From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-In this final installment in the trilogy, Corwin (who will become Merlin) follows Nia (the Lady of the Lake) to Atlantis in order to defeat Ma'el, an evil warlock. To succeed, they must find the fabled sword Eikis Calli Werr (Excaliber). Transformation is a quick, easy read. While the tie-in to Arthurian legend isn't made until the epilogue, anyone familiar with this genre of fantasy will see it coming through the broad foreshadowing used throughout the narrative. Characters are shallow but likable and while the suspense and action are a little predictable, the story remains enjoyable. Buy it to hook readers into Arthurian fantasy and then lead them on to meatier fare by T. A. Barron, Jane Yolen, T. H. White, and Stephen R. Lawhead.Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. In the third and final volume in the Transformation series, teen mermyd Nia, must return from Wales to Atlantis to find a magical sword that is potentially the last hope to save her beloved city from evil tyrant Ma'el. Accompanied by her "dry-lander" friend Corwin, Nia makes the dangerous underwater journey, only to discover that the sword is missing, her people are enslaved, and Ma'el is planning to take over Corwin's Wales. Finding the sword and stopping Ma'el are more perilous than Nia imagined, especially with her future and the fate of Atlantis at stake. Sf and fantasy fans will connect with the likable teen protagonists; descriptive, fast-reading prose; and an exotic, richly detailed, fantastical world that combines elements of Atlantis, alien-earth population theory, and King Arthur legends. Plot devices and obstacles feature Indiana Jones-like thrills, rounded out with hints of romance and a classic good vs. evil struggle. Engrossing, suspenseful, and fun. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Will thrill fantasy readers.Teen readers will enjoy the adventure, magic, and mystery.

Book Description

Nia and Corwin have each fought their own battles. Now they are Joined together to face their most dangerous enemy yet: Ma'el, the evil Avatar. In order to defeat Ma'el, they must retrieve a magical sword from Atlantis. But after a treacherous journey through the sea, they are shocked to discover that the sword is nowhere to be found.

As Nia and Corwin search for the sword, they realize that the good people of Atlantis are now enslaved by Ma'el. Worse still, Ma'el plans the same for Corwin's native land of Wales. Nia and Corwin must find the sword and stop Ma'el -- before it's too late.

Download Description
'Water is a fantasy trilogy that combines the legends of the Knights of the Round Table and the lost city of Atlantis. Transformation is Book Three of Three. Praise for Ascension, Book One of Kara Dalkey's Water series: "An exotic undersea world is given vivid life in this engaging inception to a projected fantasy trilogy. Dalkey creates a detailed and refreshingly original submerged society. [T]he exhilarating twists and turns carry readers gasping into a stunning cliffhanger that will leave them clamoring for the next installment" (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author
Kara Dalkey is the author of several fantasy books, including Little Sister, The Nightingale, and Blood of the Goddess series. She lives in Gunnison, CO.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Nia and Corwin have each fought their own battles. Now they are Joined together to face their most dangerous enemy yet: Ma'el, the evil Avatar. In order to defeat Ma'el, they must retrieve a magical sword from Atlantis. But after a treacherous journey through the sea, they are shocked to discover that the sword is nowhere to be found.

As Nia and Corwin search for the sword, they realize that the good people of Atlantis are now enslaved by Ma'el. Worse still, Ma'el plans the same for Corwin's native land of Wales. Nia and Corwin must find the sword and stop Ma'el — before it's too late.

About the Author

Kara Dalkey is the author of several fantasy books, including Little Sister, The Nightingale, and Blood of the Goddess series. She lives in Gunnison, CO.

SYNOPSIS

Water is a fantasy trilogy that combines the legends of the Knights of the Round Table and the lost city of Atlantis. Transformation is Book Three of Three. Transformation, Book Three description: The sea is the birthplace of legends. Nia and Corwin have each fought their own battles.

FROM THE CRITICS

KLIATT - Middle School Reading Teacher

In this conclusion to a trilogy, Nia and Corwin must work together to save their worlds from the evil Ma'el, who would like to rule both earth and water worlds. Corwin, who has discovered that he is half merman, must learn how to use the gills that lie underneath his skin. He, Nia, and Gobaith, the Farworlder King, travel back to Atlantis to recover a sword that can be used to defeat Ma'el. Defeating Ma'el comes at a cost: Nia must give most of her life force to help Corwin manage the power of the sword. She becomes the Lady of the Lake, the keeper of Excalibur, and Corwin becomes Merlin, waiting for the right human to wield the Farworlder sword. I enjoyed how this series managed to lead into the Arthurian legend. Each book can stand alone but the picture is complete if you read all three. Girls will especially like these fantasies, but if you start boys at book number two in the series, Reunion (see review in this issue), they too can get hooked. Stacey Conrad, (Water, Bk. 3).. KLIATT Codes: J*￯﾿ﾽExceptional book, recommended for junior high school students. 2002, HarperCollins, Avon, 234p.,

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