The Fires of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin, Bk. 3) (Paperback)

by T. A. Barron (Author) "Fincayra is both mortal and immortal, dark and light, fragile and everlasting..." (more)
Key Phrases: negatus mysterium, baby dragon, young hawk, Rhita Gawr, Wheel of Wye, Wings of Fire (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 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
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Gr. 7^-10. With each book, Barron's Lost Years of Merlin saga just keeps getting richer in characterization, ambience, and Celtic lore. Taking up where The Seven Songs of Merlin (1997) left off, the third book sees young Merlin meet even more challenges, particularly as the dragon Valdearg, the last emperor of the dragons, awakens to once again threaten the entire land of Fincayra. Gulled into thinking that Merlin is the one who had slaughtered his dragon hatchlings, Valdearg searches for the young, unproven magician. Fire plays a heavy metaphorical role in the story, with Merlin facing the incomprehensible burning of his newly crafted harp, the fire of lava, and the awakening fire of passion within himself as well as the dragon's flaming breath--all of which leads to Merlin's eventual discovery of a power still higher. The plot is complex, involving not only Valdearg but also the treacherous enchantress Urnalda; the ancient sorceress Domnu, with whom Merlin becomes a reluctant ally; and an enigmatic, primordial oracle. Also, who has been breeding Kreelixes, unnatural beasts that feed on the magic of others, and has set them against Merlin? Fans will definitely be clamoring for more. Sally Estes --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441007139
• ISBN-13: 978-0441007134
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459,026 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 3 in The Lost Years of Merlin Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really, really great book!, July 2, 1999

By A Customer

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

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".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious addition to some of the best Arthurian lit ever, August 12, 2000

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

A great third novel in what may be the most imaginative and inspired account of Merlin ever. I wonder if TA Barron will ever do his own version of later Arthurian myth--he'd do it better than anyone else.

Young Emrys Merlin is just managing to relax after the devastating events of the second book, with his sister Rhia and his mother Elen. But their vacation is cut short when a horrific creature appears in the skies: A kreelix, sort of a magic vampire. They were supposedly extinct, but have reappeared. In addition, Valdearg, one of the last dragons in Fincayra, is on the warpath: Someone killed his newborn dragon hatchlings, and he is going to kill whoever did it.

This book is another talented romp by the clearly-inspired TA Barron, full of the same effervescent characters and colorful places as the previous books. Merlin is a little older, a little wiser, and still the same lovable guy as ever.

My little quibble: The kreelixes. Their function is intriguing, but they feel a bit misplaced. Their name and the description of them resemble something more out of Star Trek than Fincayra. However, this is the ONLY problem, and is therefore a teeny one.

Valdearg is my favorite dragon in literature or movie: He's an aggressive, homicidal creature, but at the same time he's endearing. He's not evil, and the things that he does are portrayed as part of his nature.

Some things will definitely not make sense unless you read "Lost Years" and "Seven Songs", but that's a pretty minor requirement for such good stuff!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Author, September 9, 2000

By A Customer

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.