Shim is a giant, except he’s tinier than Rhia and Emrys.

Now we get to Shim… who is just adorable. She’s very powerful, and who doesn’t love girl power? If I’m being honest, Rhia was my favorite character. They not only balance each other out but also both love Fincayra, their home. Also, I might add that I couldn’t help but see that Rhia and Emrys would be totally adorable together. She is willing to give up her life so that Emrys can use his magic to save the Druma and Fincayra. Rhia is a genuinely kind, thoughtful, and selfless character. I found myself being very empathetic to her early on in the book, as she explains to Emrys that she has no family and practically lives alone in a magical forest. Sometimes Emrys’ “bullying” of Shim was more playful and added humor to the chapter, but other times I couldn’t help but feel bad for the little giant. As for his interactions with Shim (the other supporting character), I was very upset at how often he got mad at Shim for innocent questions or being scared of goblins and the like. While he eventually accepts her request, he denies her many times just to be able to continue on his quest. When one of the supporting characters, Rhia, asks him to help her save the Druma Wood (a magical forest in Fincayra) from the evil King, he says no because he has to go on his quest. When he gets there we see him be somewhat self-absorbed and selfish. He continually questions his past throughout the book, as he lost his memories when he crashed upon the shores of Caer Vedwyd, his new home (and the only one he has ever known.) He doesn’t believe his name is Emrys and doesn’t believe Branwen is his mother either (What a jerk!) Eventually, he goes on a quest to find who he is and where he comes from which takes him to the Isle of Fincayra, a place between the heavens and the earth. The main character, Emrys, is a wimpy young boy around the age of thirteen. Barron has done an unbelievably great job at creating the characters: Emrys, Rhia, Trouble, Shim, Branwen… I love them all dearly.

They are yours to use, a gift from above.”, T. “Whatever you did, you did from your powers.

Once he enters the Isle he finds that there is much more to his past than he could have ever imagined, and that he needs to help the Isle of Fincayra to discover it. The ocean takes him to the mysterious and magical Isle of Fincayra. Years later, Emrys leaves his mother, Branwen, on a quest to find who he is and where he comes from. I really enjoyed reading this novel and miss the beautiful world of Fincayra.Ī young boy, Emrys, washes ashore with no memory of who he is or where he came from. Barron is intriguing, magical, and an excellent read. The Lost Years of Merlin (Book #1 of a twelve-part series) by T.

Merlin book 1 the lost years