I would recommend this book, this entire series to anyone who wishes for a beautiful, true story. For while the story of Merlin's youth is a fairy tale, in it's fantasy it is truer than the facts in any book- to the spirit at least. I would encourage children to loan it to their parents, and parents to read it with their children. Reading this book is a truly marvelous experience.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One for kids & their parents....., October 12, 2000

By	"khristyp" (Eustis, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wings of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin) (Hardcover)

TA Barron does it again! Just when I thought everything was so wonderful in Fincarya - book #5 grabbed me, had me reading, not able to put it down just until I found out what was happening there. I was going to take my time and savor this book BUT, I read straight through it hardly able to keep myself from jumping ahead to find out how it was going to end! It was great to see some of my favorite and least favorite characters from the prior books. This book was great - a must read - especially if you have already read the other Lost Years of Merlin books. It was great reading these and discussing them with my kids and seeing them excited about reading. Magical, emotional, thought provoking and even possibly heart wrenching......read it and experience this book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Good Things Must Come to an End, October 10, 2000

By	Dave Richardson (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wings of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin) (Hardcover)

T.A. Barron's final book in the Lost Years series is indeed one of his best. Barron manages to tie up all the loose ends for readers by bringing back the important characters from the past, including a surprise visit from someone you'd least expect.What makes the ending so satisfying for those diehard fans of Arthurian legend is the way the book transitions into the stories that we are all familiar with. It is well done and seamless in its connection. A word of warning: Though none of this series is for young readers, the final book has Merlin a bit more grown up than in the past. He has a serious relationship with Halia that is the center of much of the book, and some close and important characters do not survive. Still, for those who have followed Merlin through his lost years, the book is a must read. Enjoy!