World Famous Comics: The Great Tree of Avalon 1: Child of the Dark Prophecy (Great Tree of Avalon)
The Great Tree of Avalon 1: Child of the Dark Prophecy (Great Tree of Avalon)
By: T. A. Barron Publisher: Ace Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: Ace Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 384 Publication Date: September 27, 2005 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Product Description: Long ago the great wizard Merlin planted the seed that would become the peaceful world of Avalon.
Now, the enchanted land is in peril, and its fate lies in the hands of three people-but only one of them is Merlin's heir who can save Avalon, while the others are destined to destroy it.
Create Your Own Review Blaise B. review of The Great Tree of Avalon: Child of the Dark Prophecy by T. A. Baron, October 2, 2002 T.A. Baron's work transports you to a magical world. A world filled with magic and fantastic creatures. This is a place that in an epic battle between good and evil, which will decide the fate of all the worlds; Spirit, Mortal, and in between.
The only one who can stop evil from destroying everything is Tamwyn, the true heir of the great wizard Merlin. However, at the same time, he is the one that can destroy everything he holds dear; the Child of the Dark Prophecy! To save his world, Tamwyn will have to find the truth within himself, and whether he has what it takes to be a wizard and a hero. In the first of Baron's trilogy, he will come to question the meaning of his name; "Dark Flame". Will he be a shadow that brings about the end of the world, or the light that can save it?
Well written for a kid's book I picked this up expecting a clumsy, second-rate children's fantasy on the order of Eragon. I was proven wrong within the first few pages; I couldn't put this book down! Barron manages a well-thought-out and surprisingly-sophisticated fantasy adventure rivaling some adult fare that's out there. And while he borrows some classic themes, characters and plot elements from archetypal mythology and other fantasy epics (such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Earthsea), at the very least the references are subtle and well-done (unlike Eragon, in which the plot is very obviously a medieval version of Star Wars IV: A New Hope). He also includes strong political, social and religious undertones that might well be commentary on the present day. Child of the Dark Prophecy tells the tale of three young people who prove vital to the survival of their world, the magical, tree-shaped realm of Avalon. The beginning outlines neatly the backstory from Barron's Merlin series, and the prophecy made by the fabled Lady of the Lake (that a child will be born who will bring about the fall of Avalon and only Merlin's true heir can stop him), and introduces the heroes: Scree, an boy who can turn into an eagle creature at will, who is entrusted with Merlin's staff; his adoptive brother Tamwyn, who is certain he is the dark child of the prophecy and has been searching desperately for his missing brother; and Elli, a slave girl-turned-Drumadian Priestess who meets Tamwyn while escorting the spoiled, self-centered, soon-to-be head of her order to see the Lady of the Lake. Before long, they are drafted by the Lady herself to find Merlin's staff and stop an evil sorcerer from creating a powerful artifact capable of bringing an even-more-evil god to Avalon. While the plot is complicated, it's not overwhelming, and the characters are engaging; Tamwyn brings to mind both Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter, being the conflicted hero who is still unsure whether he is good or evil, desperate to find the family he has left and the father he never knew, and far too trusting in the Lady's prophecy (like Harry in the fifth and sixth books, he will not listen to advice that a prophecy is not necessarily the final word on the future and can be changed). Yet, he also has a bit of Han Solo and Ron Weasley in him; he's a bit roguish, spending most of his time acting as a wilderness guide, and is a total klutz (for which he is mercilessly teased by his companions). Some of the minor characters are great to read about as well (like Nuic, Elli's companion, a pretentious-yet-wise little mountain sprite with a sharp tongue and centuries of knowledge on everyone else. Fans of the Dresden Files may be reminded of Harry's caustic, ghostly companion Bob). Barron's religious undertones are mostly in their infancy in Child of the Dark Prophecy, but we are introduced to the conflict between the Drumadians (an order founded by Merlin's mother and sister who bring to mind Wicca and other non-mainstream nature-based belief structures with their respect for all forms of life and harm none philosophy) and a new sect lead by a seemingly-good priest, reminiscent of Order of the Phoenix's wicked Professor Umbridge, living near the Lady of the Lake (who seems to think that humans are superior to all other creatures and therefore what's best for us is best for everyone, even if that means killing others or destroying their home and culture... a commentary on the occupancy of Iraq, perhaps?) J.K. Rowling may get all the credit for reinventing the intermediate section of the bookstore for parents as well as their pre-teens, but she's not the only one who can spin a good yarn that both adults and kids will like.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN-not appropriate for intended age group Unfortunately, I was unable to get past the first chapter because I was so disgusted and angered by the intensely obscene violent reference toward the very first female character introduced in the book. This reference was highly INNAPROPRIATE for the intended age group: smashing her baby on the rocks so he could rape the mother holding the child. Gratuitous and completely unnecessary. Makes me wonder about the author, although his credentials look good on paper! Disgusting. Will never take the chance with him again and will certainly not allow my boys to read his work.
totally aweome I completely and honestly disagree with J. Austin ( a reviewer above )this book was amazing. The great tree of Avalon had hidden meanings, developed characters and setting, and actually does make a good statement about caring for the environment. Also, how can the author be being preachy if it is written through the eyes of characters in the book? Its not like he is actually saying "we should care for the environment" Fantasy lovers like books of unique animals and deep dark mystery. also the author makes a statement about caring for the environment just by having such an unusual setting. It shows that with so many creatures living in one place you should respect them all including the trees land and water. I am a total fantasy fanatic and I loved Harry Potter, Ella Enchanted, Of two Minds, and Both Sides of Time (all great books by the way) and I respect your opinion about not liking the book J. Austin but I don't understand how you can like fantasy books and not like this one, complete fantasy. I don't think your reasons are very valid either. You must not be a fantasy fanatic. But anyone out there if you are a ff then this book is totally awesome. Don't forget any of my other previously mentioned books! -emy
Child of the Dark Prophecy This story is about a seventeen year old boy who needs to save his world from an evil dark sorceror. Tamwyn, the main character, is brave, adventurous, clumsy, and sort of unlucky. He's brave and adventurous because he protects his friends and does what's right, most of the time, plus he likes to explore his world. He is very clumsy and is seems to be that every time it talks about him he is tripping over things which puts some humor into the book. Tamwyn is sort of unlucky, he's like a black cat, everywhere he goes something bad happens either to the people or the town. This leads him to think that he is the prophesized Dark Child that is supposed to bring the end to Avalon, his world. I could really connect with the author's characters. It seemed like I was in the story with them. I've read T.A. Barron's 'The Lost Year's of Merlin' series and I enjoyed both that series and this book. I look forward to reading his other books about Avalon. This book is for grades 6-10. Its a great action adventure book and I highly recommend it.
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