Hobby: The Young Merlin Trilogy, Book Two – A Thrilling Arthurian Coming-of-Age Fantasy for Kids

The Young Merlin Trilogy #2

by Jane Yolen

The story of the young Merlin's coming-of-age continues in this thrilling sequel to "Passager. ""An enjoyable introduction to Arthurian fantasy."--"The Horn Book"

Genres: Fantasy, Arthurian, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Jane Yolen was a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who wrote more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lived in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Nina Braden]

1998, Juv

[Tracy]

So glad a friendly librarian introduced me to these books! My 10-year-old loved them, too. I loved the ancient feel to the story, the explanation at the end by Jane Yolen of the stories she's researched, and the kind nature of Merlin.

[Jennifer]

This book was much better than the first book in the series. The characters seemed more vivid and Merlin became more alive in my mind. The end left me intrigued and wanting more. I am looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy.

[Katy Lovejoy]

Okay I'm stupid. I saw the title of this series and at first thought it was about Merlin so I picked it up bit the first book confused me onto thinking it had nothing to do with Arthurian legends and now I think it does...

[Oni]

and things are getting very interesting

[Phil]

Merlin loses a family and gains another. What will he learn this time?

[Zenro_rly]

Greget banget dah itu si Merlin gampang banget percaya sama orang dewasa, tapi kasian juga sih sama si Merlin cuman dimanfaatin.

[Melissa McCauley]

The once-feral boy “Passager” loses the Falconer and his home at the farm to fire. He finds himself out on the road, where he quickly realizes how vulnerable a small boy is without protection.

[K. Axel]

The Story...
This is the second book in the Merlin Trilogy and starts with a young Merlin leaving his burned down home. Before leaving, though, Merlin buries his 'family', Master Robin, Meg and Nell. Apparently, young Merlin foresaw the fire, but did not know how to interpret his prophetic dream at the time.

The road brings him close to a nasty man who has a wish to sell Merlin, along with his horse and cow, however, again fate helps young Merlin, who manages to escape. He also meets a couple of gypsies in a nearby town, whose presence yet another dream has foreseen, these two bring a little joy into the life of young Merlin. However, Merlin is pure of heart and has little wish for lies, which eventually forces him to leave the company of Ambrosius and Viviane.

My Thoughts...
This book is clearly the second in a trilogy and I am afraid that I haven't read the book that came before. It presents us with a very different view of Merlin, the great mage who taught Arthur, but I quite like this portrayal. He is a kid like most kids, but with a very special gift, the one of prophetic dreams. Hobby is a short novel, and almost reads like a poem, it has a very poetic language. I am definitely going to read the first and third book!

[KidsFiction Teton County Library]

J Short Chapter Yolen

The second installment in the Young Merlin series is challenging and ambitious. It opens with a powerful scene as the beloved adoptive family of young Merline is killed in a devastating fire. The grieving 12-year-old then sets out into the harsh medieval world. Taking the name of Hawk, he is held captive by a vicious rogue named Fowler. Then renamed Hobby (a raptor bigger than a merlin) by a charlatan, he joins the man's traveling magic show, whose performers try to use the boy's talent for seeing into the future. Like the slender first book, Passager, Hobby has quiet beauty and strong imagery but has more characters, action and dialogue. Yolen continues to explore such complicated and subtle issues as memory and identity, leaving questions surrounding Merlin's earliest experiences and ultimate destiny unresolved. The appearance of the book suggests a juvenile audience; however, given the sophisticated themes and style, this may be the most accessible to teenage readers. Includes an author's note about "Arthuriana." Julie Corsaro.

[Books Kids Like]

Merlin's life with Master Robin, Mag, and Nell is over. His adoptive family dies in a fire as Merlin dreams of a bird with a breast as red as flames. After tenderly burying them in a single grave, he leaves the place marked by four years of happiness. On his journey, Merlin, first, meets a scoundrel with a vicious dog. Fowler confiscates Merlin's horse and cow (the only other survivors of the fire) and vows to sell Merlin as a slave. When the horse shies at a hare, Fowler is thrown, and Merlin leaves him for dead. In Gwethern, Merlin meets Ambrosius and Viviane, two traveling players. Ambrosius tricks a coin from Merlin’s mouth and saves Merlin from a sound thrashing for bumping over a barrel of apples. Now it seems that Merlin has found another home and family as he travels with Ambrosius the mage and his lovely Viviane. Unfortunately, his dreaming causes fear, and he finds himself alone once more.

[Liana]

Aww. This book is pretty depressing compared to the first one. Nevertheless, it still tells a good story. I was a little bothered by the fact that, why doesn't our young Merlin tell people what happened to him and his family? If he was truly bothered by it, he'd get some help, right? After all, he told people about his dreams that were bothering him, so why wouldn't he tell them about the tragedy at his home - his family that he cares most about?

Since this book is darker than the first, I think it'd be more suitable for older children, just because of the disturbing scenes!~

[Mj]

After clamoring for more Young Merlin and forcing my librarian to order this book in for me -- I, I don't really remember this book at all. Now, granted it has been about fifteen years since I've read it so you'll forgive some lapse in memory here, but I vividly remember the drive to finish this trilogy. Reading the descriptions I'm almost reminded of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, which is another fantasy trilogy that I am now clamoring to finish.

I feel like I will definitely have to revisit the series to see if they remain as beloved as they were when I first found them.

[Aristyanto Heri Trimawan]

Buku kedua dalam The Young Merlin Trilogy ini adalah sekuel dari Passager. Meneruskan cerita tentang Hawk yang berkelana setelah rumahnya bersama Tuan Robin, bertemu dengan Ambrosius dan Viviane grup pesulap dengan kereta hijau.Namun, akhirnya Hawk tetap sendiri dan melanjutkan petualangannya dengan bebas.

Buku Kedua ini lumayan lebih fresh, karena ada unsur petualangannya. Bagus lah buat dibaca.

[Ginger]

The second in the trilogy about Merlin's early life. Merlin dreams about a bird with a fiery red breast and wakes to find his home in flames. His search for family continues, leading him to join up with a couple of traveling performers. In this installment of the Young Merlin series, Merlin’s dreams become a more prominent part of his experience and history.

[Mir]

Probably the volume that contains all three installments would be better, as this is more like a chunk of a longer story than a discrete novel. I feel it may also be a bit mature for the age group books of this length are usually intended for, what which starting out with the family being burned to death.

[Morgan]

Hobby is, like Passager, an excellent book written in elegant prose. While the story itself is not as captivating as that of its prequel, it is still a compelling read that leaves the reader curious to know more of Young Merlin's story.

I'm anxious to begin Merlin, the third portion of the trilogy, tonight.

[Mom]

This is the second story in the trilogy of Young Merlin. Merlin meets up with different people and discovers little more about himself each time. Loosely based on Merlin legends, this is an nice introduction for young readers.

[Ayu Prameswary]

“Mungkin suatu hari nanti kau akan tumbuh menjadi sehebat nama itu...”

~Ambrosius~

[Cindy]

I was a little disappointed with this one. It just sort of started a new story and sort of ended. Not as good as I'd hoped.

[Loralie]

The history of Merlin's youth is continued. Great read!

[Allison]

its okay...

[Miss Kodok]

Hasil hunting di PBJ 2009.

[Amanda]

Second in the Merlin trilogy. The dreams Merlin(hobby) has are interested. I find that as soon as the book is interesting, it is over. Hope the last book isn't like that as well.

[Marcus Reeves]

A very good book for people who like wizards.

[Rosalie]

Another great adventure for the young and any age crowd!

[Kristin Anderson]

actually, this is 2.5 stars. didn't like it as much as some other arthurian legend stuff. very VERY short.

[Derek]

Beautifully written, suitable for adults, but could work for middle school or YA readers with sophistication. This is book 2 of 3. Also, it is a very quick read.

[Aprile]

It's a series written for kids, but they've been good reads so far. I'm actually sad the books aren't longer :)

[Katharine Ott]

"Hobby" - written by Jane Yolen and published in 1996 by HMH Books for Young Readers. The second in the Young Merlin Trilogy. An exciting read.