From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-In this fifth and final volume of the series, Slayer, a monstrous creature with swords for arms, is preying on the orphans of Fincayra, and the spirit lord Dagda brings tidings of peril and destruction to everyone and everything that young Merlin holds dear. Thus, he and his companions must convince the various creatures of Fincayra to work together to save their world. Friends and enemies from past volumes return (in sometimes surprising guises) and the themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and destiny are played out on a mist-shrouded stage. Followers of the well-written fantasy series will find plenty of action and drama, with familiar touches of humor. This conclusion is painful yet satisfying and will serve to propel interested readers further into Arthurian lore. Knowledge of events and characters from previous books is critical.Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. Barron brings his Lost Years of Merlin saga to a resounding, satisfying close with this fifth volume. Although Merlin's mastery of his powers continues to grow, he now faces a particularly daunting challenge: Fincayra and the Otherworld will soon come together and Rhita Gawr, warlord of the spirit world, and his evil forces will invade. Merlin's only hope is to get Fincayran creatures and races to put aside their distrust of one another and do battle together. This formidable task is complicated by the emergence of a masked warrior who is attacking children throughout the land in an effort to lure Merlin into a battle to the death. As the fast-paced story winds to a conclusion, Merlin faces his most difficult decision yet. A love of the natural world and sense of spirituality infuse the saga as a whole, and we see Merlin, who has come to understand his dark side as well as his strengths and ideals, finally ready to become the legendary magician and mentor to King Arthur. Sally Estes
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ANNOTATION

Merlin's fragile home on the isle of Fincayra is threatened by the attack of a mysterious warrior with swords for arms and by the escape of Stangmar from his imprisonment, as Merlin continues to move toward his ultimate destiny.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Winter's longest night is rapidly approaching as Merlin faces the most difficult challenge of his life—to unite all the people of Fincayra against an invasion by the evil Rhita Gawr. But how can one man, in two weeks' time, gather them all—the dwarves, the canyon eagles, the walking trees, the living stones, and more—when none of them will listen? And now comes the mysterious Swordarms, who is hunting down Fincayra's children. Only if Merlin can unite the battling forces within himself, can he save the children, unify the Fincayrans, and regain the long lost wings that will enable him—and his people—to choose their true destiny.

FROM THE CRITICS

Cincinnati Enquirer

Young sorcery fans...set aside Harry Potter and pick up Merlin.

KLIATT

The fifth and final installment of the series finds Merlin and all of Fincayra facing a deadly threat from the evil Rhita Gawr, who plans to launch an attack with a spirit army at the winter solstice. The only way to avoid defeat is if Merlin can convince all the separate factions of humans, giants, dwarves and the like to unite against Rhita Gawr, a daunting if not impossible task. In addition, a masked man with sword blades instead of arms stalks small children, and Merlin is torn between contacting all the different people of Fincayra and trying to protect them by taking them to the Lost Island. Finally, Merlin has to face his destiny and choose whether to leave Fincayra forever to serve the young king Arthur of Britannia. This last entry in the series ties up all the loose ends and literally gives everyone wings, though it is much weaker than the other volumes; but if you have the others and you have the readers, then you have to have this title. Merlin and his true love Hallia are insufferably soppy, and much of the plot is contrived just to eke out the story. The final triumph, where the children frighten the spirit goblins into knocking Rhita Gawr over into the Otherworld, is ludicrous and anticlimactic. It's a disappointing end to an otherwise grand concept. (The Lost Years of Merlin, book five). KLIATT Codes: JS￯﾿ﾽRecommended for junior and senior high school students. 2000, Berkley, Ace, 284p., Scanlon

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