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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I sincerely loved this series of adventures and can’t wait to read more of this series!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I revisted this book purely out of nostalgia. I read it a good decade ago in my middle school's library and remember eagerly reading all of what was available of the series and a couple of subsequent spin-offs.
T.A. Baron's description-dense prose is something that I continue to enjoy. That aspect impacted my own writing style when I was younger and continues to do so to this day. The descriptions of the various locations and characters are easily my favorite part of this story. Druma Wood in particular is so beautiful and vivid.
The book suffers a little from typical fantasy tropes--the protagonist is kind of dense, magical plot conveniences abound, and falling unconscious happens a bit too frequently to be excused. If you're willing to accept that, it's mostly a fine story. It will hold your--or, more likely, your child's--attention for an introduction to basic fantasy staples.
On that note, it won't exactly shatter any expectations----and some aspects like the treatment of the mother character is downright aggravating.
Otherwise, I'm glad that I revisted it. It was good. Not great, but good. I remember preferring the second book to the first, so I'll have to see if my younger self's opinion holds up.
T.A. Baron's description-dense prose is something that I continue to enjoy. That aspect impacted my own writing style when I was younger and continues to do so to this day. The descriptions of the various locations and characters are easily my favorite part of this story. Druma Wood in particular is so beautiful and vivid.
The book suffers a little from typical fantasy tropes--the protagonist is kind of dense, magical plot conveniences abound, and falling unconscious happens a bit too frequently to be excused. If you're willing to accept that, it's mostly a fine story. It will hold your--or, more likely, your child's--attention for an introduction to basic fantasy staples.
On that note, it won't exactly shatter any expectations--
Spoiler
of course the evil father whom the protagonist has just met is saved at the end à la Darth VaderOtherwise, I'm glad that I revisted it. It was good. Not great, but good. I remember preferring the second book to the first, so I'll have to see if my younger self's opinion holds up.
I loved these books when I was a kid - I read at least a few of them. But I find myself begrudgingly reading it instead of being excited to get back into the story. 40% of the way into the e-book and I just feel bored.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I first read this in elementary school, and I've been meaning to get around to rereading it for YEARS. I read much to fast and only for plot when I was little, plus I never got to finish the series. With other things on hold, I finally grabbed the audiobook from the library and..... meh. It was slow and a little repetitive. I didn't care for the reader's falsetto/girl voices. I thought at the beginning that I'd related to Merlin's inbetween-ness/search for where he belongs, but, honestly I kinda struggled at times to keep my attention on the book.
As a story and as a legend I love Merlin, probably a bit too much too much. Because after consuming so many books, movies etc about Merlin my expectations are set very high. I'm very sad to say that this was not for me. I think if someone is new to Melin they will enjoy this very much.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
J'ai bien aimé ce livre que j'attendais de lire depuis longtemps par peur d'être déçu. J'aime tout ce qui touche Merlin, le roi Arthur et les chevaliers de la table ronde et c'est pourquoi j'avais de grandes attentes. Le livre fait très jeunesse, par les clichés du genre et les coins ronds que l'intrigue prend par moment. Malgré cela, j'ai aimé les personnages et l'aventure. Cette dernière aurait pu être l'aventure de n'importe qu'elle personnage, Merlin se fait assez peu sentir, un peu plus vers la fin, fin qui était grandment supérieur au reste du livre d'ailleurs. Il s'agit du premier tome alors je garde espoir que Merlin se construise et devienne plus lui-même dans les prochains tomes. Un bon roman d'aventure/fantasy jeunesse et une série que je poursuivrai avec intérêt et curiosité.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
I initially read The Lost Years of Merlin way back in grade ten (over twelve years ago! Urgh.), and remember really loving the story. That still holds. It's a fun story with whimsical characters, and as someone who enjoys Arthurian legend it kind of ticks all the boxes.
That said, this audiobook is ridiculous. I have listened to dozens of audiobooks and I have never encountered one in which a male narrator butchers a female voice quite so badly. You'd think it would happen more often. So while I do want to continue to reread the rest of the books in the series, it certainly won't be on audiobook!
That said, this audiobook is ridiculous. I have listened to dozens of audiobooks and I have never encountered one in which a male narrator butchers a female voice quite so badly. You'd think it would happen more often. So while I do want to continue to reread the rest of the books in the series, it certainly won't be on audiobook!