T Books

This is my toddler's favorite of the series. It is the usual whimsical style with beautifully detailed illustrations. We just discovered after many readings that there is a pet on most pages. My toddler loves to look for the dinosaurs' pets as we turn the pages. A refreshing bedtime story.

We absolutely love Yolen and Teague's 'Dinosaur' books. The text is fun and rhythmic and the pictures are just incredible. My son is eight years old and loves these books, just now when he came in as I was on the computer he pointed to the books and said "thanks!!!". We have only one comment. Please, please, please, make all of them available in large book editions. The board books are simply too small to appreciate the amazing detail in the illustrations.

My three year old has been into dinosaurs for a year and is still going strong. He received this for his third birthday and it quickly became his favorite bedtime story. We always end with a kiss and he roars a goodnight. Lol.

I like how the dinosaurs are named in the pictures because it not only teaches bedtime manners, but also dinosaur identification. Believe it or not, the boy can name dinosaurs better than he knows the alphabet.

If your little one is into dinosaurs, this is highly recommended for the collection.

WE REALLY LOVE THESE BOOKS WITH THE HUGE PICTURES OF REALLY REAL LOOKING PICTURES OF THE DINOS & WHAT IT MIGHT BE LIKE IF ONE WERE REALLY LIVING AS A HUMAN CHILD INSIDE A HUMAN'S HOUSE! FAST TO READ & GREAT EYE CANDY. THIS SERIES OF DINO BOOKS LEAVE U WANTING MORE! THERE ISN'T 1 AT ALL DISSAPPOINTING! WE HIDE THESE FROM GRANDMA SO THEY R ONLY TO BE READ BY ME & THE KIDS! THEY R OUR SECRET TREASURES WE ENJOY!
GRANDMA NEEDED TO FIND HER OWN TREASURES TO SHARE WITH THE KIDS...

My son was given this book as a gift. I was disturbed by the text. It makes children feel that they should just do what they are told like "good" little children. Children should be allowed to express their anxiety about bedtime, not just shut up and go right to sleep because their parents said so. Children ask for that one last drink, that one last story, etc, because they want to make sure their parents are there for them. They want to feel secure. Some children have a hard time transitioning at the end of the day and need those reassurances. That is why this book bothered me. I do think the illustrations are great, which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of one.

I loved this book. I am hoping for a realtionship between Daine and the Numair. I loved the story line and the plot was quite interesting. I cant wait to read the fourth of this series.

This book is no disappointment for anyone who likes Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. A great read. Recommended for anyone looking for adventure. This book, of course, is a sequel, and is well worth reading. Tamora Pierce does not disappoint with her intriguing plot, life-like characters, thrilling adventures. Brilliant cover art for this edition. As usual a wonderful installment in her Tortall adventures.

Ever wished you could trash an empiral palace using dinosaurs? Then this book is for you! Animal lovers unite to take out the bad guy.

I have read this book many times in the past years. Finally being able to own it is great! It has a good storyline and well-thought-out characters. I've loved these books since I was a kid and I hope others read them as well!

Daine and her teacher Numair Salamin are sent to Carthak as part of the peace legion. But although Ozorne says that he didn't attack Tortall Daine can tell that he's up to something. She can feel it.

In this book Daine is captured by...sorry I won't tell you. Numair tries to save her and...another thing I won't say. Ozorne is growing powerful and Daine see's her power growing in strange ways. Are these powers good or bad?

While Daine is here she meets Kaddar the prince of Carthak and maybe, just maybe they can do something to stop the war and to defeat Ozorne...

Please read this book. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It has magic, fantasy, action, adventure and a touch of romance.

Weisbecker's previous book Captain Zero was not a happy tale as the author comes to terms with his former best friend's crack addiction, but there was humor and many wild moments as the author describes past and present misadventures... This book (CYGAWA) has a much more negative vibe overall and goes much deeper into the human condition and the all too real horrors of human relations, be they sex or surf or economic based, or a mix of those elements.

This overriding negative vibe doesn't mean this book isn't good; it is. Weisbecker is a terrific writer: he has the cynical, aging-yet-sharp surfer's voice down pat. The story here is character driven and the people and their motives are well-described, and sometimes scary despite their veneer of normalcy... liars, murderers, fools, thieves, and even the author himself... but as it goes on from the author's difficulties working with others on a Hollywood screenplay to his difficulties living with those at the so-called end of the road, I found it was just going on too long. Ironic because Weisbecker goes on at length about his distaste for his editor's desire to limit pages, but the redundancy of various scenes and moods here, even the redundancy of certain words and phrases, and the inclusion of several long sections regarding land wars, made me wonder why this wasn't cut down... in fact, there are several times when Weisbecker suggests the reader skip ahead, so I did... but despite that long downward dip in the middle there were some big and ironic payoffs at the end which made sticking with it worthwhile. Recommended.

I love Allan Weisbecker. He's a space case in the very best way. He's like some kind of agoraphobic who's addicted to public places. I read this book a few months back and found it one of the most brilliantly entertaining and irritating books of my life. I worried for this guy all through it, even though the existence of the book proved he'd survived the pyschophysical ordeals he was describing. I also found large wads of my own life and psyche embedded in his tale, because Allan's apparent goal is a supreme self-transparency -- so supreme that I often found myself looking right through him at myself. You're weird and brilliant AW, like so many ... but different. Go well & keep sliding!

I really enjoyed the other 2 Weisbecker books but this one was a jumble of cry-baby paranoia.

I have read all three of Allan Weisbecker's books (my copy on In Search of Captain Zero is falling apart), and coincidentally ended up finishing Can't You Get Along With Anyone while in Costa Rica. While this isn't the first time I have heard of issues involving squatters, it was interesting to read about the Max Dalton investigation in depth.

On a separate note, while the book can be a difficult read at times if you're not used to Weisbecker's liberal use of footnotes, as the audience, it is extremely easy to connect to him not as the distant author, but as a human being (and upon reading other reviews, find it hard to believe that many other people would not resort to the same obsession over a significant other's constant indiscretions - to put it lightly). It also says much for his credibility that he continues to name names and post ample evidence on the book's website...some fascinating reading I would recommend once you've finished the book.

Last year around this time, Kurt Vonnegut died, and I found myself lamenting the loss of yet another of my authorial heroes. (Can you imagine the war stories Vonnegut, Heller and Mailer must be swapping at the post-mortem bar?). I asked myself where their particular brand of balls-to-the-wall insight and reverence for the absurdity of humankind had gone. Then I read CYGAWA. And I figured it out. It just went surfing in Costa Rica.

This book haunts me. Having read it a few months ago, and being unable to shake its emotional impact, I visited this Amazon page to see what other people thought, based on the reader reviews.

112 reviews, all but 4 being being 5-star raves (the few 4 starred ones SOUND like 5 stars).

I agree with the raves. Completely. And then some. I tried to figure out what was going on with the 4 people who gave CYGAWA one or two stars, and whose opinion of the book was overtly hostile. Like the review just preceding this one: sue c headlines her review "horrible" and brands Weisbecker's masterpiece as a "jumble of cry-baby paranoia."

I asked myself, What is with this woman? What realm of reality is she living in? Then it hit me.

Consider: A major storyline in CYGAWA is the "outing" of a sociopath. Research studies have shown that 1 in 25 people are sociopaths (how's that for a scary thought). 1 in 25. Four percent.

Out of 112 reviews, 4 people HATED the book. Almost exactly the same percentage as the percentage of sociopaths in the general population.

This could explain sue c and the other three hostile reviewers' attitudes. As Weisbecker points out, a sociopath's worst nightmare is being exposed. Hence sue c's and the others' outrage at the outing of one of their kind.

The point of this review: CYGAWA is a great read...unless you're a sociopath.

Earlier this year I borrowed this book from my chiropractor, thinking that I should try to incorporate some non-fiction into my reading. I got way more than I was expecting out of this book. It changed my life; in fact, just yesterday I celebrated my 6 month anniversary of being a vegetarian. However, when I first started reading, I thought I would have to force myself through millions of dull facts, but I actually finished the book in a few days. I couldn't put it down, because every second that I wasn't reading, was another second that I was potentially poisoning my body with some animal product that I hadn't previously known could cause so many health problems. Basically what I'm trying to say is that this book was a little bit scary and intense, but it was more helpful than anything. It gave me that extra push I needed to make the lifestyle change I'd been considering for a while, but never actually had the motivation to pursue.
I believe the author does an exquisite job of telling his story at the same time as he brings awareness to a subject that much of America's population is oblivious to. Mr. Lyman's writing style does come off a little dramatic, which could be a turn off, especially concerning such a controversial subject. However the facts are included to back up every statement show that Mr. Lyman is just very passionate and well-versed in this subject. Also, Mr. Lyman's background as a rancher makes this book all the more powerful and easier to relate to. In short this book is an extremely useful tool, and is a must read for anyone with a vested interest in their wellness and the future of our earth and our society's health.

I don't have to give anyone a reason for why I eat meat other than because I like it. I'll be having a steak tomorrow! Despite that, this is a great read and I highly recommend it to meat eaters and non meat eaters alike. I was raised on a farm (cattle, chickens, hogs...) I also grew up with more fruits and veggies in my diet in a week than many people have in a lifetime. We grew our own and lots of it. You can absolutely live just as well on a full diet of fruits and veggies alone, but I'll have mine with meat, thanks! But still, get the book.

My wife (dairy farmer family background) read and confirmed a small portion from the book, and I became an instant vegetarian. I cheat a little, yet rarely and carefully.

Most meat producers should be forced into bankruptcy and thrown into prison. What the meat industry is doing is criminal.

We've given out many copies of this book.

Don't read it unless you're ready to give up eating animals! It's an easy to read, informative look at the dark side of the meat eating US culture and the effects upon our bodies as well as the environment. I would highly recommend it for anyone who is already vegetarian or thinking about becoming one, or for anyone concerned about our environment.

While overly emotional and more than a little biased at times, I found this book a very interesting read. It makes you look differently at the environmental and sociological as well as medical impact of our society's increasing use of beef. I think this book has a lot of information that people should be told, but that doesn't make it into most mass-media

I purchased a copy of this book when it was first published. I actually now have a second copy that is filled with notes. It is an excellent and comprehensive text on forensic art. I have been a forensic artist for over ten years. I encourage anyone in the field who has not read Karen Taylor's book to get a copy and read it thorougly. I have found that I reference it several times a year on variousl aspects of forensic art. In short this book is a must have for anyone in the forensic art field.

This reading covers just about everthing that you need to know and keeps you entranced in its style.

As a sculptor, who often creates portrait busts, in the past I have searched for the perfect anatomy book to understand the head. When I found Taylor's Forensic Art and Illustration, I felt I had the information needed to sculpt a head. The book provides illustrations and relationships between the skull and the facial features. This book provides a three-dimensional tool for sculptors. I use it in my portrait
bust classes. I have never found any anatomy book with this much information.

I work for the television series Forensic Files and can honestly say that I have referenced this book more times than I can even begin to count. Karen Taylor is one of the most talented and creative artists. The dedication to her craft is clearly illustrated throughout this book. This book is a must have!

Though there is a new book out by another author, this is still the BEST book on forensic art. Karen Taylor's expertise and vast knowledge of forensic art, combined with a well thought out and readable style, sets it apart from the competition. If you want to be a master of your craft you need to learn from the master. This is the bible of Forensic Art!

Out to Canaan (The Mitford Years, Book 4)

Most wonderful fiction series I've read in many years! I love Jan Karon's Mitford Season, and can't wait until the next ones come out. The characters have become so real to me, I feel like I've known them all my life. It's hard to find good Christian fiction, which are loved even by those who do not usually read Christian literature, but these fit the bill! I give them for gifts to many.

I just loved this book. I am reading the Mitford series and getting to know the characters. It's great to have a respite from our busy world. This book had me laughing out loud in a few places.

My 97 year old grandmother is in love with Mitford. She has macular degeneration and can no longer read with her eyes so she "reads" with her ears. Whenever she is feeling blue or is sick in bed, she just puts Mitford in and says she feels comforted. This was the missing book of her series on CD and we sent it for her 97th birthday. A highly recommended series - the first book may seem a bit slow, but once you finish, you'll want to read the rest of the series.

This is a great book. It contains no violence or sex and still manages to entertain on every page.

I bought for a gift for my mother. She is thoroughly enjoying. I will read next as we both share the Jan Karon Mitford Series with equal compassion for this small town.

As a published author myself who has been left to do the vast majority of the legwork to promote my book, I speak with some authority as to the validity of the ideas outlined in the Frugal Book Promoter. The text is chock full of outstanding suggestions and recommendations for elements all along the book publishing/promotion timeline for both traditional and non-traditional publishing paths. I don't think there's a single page that doesn't offer something extremely useful, and oftentimes multiple nuggets of wisdom to get your book in the public eye. I've got several in mind to help expand my own efforts.

Here's my gripe, though. The formatting of the book is awful. It would have been so much more readable had the author or someone else taken the time to clean up the presentation. I can't help but conclude that the book was just a cut and paste job from a website or ebook. There are long, underlined URLs all over the place. The book employs a great deal of bullet lists, but the lists are crammed together. There are also all kinds of alternate formats used in a less than elegant fashion making for a very clunky looking work.

I give the content a 5, but the formatting a 1. That would average a 3 for a score, but since the material is so useful I'll weight that higher and give it a 4.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares rich and practical information about publicity that works, mainly because she has already tested it all herself. Having synthesized her prior work and life experience, she's only too willing to explain its' application to book marketing. Whether you're creating a brand, growing an email list, looking to network or building platform, this book is for you.

Carolyn is the good Mom we'd all like - she's engaging, generous, smart and truly wants you to achieve success, whatever that means to you. Her creative ideas are tucked throughout the book and her energy jumps off the page. No matter what promotional resources or partnering websites she's recommending, her enthusiasm is, indeed, contagious.

When I was sitting in the back row of my high school English class, my teacher old Mrs. Smith (not her real name) told me that a famous publisher would spend $1000000000000 making my book a bestseller. After graduation, I learned that she didn't know what she was talking about.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson does know what she's talking about. "The Frugal Book Promoter" has so many ideas, tips, resources and defining moments that reading it all in one sitting is simply too overpowering. Howard-Johnson begins with a list of stuff you better not do and marches like a conquering hero through 38 chapters of things you should do. At the end of the book, you not only have a heavy toolkit of techniques, you have a PR mindset from contact lists to writers conferences to contracts to book signings. Since your publisher probably won't make you a star, this frugal, do-able, practical approach will show you how to do it yourself.

Howard-Johnson does it again with The Frugal Book Promoter. Who doesn't love getting free publicity? As an editor, I see more and more first time authors write their book, go through the expense of self-publishing their book and then don't know how to sell their book. The Frugal Book Promoter helps guide young authors through the promoting process and gives great tips and advice to get that book sold! I highly recommend it to authors on a budget.
Karen L. Reddick, author of Grammar Done Right!

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's PR background shines through as she shares dozens and dozens tips for preparing media materials and working successfully with the media.

The Frugal Book Promoter also offers advice on the effective use of galleys and ARCs, tips for getting blurbs, information on using Amazon's promotional tools, ideas for book launch announcements and parties, tips for jump-starting sales of books that have been out for a while, and more.

This book is a great tool for both new and experienced authors. New authors will especially benefit from Howard-Johnson's refreshingly realistic look at the not-always-glamorous world of book signings and book fairs.

Dana Lynn Smith, publishing consultant, Texana Publishing

Boston's Gun Bible is probably THE book every gun owner and freedom loving American should own. Few Americans truly understand the Bill of Rights and the 2nd Amendment. It's not about hunting, nor is about personal protection. First and foremost, it is to protect Americans from an overbearing government! Boston's Bible gives you the information you need to make intelligent choices in every phase of selection and use of firearms.

That said, the original edition was released in 1998. We were in the depths of the Clinton efforts to disarm Americans. He revised it in 2000 with many important updates, and revised it again in 2002, which this version happens to be. That was the last revision. A newly revised edition is sorely needed.

It's been six long years, and many important events directly bearing on firearms, their ownership and use have transpired. The gun ban expired, which opened millions to ownership of guns more evenly matched with government forces. The development of the 6.8 SPC round for combat use in Afghanistan and Iraq. Laser optics. Wartime R&D have put many new features and materials in play. New manufacturers have come; others have gone. The Supreme Court has revised laws on gun ownership. All of this needs to be accounted for in any book purporting to be a Bible. And that means timely revisions.

The other reviews here accurately reflect strengths and shortcomings of the Bible. Even as it ages, however, it is aging gracefully, and you should surely own and study religiously the most recent edition.

I'm not sure if I can say anything more descriptive or relevant than the previous reviews, but I will say that this is an EXCELLENT book. If you are a gun owner or have ever considered owning a gun, this is the definitive resource for you. Before you buy, sell, or have any further dealings with firearms, you owe it to yourself to read this book!

I've read several of the other pro-gun and Second Amendment books offered by such noted authors as Bracken, Ross, and Rawles. They are all excellent works in their own right. However, Boston's Gun Bible (BGB) differs from all of the others in that, it is a purely non-fiction and factual book, based on detailed research. No gun-owner's library should be without it.

Buy this book and read it. You will not regret it.

Boston's Gun Bible is a very informative reference for almost everything relating to firearms. Boston offers advice and reviews for a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to): handguns, semi-automatic rifles, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, sights, optics, scopes, rangefinders, night vision, ammunition, knives, self-defense tactics, laws, regulations, and rights. Not afraid to state his opinion and back it up with facts and figures, he does a good job of separating fact from philosophy, and extensively covers both. Boston's style of writing puts an unwritten "and I mean it" after every sentence.

Boston's Gun Bible is partitioned into five parts. Part I begins the book from the ground-up by first defining a number of terms. Next comes a review of basic firearm safety, followed by a review of self-defense scenarios, defensive tactics for a number of situations, and a chapter dealing with guns and tactics specifically for women.

Part II exhaustively (and I mean exhaustively!) covers many semi-auto 'battle rifles', like the M14/M1A, FAL, and AR10, and battle carbines, like the AK74 and AR15. Boston not only numerically rates each rifle against tens of individual criteria, but elaborates (sometimes extensively) on each. Part III covers all other types of rifles, handguns, and shotguns with the same detail.

Part IV covers the acquisition of firearms, whether through private sales, gun stores, or gun shows. Boston hits many of the caveats associated with firearms ownership, as well as recommends a number of items for immediate purchase. A chapter is devoted to the practices, operation, and jurisdiction of the BATF. Boston also covers how to inspect firearms prior to purchase, and how to haggle a fair price. Reloading, cleaning, sighting, and shooting are all covered in the last chapter.

Part V and VI mainly cover topics like firearms rights (and rights in general), regulations, and disarmament. This is done as concretely as possible through commentary, recommendations, research, essays, news clippings, etc.

When it comes to firearms and self-defense, Boston certainly knows what he is doing. Boston's Gun Bible provides valuable information, confident recommendations, and an uplifting philosophy. This book is definitely worth its cover price. I highly recommend it.

Superb resource book with an unbelievable amount of information. I would have gladly given it 5 stars except there are a few typos here and there. I will strongly recommend this work to even those who are not firearm enthusiast. You might just become one and will certainly learn a great deal. An expert will discover within this book that there is a lot left to learn.

Boston really gives you alot to digest in this book. It is an excellent read and gives lots of information on different rifles, pistols etc.. Anyone who strongly believes in their 2nd amendment rights should read this book. Some of it might seem abit overboard, but hey, whose to say....read it and decide for yourself!

A 1000 recipes for comfort food, maybe not from your mother, but from someone else's.
Just good cooking, straightforward, cooking that you can do at home.

Give this cookbook to all your friends, even the ones addicted to complicated cooking full of exotic ingredients.

This book is GREAT!!! It has a ton to mouth-watering recepies and is really worth the money.

I have really enjoyed this cookbook. I'm finding that it's a great source for good, basic recipes for all of my favorite traditional dishes. I also like the variations I've discovered on some old favorites -- the Baked Acorn Squash, for example, which uses orange juice to create a delicious sauce.

I really like this cookbook. Some parts seem very retro and homey, others quite current. A few of the recipes seem so simple you'll wonder why they're in a book, but they're helpful anyway, and sometimes become a springboard to lily-gilding (my weakness). I've only had a problem with one recipe, the bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin (the instructions call for way too much time in the oven). I have also had to spice things up a bit for our tastes, but I think families with small children or picky eaters will be happy with the level of seasoning. This book has become my go-to for weeknight recipes especially because they're reliable and mostly utilize pantry items.

Wonderful cookbook! I read the reviews and just had to go out and buy it for myself! I've been looking for a cookbook with EVERY classic American comfort food recipe, and this is it! It has everything from Appetizers (Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Deviled Eggs) to Breakfast (Biscuits and Gravy; French Toast and Oatmeal), Main Dishes (Chicken Parmesan, Turkey Tetrazzini, Crown Roast) to Sides (Green Bean Casserole from scratch!) and luscious Desserts (Apple Turnovers, Chocolate Cream Pie and Lindy's Original New York Cheesecake!). If you love to cook and want to get back to the good old days of comfort food, this book is a must buy!

In this book, Merlin must return the dark hills to normal and restore all the land in Fincayra with the flowering harp. He is aided by his friend Rhia and Bumblewy, a pathetic jester. His longing for his mother soon takes priority over restoring the land. With the help of the wisest shell he is able to bring his mother from Earth to Fincayra. But she quickly catches the death curse and the only way to cure it is by traveling to the otherworld to retrieve the Elixir of Dagda. In order to do this he must find the souls of the seven songs of magic, travel through the otherworld well, fight a Cyclops named Balor, retrieve the Elixir and return it to his mother. With the help of his two companions, he will have to do this in one month before his mother dies.
This second book of the Merlin series was good. It was well written and interesting. The only thing I didn't like was how easily everything fit together, and how something always happened to break Merlin's way when he was looking for the souls of the songs. I think T.A. Barron did a great job of expressing the emotion of the characters. This book is filled with magic. I would recommend this for people of all ages.

The Seven Songs of Merlin is the second book in the Merlin series written by T.A. Barron. This is a story about a young boy who is discovering himself and what's within him. It is an adventure including mystical creatures, distant lands, and eccentric characters. This series of five books tells the adventures of a well- known wizard before he was famous. It is prologue to the stories King Arthur. The Merlin series is a great series and I do recommend it.
For you to understand some things I will explain about the Seven Songs book, you must know a little about the previous book. The first book starts out with Merlin waking up on a shoreline not knowing who or where he is. A woman takes him in and claims to be his mother, but he is not sure that she is. Merlin discovers he is not an ordinary boy and goes to the mystical land called Fincayra. On this island he finds out that the woman is his mother and discovers his fate. He has powers and is destined to become a greater wizard than his grandfather Tuatha. He goes on an exciting adventure and finds a new friend Rhia. When the first book ended it left me hanging and wanting more, and that is what led me to read this book, The Seven Songs of Merlin.
The book starts out with Merlin missing his mother and wanting her to be with him on Fincayra, so he finds a way to bring her to him. This way is to find the talking shell and tell it what he wants most. When he does this his mother arrives on the beach. When she arrives she is enticed by a cursed flower and the second she touches it she becomes extremely ill and weak. Merlin is filled with guilt and rage. Then he is told that the spirit Dagda has an elixir to cure the disease, but the only problem is Dagda is in the otherworld which is where all spirits live and Merlin is in Fincayra, the middle world. Fincayra is neither mortal or spirit; it is called the in- between place. Merlin is told he must follow the seven songs of wisdom left for him by his grandfather. He must get through all seven songs in time to save his mother. This journey will prepare him to face the giant vile ogre Balor guarding the entrance to the otherworld. Merlin finds these songs on the inside of an ancient tree and sets off on his quest. These tasks are not easy and they take him all over the land. He learns many things about magic as well as things about himself.
Will he make it to the otherworld in time, will the ogre, whose smallest glance can kill, be Merlin's end, or will he prevail and accomplish the task he set out for? Read this fantastic book to find out. I really enjoyed this book. It never had a dull moment and I just couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adventure or fantasy. The character development was great and it had an intriguing plot. Free time is not something to be wasted, so have a good experience by reading this book. Plus, when you're done reading this one, there are three more books left that are just as good, if not better, that you can read which also tell the story of an interesting adventure.
There are only a few drawbacks that I was able to come up with. The first one that came to my mind is that you have to read the first book to read the second one so you will understand the plot. So, if you want to read the third one you must read the first and second. Its not a drawback if you like to read, but if you're looking for a book that you can just sit and read without wondering what happened in the previous book or what is going to happen in the next book, then this is not the book for you. Another drawback is this book isn't very short and takes a while to read. It is around 300 pages. I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and have personally read 4 of the 5 books and consider them all to be well written and excellent books. Once more I would like to say I personally recommend this book and series to anyone, but mostly fantasy fans.


John F.

This is a wonderful sequel to the already great 1st book, the lost years of merlin.


After merlin topples stangmar, his father, he needs to "revive" the land with the flowering harp. however, he decides that he wants to bring his mother to Fincayra 1st. Using the wisest shell from the shore of speaking shells, he summons his mother to the island. when merlin's mother tries to smell a flower, a death shadow slides out and forces her to swallow it. A death shadow is Rhita Gawr's most painful way of killing someone.It gives the victim a month to live in which the victim will begin to suffer more and more pain. at the end of the month, he or she will die while enduring almost unbearable pain. Merlin finds out that to stop his mother from dying he must retrieve the elixer of Dagda. that means that he must journey to the otherworld to get it. However, the only way of getting to the Otherworld(apart from dying)and returning to the real world alive is to master the seven songs that Tuatha himself carved into Arbassa, Rhia home, a tree. After mastering all of the songs he must defeat/slay Rhita gawr's most fearsome servant, Balor, the one-eyed ogre. While merlin is quickly trying to get the elixer of Dagda, he discovers some thing abouut Rhia that leaves him in a great shock but only makes him triple his efforts to finds the elixer.

This is truly the best book that i have ever read and i think it deserves seven stars out of five. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.
COMPLIMENTS TO YOU MR. BARRON!!!!!!

This is a wonderful sequel to the already great 1st book, the lost years of merlin.


After merlin topples stangmar, his father, he needs to "revive" the land with the flowering harp. however, he decides that he wants to bring his mother to Fincayra 1st. Using the wisest shell from the shore of speaking shells, he summons his mother to the island. when merlin's mother tries to smell a flower, a death shadow slides out and forces her to swallow it. A death shadow is Rhita Gawr's most painful way of killing someone.It gives the victim a month to live in which the victim will begin to suffer more and more pain. at the end of the month, he or she will die while enduring almost unbearable pain. Merlin finds out that to stop his mother from dying he must retrieve the elixer of Dagda. that means that he must journey to the otherworld to get it. However, the only way of getting to the Otherworld(apart from dying)and returning to the real world alive is to master the seven songs that Tuatha himself carved into Arbassa, Rhia home, a tree. After mastering all of the songs he must defeat/slay Rhita gawr's most fearsome servant, Balor, the one-eyed ogre. While merlin is quickly trying to get the elixer of Dagda, he discovers some thing abouut Rhia that leaves him in a great shock but only makes him triple his efforts to finds the elixer.

This is truly the best book that i have ever read and i think it deserves seven stars out of five. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

The second installment of the Lost Years of Merlin finds him fighting not only for his own life, but also the lives of 2 people close to him. He must solve the mysteries of the seven songs and come to understand their meanings before he can be of any use to those who desperately need him. The perils are many, the rewards are spectacular.

T.A. Barron writes another winner as he continues his saga of Merlin, before Camelot and King Arthur. The characters in this book are full of life and begin to feel like old friends as you read the story. There are appearances from past friends also and Barron makes certain they remain true to their character. These books are intended for a younger audience, but the story is so engaging and wonderful, readers of any age will find them hard to put down.

Join Merlin and company as they journey to exotic lands full of strange creatures, friend and foe. Cheer over their triumphs and feel saddened by their losses.

I highly recommend this series to all ages and interests. This is rich story telling at its best. It's also fun to discover where Merlin came from and how he became such a powerful wizard. The books are short and easy to read.