Merlin Book 1: The Lost Years facts for kids
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| Author | Thomas A. Barron |
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| Original title | The Lost Years of Merlin |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Merlin Saga |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Penguin Group USA |
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Publication date
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1996 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 326 pp (hardcover edition) |
| ISBN | 0-399-23018-1 |
| OCLC | 34357368 |
| LC Class | PZ7.B27567 Lo 1996 |
| Preceded by | First in series |
| Followed by | Merlin Book 2: The Seven Songs |
The Lost Years (originally called The Lost Years of Merlin) is a fantasy book written by T. A. Barron. It was published by Penguin Group USA in 1996. This book tells the exciting story of the famous wizard Merlin when he was a young boy. Even though Merlin is known worldwide as an ancient wizard, this tale of his early life was created by the author. It is the very first book in the 12-book Merlin Saga series.
Contents
The Story of Young Emrys
The story begins with a young boy waking up on a beach. He has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Beside him is a woman with long blond hair. As the boy tries to help the woman, a wild boar attacks them! A brave stag suddenly appears and fights the boar, saving them.
Soon, the woman wakes up. She tells the boy her name is Branwen, and his name is Emrys. Years pass, and Emrys discovers he has magical powers. One day, he uses his powers to protect Branwen from a bully who is threatening her. Sadly, Emrys accidentally causes a fire that hurts another boy, and Emrys cannot save him.
Emrys's New Sight
Because of the fire, Emrys loses his eyesight. He promises never to use his magic again. But then, he learns to "see" in a new way, using a special "second sight" that helps him sense the world around him. Once he can move around safely, Emrys leaves Branwen at a monastery where he was cared for. He decides to go on a journey to find his true home and discover who he really is.
Journey to Fincayra
Emrys builds a raft and floats away. His journey takes him to a magical and mythical place called Fincayra. This island is said to be "in between" heaven and earth. He carries only a bag of herbs from his mother and a special pendant called the Galator. This pendant has powers that are "vast beyond knowing."
On Fincayra, Emrys meets a girl named Rhiannon. She needs his help to stop a terrible sickness that is killing the forest where she lives. At first, Emrys refuses, wanting only to find his lost memories. But when goblins attack them, Rhiannon cleverly tricks the goblins into taking her instead of Emrys. Because he wouldn't use his powers to save them both, Emrys vows to rescue her.
Friends and Foes
Emrys sets out to the Shrouded Castle to save Rhiannon. He is joined by a dwarf-sized giant named Shim. Along the way, he meets a wise storyteller named Cairpre. Cairpre tells Emrys that Branwen was indeed his mother, but her real name is Elen. He also learns that Emrys's father serves the king and has been turned evil by a spirit named Rhita Gawr. This spirit wants to control Fincayra before moving on to Earth.
Cairpre suggests they visit a dangerous gambler named Domnu. She might help them reach the castle. Emrys plays Domnu's game and wagers the Galator, his most valuable possession. He has learned that the Galator is the only treasure King Stangmar (who is controlled by Rhita Gawr) does not have, and it is more powerful than all of Stangmar's treasures combined. Domnu shrinks Emrys and Shim, allowing them to fly to the castle on the back of Trouble, Emrys's merlin (bird). At the castle, Emrys makes a shocking discovery: his own father is King Stangmar! His father made a deal with Rhita Gawr to harm Emrys in exchange for his mother's safety.
The Final Battle
With the help of his friends, Emrys fulfills an ancient prophecy. He destroys the castle and breaks Rhita Gawr's control over Fincayra. Both Trouble and Shim make great sacrifices. Trouble attacks Rhita Gawr, pushing him back into another world. Shim throws himself into the Cauldron of Death. But because Shim went in willingly, he destroys the Cauldron and grows to his true giant size! King Stangmar is then locked away.
After everything is over, Rhiannon suggests that if Emrys doesn't feel like his current name is right, he should try the name Merlin. Emrys agrees to use the name for a while.
