The Mirror of Merlin
by T.A. Barron

The fourth book in the Lost Years of Merlin cycle begins with an embarrassing magical goof. And more mistakes by the young wizard Merlin lead him deeper into a new adventure, in which he must finally confront himself face to face.

Plagued by a shadow that won't do what he tells it to do (don't you just hate that?), lost with his deer-woman friend Hallia and a creature called a ballymag that is half seal, half lobster, and all character, a bit of "leaping" gone awry lands him first in a troubled forest, then in the Haunted Marshes.

Things at this end of the land of Fincayra-- that "in between" place that forms a bridge between Earth and the spirit world-- are not going too well. The Marshes are encroaching on the trees. Evil creatures are attacking the people, plants, and animals that have long lived there in peace. Besides strangling snakes and deadly beetles, there are ghouls at large, armed with arrows that can literally pierce the day. A malevolent power-- one that smells familiar to Merlin, somehow-- must be behind it all.

The strange adventure grows stranger and more adventurous, when Merlin encounters a boy whose destiny will be intertwined with his own. And the last, lost "wise tool" of Fincayra. And a mirror that needs no light, that stands as a gateway to the Mists of Time. And Merlin's own choices-- his mistakes, his flawed humanity, even his rebellious shadow-- are all that he has to prevent a powerful enemy from destroying everything he cares about.

Along the way, Merlin faces the paradox that, even in his failures, he can be victorious. And that even when his doom seems to be at hand, he has a chance to change the world.

Filled with many magical moments to delight fans of T.H. White, Lloyd Alexander, and J.K. Rowling, this story brings Merlin through another stage of his development as the great wizard he will someday be...

Robbie Fischer
Arizona USA

Recommended Age: 12+

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.