The Box of Merlin: The First Awakening
by Shawn Taylor
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Pub Date May 27 2025 | Archive Date Jul 11 2025
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Description
He was just an ordinary boy - until the box found him.
Buried beneath an old park slide, it looked like nothing: cold metal, strange glyphs, no key, no latch. But the moment Justin touched it, the world began to change.
Whispers stirred. Shadows shifted. And something ancient awoke.
Now hunted by unseen forces and guided by a girl who sees magic in color, Justin is thrust into a race across realms. What starts as a search to unlock the box becomes a journey through enchanted forests, crumbling ruins, and places where myth still breathes.
But the box is not what it seems.
And neither is Justin.
With each step, he unravels secrets tied to his past - and a destiny he never asked for. As doors open to impossible places and long-lost powers stir beneath the surface, Justin must decide who he really is… and whether he’s willing to fight for a world he’s only just begun to understand.
The Box of Merlin is the gripping first book in a sweeping young adult fantasy series - where ancient magic, hidden realms, and one ordinary boy collide.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798284008232 |
| PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 8 members
Featured Reviews
Paige T, Reviewer
Open the Box, Buckle Up, and Hold on to Your Hoodie!
The Box of Merlin is a full-throttle magical thrill ride that turns one ordinary boy’s life upside down, inside out, and sideways across realms—and I was absolutely here for it! 💥🌀📦
Abigail L, Librarian
Magic, Mystery, and a Boy Who's More Than He Seems - The Box of Merlin pulled me in from the first page with its mix of mystery, mythology, and that irresistible sense of discovering something bigger than yourself. Justin’s journey from an ordinary kid to someone caught in a world of hidden realms and ancient magic had just the right balance of wonder, danger, and heart. I really enjoyed watching him grow, especially as the secrets around the box and his past started to unravel. It reminded me of why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place—because it makes the ordinary feel epic.
Sue E, Reviewer
ne second you’re digging in the dirt, the next you’re dodging magical shadow monsters with a glowing mystery box—classic Tuesday, right?
Okay y’all—The Box of Merlin is straight-up fantasy fuel for your brain. I couldn’t stop flipping pages! Justin starts off just a normal kid (okay, kinda clueless), but then BAM! Magic box. Creepy whispers. A super cool girl who sees magic in COLOR (jealous, honestly). It’s giving “chosen one” vibes with a twist, and I was so here for it. If you’re into wild quests, hidden powers, and major what-is-HAPPENING energy, grab this book and don’t look back. 🗝️📦🌌
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