THE MERLIN EFFECT
An Adventures of Kate Book
978-0-441-01222-0 | 288 Pages | Ages 10+
In time, she learns that the ship may have carried something far more valuable than all the gold and silver aboard — a mysterious drinking horn out of Arthurian legend, which may have led to the demise of the wizard Merlin.
As she explores alone in her sea kayak, Kate encounters several pieces of the puzzle: a terrible whirlpool, a group of ever-singing whales, a seemingly ageless fish, and a prophecy that, under certain conditions, the ancient ship may rise and sail again.
She plunges into an undersea world of bizarre creatures and terrifying foes. But to save the life of her father, she must find some way to regain her own free will, and to succeed where even Merlin failed.
This remarkable tale weaves together mystery and fact, history and myth, science and faith, all in the course of a compelling adventure.
Map from The Merlin Effect (Click to Enlarge)
REVIEWS
“The greatest wizard of them all continues to inspire…It’s great.”
— Los Angeles Times
“Blending Arthurian legend and modern oceanography, Barron’s lively tale boasts finely developed characters as well as fast-moving adventure… Well drawn and touching.”
— Publishers Weekly
“Here is a story to celebrate! Like the heroine, I was instantly pulled under the waves and swallowed by a great whirlpool. Like the heroine, I discovered that the power to choose — and, yes, to create — lies within us all. Readers young and old will savor this tale.”
— Madeleine L’Engle
“T.A. Barron has written yet another wonderful fantasy novel… A delightful, exceptionally compelling story with the depth and mythic quality we have come to expect from his writing.”
— Chinaberry Book Review
“Tom Barron keeps adding exciting dimensions of creativity and imagination to his work. Here in The Merlin Effect , he explores fascinating new profundities, literally and figuratively; and his admirable Kate undergoes a remarkable sea change. The adventure becomes all the richer through its combination of Arthurian myth, genetics, and oceanography. As a result, the Heartlight sequence gains still greater heart and brighter light.”
— Lloyd Alexander
“Barron so successfully blends reality with fantasy that readers will find little difficulty in suspending their disbelief. Although Kate is a well-drawn personage, other human characters seem merely one-dimensional backdrops to the action. The strongly affirmative tone and the rapid momentum of the plot give this book universal appeal transcending all age barriers.”
— Rocky Mountain News
“Like Heartlight and The Ancient One, The Merlin Effect has many facets—science and faith, history and myth, with lots of pure adventure to enjoy. At times Barron uses our language with an elegance seldom seen.”
— Signal Journal
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 2000 Best of the Texas Lone Star Reading Lists
- 1998 Utah Book Award
- 1997 Texas Lone Star Book
- 1996 Kansas State Reading Circle Award
- 1996 Colorado Blue Spruce Award — Nominee
- 1995 Colorado Book Award
THE MERLIN EFFECT
An Adventures of Kate Book
978-0-441-01222-0
288 Pages | Ages 10+
In time, she learns that the ship may have carried something far more valuable than all the gold and silver aboard — a mysterious drinking horn out of Arthurian legend, which may have led to the demise of the wizard Merlin.
As she explores alone in her sea kayak, Kate encounters several pieces of the puzzle: a terrible whirlpool, a group of ever-singing whales, a seemingly ageless fish, and a prophecy that, under certain conditions, the ancient ship may rise and sail again.
She plunges into an undersea world of bizarre creatures and terrifying foes. But to save the life of her father, she must find some way to regain her own free will, and to succeed where even Merlin failed.
This remarkable tale weaves together mystery and fact, history and myth, science and faith, all in the course of a compelling adventure.
REVIEWS
“The greatest wizard of them all continues to inspire…It’s great.”
— Los Angeles Times
“Blending Arthurian legend and modern oceanography, Barron’s lively tale boasts finely developed characters as well as fast-moving adventure… Well drawn and touching.”
— Publishers Weekly
“Here is a story to celebrate! Like the heroine, I was instantly pulled under the waves and swallowed by a great whirlpool. Like the heroine, I discovered that the power to choose — and, yes, to create — lies within us all. Readers young and old will savor this tale.”
— Madeleine L’Engle
“T.A. Barron has written yet another wonderful fantasy novel… A delightful, exceptionally compelling story with the depth and mythic quality we have come to expect from his writing.”
— Chinaberry Book Review
“Tom Barron keeps adding exciting dimensions of creativity and imagination to his work. Here in The Merlin Effect , he explores fascinating new profundities, literally and figuratively; and his admirable Kate undergoes a remarkable sea change. The adventure becomes all the richer through its combination of Arthurian myth, genetics, and oceanography. As a result, the Heartlight sequence gains still greater heart and brighter light.”
— Lloyd Alexander
“Barron so successfully blends reality with fantasy that readers will find little difficulty in suspending their disbelief. Although Kate is a well-drawn personage, other human characters seem merely one-dimensional backdrops to the action. The strongly affirmative tone and the rapid momentum of the plot give this book universal appeal transcending all age barriers.”
— Rocky Mountain News
“Like Heartlight and The Ancient One, The Merlin Effect has many facets—science and faith, history and myth, with lots of pure adventure to enjoy. At times Barron uses our language with an elegance seldom seen.”
— Signal Journal
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 2000 Best of the Texas Lone Star Reading Lists
- 1998 Utah Book Award
- 1997 Texas Lone Star Book
- 1996 Kansas State Reading Circle Award
- 1996 Colorado Blue Spruce Award — Nominee
- 1995 Colorado Book Award
DISCOVER THE ADVENTURES OF KATE BOOKS!
