“Barron completes his epic The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy in which Merlin’s Avalon is depicted as a great tree with seven realms. This final volume concerns priestess Elli making a quest to a realm of darkness in the roots of the tree; Scree, an eagleman, convincing his people to follow him into battle; and Tamwyn, the simple wilderness guide who also happens to be at once the heir to Merlin and the Lady of the Lake’s child of the Dark Prophecy, finding his way to the uppermost realms and branches to the stars. The future of Avalon resides in the outcomes of these three battles.

“Although it is possible to catch up with the story in this book alone—there are maps, a history of Avalon, and detailed descriptions of characters and places—because of the complex world and huge cast of characters, this book will be most enjoyed by readers and fans of the previous volumes, including the related Lost Years of Merlin series. Nevertheless Barron’s world is fully realized and sophisticated, and fans of high fantasy will undoubtedly enjoy starting at the beginning and be rewarded with this well-written, suspenseful story with strong characters and environmental themes.”
—Voice of Youth Advocates

“Fans of the trilogy The Great Tree of Avalon have been eagerly awaiting the final installment. They need wait no longer, for only their imaginations could have prepared them for the newest adventure. … This book has it all—action, adventure, and humor. Reading this book becomes an adventure in itself. You almost feel as though you are there in the midst of the action. The characters jump off the page and lead you through the battle to save Earth.”
—ReaderViews

“T. A. Barron left readers with a bundle of unanswered questions at the end of Book Two in the Great Tree series. In the final installment, he answers them, provides a terrific finale, and leaves the door open a crack for further visits to Avalon … As you read, expect to be totally immersed in the action. Expect to be very surprised as Batty Lad and Hennie the Hoolah reappear and one of them turns out to be much more than they seem. Most of all, expect to enjoy a wonderful and extremely well written conclusion to the trilogy.”
—Wolf Moon Journal

"Taking up where Shadows on the Stars left off, this novel is a fitting finale to the trilogy that began with [the first book of] The Great Tree of Avalon. ... [The climactic] battle, fought in the sky and on the ground, pits the alliance of elves, humans, eaglefolk, tree spirits, and more against Rhita Gawr and his ogres, trolls, and immortal dragons. The battle scenes, written in the grand tradition of epic sagas of the battle between good and evil, are gory, brutal, and fierce, and at the end, Barron leaves himself an opening to revisit his Arthurian realm yet another time."
—Booklist

“This book is amazing! It’s the perfect conclusion to The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy—a wonderful finish to the epic tales of Scree (the eagleman), Brionna (the elf), Tamwyn (grandson of Merlin), and Elli (the priestess). The book has a suspense-driven, perfectly executed triple climax, plus a thrilling plot. The action scenes are done just right and the characters mesh with the plot seamlessly. The switch of scenes and chapters between underground, sky, and land was done perfectly. This book is not just a worthy successor to T. A. Barron's previous works but stands out as his best yet. I would encourage anyone and everyone to get this book!”
—Young reader/reviewer at Wellesley Booksmith

“This book—the third in The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy—is truly incredible. The sense of place, the sensory experience, the images, the lovable characters, the quest for goodness and the reverence for nature are all superb. And I love how he gives female characters such strength and resourcefulness. As for his imagination...I don't know how to convey the awe I feel for his imagination. It seems beyond humanly possible. He makes the reader want to stretch her own imagination. Finally, I fell in love with Avalon’s amazing characters—they were so courageous and genuine. I sobbed when Batty Lad revealed his true identity and cried when the stars sent their sparks to the new point of radiance. ‘Stars all across the sky joined in each sending a tiny bit of their light.’ That's how all of us who read and imagine want our world to be!”
—Librarian review aired on Parent-Teacher Connection, WBAL television (NBC affiliate), Baltimore, Maryland

"This final book in The Great Tree of Avalon series finds the friends in all kinds of difficulties. Tamwyn, Merlin's grandson and True Heir, has set off on a mission to climb the Tree of Avalon to the stars and try to relight the Wizard's Staff constellation, though he still doesn't have a clue how to do it. Priestess Elli heads for the underworld to try and destroy the Vengelano crystal, controlled by the evil sorcerer Kulwych. The rest of Tamwyn's friends try to gather allies on the Plains of Isenwy for the last battle with Rhita Gawr, who wants to control Avalon and then the rest of the universe. Friends and allies come from unexpected places, magic abounds and Good triumphs in an ending that has its bittersweet side as well."
—KLIATT Reviews

“In this final volume of the trilogy, Avalon is threatened, but the story culminates with a satisfying conclusion.”
—Deseret News

“Readers will be riveted as the three young heroes fight to transcend their own limits and understand the connections between humanity and the world.”
—Books of Wonder

“The spectacular final volume of Barron’s trilogy combines gripping adventure with profound ideas about the powerful connections between humanity and the world.”
—Holiday Books

“In The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy, now on the New York Times bestselling series list, T.A. Barron explores [Avalon] by weaving an intricate tapestry of adventure, magic, and friendship. By drawing a parallel between myth and reality, he…[creates] an unforgettable journey that will leave you thrilled with anticipation and moved with compassion.”
—Canadian Trees magazine

"The culmination of this remarkable trilogy fulfills the promise begun in 2004, with its conviction that all of creation is connected and interdependent. Barron's Avalon appears to be the last stronghold in the universe where harmony, sustainability, and interspecies friendship prevail—but the forces of greed now imperil this idyll. Three young people of disparate backgrounds call upon all their resources to bring about significant change, as Barron shows that there are no easy answers to the interplay of dark and light forces. Elegantly designed, the series deserves a place among the classics of young adult literature."
—Evolve! magazine

Return to Book Summary

Buy This Book

Discover all the books in this trilogy:
Book I: Child of the Dark Prophecy	Book II: Shadows on the Stars	Book III: The Eternal Flame