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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In the intro to The Black Cauldron, Lloyd Alexander wrote: "Although an imaginary world, Prydain is essentially not too different from our real one, where humor and heartbreak, joy and sadness are closely interwoven. The choices and decisions that face a frequently baffled Assistant Pig-Keeper are no easier than the ones we ourselves face. Even in a fantasy realm, growing up is accomplished not without cost."
I can't think of much to add to that. That pretty perfectly encapsulates not only why I love the Prydain Chronicles, but why they resonate so strongly with millions of readers.
The Black Cauldron is probably the most "traditional" mythical fantasy book in the series (excepting The High King, I suppose) but it's also very touching and personal. Alexander had a gift for giving words to big feelings, and for telling stories that you might have heard before but in a way that made you consider them differently.
I can't think of much to add to that. That pretty perfectly encapsulates not only why I love the Prydain Chronicles, but why they resonate so strongly with millions of readers.
The Black Cauldron is probably the most "traditional" mythical fantasy book in the series (excepting The High King, I suppose) but it's also very touching and personal. Alexander had a gift for giving words to big feelings, and for telling stories that you might have heard before but in a way that made you consider them differently.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am thoroughly enjoying the questing and character growth happening in the series thus far. With Taran on the precipice of manhood he is slowly but surely growing to be a legendary adventurer. That ending though, ugh; made my heart so heavy, especially for those in real life that battle with black beasts on their backs…
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The way I gasped?? I loved this book! And I loved the first one too, but this one was just so good.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
"And I shall honour Morgant," Gwydion said, "for what he used to be, and Ellidyr Prince of Pen-Llarcau for what he became."
To be honest, when I put these books down I walk away and am not in a particular hurry to pick them back up. They are quite easy to read; the amount of time it takes me to finish them is not indicative of difficulty. It more adequately indicates my interest level.
In this adventure, the band gets together once more. This time their quest is to steal Crochan, the Black Cauldron, from the evil Death Lord Arawn. They want to steal it from Arawn so he won't be able to make cauldron-born the reanimated dead people who are forced to fight in his armies. In Taran and company's quest to find the Crochan, we are introduced to Orwen, Orddu and Orgoch. They seem to be enchantresses who helped to raise Dallben when he was a young child. I would like to have read more about them.
The books are ok. The story is good, but I feel as if I am being beat over the head with the morals of the book. Yes, I am a moral person (I think!) and yes, I believe that learning how to make the right decisions and how to be a good person is valuable, but do I have to be beaten about the head and shoulders to get the message? Maybe, not so much.
In this adventure, the band gets together once more. This time their quest is to steal Crochan, the Black Cauldron, from the evil Death Lord Arawn. They want to steal it from Arawn so he won't be able to make cauldron-born the reanimated dead people who are forced to fight in his armies. In Taran and company's quest to find the Crochan, we are introduced to Orwen, Orddu and Orgoch. They seem to be enchantresses who helped to raise Dallben when he was a young child. I would like to have read more about them.
The books are ok. The story is good, but I feel as if I am being beat over the head with the morals of the book. Yes, I am a moral person (I think!) and yes, I believe that learning how to make the right decisions and how to be a good person is valuable, but do I have to be beaten about the head and shoulders to get the message? Maybe, not so much.