January 1, 2007
Gr 6-9-T. A. Barron's fourth book (Philomel, 1999) in the series finds young Merlin on a quest for the seventh Lost Tool, a magical key. While searching for the key, his sword is stolen by a large gray bird. To find the sword, and ultimately the key, he and his friend must travel through the dangerous, mist-shrouded Haunted Marsh peopled with ghouls and other monsters. Along the way, Merlin is attacked and seriously injured by a swarm of enormous beetles. Only by traveling through a magical mirror, which hurls him into the future, can he be saved. What he finds there will open his eyes to his own powers and force him to see himself for who he is and who he will become. Teen listeners will relate to Merlin's struggle to find his true self. Kevin Isola works a bit of his own magic as he narrates the story, illuminating the various personalities and making the story come alive. A good purchase for libraries with large audiobook collections."Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High School, Baldwin City, KS"
Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.