In Arthurian legend, much of Merlin’s history is unaccounted for. What was he doing before? It seems he was busy in the fantastic realm of Fincayra. T.A. Barron’s epic, The Lost Years of Merlin, is a five-book series detailing Barron’s idea of the history of Merlin.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book, though it contains important storyline. The remaining books are great though, and who knows…maybe I’d like the first book better if I re-read it.

The two series I’ve enjoyed the most since reading the final Harry Potter volume are The Lost Years of Merlin, and the Old Kingdom series.

The books are quick to read, though the language is not watered-down at all. I’d put them at a high-school reading level.

BookAdvice.net has a more thorough review of the series, though (as of now) not all of the books have been reviewed.

Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal is yet another tale from the mythical land of Discworld.

After faking con man Alfred Spangler’s execution, the lord of Ankh-Morpork gives him a job instead. As the new postmaster of Ankh-Morpork, Spangler (a pseudonym, actually) must re-start the post office after twenty years of inactivity. Along the way he employs his knowledge of forgery to invent postage stamps, revolutionizing the way the mail is handled.

In addition to running the post office, Spangler must expose the corrupt Grand Truck communications company, an internet/telegraph-like network of “semaphore towers,” avoiding sabotage to the postal service (via the owner of the Grand Trunk) along the way.

It turns out Vetinari, the slightly tyrannical (but cool) lord of Ankh-Morpork, picked the right man for the job, as Spangler (or “Moist van Lipwig,” as is real name is) soon begins to enjoy his new job as postmaster.

Going Postal is filled with Terry Pratchett’s signature humor, as you’ll see quickly upon opening the book.