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semperlunaris's review against another edition
4.0
I came to this series through my old, beaten-up VHS of Disney's adaptation, The Black Cauldron (which I understand was a box office flop UM EXCUSE ME the 80's clearly wasn't a time for CULTURE!). Rant aside, I was over the moon to find a box set of these novels and binged them over 3 days.
There is so much to the world of Prydain and Taran's adventures which were neglected in the Disney version (probably didn't help they were trying the smash The Book of Three and The Black Cauldron together in the space of an hour). While I love this series for the joy it's given me as a child, I do criticise it's treatment of girls *cough* Eilonwy *cough* from book 3 onwards (it's very)
Tried and tested in a P5/6 classroom, kids enjoyed it, and having the glossary at the back helped them to navigate Welsh names/phonemes.
There is so much to the world of Prydain and Taran's adventures which were neglected in the Disney version (probably didn't help they were trying the smash The Book of Three and The Black Cauldron together in the space of an hour). While I love this series for the joy it's given me as a child, I do criticise it's treatment of girls *cough* Eilonwy *cough* from book 3 onwards (it's very
Spoiler
'girls you must give up your power and anything you like if you want to be with a boy!'Tried and tested in a P5/6 classroom, kids enjoyed it, and having the glossary at the back helped them to navigate Welsh names/phonemes.
midnight_bunny's review against another edition
3.0
Having to rate the series as a whole is troublesome. The first two books I would give five stars, the third four, and the others probably two. I struggled to finish the last two books. My favorite character, Eilonwy, got shoved aside after the second book so that Taran could get more character development, though he never really developed into an entertaining character.
Fllewdder Fflam was always entertaining, as were Gurgi, Llyan, Doli, and Kaw. Hell, even Glew was more interesting than Taran.
Extensive use of the dialog tag 'cried' was good for some laughs, especially when the character was most definitely meant to be whispering. I had fun reading these aloud in the tone of them being cried out.
Overall, worth a read. I would read the first two books again for sure. Not sure about the rest.
Fllewdder Fflam was always entertaining, as were Gurgi, Llyan, Doli, and Kaw. Hell, even Glew was more interesting than Taran.
Extensive use of the dialog tag 'cried' was good for some laughs, especially when the character was most definitely meant to be whispering. I had fun reading these aloud in the tone of them being cried out.
Overall, worth a read. I would read the first two books again for sure. Not sure about the rest.
superzygote's review against another edition
5.0
The series is much better than I remembered from when I last read them some 7+ years ago. In many ways it is, admittedly, reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings, though I wouldn't go so far as to call it derivative. More that they both seem to draw on some of the same, much older, stories.
I should say the series is also much darker than I remembered. (For example, I had completely no recollection of the scene in which Eilonwy narrowly escapes rape and implied sexual bondage at the hands of Dorath.) Though this series is (I am told) traditionally thought of as the younger child's version of the Lord of the Rings, the world it paints and, more importantly, the consequences the characters face, are to my mind much more real.
I should say the series is also much darker than I remembered. (For example, I had completely no recollection of the scene in which Eilonwy narrowly escapes rape and implied sexual bondage at the hands of Dorath.) Though this series is (I am told) traditionally thought of as the younger child's version of the Lord of the Rings, the world it paints and, more importantly, the consequences the characters face, are to my mind much more real.
cmarie89's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anrevat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
author_tyleredwards's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite fantasy series and a great introduction into the fantasy genre. It's accessible for young children and yet has great story-telling and suspense for adults to enjoy. I'd highly recommend this as a series to read with your children if you are looking for a fantasy series to read together.
jeffgreen's review against another edition
5.0
Classic fantasy--read these out loud to my daughter when she was younger and we both loved them tremendously.
readamuffin's review against another edition
5.0
The Chronicles of Prydain was one of the epic fantasy series I read growing up. Alongside Narnia and, a little later, Lord of the Rings. Unlike the other two series, Taran of Caer Dallben goes looking for adventure. His eagerness to prove himself gets him into trouble with others more often than not. Some lessons Taran learns are far harder than others and by the end of each book, he becomes harder to associate with the child at the beginning of the Book of Three. Unlike the Disney film, the villain of the series is Arawn, who rules in Annuvin, the Horned King is his general. Eilonwy is held captive by Achren, and Prince Gwydion is Taran's idol. Many more characters tragically didn't make it into the Disney film and Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch were made simpler for the stand-alone film taken from the second book in a five-book series.
Although there aren't as many female characters, they are diverse and rarely dependant on their relationship of a man to define their role. Eilonwy's title came through the line of women in her family. Achren wants power for herself (a simplified version to avoid spoilers). Taran learns the various crafts in weaving from a woman (whose name I can't recall as it has been years since I read the book she appears in) who sells her creations.
Hot-headed and proud, Taran starts his books making many humbling mistakes. He learns his lessons early and struggles with them for the other books. Each book has a unique story and plot, not feeling formulaic at all. Only beginning and ending at Caer Dallben remains consistent.
Although there aren't as many female characters, they are diverse and rarely dependant on their relationship of a man to define their role. Eilonwy's title came through the line of women in her family. Achren wants power for herself (a simplified version to avoid spoilers). Taran learns the various crafts in weaving from a woman (whose name I can't recall as it has been years since I read the book she appears in) who sells her creations.
Hot-headed and proud, Taran starts his books making many humbling mistakes. He learns his lessons early and struggles with them for the other books. Each book has a unique story and plot, not feeling formulaic at all. Only beginning and ending at Caer Dallben remains consistent.
wwatts1734's review against another edition
5.0
The Chronicles of Prydain tell the story of young Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper, who embarks on several adventures to battle evil in the mythical Kingdom of Prydain, a land modeled after Wales. The stories are based on Welsh mythology, but Alexander makes the stories very accessible to modern young readers. The characters in these stories are very well developed - the assistant Pig Keeper who would be a hero, the young lady who is the heiress to a line of magic princesses, the would be bard, a furry companion who provides comic relief. All of these characters grow in their own ways and develop to the delight of readers. The stories are engaging and the setting is wonderful.
Many readers have comparied the Chronicles of Prydain to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings triology. In my opinion this is an unfair comparison, as Tolkien had a completely different mythological basis for his stories, and also because Alexander wrote his Prydain stories for young adults. While I don't believe that the Prydain saga is better than Tolkien's saga, I do believe that it has tremendous merit and can stand on its own.
I would recommend the Prydain chronicles to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels or young adult novels. This series is a must-read for young adults who want to read novels that offer adventure and a healthy dose of imagination.
Many readers have comparied the Chronicles of Prydain to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings triology. In my opinion this is an unfair comparison, as Tolkien had a completely different mythological basis for his stories, and also because Alexander wrote his Prydain stories for young adults. While I don't believe that the Prydain saga is better than Tolkien's saga, I do believe that it has tremendous merit and can stand on its own.
I would recommend the Prydain chronicles to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels or young adult novels. This series is a must-read for young adults who want to read novels that offer adventure and a healthy dose of imagination.
mupo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0