Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
Well, this was a really interesting reading.
First of all, this is not, a Tolkien wannabe. This is a coming of age fantasy book, that takes some aspects from Tolkien masterpiece. This will never be taught in school because of the linguistic, prose or story. Maybe if you make a list of 101 fantasy books to read you would put it there but in no way I can say this is a masterpiece or should be reissued as a Fantasy Masterwork by Gollancz. Nevertheless, it's a powerful story.
First of all, you've got a good main character, a young boy called Taran, an assistant pig-keeper that really develops. In the beginning he wants to leave and see the world and after the adventure he starts missing his own world.
This book is a good book for young boys/girls (and not so young) because it teaches something. It teaches valuable lessons that Tolkien didn't teach, like a hero is not always what we imagine. It teaches that wrong decisions are what makes us stronger, if we learn from them. It teaches that all that shines is gold. It teaches that there is Black and White but there is also Grey.
Unfortunally I felt that the book is a bit small for all the information. Maybe the next four books are different. Then there is the similiraties with Tolkien. Gurgi (Gollum), a beast that doesn't belong neither in the realm of man or beast but a between. There's Arawan (The Dark Lord?), there's Gwydion that looks like Aragorn. The next two are a bit far fetched but Dalben is a bit a know it all like Gandalf. There's Medwyn maybe Tom Bombaddil or the undead Cauldron Born as Dead Men of Dunharrow... well you get it. It has similarities.
My only problem with it, was the ending. It was a bit anti-climatic. So you've got the final fight with theSauron Horned King and bang he fells on the ground and when he awakes all is good and done. It was a bit sad.
So with, Taran the assistant pig keeper,Aragorn Gwydion the prince of Caer Daethyl, Eilonwy (also a princess), Fflewddur a bard and a prince, Doli a grumbling dwarf, Gurgi the half-men/half-beast (and also Hen-wen the pig and Shadowfax Melyngar the horse) we travelled throughout WalesPrydain and had great adventures (and this is only the first of five books). Each character changed... in only 180 pages the writer done it. Taran grows and starting seeing things as they are and not by appearences, Gurgi changes in Taran eyes and in it's owns. From a scared little beast he becomes a hero. Fflewddur a lost bard that finds his own way.
Im really glad I read this book and I sure will read it to my unborn child. In the next few days I will start reading the second one...
First of all, this is not, a Tolkien wannabe. This is a coming of age fantasy book, that takes some aspects from Tolkien masterpiece. This will never be taught in school because of the linguistic, prose or story. Maybe if you make a list of 101 fantasy books to read you would put it there but in no way I can say this is a masterpiece or should be reissued as a Fantasy Masterwork by Gollancz. Nevertheless, it's a powerful story.
First of all, you've got a good main character, a young boy called Taran, an assistant pig-keeper that really develops. In the beginning he wants to leave and see the world and after the adventure he starts missing his own world.
This book is a good book for young boys/girls (and not so young) because it teaches something. It teaches valuable lessons that Tolkien didn't teach, like a hero is not always what we imagine. It teaches that wrong decisions are what makes us stronger, if we learn from them. It teaches that all that shines is gold. It teaches that there is Black and White but there is also Grey.
Unfortunally I felt that the book is a bit small for all the information. Maybe the next four books are different. Then there is the similiraties with Tolkien. Gurgi (Gollum), a beast that doesn't belong neither in the realm of man or beast but a between. There's Arawan (The Dark Lord?), there's Gwydion that looks like Aragorn. The next two are a bit far fetched but Dalben is a bit a know it all like Gandalf. There's Medwyn maybe Tom Bombaddil or the undead Cauldron Born as Dead Men of Dunharrow... well you get it. It has similarities.
My only problem with it, was the ending. It was a bit anti-climatic. So you've got the final fight with the
So with, Taran the assistant pig keeper,
Im really glad I read this book and I sure will read it to my unborn child. In the next few days I will start reading the second one...
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This series is what Disney's 'The Black Cauldron' is based off of which was one of my favorite movies when I was younger. The book was better than the movie because I feel you really get to know the characters more and the writing is beautiful. I really want to find out more about the Horned King which I'm hoping will come up in the next four books of the series.
At some parts Taran, Eilonwy, and Fflewddur reminded me so much of Harry, Hermione, and Ron which was greatly enjoyable.
At some parts Taran, Eilonwy, and Fflewddur reminded me so much of Harry, Hermione, and Ron which was greatly enjoyable.
Other then the movie adaption is completely different from the source material...still it's a very decent fantasy. I liken the brave, headstrong princess who is very smart and the "small" Pig farmer who very much knows he's in over in head on this journey.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Over the years, I have run across information related to The Chronicles of Prydain and always made a mental note to check them out. There are five books in The Chronicles which were written in the 60's by Lloyd Alexander. Mr. Alexander admits in the prologue that the basics for the stories were inspired by, but not completely accurate to, Welsh mythology. Oh, and it should be noted that these are children's books.
The Book of Three introduces us to Taran, a young boy who is afforded the title of Assistant Pig-Keeper for an oracular pig called Hen Wen. (I have wondered how a pig got the name HEN?!) During the course of trying to take care of Hen Wen, Taran meets High Prince Gwydion, a young princess, Eilonwy, and various other characters who become part of his adventure. An adventure that includes pursuit by minions of the evil Death Lord Arawn.
This was a solid beginning. It wasn't a book that grabbed me and wouldn't let go, but I am viewing this as laying the foundation for the others. I think all five added together may make an outstanding story but only time will tell. I will move on to The Black Cauldron
The Book of Three introduces us to Taran, a young boy who is afforded the title of Assistant Pig-Keeper for an oracular pig called Hen Wen. (I have wondered how a pig got the name HEN?!) During the course of trying to take care of Hen Wen, Taran meets High Prince Gwydion, a young princess, Eilonwy, and various other characters who become part of his adventure. An adventure that includes pursuit by minions of the evil Death Lord Arawn.
This was a solid beginning. It wasn't a book that grabbed me and wouldn't let go, but I am viewing this as laying the foundation for the others. I think all five added together may make an outstanding story but only time will tell. I will move on to The Black Cauldron