science fiction

The Lost Years of Merlin - T.A. Barron Book Review

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"The Lost Years of Merlin"
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Review Summaries
"A boy called Emrys is one day spat out by the sea on the shores of Wales and loses his memory completely. He is raised by a woman who claims to be his mother. She refuses to tell him about his past, and so Emrys decides to find out for himself. Of course, it doesn't help that Emrys is constantly being taunted by the other boys. He one day stands up to the leader, Dinatius, and defends his mother, but that only causes more trouble. The boys set fire to a tree and plan to kill Emrys's so-called mother. Emrys dives into the flames, saves his mother, and goes blind. He is taken to a church where he recovers quickly and is blessed with his second sight. He sets out to find his real parents, his real name, only to discover that he already had them. "
Samantha S., Resident T.A. Barron Scholar

"Emrys was found on another island, which is not Fincayra, and was taken care of by Branwen, his "mother." He was destined to protect the isle of Fincayra from evil biddings and to bring the island to the "golden age." He discovered it wasn't any easy task, but he had no choice because he is the only descended wizard from his grandfather, Tuatha, who was slain by an evil dragon of flame. Emrys suffered under the violence from giants; he thrashed giants into the flames of fire and became blind, received the second sight as a gift, to see from his heart, not his eyes. He took off on a raft from the cathedral and crashed ashore on the isle of Fincayra. He made friends with some species of other peoples and together, they fought and saved the isle of Fincayra, defeated Rhita Gawr and Stangmar. "
R.C. Plagge, Resident T.A. Barron Scholar

"This book focuses on the part of Merlin's life which is not in the legends, his teen years and how he becomes a great mage. Teens will identify well with Merlin. This is the first book in a series. Merlin washes up on a shore with no memory. He finds a woman there who claims to be his mother. She raises him, but refuses to talk about his past or tell him who he is. He leaves her to discover that identity. He ends up in the place he is born and is recruited to save the land from an evil king. He travels to the castle and is able to do so, fulfilling prophecies mentioned earlier."
Marshfox, Resident T.A. Barron Scholar


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Overall Review
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%




Tone of book - sensitive (sigh....)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - King Arthur
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Age: - a teen
Has magical/special powers? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - missing body parts/abilities

Main Adversary
Has magical powers? Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Terrain - Water - Forests
Earth setting: - general past
Takes place on Earth? Yes
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Wicked Day - Arthurian Saga 4 by Mary Stewart





Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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