Reviews - The Black Cauldron

607 reviews for:

The Black Cauldron

Lloyd Alexander

4.08 AVERAGE

rungemaille's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous 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

With both The Black Cauldron and The Book of Three, I’m really split between nostalgia for a beloved childhood narrative and utter annoyance at Alexander’s piss-poor characterisation of Eilonwy. Taran is granted the grace of maturing and becoming wiser in The Black Cauldron—a storyline I would appreciate more if it wasn’t done at the expense of Eilonwy, who seems to progressively become more helpless and more shrewish. I really can’t handle nagging, mother-stand-in love interests in boys’ coming of age narratives anymore. Please let girls participate in adventures without being reduced to serving as the handler and moral compass for the adventuring male heroes.

mb_reading's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark funny hopeful 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: Complicated

marci_travels's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This is a comfort re-read for me with between 40-50 years in between. Yet as I read, I was surprised how much I remembered and cherished about the series. The Black Cauldron is the second book in the Prydain Chronicles and the name of the Disney movie made of this series. The quest is harder, the stakes are higher, and the characters grow in depth and maturity as they seek to destroy the Black Cauldron from the Annuvin and Awarn.
This series is written from ages 10 and up and guidance has it at grades 6-9. I especially appreciate how the book has the characters reflect on their actions, determine the cost of their commitment and compliance, and measure their friendships. Adaon’s brooch had a pivotal role and I was sorry to see it lost to the witches/three fates. A lovely story with a nice wrap up and happy for now ending.

thechapterhouse's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Golll this book was so good. Even better than the first. Loved watching the characters develop and grow, and man! All the feels!

beans_n_cheese's review against another edition

5.0

Nothing like the movie, but much better (as usual).

somasis's review against another edition

4.0

It feels so strange to revisit a story like this after so many years. A story I remember being so sweeping, epic, and dramatic, but as an adult it's a very straightforward book about a boy and his friends looking for a magic cauldron. But oh, reading this as a child, the DRAMA, the intrigue, the betrayal. It's still an amazing book, but I am 100% not the audience for it. However, I love these characters. Rereading this series I remember almost nothing of the plots, but the characters are so vivid in my memory. This was probably the first thing I read that I would consider epic fantasy. Kid-epic, epic fantasy with tiny training wheels and it's wonderful.