Reviews

• あの仲間が帰ってくる！

  前作の変テコ集団が再結集。 Black Cauldronは魔法の鍋で、Arawnはこれを使って死者の身体から自分の兵隊をじゃんじゃん作っている。 今度の旅の目的はこのBlack Cauldronを奪い、破壊すること。 あの強烈なキャラクターはそのままで、でも少しだけ前作よりも成長して戻ってきた仲間達。 なんだか皆それなりに英雄体質になってきたようです。 Taranたちの成長に合わせてか、冒険の危険度、スリル、緊張感ともに前作よりもアップしています。 ストーリーそのものは非常に単純でストレートなんですが、キャラクターやエピソードの書き込みがしっかりしているので非常に感情移入して読めます。 これだけ沢山キャラクターが出て来て、みんなばっちり輝いているというのは大したものです。 面白かったよ！

• Las buenas historias siempre acaban por volver

  Pese a que las últimas ediciones de estos libros en español se publicaron hace ya unos años, merece la pena (aunque sea en inglés) sumergirse en la trama de esta serie de novelas. Es posible que no dentro de mucho volvamos a oír hablar de ellas... esta vez también en el cine.

• The Black Cauldron (Chronicles of Prydain) Review

  A great book and really good price I would definitely recommend you read it if you like fantasy and medieval books.

• Young fantasy has never been better

  Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles are one of the key series in children's fantasy literature, walking a fine line: They are both accessible to young readers and appealing and engaging enough for adults to enjoy. The five wonderful books in this series feature an interesting cast of characters. Most of the action centers on Taran, a pig keeper destined for great things. Others, including a stereotypical spoiled princess, a crazed Gollum-like creature, and a hapless bard, take part in a series of increasingly epic adventures. "The Black Cauldron" is probably the best known of the series (in part due to Disney's unfortunate film of the book). In this volume, Taran and friends return, this time to face a terrible evil that can spread lifeless hordes across the land. Old faces return, new bad guys appear, and the world of Prydain is further expanded in this classic addition to a classic series. Because Alexander draws his stories from ancient myth and legend, the themes and situations always feel familiar, like stories you've read many times before - but never in a tiresome way. They're "comfortable." And that's a welcome trait, especially when so many books try so hard to be different. The writing is direct and lively throughout (though darker in tone that the first book), and the pacing absolutely perfect. Just when one suspects a lull in the action is looming, Alexander surges us forward and advances the story some more. Things are always pushing forward, offering a tale that one is hard-pressed to put down. One of the great joys of this series is the steady progression from pure children's fantasy to more adult themes and a grimmer, more mournful tone, allowing the reader to grow along with the characters. The first book does not well reflect the last. What begins as a light fantasy becomes very serious. That is a good thing and is very much on display here. "The Black Cauldron" is hailed as a classic of young fantasy for a reason. It and the rest of the Prydain Chronicles are recommended reading for anyone who enjoys fantasy, especially classic children's fantasy.

• A grand sequel

  The first book (The Book of Three) is far superior, Eilonwy has a much better role and it's less of the classic "boy becomes a man" trope that features often in fantasy. However, I still really enjoyed it. I'm currently reading the third one and Eilonwy is back to being feminist so I'm enjoying it a lot more!

• an under appreciated classic

  From the first page I found myself pulled into the world, eager to reunite with the characters I grew to know in the first book. The charm and excitement of the first book is present, alongside greater themes of sacrifice and true honor. Time and time again I find myself inspired by the compassion and wisdom of the characters. This alongside excellent storytelling, which fever failed to excite, works to build a world filled with hope in the midst of darkness. This book is of course aimed at children, but unlike much modern media which never fails to patronize the children who read it, Lloyd Alexander treats the reader with respect, such that a reader of any age can find both value and enjoyment in the it.

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