Rating: 
Summary: Charming and Witty
Review: i have always loved Greek mythology. Lloyd Alexander is also one of my favorite authors. In the "Arkadians" I loved how he incorporated Greek mythology into the story. The story itself was not exactly complex or rich, but it was imaginative, original and great for kids just getting into fantasy. I woul recommend it to that age group, or anyone who can read simply for the pleasure of an entertain story.
Rating: 
Summary: Five Stars, Two Thumbs up!
Review: I have read many of Lloyd Alexander's books and this is by far the best. It is a book of adventure, mystery, suspense, and romance. There are many characters and they all have different personalities. The plot is complicated and the story takes many unsuspected turns. The Arkadians is a great book for preteens, teens, and even adults.
Rating:
Summary: The Arkadians, very good
Review: I loved Alexanders' Prince Jen and so was looking forward to reading The Arkadians with my daughter. However, we were both thoroughly disappointed. This silly and uneven book features Lucian and Fronto. Lucian is more or less a lost soul trying to find his life's purpose. Fronto is an arrogant poet who gets turned into a donkey. Pretty good so far. Lucian is honest and earnest and as a result ends up in trouble. He and Fronto both seek assistance and on their journey meet an endless series of people. This is where Alexander gets into trouble himself. The main story line is very interesting. But the addition of each new character brings us a ridiculously long tale of woe for that new person. There are too many additional characters and far too much information on each of them. Also, Alexander has tried to give the book a Greek mythology flavor but the majority of it is just too silly. Think Greek mythology goes Monty Python. By the time Lucian and Fronto reach the end of their journey nobody cares. Put this book back and reach out for his Journey of Prince Jen instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Think Greek mythology goes Monty Python...
Review: I loved Alexanders' Prince Jen and so was looking forward to reading The Arkadians with my daughter. However, we were both thoroughly disappointed. This silly and uneven book features Lucian and Fronto. Lucian is more or less a lost soul trying to find his life's purpose. Fronto is an arrogant poet who gets turned into a donkey. Pretty good so far. Lucian is honest and earnest and as a result ends up in trouble. He and Fronto both seek assistance and on their journey meet an endless series of people. This is where Alexander gets into trouble himself. The main story line is very interesting. But the addition of each new character brings us a ridiculously long tale of woe for that new person. There are too many additional characters and far too much information on each of them. Also, Alexander has tried to give the book a Greek mythology flavor but the majority of it is just too silly. Think Greek mythology goes Monty Python. By the time Lucian and Fronto reach the end of their journey nobody cares. Put this book back and reach out for his Journey of Prince Jen instead.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful and Delightful Book!
Review: I read this book just recently and loved it! I am an avid reader, and hard to please, but found this book was completely and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved how it used Greek Mythology and fantasy, and yet kept it lively. I would compare this book to such as the Chronicals of Narnia, and even Harry Potter. I love fantasy, fiction, and such, and completely hope that Lloyd Alexander produces a sequel to this wonderfully imaginative book!
Rating:
Summary: Funny, Exciting, and Wonderfully Written
Review: I'm a real big Lloyd Alexander fan. I've read the whole Prydain series, all three of the Westmark books,(which, might I add, I read in a little more than three days) and a few others of his masterpieces. I think that this book, The Arkadians, is Lloyd Alexander's most cleverly written noval. It doesn't beat the Prydain Chronicals for excitement and adventure, but it is certainly his most well written and best planned books. I really liked how Alexander combined all of those Greek myths together. The Trojan horse, for example. (If your familiar with Greek myths, you'll know what I'm talking about.) I encourage everyone, young or old, to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Lloyd Alexander goes Greek and vaguely feministic in this magical tale, filled with his best-written typecast characters and a few old myths retold.The awkward young hero is Lucian, a lowly servant in the palace of the Bear-King. The Bear King sought his fortune from the seer of the Lady of Wild Things, but began destroying the healers and believers in the Lady when his future was told ' and it was bleak. Lucian has enough of a brain to know what he's being targeted; the king's wise men are cheating him, and Lucian innocently uncovers it. He flees the palace before he can be disposed of, on a donkey that suddenly talks to him. The donkey is Fronto, an unfortunate poet who tried to drink from a magical spring to get inspiration -- and he drank too much. Before long, the two meet up with a sharp-witted, slightly magical girl named Joy-in-the-Dance, who bails Fronto and Lucian out of a sticky situation. Soon they are joined by a perky little goat-boy and a former king, who is now a scapegoat (the villagers use him for blame). All together they set off for the Lady of Wild Things, and the fulfillment of a prophecy. Lloyd Alexander knows his character strengths, and many of the characters in in his lesser-known books resemble those in the Prydain Chronicles ("The Gawgon and the Boy" is an exception). Lucian is highly reminiscent of Taran, Joy-In-The-Dance brings to mind Eilonwy, Fronto is somewhat reminiscent of Gurgi and Fflewddur Fflam, as does the scapegoat king. The goddess-queen storyline is unusual for Alexander (who usually doesn't bring belief systems into his works) but is never preachy or overdone, which is a great relief. There is none of the male-bashing often present in such tales; the characters are good or bad based on their individual personalities. (Even the Bear King, reminiscent of King Smoit, has a good heart under his bad temper) The respective cultures of the people in Arkadia, the more militant Bear Tribe and the more festive people of the Lady, are well-drawn and believable in their differences. Mythology well-known and little-known is sprinkled through the story, which might be a little distracting at times. Perhaps the book's only flaws lie in the rushed nature of Joy-In-The-Dance and Lucian's romance, which seems to spring full blown near the end of the book; and the rather sparse nature of the descriptive prose. Nevertheless, this is a book that kids will enjoy again and again.
Rating:
Summary: The best Alexander novel not set in Prydain or Westmark
Review: Lloyd Alexander is best know for his Prydain and Westmark series, and justly so. Those two series are complex, engaging, and beautifully written. In comparison, some of his other books have always felt a bit simple to me. I think "The Arkadians" is Alexander's best stand-alone novel. Lucian is a bit like Theo and Taran; Joy-in-the-Dance is rather like Eilonwy and Mickle. It makes the book seem familiar to his long-time readers. There's also a lot "The Arkadians" which is new and lovely -- a kind of magical and enchanted atmosphere that most Alexander fans will love. If you enjoyed your trips to Prydain and Westmark, I think you'll enjoy Arkadia too.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: Lloyd Alexander's novel "The Arkadians" was a pleasant book to read. Even though it didn't live up to his Prydain Chronicles, which, might I add, were truely a work of art, Alexander's ability to weave Greek mythological references and his own basic plot into one was truely exciting. I read it in one sitting, and I reccomend it to anyone who loves mythology and fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful,Exciting
Review: Lucian, an escaped convict for knowing what some royal theives were up to joins forces with a talking donkey, also escaping. They run into another escaped convict, a female who can help them. They go on a wonderfully exciting quest. This book is also somewhat educational and interesting because it has variations of numerous greek myths.
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