May 1, 2003
Gr 6 Up-With a full complement of mythical creatures and a race-against-death quest, The Seven Songs of Merlin (Philomel, 1997) continues T.A. Barron's youthful saga of the legendary wizard. Here, 13-year-old Merlin ignores warnings and sets aside the task of renewing the blighted land of Fincayra so he can bring his mother back to her homeland. Only minutes after the two are reunited, she is struck down by a deathshadow sent by his old nemesis, Rhita Gawr. That means Merlin and his companions, forest friend Rhia and a comically dour jester called Bumbelwy, have only the four phases of the moon to unravel the secrets of the seven songs that will help him save his mother. Mixing ingenuity and courage, the trio manages to overcome overwhelming odds and grow in wisdom. There's a satisfying conclusion with hints of the next volume of Barron's epic. Narrator Kevin Isola does a superb job of bringing to life both human and mystical characters. Even the wind and a tiny, talking shell are distinctive and memorable. Sound quality is solid, and the cover and cassettes are sturdy and well marked. Fantasy fans and Arthurian legend-lovers will be drawn to The Seven Songs of Merlin, and they'll be joined by listeners who like adventure spiced with spirit and humor. An attractive addition for both school and public library collections.-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.