The Fires of Merlin (Lost Years Of Merlin) (U)

Barron's dazzling Arthurian fantasy continues as young Merlin faces the evil, bat-like kreelixes who exist only to destroy magic; the mysterious Wheel of Wye; and the sorceress Urnalda, who holds the treasured Galator. Third in the series. Map.KLIATTThis third book in the Lost Years of Merlin series continues the story of the young boy who is just growing into his powers. Young Merlin is about to finish his first magical musical instrument, a rite of passage for any young wizard, when he and his teacher receive bad news. The dragon called Wings of Fire has awakened from centuries of sleep and is threatening the land of Fincayra. Prophecy proclaims that a descendent of the dragon's enemy will defeat him; Merlin's grandfather bested the dragon years ago, and so the prophecy seems to point to him. Unfortunately, the prophecy also says that the destroyer will himself be destroyed. And that seems all too likely when an old enemy steals Merlin's magic, leaving him only his wits with which to battle the forces arrayed against him. Reading the first two books in the series will help the reader understand the background of this exciting quest tale, but the book fills in enough from the previous two for the reader to follow it easily. Stories about young wizards are popular now, and this well-written novel is an excellent choice for all YA collections. KLIATT Codes JS Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 1998, Berkley/Ace, 275p, 18cm, $5.99. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer Deirdre B. Root; Ref. Libn., Middletown P.L., Middletown, OH January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)