Merlin's Dragon

I STILL can’t believe that this series continued and I had no idea. While the focus shifts from Merlin to a strange little creature named Basil, it’s so good to be back in this world Barron has created.

This book is definitely different than others in the series; it’s a bit slower and focuses more on Basil’s character development rather than having a lot of action, though there is a bit of adventuring and action in parts. And from what is hinted in this book, A LOT of action is soon to come. This story also has a nice introduction to all the different types of worlds found in the Great Tree of Avalon, which is fun to read about.

The middle dragged a bit, but I loved how it all wrapped up and I enjoyed learning more about the world show more Merlin was living in. Though we don’t get to see a whole lot of Merlin, there was enough of him to still make it feel like a Merlin book. I do wish that we were tackling a new big bad instead of sort of rehashing what happened in the original books, but hopefully it’ll be different enough to seem new.

I’m excited about what this new addition to the series will bring–I think Basil is a great main character and I can’t wait to read more about his adventures!

Also posted on Purple People Readers. show less

There is potential for this book to be exciting and adventurous, but in the end, the fast pace and multitude of events make it a disappointing read. Basil’s adventures to the other worlds have the reader on the edge of his seat, eager for adventure, only to leave him disappointed. The character spends mere moments at each place, with conflicts quickly resolved. The lesson of “one grain of sand can tip the scale” is repeated so often, the reader will be rolling his eyes halfway through. However, characters are funny and easy to love. The climax is satisfying and surprising, though too brief for the extended buildup. The end goes on much longer than needed, however—readers can feel free to set aside the book without reading the show more final couple chapters as nothing of consequence is added. Boys expecting action probably won’t make it to the end; fans of the author may be disappointed. Though it does have redeeming qualities, overall, it is a book to pass on. show less

Basil is a creature that hatches, but does not know what kind of creature he is. He dreams of being big! The story tells of his physical travels, as well as his journey to make his place in life in Avalon and the seven territories. He searches to warn Merlin of possible danger he has dreamed about.
The descriptions are great, as this book moves along, with many lessons in life for Basil. I had to keep reading and reading to the finale of this book. I would recommend this to the young reader, as well as adults.

Best-selling author T.A. Barron’s imagination takes another leap into worlds unknown in the first book of a trilogy of the same name, Merlin’s Dragon. The story takes place on the Isle of Fincayra, later to be known as Avalon. The hero first appears as an extremely unfortunate pebble, chewed on and clawed at by a number of creatures. We soon learn that this tiny stone is really an egg, unfortunate witness to a nest full of dragon eggs that have been horribly destroyed.

When the egg finally hatches, the emerging creature is no bigger than a child’s little finger, with green emerald eyes, and cupped bat-like ears and wings. He is given the name Basil by someone he outwits by emitting the scent of that herb. One day, Basil has a show more prophetic nightmare in which the wizard Merlin is killed by a large, beastly creature. Basil makes it his mission to find Merlin and warn him of the danger that awaits him.

Basil’s journey takes him through the many diverse lands of Avalon where he meets a variety of different creatures and makes a few good friends. He frequently helps others, especially his friend Aylan, who is a Wind Sister. Although he is often bold and reckless (such as when he attends a magical wedding that he wasn’t invited to), Basil acts with good intentions showing great bravery, endearing him to those he helps as well as to the reader. During this fantastic but difficult journey, Basil learns to overcome many of his fears, including his fear of being too small to be of any worth. But his dearest wish is to determine the nature of his identity and whether there are others like him in the world. By the end of the story, Basil not only learns who and what he is, but also saves the wizard Merlin from his fate. Merlin’s Dragon is a great beginning to what promises to be another excellent series by a truly gifted author. Fantasy readers of all ages will do well to journey into Basil’s world.

T.A. Barron is a multiple New York Times bestselling author. Barron also has received numerous nominations and awards. Having grown up in Colorado and traveled extensively as a Rhodes Scholar, Barron is now a full time writer and conservationist and writes from the attic of his Colorado home. Check out T.A. Barron at his website at www.tabarron.com where you can learn more about the author, his books, upcoming events, ask him questions and much more. Reviewed by Michele, Three Rivers Public Library show less

I found this book a little tedious in the repetitive nature of the quests and problems faced. I skimmed a lot of it, reading only the dialogue and yes, it was interesting and cute but it didn't hold my interest enough throughout the book.

T. A. Barron's middle sequel. What happens between the Lost Years of Merlin and the Tree of Avalon. Wonderful story if you are looking for something for your Harry Potter readers try them on this series.

Between T.A. Barron's Lost Years and The Tree of Avalon comes a great new series of Merlin's new friend Basil.