Rating: 
Summary: Interesting book.
Review: I thought that -The Iron Ring- was good, almost as good as the author's Prydain series. I enjoyed the mystery throughout the story (such as the concept of maya) and how Alexander added Indian culture (especially dharma) to it. As usual, he mananged to put emotion and pieces of wisdom to it, setting this book far apart from the many 'fluffy,' trashy fanatsy novels that clutter bookshelves these days.There are two things that I didn't like about the book. One is how Tamar fell instantly in love with Mirri at first sight. He fell for her looks, not for her personality (he was merely plain lucky that Mirri turned out to be a strong, energetic young woman that was worth his time). The other topic I was quite disappointed about applies to most of his other books. Alexander tends to take stories and names out of ancient myths and legends and uses them in his own books. For example, the name of Tamar's horse was the same as a milkmaid in the Hindu religion. Or how the monkey king lost his tail. That was like how the monkey king that helped Prince Rama in Hinduism lost his. Just because legends don't have an author and a publisher on them doesn't mean that a writer can merely use them for his or her own works. I think Alexander should use more creativity with certain names and events. Other than that, the book was absorbing and full of twists and turns to it.
Rating:
Summary: iron ring
Review: it wase a good book cuz i like the adventshure and it wase relly ezy to reid.
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Summary: What if your life was bound to another by a ring?
Review: Lloyd Alexander, well-known among children and adults alike, has ventured into a complex mythology that not many others attempt to enter, the mythology of India. As with Welsh and Chinese mythology, Alexander makes this his own. The adventure begins with a dream sequence (that wasn't a dream sequence--or was it?) in which the young King of Sundari, Tamar, gambles his life away to an insane king from the far north. When he awakes, no one remembers the previous night's events except him. But on his finger, there is still the fateful iron ring that binds his life to the mysterious maharajah. Driven by his sense of dharma, or honor, he sets out on a journey. Along with Hashket, King of the Monkeys, the beautiful gopi Mirri, Tamar's wise instructor Rajaswami, and a colorful assortment of other sensible friends, Tamar sets out to find if his life is still his own. Along the way, the young king finds out more about himself and the cruelty of violence, caste, and loss than he ever bargained for.
Although all of Lloyd Alexander's works are good, many complain that this is not up to par with his previous novels "The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen" and "The Arkadians." I highly disagree, and by the time you read the last sentence of page 282, I think you will be much inclined to disagree also.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: My sister recommended this book for me as a "what to read after Harry Potter" kind of thing. I absolutely couldn't put it down! There were times I laughed out loud and others when I was very touched by the characters in the story. This was the first Lloyd Alexander book I've read and plan to read them all now. Once you get used to pronouncing everyone's names in your head you just fly through the book. :)
Rating: 
Summary: Not So Good
Review: Ok, I'm sorry if anything I write makes anyone mad, but I'm just sharing my opinion. First of all, the charactors were a little, well, mentally slow. I mean, they figured things out, but not as fast as people normally do. Second, that stupid umbrella REALLY annoyed me. And I think the plot is a little strange. But, you know, maybe it's just me.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: Tamar and his adventures are very entertaining. I liked how many of the incidents within this book carry a deeper message. Such as the abolishment of caste in Tamar's mind. Humorus characters like the eagle and the monkies bring light-heartedness, while the battles and fights bring action to this wonderful story.
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Summary: The lord and the ring
Review: The great Lloyd Alexander shifts his focus momentarily away from his much beloved land of Wales to concentrate on writing an entirely different tale. Sort of. Fixing his attention wholly on India, the author has penned another fantastic series of adventures. The basis of this books are the classic fairy tales, folktales, animal fables, and teaching-stories found throughout Indian culture and history. As such, this story could have felt like a mad-cap gluing together of all these disparate stories. Instead, the book is a smoothly flowing, if naggingly familiar, epic for the young. King Tamar is young for his station in life, but he rules his small kingdom with grace and skill. When a fellow king arrives one day and insists on an all-stakes gambling match with Tamar, the younger man finds himself having bet away his own life to the fellow. Soon thereafter no one else in his palace remembers the mysterious visitor, but Tamar finds himself wearing an iron ring, the very physical embodiment of his debt. To determine whether not his wager was real or just a dream, Tamar embarks on a quest to find the other king and to settle once and for all what he owes. Along the way he picks up a variety of traveling companions. Amongst them are his own tutor Rajaswami, the beautiful gopi Mirri, Hashkat who is king of the monkeys, the ever complaining eagle Garuda, king Ashwara, and a very odd fellow named Adi-Kavi. Have no fear. Their names, as well as the names of every other character in this book, are collected in an index for easy reference for the easily confused reader. Embarking on a series of adventures with his crazy crew, Tamar learns much about the world outside his kingdom and what it truly means to be a warrior and a king. (...). This book was so similar to several of the "Prydain Chronicles" that it was all I could do to keep from noticing the fact on every other line. Consider. In the "Prydain Chronicles" a boy named Taran must learn to control his aggression in the face of hostility, discover what it truly means to be a warrior, and deserve the love of the fair Eilonwy. In "The Iron Ring" a king named Tamar must learn to control his aggression in the face of hostility, discover what it truly means to be a warrior, and deserve the love of the fair Mirri. In one, Taran is joined by the furry Gurgi, a speaking crow, and a noble prince. In the other, Tamar is joined by the furry Hashkat, a speaking eagle, and a noble king. The adventures are similar. The tone of the book is similar. Heck, even the beginning of the stories are similar. As a writer, Lloyd Alexander isn't one for weighing down a tale with loads of exposition and explanation. Nope, one chapter down and suddenly we're in the heart of the tale. It's a thrilling way to write a book. Just not an especially thoughtful one.
But don't judge my words too harshly. The book's a fine frolicsome ride. Fun for the whole family, and not a hint of profanity or innuendo to be uncovered. As an added plus, the battle scenes in this story are fabulous. You really do find yourself caught up in the action. And be sure to refer often to the map at the front of the story and the glossary of unfamiliar terms at the end. It's a well written, if sometimes overly familiar, story that deserves a reading by any adventure lover.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not his best
Review: The Iron Ring is a little stranger than most of his books, and not as engaging. That is not to say it is not engaging (because it is) but I sneaked flashlights under my covers to read Prydain. This ia not quite so absorbing. It is very interesting, though. a real look into Indian culture and honor.
Rating:
Summary: The Iron Ring
Review: The Iron Ring is all out my favorite book. I used to not like to read do to the fact that in school I am forced to read books that I have no interest in. But one day I picked up a book in the schools Library and read the back. I was immediately hooked so I took it home and started reading. My parents thought something was wrong with me but as Lloyd Alexander put it: "Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it." Now I love to read again and I am always waiting for more Alexander books to pick up. If you don't like to read I suggest you pick up this book and you will love it. Thank you Lloyd for inspiring me and making reading fun.
Rating:
Summary: Check Out This Book
Review: The Iron Ring is an adventurous book. It is sort of like the medieval times because it has knights,kings,wars,and animals that talk. It is a real cool book to read. I'd say this book is for whoever likes adventures.
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