Setting is one of the most important elements in Barron's writing; he believes strongly that readers must experience the world depicted in the story through all their senses.

To establish a tone of realism, he uses vivid and highly accurate descriptions of the natural world that look, feel, and smell true.

Then, once readers thoroughly believe in the reality of the story, Barron moves them gradually into the fantasy world of his book.

The Merlin Effect is set on the coast of Baja California and off shore in the Pacific Ocean.

The story opens with Kate Gordon—alone, paddling out to sea in a kayak, and pondering the state of her relationship with her father. Her isolation in the ocean intensifies her anger at her father. She feels he is ignoring and excluding her, and she dares herself to sprint beyond the second buoy in hopes of...