Reviews

The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron

miss_majuu's review against another edition

2.0

The beginning was really great and exciting but towards the end the story got predictable and boring. Also the main character started to annoy me at the end, which is a pity because I'm only reading because of Merlin.
What bothers me too was the fact, that they (Merlin and his sidekick) always needed to find that one praticular person/thing that would help them. And this happend at least two times in the book.

I hope the next books focus more on Merlin's magic abilities and hopefully he finally uses them!

harleyrae's review against another edition

3.0

There was just something about this book that stopped me from rating it higher than I did. This was by no means a bad book, it was actually quite enjoyable throughout most of the book. I'd have to say my biggest reason for only giving this 3 stars is because of how I felt towards this book when I wasn't reading it. While reading the book everything seemed to be moving nicely. The story was holding my attention, I was moving through it at a decent pace, I was just genuinely enjoying the book. The issue for me came when I wasn't reading. Once I put the book down there was no drive to pick it back up. Nothing in the story was pulling me in yelling at me to keep reading. If I stopped in the middle of an intense scene I didn't feel the need to pick it up. If I had never finished the book I would not have cared.
Overall this was an interesting start to the series and if the occasion arises I would be curious to see what happens to these characters. If it wasn't for the complete lack of wanting to read this book I probably would have rated it just a little higher.

sallyavena's review

Not sure if I should mark this one read or not. This is the third time I've gotten it to the library and returned it, because it was due, unread. I just could not get into this book. The writing is in first person, but it seems so bogged down and deap for a first person point of view. It just didn't catch me at all. I know you should give a book 50 pages before you decide not to finish it (at least that is what I tell my kids) and I didn't, but with so many other books I want to read, I just couldn't make myself read this one. Maybe some other time.

scmacey16's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it so good! I love T. A. Barron’s writing! Such a good book.

themahtin's review against another edition

4.0

It took about a quarter of the book until happier stuff started happening, which made the book hard to read. I might have stopped if someone hadn't recommended the book and the series.

mercedes_lara's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

amyreading2024's review against another edition

3.0

Nostalgic re-read. Best for teens—stakes not as high and was less invested as an adult. Favorite descriptions of climbing trees and eating bread.

ozreus's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

cimorene1558's review

3.0

Between a like and a really like. It's good, no doubt about that, but personally I didn't find any of the characters very compelling, including Merlin. I'll probably read some more of these eventually, but I'm sure not going to rush out and acquire them.

lrwlee's review

5.0

I loved the idea that the author chose to write. It takes great imagination to invent a world and characters that create the beginnings of a character that has been written about for so long. I found the narrative compelling as well as believable.