Rating: 
Summary: A great book with a bad movie
Review: Hey this book is awsome! It follows the adventures of Taran asstant pig-keeper and his friends on a quest to find and destroy the black culdron. If you've seen the movie or the cover of a book that has the same cover as the movie, DON'T LOOK/WATCH IT, EVER!!!! It ruins the whole book! First of all Eloweny has golden hair in the movie, Ffluddur's hair's gray with a tiny harp, Gugri looks like a cat and they all look like there 12! The book is MUCH better than the movie! Hey it got a Newdery didn't it?! Never EVER watch the movie before reading the book! If you did read it anywas!!!!! Bye.
Rating:
Summary: A fine continuation!
Review: Set one year after The Book of Three, this book continues the story and builds upon it, making it darker and more interesting. Though not my personal favorite in the series, (that honor goes to the Castle of Llyr) I still liked it a lot and thought it even better than the first. For a brief summery, Taran and some other warriors head off into the wilderness to save Prydain from another evil. Eilonwy is furious at being left behind because she is a girl, so she follows them anyway and soon has joined there little band dispite what Taran and the others think. (she was always my favorite!) This was a very good book that asks and answers many moral questions while having grand adventure schemes mixed in also. Eilonwy is at her best in this book, and so is Taran. Another lover of fantasy would enjoy this series, even adults, I think.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended reading, especially for the younger set
Review: I don't remember where I obtained a copy of this book when I was rather young, probably about 12, but I quickly devoured this book and the entire series. I daresay that this series is what started my intense adoration for all such British islands based youth literature, folklore, fairytales, spelling most words with an extra 'u' and pronouncing double l's correctly. Lloyd Alexander writes simply delicious prose that captures the imagination without being overbearing. The books are interesting, romantic, and soothe that part of the soul that longs for the familiar archetypes. I highly recommend the entire series.
Rating:
Summary: Black Cauldron, The
Review: This book is about a pig keeper named Taran setting off a journey with the worriors of Prydain to destroy the cauldron-born but King Morgant (one of the worriors) turn againt them to take the cauldron to him self so King Smoit (one of the worriors) kills him and destroys the cauldron. I do not agree with the author about Taran being a pig keeper he's the main character and main character should not have a job like a pig keeper. I would recomend this book for people who like fantasy books and also people who like adventure books.
Rating:
Summary: A tale of heroes humble and bold
Review: "The Black Cauldron" is one of the gloomiest children's fantasy novels in existance, although it isn't scary per se. Lloyd Alexander tackles the complex question of "What makes a hero?" very effectively (since the book is highly readable despite the obvious symbolic implications), and the answer he comes up with is that heroism hurts. It isn't exciting, it doesn't bring much glory (unlike expected), it's simply painful, and it's definitely not a burden to be carried lightly.Pretty much the only bad thing that might be said about the book is that it has a highly contrived outset. The lords of Prydain decide to steal and destroy Arawn's Black Cauldron, which allows him to create his undead warriors, but once the mission reaches its destination, complications happen. Taran and his friends leave the army and begin a lonely quest, closely followed by the barbaric Huntsmen of Annuvin. Two key characters are introduced in this part of the Chronicles - wise Adaon, and arrogant, short-tempered Ellydyr, and the interplay of their values adds a powerful overtone of righteousness and final atonement. After a long trek through the marshes, the heroes find the Cauldron in the hands of some very odd witches (who are more than they seem...). But to destroy the Cauldron a terrible price must be paid- one must willingly give up his life to it. Who will it be?
Rating:
Summary: An amazing study of human nature!
Review: This book had the misfortune of being slurried into a bad Disney cartoon, and many people will no doubt judge it by the cartoon, and turn away. This amazing book, easily read by most readers in just a few hours, teaches readers the importance of sacrifice, the folly of seeking glory, and the depth of human nature. Highly recommended, along with the other four volumes of this series, especially Taran Wanderer.
Rating:
Summary: One of the stronger books in the Prydain series
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: I liked this book because it was so exciting. It kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time (if you sat down when you read it).The characters where great also. I also liked the way that all the book built on eachother. I did not think this book was boring at all. I think that you should try this book. I don't think that it will dissapoint you.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy the movie read the book
Review: This adventure is a classic fantasy. Even though a bit dark itis worth getting. Like the title states. Leave the movie alone. Readthis and the other four books of this exciting series.
Rating:
Summary: Facing fate(s) in the Marshes of Morva
Review: This is one of the best of Alexander's Prydain series--definitely an improvement over _The Book of Three_, which was pretty good itself. Once again, Taran has to make tough choices between seeking fame as a hero or just trying to get the job done. His quest for the Black Cauldron, which can be used to reanimate the bodies of slain warriors to create an army of invulnerable zombies and thus must be destroyed if the power of Arawn Death-Lord (i.e., Sauron) is to be broken, takes him and his companions to the Marshes of Morva for a rendezvous with Alexander's offbeat version of the three Fates, one of whom, Orgoch, has some disturbing culinary tastes. As so often happens in Alexander, Taran can win the Cauldron only by giving up his most precious possession. Will he make the sacrifice? And what will he choose? Read this exciting, moving, and thought-provoking adventure to find out.
|
