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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
The saga may improve, but this book seemed convoluted with regard to plot. Emrys' past is kept from him for no real reason. In fact, if his mother had told him everything then he probably would have made different choices or at least been better prepared. Emrys himself is also somewhat insufferable through the majority of the book. Other people must suffer because of his rigid decision framework. Overall, I cannot see how a character with the central characteristics demonstrated in this book could actually mature into the Merlin of legend.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this. It is an interesting addition to the huge mass of literature that surrounds the Arthurian legend. Some aspects were unbelievable and Merlin does not seem to have the good instincts or foresight he displays later. He almost seems too... average, too whiny. Whatever... It provides interesting background for the mystery of Merlin.
I may or may not have rated this 5 stars based on an emotional attachment to this series, which I first read in Elementary school. It's a goodread for sure whether you're a child or an adult. The story is simple and easy to digest and fun and magical (duh, we're talking wizards here), there is an equal balance of hardship and feel good moments in the story.
I have yet to read passed the 3rd book in this series so I'm excited to see what else T.A. Barron has in store for young Merlin.
I have yet to read passed the 3rd book in this series so I'm excited to see what else T.A. Barron has in store for young Merlin.
I was disappointed. The beginning really caught my interest -- Merlin had washed up on a shore with no memory of who he was before that moment. Unfortunately, it was based too much in Welsh mythology. Because of that, instead of being a playful retelling of the Merlin story (I'm looking at you, Mary Stewart), it felt like a crappy copy of The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. I found myself wanting to go read The Black Cauldron, with Taran and Eilonwy, two of my favorite miscreants, instead. I think I'll read the second book anyway, just in case it gets better, but I was really kind of disappointed in this one.
This series (at least the first 5 books) was a favorite of my pre-teen to teen years. I read them multiple times back then, and as a result, there is a certain level of nostalgia involved in rereading now that I'm 30+. While I still generally enjoyed the series, it doesn't hold up to the degree that I would have wished.
I guess it's rare for a series aimed at kids/teens to still work when read from an adult viewpoint. And that's totally fine, honestly. Series like Harry Potter or His Dark Materials don't come along often.
I guess it's rare for a series aimed at kids/teens to still work when read from an adult viewpoint. And that's totally fine, honestly. Series like Harry Potter or His Dark Materials don't come along often.
I had never read this children's book before, and my husband recommended it because of how much he loves the second book in the series. So I thought I would give it a try.
Emrys, the main character, will one day grow up to be Merlin. Right now though, he is a lost boy with no sense of home. All he remembers is the day he and a woman claiming to be his mother wash up on shore. She seems to know more, but won't tell him anything. Eventually, he decides to venture out on his own to learn about his past and where he is from.
From that description, it sounds like a great premise for a story. Plus, it's about Merlin. There's bound to be magical things and interesting discoveries right? Well, not for the first 100 pages. The beginning dragged on very slowly. It was very difficult to read. There was much too much unimportant back story before Emrys gets around to finally starting his search a third of the way into the book. If I hadn't been promised that it got better, I doubt I would have finished the book. Once he meets Rhia and some other characters, there starts to be more of the fantasy element and interest I expected to see in a book about Merlin's childhood. It was a pretty decent read from that point onward.
There were times when I found myself annoyed with the characters (and certainly not admiring them). Emrys is at many times selfish and self-centered, and one of the other characters talks in improper English that's supposed to be cute and isn't. The plot was rather predictable too, but I already expected that to some extent because it is children's fiction. I don't usually expect a book meant for younger students to be on par with some of the best YAs I've read. It's not fair to judge them on the same scale when they are meant for different audiences. Still, if I was a kid I never would have made it through that long, dull beginning.
Rating
With all things considered, I can't rightfully give this book more than a 2 out of 5. I really hope the second book redeems it as a worthy read for the back story, but as it is I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, especially not kids. I still intend to read the sequel, if only in hopes of feeling like this book wasn't a waste of my reading time.
Edit: After starting the 2nd book, I recommend completely skipping this book. It was, indeed, a dull waste of time. The second book explains any back story that is necessary from this book, and is so much more interesting! You won't be missing anything by skipping this one.
Emrys, the main character, will one day grow up to be Merlin. Right now though, he is a lost boy with no sense of home. All he remembers is the day he and a woman claiming to be his mother wash up on shore. She seems to know more, but won't tell him anything. Eventually, he decides to venture out on his own to learn about his past and where he is from.
From that description, it sounds like a great premise for a story. Plus, it's about Merlin. There's bound to be magical things and interesting discoveries right? Well, not for the first 100 pages. The beginning dragged on very slowly. It was very difficult to read. There was much too much unimportant back story before Emrys gets around to finally starting his search a third of the way into the book. If I hadn't been promised that it got better, I doubt I would have finished the book. Once he meets Rhia and some other characters, there starts to be more of the fantasy element and interest I expected to see in a book about Merlin's childhood. It was a pretty decent read from that point onward.
There were times when I found myself annoyed with the characters (and certainly not admiring them). Emrys is at many times selfish and self-centered, and one of the other characters talks in improper English that's supposed to be cute and isn't. The plot was rather predictable too, but I already expected that to some extent because it is children's fiction. I don't usually expect a book meant for younger students to be on par with some of the best YAs I've read. It's not fair to judge them on the same scale when they are meant for different audiences. Still, if I was a kid I never would have made it through that long, dull beginning.
Rating
With all things considered, I can't rightfully give this book more than a 2 out of 5. I really hope the second book redeems it as a worthy read for the back story, but as it is I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, especially not kids. I still intend to read the sequel, if only in hopes of feeling like this book wasn't a waste of my reading time.
Edit: After starting the 2nd book, I recommend completely skipping this book. It was, indeed, a dull waste of time. The second book explains any back story that is necessary from this book, and is so much more interesting! You won't be missing anything by skipping this one.
Although not a difficult read, a really good book. I've enjoyed every book I've read so far this year and The Lost Years definitely keeps the streak going. I can't wait to find out what happens in the rest of the series.
Dacă închid ochii şi respir în ritmul legănat al mării, încă mai pot să-mi amintesc de acea zi de demult. Aspră, rece şi fără viaţă era, la fel de lipsită de promisiuni precum plămânii mei privaţi de aer.
De atunci, am trăit multe zile, mai multe decât mi-a mai rămas putere să număr. Şi totuşi, acea zi străluceşte la fel de luminoasă ca însuşi Galatorul, la fel de luminoasă ca ziua în care mi-am aflat numele, sau ca ziua în care am ţinut pentru prima oară în braţe un prunc ce purta numele de Arthur. Poate că mi-aduc aminte atât de limpede, deoarece durerea, asemenea unei cicatrici pe sufletul meu, nu avea să dispară. Sau pentru că ea a marcat sfârşitul atât de multor lucruri. Sau poate pentru că a marcat deopotrivă un început şi un sfârşit: începutul anilor mei pierduţi.
De atunci, am trăit multe zile, mai multe decât mi-a mai rămas putere să număr. Şi totuşi, acea zi străluceşte la fel de luminoasă ca însuşi Galatorul, la fel de luminoasă ca ziua în care mi-am aflat numele, sau ca ziua în care am ţinut pentru prima oară în braţe un prunc ce purta numele de Arthur. Poate că mi-aduc aminte atât de limpede, deoarece durerea, asemenea unei cicatrici pe sufletul meu, nu avea să dispară. Sau pentru că ea a marcat sfârşitul atât de multor lucruri. Sau poate pentru că a marcat deopotrivă un început şi un sfârşit: începutul anilor mei pierduţi.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No