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The Seven Songs of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin Series #2)
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To save his ailing mother, young Merlin must master the Seven Songs of Wisdom passed down from his grandfather, a legendary wizard. Only then can he journey to the spiritual Otherworld to obtain the elixir he needs. But the quest involves a task Merlin must perform—defeating a vile ogre whose merest glance means death. And even more difficult for the young wizard, he must discover the secret of seeing—not with his eyes but with his heart.
BONUS FEATURE: Author Reads Introduction
Having stumbled upon his hidden powers, the young wizard Merlin voyages to the Otherworld in his quest to find himself and the way to the realm of the spirit.
Teenage Merlin remains on the enchanted isle of Fincayra, charged by its inhabitants to traverse the countryside, playing the flowering harp and thereby rejuvenating the land that was scarred in battle during the overthrow of Merlin's father, the evil King Stangmar. Although Merlin is proud to serve, his own desire to be reunited with his mother, Elen, so overwhelms him that he abandons his task and teleports her to his side. No sooner do the pair embrace, however, than Elen is poisoned by a deathshadow, meant for her son by evil Rhita Gawr: Merlin's mother can only be saved if he masters the seven wizard's songs within one lunar month. The quest on which Barron sends his amiable hero is delightfully accessible and appropriate for this audience: In essence, Merlin must rise above his own hubris, and use his heart and mind as an adult. Aiding Merlin in his tasks are the lovely and resourceful Rhia, and a new character, the dour would-be jester Bumbelwy. While plenty of characters from the previous novel appear, as do familiar landmarks, it is Merlin's inner journey that readers will cherish above all: His development is convincing and heartwarming. A rich and resonant read.
T.A. Barron is the award-winning author of fantasy novels such as The Lost Years of Merlin epic—soon to be a major motion picture. He serves on a variety of environmental and educational boards including The Nature Conservancy and The Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, and is the founder of a national award for heroic children. Following a life-changing decision to leave a successful business career to write full-time in 1990, Barron has written seventeen books, but is happiest when on the mountain trails with his wife, Currie, and their five children.
Wearily, I lay my hand against the wooden wall. Suddenly I felt a brief spark of warmth from one of the runes. A strange tingling pulsed through my fingers. I caught a whiff of something, not quiet a deeling. Pushing my fingers to the wood, I concentrated harder. I thought of Elen, lying alone on a floor of woven boughs. Help her, please. She has given me so much. In a flash, I understood. The first rune spoke its meaning directly to my mind, in a deep, resonant voice that I had never heard, yet somehow always known. The Seven Songs of Wizardry, one melody and many, may guide ye to the Otherworld, though hope ye have not any... Excitedly, rune by rune, I read my way up each step of the stairwell. Often I paused, repeating the words to myself before proceeding. When at last I reached the top, the sun's first rays were filtering down the stirwell and trembling over the runes. During the night, the Seven Songs had been carved on the walls of my mind just as they had once been carved on the walls of Arbassa.
Anonymous
Posted May 4, 2010
The Seven Songs of Merlin is a great book with a lot of twist and turns along the way. The book is about the great wizard Merlin. Instead of the old all powerful all knowing wizard he usually is, he's a 13 year old boy and instead of going around Camelot with King Arthur he's living in the magical in-between world of Fincayra. Tasked with reviving the Dark Hills Merlin at first makes good progress until he decides to bring his mother to the island, unfortunately shortly after reaching the island she is attacked by a death shadow. With only a month to live and only one cure in existence Merlin, his friend Rhia, and the less than funny jester Bumbelwy set after the legendary seven songs of wizardry to gain access to the otherworld well.
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Posted September 16, 2008
When I was reading this book, I realized that every time the plot became boring the author made sure to make it more exciting. The book is about the great wizard Merlin as a child. The Seven Songs of Merlin are important morals that Merlin must learn in order to save his sickly mother. It was one of the best books I've ever read and I've already recommended it to other people.
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Posted March 12, 2008
This book brings to life a magical adventure of heart, mind, and body. T.A. Barron has delivered a powerful and touching story. He has once again outdone himself in the area of writing with his vivid descriptions and irresistable characters. Any book lover will enjoy the ride that this book takes you on. It is jam-packed with adventure, fun, and lessons that can also be applied in our lives. It is sure not to disappoint. =D
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Posted November 22, 2007
I found this book in a Half-Price Books store, and though it sounded good, so I got it. It was done a week later. I really enjoyed it. Most books, Merlin is an old man who is a great wizard. This is Merlin as a kid, and you can relate to some of his feelings. He has to master 7 Songs of Wisdom in order to save his mother. Along the way, each of his ways he learns the Songs are not as you'd expect. The plot can be a bit slow at times, but when the action picks up, it really is amazing.
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Posted September 25, 2004
This book was a great fantasy book. I could not put it down. I read this in the 5th grade. I even understood it then. Now I'm in the 8th grade and I'm writing this review. Merlin was awesome. Please read this book. If you don't then something's wrong.
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Posted March 29, 2003
-The series of the Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron is another magical and fantasy series - Merlin is sent upon a quest to beautify the Dark Hills before evil endulges it yet Merlin gets sidetracked and sends his mother to Fincayra. Though as she smells a flower, a shadow consumes her, leaving her only 1 month to live... Merlin has to master the 7 songs left by Tuatha and travel to the Otherworl well and retrieve a potion from Dagda before it's too late, and on the way, he finds out his only sibling... is his best friend... whom will suffer a great injury, almost killing them - a great book, though I had read it out of order, the only flaw was the ending of the book, the fact it seems so short but then again, most good books are like that... -
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Posted December 16, 2002
I'll give you good advice. If you liked the first book in this series, you'll love this one! We find Merlin-yes, he dropped the Emrys-thing- on a journey to save his mother from certain death. Rhia and a newcomer named Bumblewy accompany him, as he races to find the seven songs of wizardry, which help him discover the true meaning of being a wizard. (ps- any of you hoping for a however-small romance between him and Rhia- well, let's just say you're in for a big surprise!)
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Posted November 7, 2002
this book is the best book I have ever read and if you have not read it you really should!!!!
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Posted October 7, 2002
I have read all of the merlin books and they are all very good and deep with magic and many surprises. This beats every book i have ever read by a long shot.
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Posted July 13, 2002
this was a awesome addition to the lost years of merlin saga, i cant wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!!!
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Posted May 24, 2002
the seven songs of merlin is an exciting book with twists and turns at every page. i foud myself unable to put it down. i can't wait to get into the rest of the series.
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Posted May 16, 2002
This book is an outstanding book for all ages and if you do not read it, you are missing out on one of the best books you can read. I never wanted to put this book down once I started. It always had me guessing at what Merlin¿s next decision would be and how every thing would work out in the end as he defied the rules of Fincayra and made his own path no matter what the consequences might be. The book starts out when Merlin is assigned to heal the lands from a past war before the bad guys return. Out of frustration, he stops his task, leaving the land susceptible to attack. He leaves to try to find his mother on the other side of the mist. He brings her back and she is poisoned by a shadow that was meant to kill Merlin. Merlin must figure out the language of the seven songs and then discover their meanings all in a time limit of one month. The book takes many twists and turns as the young Merlin learns from his mistakes and gathers valuable information on his way to becoming a wise and powerful wizard. I loved this book, and to tell you the truth, I did not read the first book in the series yet. I understood almost the entire book anyway. I do not recommend you do as I did, but if you do, you can understand the book perfectly fine without reading the series in order. I do plan on reading the first book next. This book is great. I did not give it five stars because the book did not adequately address the fact that he had abandoned his original task. I felt like the author forgot about it at times in the book. None the less, this is one of the best books I have read and I recommend that you read it to.
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Posted July 26, 2002
This is definitely one of the greatest books I've read in a long time. So rarely does an author come and completely sweep you into his world--I've never read anything other fantasy author with Barron's description. He really takes you there with his wonderful writing. Like with The Lost Years of Merlin, his words paint vivid pictures of the scenery. This is an imaginitive, wonderful work of fantasy that has the depth and meaning that so many books lack. Although it does have a few logical errors (ex. there was no real reason that Cairpre should have kept it from Merlin that Rhia was his sister, or that when he heard about Rhia, he had no reaction. Or why Merlin must learn all seven songs before going to the Otherworld--Merlin used none of the songs when he went went there). There's no children's writer that can match Barron's description skills--vivid, beautiful, and detailed, he defines the meaning of the overused phrase, 'he made me feel as if I was really there.' This book is just as good as The Lost Years of Merlin, the previous book. It has the same blend of characters that are so real. The characterization is great. Merlin is human--arrogant, rash, but brave and kind hearted. He is very likeable, despite his faults. And Rhia--she adds so much to the story. She is cheerfulness and mischievousness, mixed with a bit of oddness that sets her apart from most novel characters. Very original and unique creation, and Barron does a great job with her. She is perfectly crafted. Elen is also exceptionally done--her wisdom, her love, and her beauty naturally comes out in this book. Fortunately, she is not so tragic as in The Lost Years of Merlin. She will always be one of my favorite characters. She is self-sacrificing, wanting little more than for Merlin to be happy. Like Merlin himself said, she gave Merlin everything she could give him without wanting anything back. Elen is truly admirable. There is just nothing wrong with Barron's characterization of her--he manages to convey her self-sacrificing, courageous personality without making it overdone. The only thing that readers might find wrong with her is that she later falls in love with Caipre--but this doesn't come in until The Fires of Merlin, the book after this. Stangmar did terrible things, but the reason? To save her. She could have never forgiven him (she does forgive him, by the way, before he dies in The Wings of Merlin), but she at least should have found it in her heart to never love another man because she had loved him so much. Either that, or it means her love for him wasn't as true as Caipre made it out to be in The Lost Years of Merlin. Stangmar was a very tragic figure, and it was because of Elen. None of it was her fault, but still, he did what he did to save her. Elen, in all her wisdom, should have recognized this. The Seven Songs of Merlin was truly great because it touches the reader. The reader, like Merlin, learns to see with the heart instead of the eyes, and learns the meaning of each of the Seven Songs. This book has all the richness of The Lost Years of Merlin, plus a more continued development of plot. Unfortunately, after this Barron's plots are less well-thought out, and his endings grow considerably weaker. However, all five books in the series are wonderful and should be tried.
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Posted June 13, 2002
Its a very good book, but is a little bit slower than The Lost Years of Merlin, but very exciting. I highly recommend you read it.
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Posted October 28, 2001
If you are like me and like to read about magical/Adventure this book has it all. When you just think the book is done, something exciting happens.
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Posted September 12, 2001
This is a great book. I read it and was very surprised at how real it seemed. This book has so much emotion, It is a must read!!!
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Posted June 8, 2001
One of the best reads I've had in a long time!
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Posted June 6, 2001
Full of action, excitment, and surprises.
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Posted May 20, 2001
A boy in his early teens is chosen to revive the Dark Hills because he is the only creature in Fincayra (Magical Island) with a wizards help. Merlin (the boy) must revive the island from the blight caused by the evil king Stangmar. The dark hills are most likely the planning places for destruction, so they must be revived first. But Merlin misses his mother so much, that he will do anything to bring her to him. But when she finally does arrive, she is poisoned by a dark shadow intended for Merlin. Now, Merlin must enter the Otherworld-- a place that only one mortal has travelled before. That one person was Merlins Grandfather, the most powerful wizard to ever exist. But Merlin's grandfather failed on return. Now Merlin must succeed his grandfather as a mere boy with a faint idea of his magic. He must find the soul of the Seven Songs of Wizardry, enter the otherworld, find the most powerful spirit ever, and persuade him to lend the Elixer of Dagda, all in a month before his mother dies. This book of fantasy is glue to anyone of any age. Every word is spellbinding, and everywhere Merlin goes there is thrilling excitement. Anyone can relate and care for the main characters. If this book is not one of your favorites, there must be a mistake.
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Posted May 24, 2001
T.A Barron has done it for the second time. Merlin has come back in his second novel on an exciting and breathtaking adventure to save his mother by mastering the seven songs of wizardry. It is superior to the Harry Potter books not that I don't love the them and have every book.
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Overview
To save his ailing mother, young Merlin must master the Seven Songs of Wisdom passed down from his grandfather, a legendary wizard. Only then can he journey to the spiritual Otherworld to obtain the elixir he needs. But the quest involves a task Merlin must perform—defeating a vile ogre whose merest glance means death. And even more difficult for the young wizard, he must discover the secret of seeing—not with his eyes but with his heart.
BONUS FEATURE: Author Reads Introduction
Having stumbled upon his hidden powers, the young wizard Merlin voyages to the Otherworld in his quest to find himself ...