Merlin und der Zauberspiegel (The Mirror of Merlin) Book

The stories of Merlin are timeless and many. This one is book four of a series about the young Merlin. No matter that I have not read the previous three books, this one was terrific and I will read the next one, The Wings of Merlin. Meant for young adults, it is a very adult read, a fast paced adventure tale, and even better, a foreshadowing of what's to come in the older Merlin's life when the two meet each other in two different worlds, a delightful encounter near the end of the book. In this story, the young hawk and Hallia, his close companion and deer-woman, are transported in error to a dying forest near the horrid marshlands where something stinks, more than the much, of the isle of Fincayra. Along the way they meet some interesting creatures but my fave is the ballymag, a many tailed and armed little seal like fellow who talks in a deliciously adjectival way: "Always eagerready to find happyhope in any situation, I am! Which is why it's my sorrowfate to shriekadie with stale potatoes. An assnasty turn!"
Merlin (the young hawk) is faced with many hard choices in this tale, how he should use his emerging power (he is only 15), balance impetuousness and patience, when to listen and when to speak, and how to become himself. There are many obstacles facing him and Hallia, then Ector (the future Arthur) and even Gwynnia, Hallia's dragon.
The older Merlin imparts some fine wisdom in his brief cameo "The universe will always continue to surprise us, no matter how clever we think we are...we can wonder at it...no matter how old you get my lad, never lose your sense of wonder." Barron even pays homage to the iconic book by T.H White, The Once and Future King by including four lines of poetry about Merlin's future. Brilliant.
Engaging, quick paced, humour, great dialogue and characterization, impossible not to read this book through in one sitting! I love all things Arthurian and this series will ignite a young reader and adult alike to search for more books on the same.