A T. A. Barron Collection

T.A. Barron breathed new life into the Arthurian fantasy genre with his "Lost Years of Merlin" series, a trilogy that expanded into five books and a sequel series. "The T.A. Barron Collection" brings together the first three books of the "Lost Years" series, with all its imagination and mythic magic. In "The Lost Years of Merlin," a young amnesiac boy and a beautiful woman are washed up on the coast of Wales. They live there somewhat uneasily, until the boy Emrys uses his magic to burn several boys -- and is blinded himself. Still guilt-ridden and unable to remember anything, he sails out and ends up on Fincayra. There he finds that a strange blight is slowly withering away the magical land -- a blight controlled by someone who holds the secret of his past. "The Seven Songs of Merlin" opens with young Emrys Merlin confidently calling his mother Elen to Fincayra. But his use of magic attracts the evil Rhita Gawr, and a curse meant for Merlin hits his mother instead. Now he has only a short time to find the cure. But to do so, he must master the Seven Songs of wizardry, and find a well to the underworld that is guarded by an ogre whose gaze can kill. After the disastrous events of the second book, Merlin and his friends and family are relaxing in "Fires of Merlin." But suddenly they are attacked by a magic-leeching monster, and receive the news that the great "Wings of Fire," the dragon Valdearg, has awoken. Now Merlin must keep the dragon from frying Fincayra... but a prophecy says that neither of them will survive. Author T.A. Barron was not a newbie to fantasy books when he started the "Lost Years" series -- he had already written a successful trilogy of modern fantasy stories. And it was the third of those books, "The Merlin Effect," that spurred him to explore the boyhood and adolescence of the legendary wizard. While most authors stick closely to the original legends, Barron sweeps all that away in favor of a more fantasy-based story. These stories are populated by all sorts of fantastical monsters, treelings, elves, goblins, evil hags, dwarves, forest girls and quirky bards. And Barron's obvious love of nature shines through the lovingly-described wild places of Fincayra. Merlin himself is a likable hero -- smart, talented and very kind, but also prone to being hot-tempered and overconfident. It takes awhile for him to grow up, and he's obviously not done in this collection. He's backed up by a colorful supporting cast, including forest girl Rhia, a depressed bard, a beautiful deer-girl, kindly mentor Cairpre, a tiny giant and a brave little hawk. The "T.A. Barron Collection" is a wonderfully written collection, although it leaves off at the end of the third of five books. Exquisitely written.

Do not view these as five individual books, but as five pieces of a whole saga. To read only one would be to cheat one's self of seeing an entire picture.The epic begins with an child with no memory being raised by a mysterious woman in a small village. Both of them are regarded as local oddities and driven to live in a convent. The boy is known as Emrys, but never feels that that is his true name. As he matures, he develops gifts and wonderous powers, along with an increasing need to know who he is. Eventually, he goes upon a quest in search of his heritage, one that will lead him to the lands his mother's stories spoke of, the Hidden World outside of time and this life. He finds himself in the midst of a battle between warring demigods, and finds a new name for his own, Merlin.As Merlin journeys through the five books, he makes new friends and bitter enemies. This is a world filled with dragons, witches, goblins, and lost treasures. Secrets that are as powerful and painful as a two edged blade are discovered. Otherworlds are crossed, time itself bends to give the boy a glimpse of his own destiny, and choices musst be made that will affect far more than just Merlin.***** Elements of other classics are hinted at, but applied in new ways and familiarity only serves to endear. This is a grand saga without the weightiness of other epics. Rather, it is easy to read and charming. This Merlin can stand alongside Tolkien's hobbits or Harry Potter proudly. *****Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

The Lost Years of Merlin epic is one of my favorite reads. After reading this, I thought that "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Hobbit" together lost to this book. Unlike those two books, The Lost Years of Merlin series creates an environment totally unlike your own. The author, T.A. Barron, has an amazing ability to manipulate your mind into thinking it can smell every scent, feel every emotion, and walk alongside a young sage named Merlin. Another reason for reading this epic on Merlin is because there are very few books that illustrate and discuss the events, heritage, and acquaintances in Merlin's childhood. If you have read any books on Merlin and have wondered and even questioned his youth, here is the book that can resolve your queries.

The compendium of Barron's first 3 novels hasn't gotten nearly the credit it deserves. The book competes with the Lord of the Rings in terms of imagination and creativity and surpasses Harry Potter by a mile. Barron's tale follow's Merlin as he travel's from boy, to man, to wizard...The life of the wizard is a tale so great it is known by both the young and old, and Barron does nothing but add to its greatness. Merlin's younger years take place on the mystical isle of Fincyra, which is not quite land and not quite water, neither the real world nor otherworld, but rather an "in between" place. Fincyra is home to more mythical creatures than I knew exisisted; mermaids, giants, goblins, dwarves, dragons, fairies, and more, both old and original. Those who liked Harry Potter should devour this, and those, like I, who found that tale to be too childish, will be dazzled by the Barron's wonderful writing. From the way he discribes things as simple as the rain and trees to being devoured by talking stone, the book seems to be written with the magic that it tell's of Merlin using.This book isn't worthy of 5 stars, no, it's worthy of 6.

TA Barron's first three epic books in the "Merlin" series are brought together in one big fat fantasy book! (Though I do wonder why "Heartlight," "Ancient One," and "Merlin Effect" weren't the ones compiled, as the series is incomplete here)"The Lost Years of Merlin" kicks off the series, in which a young boy with strange powers and lost memories ventures to the magical land of Fincayra. There, he makes friends, enemies - and discovers both who he is, and what his destiny may be."Seven Songs of Merlin" picks up where "Lost Years" leaves off. Emrys Merlin is given the powerful Flowering Harp to heal the barren lands on Fincayra. But when he pridefully uses his powers to bring a loved one to Fincayra, he ends up unleashing evil..."Fires of Merlin" picks up where "Seven Songs" leaves off, with Merlin, Rhia, and Elen relaxing in a beautiful part of Fincayra. But soon there are two ancient threats rising: the magic-draining kreelixes, now bred again to attack the Fincayrans, and a sleeping dragon named Valdearg who wants to revenge himself on Merlin.TA Barron created a unique and endearing hero, full of faults and strong points. We follow Merlin through his journeys, suffering and learning along with him. The supporting characters are excellent, with quiet Elen, intelligent Rhia, depressing bard Bumblewy and the tiny giant Shim. The descriptive language is truly beautiful, showing us every image in the books.This isn't the entire series, it's only the first three books. But it's also beautifully made and worth the price. A great diversion for fantasy fans waiting for the next book of their fave series...