The Black Cauldron: The Prydain Chronicles, Book 2

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.

In this sequel to _The Book of Three_, Taran and his companions set off to find and destroy the malignant Black Cauldron. The cauldron must be destroyed because it is the source of Arawn's deathless Cauldron-born warriors. Many of Taran's friends from the first novel return, and we meet new characters as well: Adaon, the son of the chief bard of Prydain and a wise warrior in his own right, and Ellidyr, the proud prince of Pen-Llarcau._The Black Cauldron_ is definitely superior to its predecessor, which was a very fine book in its own right. Its superiority comes from the greater depth of characterization. Taran is no longer a callow boy; he is struggling with harder issues that will resonate with many of his readers. Other characters face similar dilemmas--again and again, Lloyd Alexander shows that the answer to "What is a hero?" is a very difficult one. The plot moves quickly; it has adventure, danger, and emotional excitement to please anyone. Alexander's writing is clean and direct, and he is able to inject his trademarkj dry humor at regular intervals. Perhaps best of all, the reader has the consolation of knowing there are three more books about Taran and Prydain after this one.I highly recommend this book to middle readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure. Alexander excels at creating strong female characters, so this should appeal to boys and girls alike. And if you enjoyed this, finish the series. It's a classic, award-winning series for a reason. And if you're looking for something to read after it, try Alexander's Westmark trilogy.

I have been in a bit of a reading rut lately. So many books I want to read theoretically, but I have been not finishing much while starting a lot.I stumbled across The Black Cauldron because there was an update to the Kindle edition, which pushed it to the front of my kindle. Last weekend I read through it in two sittings. These children’s books seem so much simpler reading them as an adult compared to my memory of them as a child. They are not simplistic, but the plots are much less detailed than some modern children’s books like Harry Potter and certainly less than many adult fantasy books.What I like most about Lloyd Alexander as an adult and I think what drew me in as a kid was how seriously he takes Taran and Eiloiwy. They are not just some kids, but they are unique individuals, and while they are flawed people, they can grow and change, be self-reflective, and do important things. Unlike some kids books that have the kids do big things because the adults are incapable, Alexander has kids and teens do extraordinary things because there are important things to be done. This isn’t a rejection of adults, but part of the maturing process of becoming an adult.

Read this aloud with my children and we loved it. The characters are memorable and the story is well written.

My 13 year old has rediscovered his love of reading in this series! He loves them - they are just the right amount of humor and adventure, and are well written. We discovered them through the amble side online website Year 8 free reading suggestions.

This series is far and away the best for this Author in My opinion... The Prydain Chronicles TELL A WONDERFUL STORY ..... this is the second book in the series and you need to read these books in order if you want to know all of the story. They are a little like Harry Potter in that the hero (an assistant pig keeper) is something of an untrained wizard and doesn't know he is ..... but set in much different times ..... there are dwarfs and elves and magical creatures and beings .....The author has created a wonderful fantasy world but with believable and human characters ... set in an ancient time ... very entertaining ...... there are traces of Eragon's world here as well .....The reader is above average but he's no Jim Dale (but then who is- there is only one BEST reader after all)....

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.

I first read this series as a young child and loved the stimulation given to my imagination. As an adult I have re-read them several times and I am still delighted by the quality of the story telling and the excitement of the storyline. I would recommend these books to anyone who values a quality reading experience.

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！

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!

A must read for any fan!They don't write them like they used to