In The Merlin Effect, Barron weaves many traditional elements of the fantasy genre with mythology, scientific issues, and a contemporary setting to create a fresh, original story. The Merlin Effect includes a hero who must make difficult personal choices that have profound meaning, a quest, the discovery of the credible in the incredible, and the use of legendary materials to tell a new story. Kate's quests, both personal and universal, are most important to the story because she is the central character, but the other characters are also pursuing their own quests. Kate's mission is to find and save the Horn of Merlin to protect the world from evil, but she also seeks to find meaning and direction in her own life as well. For Kate, a trip to the incredible undersea world of Merlin and Nimue is the key to finding the answers to her...