The Castle of Llyr

The Chronicles of Prydain #3

by Lloyd Alexander

Princess Eilonwy hates to leave her friend Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, and her beloved home, Caer Dallben. Why does she have to go to the Isle of Mona to train as a proper lady when she's already a princess? But Eilonwy soon faces much more than the ordeal of becoming a dignified young maiden, for she possesses magical powers sought by the evil enchantress Queen Achren. When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Yet how can a lowly Assistant Pig-Keeper hope to stand against the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Adventure, Classics

174 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 1966

About the author

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series, The High King , was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite book so far in The Chronicles of Prydain!
I was afraid this would be a letdown after all the fun of The Black Cauldron but I enjoyed this so much more than I expected.



Princess Eilonwy must learn to be a lady (much to her dismay) and is going to go live for a while at the royal court at the Isle of Mona, so Taran and Gurgi are escorting her there.
Of course, the closer they get, the more Taran realizes that he feels more than just annoyance for his overly talkative and quite bossy companion.
Awwwwwww.



And then she gets kidnapped.
I won't give spoilers but it's a fun adventure that includes the part-time King & full-time wandering bard known as Fflewddur Fflam, an incognito Prince Gwydion, and the return of the evil Achren.
The new characters that were introduced were just perfect! The bumbling Prince Rhun was such a surprise and by the end of the book I was kind of shocked at how much he had grown as a person - and grown on me, too!
But the one who really stole the show was the giant mountain cat, Llyan, who was "created" by the hapless Glew in the search for an easy way to become bigger. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with Fflewddur Fflam's new pet in the next book.



My favorite part (besides Eilonwy telling Taran she isn't talking to him anymore) has to be that Alexander had Eilonwy point out to Taran and Prince Gwydion that none of this would have happened if they hadn't been trying to "protect" her by refusing to tell her that there was any danger.
Because wow, that is such an annoying trope in books!



Anyway. If you haven't started this classic series yet, and are looking for a fantasy with humor, adventure, and a lot of heart, I'd definitely encourage you to give these books a try.
Recommended.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I was completely obsessed with fairy tales, fantasy, and sword-and-sorcery type adventures (Who am I kidding? I never stopped!). In many of the traditional tales I’ve encountered at that time, princesses are either mere objects of a quest, something to be rescued and won by the prince, or - at the best - are on the fringes of all the action. One thing that I enjoyed about “The Chronicles of Prydain” is the fact that the Princess Eilonwy is such a strong character. She is smart and sassy, she isn’t afraid to tell the people around her how she feels, and she’s right in the middle of the action -- because she wouldn't have it any other way. Her heritage was always a bit of a mystery, though. Why was she left with Achren in Spiral Castle? What on earth is her bauble, and why does it glow? What happened to Achren, anyway? These questions and more are answered in “The Castle of Llyr”.

In this third volume of the series, Princess Elionwy is being sent to the Isle of Mona in order to become a proper lady, much to her chagrin and Taran’s sadness. However, Eilonwy is not just a princess. She is a Princess of the House of Llyr, an ancient house whose Princesses and Queens have always been powerful sorceresses. There are also those who wish to use her heritage for their own purposes. It’s important to note that Eilonwy’s journey of self-discovery takes the back-burner for a large chunk of the story, as Taran really is the hero of the series; but the characterization she does get is poignant. She learns about sacrifice, the kind of woman she wants to be, and what it means to grow up.

Meanwhile, Taran is learning more and more about how to be an effective leader, even when he is placed in charge of people that he doesn’t like. As he tries to keep Eilonwy safe and do his duty to his friends, he starts to realize that he might feel something more for a certain red-headed princess besides annoyance. Of course, we get the first romantic overtures between Taran and Elionwy that are both touching and typically awkward, as you’d expect from adolescents.

The tone is a little darker than the other two books, which reflects the fact that our heroes are growing up and facing new challenges. The conflicts seem real and we, as readers, can see why the characters are making the choices that they are making. We may not agree with them, but we can understand them.

I highly suggest that you read the first 2 books beforehand, as this installment doesn’t stand on its own as a story quite as well. You could catch up, but for the first third of the book, you might be a little confused. Plus, you could miss the incredible way that Lloyd Alexander has built these characters over the first two books, and the relationships aren’t given as much back story as they were in “The Black Cauldron”. The relationship between Taran and Eilonwy, in particular, is very well established by the time this book comes out.

My review for the whole series can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Paul Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castle of Llyr

An attempt to find a princess
Stolen by a cold enchantress
Turns into a gruelling contest
With giant cats who take an instant
To devour one (giant or infant);
And Prince Rhun, inept assistant,
Finds a book to hold the interest,
Though it won’t submit to inquest
As the pages have no index,
No, nor contents, nor appendix.
But its secrets draw them in less
Than the outcome of their dim quest.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a boy this was my favorite book in the series, largely because of Taran's developing feelings for Eilonwy. I was a sucker for romance in those days, and Taran's struggle is as much with his deepening love for her as with the machinations of Achren and her conspirators. The potential for romance has been there since the first novel, but it seems as though the two of them have not been forced to acknowledge it simply because there has never been a need to do so. Their lives at Caer Dallben are generally simple and peaceful, they see each other every day, and until she is sent away to learn how to be a proper Princess, it seems to them as though they have all the time in the world to grow up together. This subtlety, this sense of things happening in the background, is part of what makes Lloyd Alexander such a fantastic author. The great deeds of the protagonists are important, yes, but there are always GREATER deeds going on somewhere else -- really his books focus on the growth and change of the characters as individuals and as a group of friends.

Prince Rhun deserves special note, because he may be one of Alexander's most unique creations! He is a romantic rival to Taran, yet neither the Prince nor Eilonwy truly know it, and Rhun is actually thoroughly likeable -- a rare quality in romantic rivals, and an element of the story for which Lloyd Alexander should be celebrated. Rhun reminds me of Bertie Wooster in a way, foolish and scatterbrained, but well-meaning and loveable, and just like Taran we are left confused as to whether or not he might not be the best match for the Princess. He rubs Taran the wrong way because he is so foolish and naive, yet if Taran were not so stubborn and hotheaded Rhun might not provoke as strong of a reaction as he does; in the end, even Taran acknowledges the goodness and bravery in the Prince, and though he still proves vexing, Taran counts him as a friend.

Such a great book!

[Spencer Orey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of great moments here to make it worth a read, even if overall, this one isn't as great as the first two books. The band of heroes continues to be a fun team, but this story lost a bit of traction for having the princess sidelined for a lot of the book. There are some great encounters with magical beings though. And the new character, bumbling Prince Rhun, was hilarious. I cackled every single time that audiobook narrator James Langton said Rhun's characteristic lame "helloo helloo!!"greeting. (The narration in general continues to be a real highlight!)

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was incredibly frustrating. The first two books in this series build Eilonwy up as strong-willed, independent, and intrinsically valuable. In this book, her will is overcome, she needs to be rescued by a bunch of men, and she's valuable because of her heritage.


But the worst part is that her one, single act of independent power in this book is to break her power forever. In order to save herself and her friends, the only thing to be done is to destroy her heritage and surrender her future. She'll never be an enchantress.


She mourns this by saying, "I'll only be just a girl," and Gwydion says, "That is more than enough cause for pride." And, while yes it is, fuck you, you're still a goddamned prince! Your power remains completely in tact here! In fact, all told we've got two princes, a king-who-would-rather-be-a-bard (must be nice to have that kind of freedom), an assistant pig-keeper-cum-hero, and a host of magical creatures, and the ONLY one who must surrender their power is the one and only female character.



So now she gets to go back to the place she doesn't want to be and learn how to be a young lady, a thing she never wanted to do, because all hope for any other future is lost to her. And while she's still declaring that no one else gets to chose who she will marry, she still has to be TAUGHT(!!!!) to be a woman before that choice can be realized because an old man told her she had to.
And all the male characters (and to be clear, that's everyone else because there are no other female characters) are wandering around shrugging sadly for her while making plans to go back to their realms (!!!) and get back to ruling.


And all of this is made especially frustrating because everything else is really, really good. I love what these books say about heroism, I love the ongoing themes of humility, service, and honour, and I adore these characters.
So why, why, WHY the fuck is Eilonwy suddenly treated like this?!

This is my new disappointed gif:


siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway there, this series just keeps getting better and better!

The third book takes Taran and friends on a ship and out into a little island kingdom to escort Eilonwy back to royalty, proceeding to introduce some colourful new faces and interesting situations to a different kind of tale, perhaps more political in nature - only to suddenly pull the rug and throw the gang right in the midst of another magical journey across Welsh-ish landscapes, meeting giants and facing magic and infiltrating what's basically Ys... and ending it the same way. (I don't think it's a spoiler: if you don't know about Ys then you don't know what happens, and if you do know then you probably saw it coming right away.)

The switch was a little abrupt, and I think the book could have taken some more time and maybe another chapter or two to set it up, but once it got going I enjoyed it as much as you can expect, and got some of the best laughs and certainly the angriest snarls I've had with this series so far. Great read all in all. Four and half stars.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this middle chapter of the Chronicles of Prydain featured some lovely moments, especially pertaining to characters’ discoveries of the hidden depths of their courage and generosity, it felt a bit less finely crafted than the first two books had. Since much of this book is spent following the travails of Taran and his companions trying to rescue Eilonwy, I dearly missed her presence in the middle chapters; she is such a delightful character, by far my favorite, and my overall enjoyment of the book suffered for her absence.

But I look forward to reading these books to my sons Rai and Keony, and/or gifting a collection to them for them to read. These books are filled with wisdom and adventures and humor and no small amount of heart, and I think my sons will learn a great deal about what really matters in life from reading them.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

C.S. Lewis had a lot to say about children’s stories. He believed that “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” And that “No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” I agree with his sentiments, though I do also recognize that time and taste can effect a person’s experience with a story, as well. For instance, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would have adored The Chronicles of Prydain around the age of 8 or so. There’s something wonderfully classic about it, and it would have ignited my imagination had it been one of the first fantasy series that I experienced. But reading it after 25 years of exposure to other fantasy series, especially those I’ve come across in the last 10 years or so, hasn’t delivered anything at all impactful.

The reason I still love Redwall and other series from my youth is just that; they were the stories of my youth. I have all of these memories of reading those books and being completely entranced and delighted by them. Because of this, rereading them delivers endorphin-laced nostalgia. But The Chronicles of Prydain doesn’t have that same history with me personally as a reader. I wish that it did. Some books are magical no matter how old you are when you encounter them for the first time. Sadly, that’s not the case for all stories for all readers, and that simply isn’t the case for me with this series, though I really wanted it to be.

There was nothing wrong with the story presented in The Castle of Llyr. We have here the presence of beloved characters from the first two installments, as well as the introduction of new characters who grow throughout the narrative. We have a dire quest with wild and unexpected detours along the way. There’s magic and battles and the triumphal of good. But everything felt so predictable and flat and, well, trite, for lack of a better word. It’s amazing that something this fast-paced and short can also feel as if it’s dragging, but that was my experience here. Again, I have absolutely no doubt that this would not have been the case in the slightest had I read this for the first time at 8 instead of 33, but here we are.

I think that The Castle of Llyr might be where I part ways with Taran and his friends. I haven’t decided this for certain yet, but it’s becoming more and more difficult to ignore how far outside I am of the target audience. Part of me does want to know how things end, so I might return to Prydain eventually, but I have no pressing need to continue on.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jos jedna simpaticna knjizica ali iskreno dosta slabija nego prethodne. Nekako je sve suvise zbrzano, likovi jesu zabavni ali malo onoga sto ih cini specijalnim plus princeza se skoro uopste ne pojavljuje ovde.

Ali opet opustajuce je i lako za citanje tako da ne smeta previse.

[Sotiris Karaiskos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third part of the series, our heroes have to complete a rescue mission in which they enter with all their will as their beloved princess is in danger. First of course our heroic big keeper who by feeling the danger that threatens his good friend realises that the feelings he have for her are very strong, which naturally gives a romantic tone in our history.

 These are happening in this book, in which the author puts our heroes in a state of consciousness of their feelings and their destination in this world. This is a serious matter, but it is treated with humour, as it creates some funny situations. This, however, does not prevent the author from creating the most emotionally charged finale so far in the series. So the continuation of the series is very good and I am very very pleased.

Στο τρίτο μέρος της σειράς οι ήρωες μας πρέπει να φέρουν σε πέρας μία αποστολή διάσωσης, στην οποία μπαίνουν με όλη τους την ψυχή καθώς κινδυνεύει η αγαπητή τους πριγκίπισσα. Πρώτος φυσικά ο ηρωικός μας χοιροβοσκός που αισθανόμενος τον κίνδυνο που διατρέχει η καλή του φίλη συνειδητοποιεί ότι τα αισθήματα που έχει για αυτή είναι πολύ ισχυρά, κάτι που φυσικά δίνει και έναν ρομαντικό τόνο στην ιστορία μας.

Αυτά περίπου συμβαίνουν σε αυτό το βιβλίο, στο οποίο ο συγγραφέας βάζει τους ήρωες μας σε μία κατάσταση συνειδητοποίησης των συναισθημάτων και του προορισμού τους σε αυτό τον κόσμο. Σοβαρό το θέμα δηλαδή αλλά αντιμετωπίζεται με ιδιαίτερο χιούμορ καθώς από μόνο του δημιουργεί κάποιες αστείες καταστάσεις. Αυτό, όμως, δεν εμποδίζει το συγγραφέα στη δημιουργία του πιο συγκινησιακά φορτισμένου φινάλε ως τώρα στη σειρά. Οπότε πολύ καλά συνεχίζεται η σειρά και είμαι ιδιαίτερα ευχαριστημένος.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine adventure of Taran & friends. Eilonwy is such a nice young lady, it seems a shame to spoil her with manners. It's tough on Taran, but Gurgy & the rest come along for a rousing adventure where they all learn more about themselves & life. Great fun even as an adult. Well narrated.

[BLynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taran finds himself on an adventure where he escorts Eilonwy to a new home. Taran learns that she in trouble and also to marry Prince Ruin. Eilonwy's past surfaces to cause a problem. Overall I enjoyed this book and the series.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It seems to me that if an Assistant Pig-Keeper does the best he can, and a prince does the best he can, there’s no difference between them.”

Princess Eilonwy is sent to the Isle of Mona to learn to become a proper lady. Whatever that may mean, Eilonwy leaves very reluctantly. But unknownst to her, the King and Queen of Mona have designs for her to wed their son, Prince Ruhn, while the evil enchantress Achren is plotting to take her captive.

The Prydain books are becoming more and more fun as they come! This one was great fun and included several of my favourite elements.

Taran still shows that he has grown quite a lot during the previous two volumes - I love him as a main character. With Eilonwy's departure and the news of a potential betrothal to the Prince Ruhn, Taran also finally wakes up to seeing Eilonwy in a different light and slowly admits his feelings for her.

Although Eilonwy is not present for most of the chapters, this book delves into her history and heritage and it is great to learn more about her. It is almost sad, I feel as though I would have loved to have known even more! Prince Ruhn was quite a fun character. Perhaps, for my taste, a little too bumbling at times, but it did make him rather loveable. He proves to be a good friend and with lots of potential for improving his ways. 

Fflewddur the bard was as fun as ever. I love the way he speaks and comments and this book was no exception. In fact, this book made me love him even more - for it is thanks to him that they gain a new companion: Llyan. Oh my, Llyan! What is not to love about a horse-sized fluffy ginger cat? Although she first appears as a vicious predator, it is soon clear that her reason for hunting down the companions is non-other than being in love with Fflewddur's music.

The plot is mostly a rescue mission but it explores various new places and is very fast paced. Just like the previous volumes, it is both fun and quick to read!

One more thing;
I see several people complaining that Eilonwy is nothing more than a damsel in distress in this volume. Sometimes, it seems to me that some people have got the wrong idea of 'feminism' and that any female who isn't tough all around the clock is an unworthy character. Yes, Eilowny is captured and needs rescuing - what else is she supposed to do? Almost every other character in this series has been in the same spot before - but no one complains because they are guys. So guys in distress are ok? Just... Please, think it through before raising the feminist flag.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one needed more Eilonwy. I mean, it was all about her, in a sense, and yet we didn't have much of her dialogue and her opinions and her management of Taran, which I missed a lot. I'm glad Gurgi is a character that sticks around: I've come to think he's sweet, and non-human characters can be fun. I'm getting quite fond of all the regulars, but please don't ask me to try and spell the bard's name...

The way this book treats Achren is interesting, the way that really at the end she gets a second chance. Not the cookie-cutter fantasy standard way of dealing with someone "evil".

As with all the other books, light and easy to read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great middle grade, high fantasy book series! Check out my BookTube video on The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, no spoilers! It's an overview and book ranking of best to worst.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhqgF...

[Nikola Pavlovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jos jedna predivna prica i naravno jos originalnih i nezaboravnih karaktera.
Ima neceg tako decije cistog, naivnog i predivnog u knjigama Loyda Alexandera.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked The Castle of Llyr better than book one, but not as much as book two. At first, it seemed like another case where all the main happenings would be physical. Eilonwy is sent away to learn how to be a proper princess (a thing which she despises--she'd much rather stay in Caer Dallben with Taran and act the scullery maid than learn to sew things and wear dresses and chat with ladies all day). But soon after the companions arrive at the Isle of Mona (they escorted her there by ship, accompanied by her betrothed, the incompetent but well-meaning Prince Rhun), Eilonwy is kidnapped by a treacherous Steward named Magg. He does so on behalf of the sorceress, Achren, who had kidnapped Eilonwy as a child, and who Taran and she had believed dead ever since they brought her castle down in ruins in book one.

Eilonwy is the only known heir to the House of Llyr, a noble house known for birthing enchantresses, and Achren wants to use Eilonwy to gain access to those long-hidden powers. All of this happens while Taran deals with his newfound feelings for Eilonwy, which are compounded by the fact that he's nothing more than an Assistant Pig-keeper. Taran, Rhun, Gurgi and Fflewddur set off to rescue Eilonwy, and have adventures in caves with giants and a giant mountain cat named Llyan who apparently wants to eat them, but also loves Fflewddur's harp-playing.

A lot of the character growth in this one happens to Rhun and not Taran. The silly boy (whose trademark "Hello! Hello!" never failed to make me laugh) recognizes that his princely title does not contribute anything to their group, and he ends up offering himself up as a sacrifice, which in turn prompts Taran to feel really bad about disliking him. The whole thing ends up in a confrontation with the companions, Achren, and a bewitched Eilonwy, who does not remember the companions. This was the most heartbreaking part of the story, the way Taran felt when his friend didn't even recognize him, and him realizing in turn how much she means to him. It was just really well done. The ending is pretty great, also, but I won't spoil it.

All in all, a fluffy but not worthless break from the main action of the series.

[Nate Philbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it pains me to give a book in this series anything less than five stars, The Castle of Llyr has always been my least favorite and, as I mentioned previously, the one I usually skip during my re-reads. While it's still on par with the other four, it was never quite as memorable to me.

A combination of three of my least favorite story tropes (a romantic rival, conflict that could have easily been avoided with a bit of communication, and memory loss/brainwashing quickly curb my enthusiasm for what is otherwise a perfectly solid story (even if it is kind of a filler book).

While the story does quite a good job exploring Taran's growth, the development of Prince Rhun, and even Eilonwy in her limited page-time, most of the other characters (particularly Gurgi, Flewddur, and Gwydion) feel uncharacteristically flat. Compared to the care and attention they receive as side-characters throughout the rest of the series, it feels like The Castle of Llyr reduces them to tag-alongs.

Having said that, the book wasn't as frustrating to read as I remembered it being. Moreover, The Castle of Llyr serves as a vital turning point for the character I consider to be the best antagonist in the series (hint: (it's Queen Achren

All things considered, The Castle of Llyr is a perfectly good book, and my own personal preferences do nothing to dampen my love for the series as a whole. I'm excited to move on to Taran Wanderer, my favorite out of the five...but also my favorite book in general.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat for older readers now the feelings of the characters are coming to the fore. Birth status being a problem (an assistant pig keeper has trouble if he falls in love with a princess after all). Of course even in youth novels the course of true love never runs smoothly. Envy, magic spells, abduction, amnesia, it's as bad as anything Wessly and Buttercup faced...

Oops, sorry I left a spoiler here...got to change that. Give me a second...

The book ends with the possibility that Eilonwy (the princess) reciprocates Taran's (the assistant pig keeper) love.

Okay, safe now...sheesh, that was close.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the five Prydain books, mostly because it's sort of a nice comic break between the books that deal with the main villain, and we also learn a lot more about Eilonwy (who I still maintain is one of the best female characters in a fantasy series, ever). Also this is the book where Taran finally figures out that he might actually like Eilonwy omg, and it's just cute.

[Daniel Polansky]

I loved these when I was a kid and it turns out I kinda love them now too. I’m maybe going to write a review for someone, if not I’ll post something longer here.

[TS Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is where I'll end my journey through Prydain. No disrespect whatsoever to Lloyd Alexander as there was nothing wrong with these books or the writing. In fact, I think it was well-written - for the right target audience.

There are children's books which work well for adults, but somehow a classic fantasy written for children with themes of good vs evil just felt too straightforward. The plot took almost no time to develop, and the characters felt too black and white.

I might have loved this if I read it as a kid. Now I've got to the point where I've delved enough into why there are those who loved Prydain so much and I respect where they're coming from. The Chronicles of Prydain are good books to introduce young ones into the fantasy genre and it also deals with the issues of coming-of-age pretty well.

[Christopher Arrigali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment with our lovable band of characters. This one was a little less enjoyable than The Black Cauldron but still a good story. We learn a little more about Eilonwy’s heritage in this one (I think she’s become my favorite character). I’m also really enjoying listening to the audio while reading along in my paperback. James Langton does a superb job with the voice acting.

[Katie Schuermann]

I liked this book in the series very much. The author hit his stride in this story, successfully departing a bit from Tolkien's influence to create something new and interesting both in the world he has built, the characters he is beginning to develop, and the powerful contrasts between light and dark (Hello, Good Friday themes!) he painted on the page.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the emotional rollercoaster of the last book (my favourite thus far! 😭), I’m so glad this one was lighter & even funnier (albeit still intense at times). 😂 Fflewddur Fflam the bard-king absolutely stole the show for me—he reminds me of Puddleglum from Narnia and I love that! 🤣

Taran & Eilonwy are adorable. And seeing Taran grapple with his growing feelings for the princess warmed my heart. 🥰

[Moira Fogarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

“For each of us comes a time when we must be more than what we are.”

A delightful story of adventure, The Castle of Llyr is supposed to be a romantic entry in the Prydain Chronicles, despite the fact that there are few tender scenes at all, and not a single kiss.

For me, the lack of a kiss was a delight; Princess Eilonwy leaves Caer Dalben with an escort to go to the Isle of Mona and be trained in the ways of a lady, gets into a spot of trouble with a bad guy (because of Gwydion's poor decision to leave her oblivious to known danger), and is sought by her male friends in the age-old manner of Jumpman/Lady/Donkey Kong or Mario/Peach/King Koopa. Despite all the men's bold ridings and stridings, in the end Eilonwy has to save herself. She is a noble and self-sacrificing figure, not some hapless prize to be plucked from the enemy's grasp.

For me, the romance came from the realization that I had, over the last four books, developed a deep fictional character crush on Fflewddur Fflam, son of Godo. I can't believe how hideously unflattering a portrayal Disney drew of him in the animated "Black Cauldron". Potbellied and old? No! He is a King. A strong, vital, musical man in the prime of life; young enough to relate well to the boy Taran, but old enough to speak wisdom tempered with humour and an edge of sarcasm. Not so earnest as to tell the truth without embroidery; not so dishonest as to waver in his loyalty. A Fflam is always bold in a fight, quick to play music, and kind to animals (even big ones).

Yes: it's officially a crush.

There was comedy and magic in good amounts, although I found the feckless and incompetent Prince Rhun with his endless “Hullo, hullo!” and simple tomfoolery hard to swallow. As usual, James Langton voiced him perfectly, and he did a superb job with the grating, evil voice of Magg and the soft, villainous tones of Achren as well. I was impressed by the squawkings of Kaw the Crow - masterfully done. Queen Teleria and King Rhuddlum’s voices were regal but not exceptional, which was fitting as they are not major characters.

I also really enjoyed the audiobook's introduction, read by the author Lloyd Alexander (may he rest in peace), who had a wonderful voice. To me, he sounds like Spock, or rather, like an older Leonard Nimoy. Full of sense and insight, just like his writing.

I enjoyed hearing the proper nouns read aloud in this book - Dinas Rhydnant and Caer Colur sound like proper Tolkien-esque strongholds; Glew and Llyan were well-dubbed, and the object we have formerly known only as "Eilonwy's bauble" or the golden ball or golden sphere, now given the illustrious name of "Golden Pelydryn". What magical sounding places and people and things!

On next to Taran Wanderer. Excuse me while I sign off, and dream of a handsome, harping Fflam.

[Rhea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Tropes are used because they work, and in The Castle of Llyr this is no exception.

This is a typical children's high fantasy written with energy and spirit, and cast with typical but endearing characters. There's Taran, your noble hero from humble beginnings; Eilonwy, your feisty princess who doesn't want to be a lady; Rhun, your foppish but kind-hearted prince; and your typical Evil Villians Who Want To Take Over the World.

This is a series, so this book is a smaller arc that fits into a much larger arc, but it stands alone pretty well. (Although a Wikipedia summary of the backstory is needed for a few backstory details to make sense.) The defeat-the-bad-guys plot is familiar but never becomes too predictable, and the story is spiced up with some meaningful character interactions (such as Taran's jelousy that nevertheless turns into admiration for Rhun) that make it a memorable read.

It isn't a perfect story - for example, I couldn't help but feel some of the events were contrived. Taran can't tell Eilonwy (who is apparently his highly trusted companion) about some secret information, but then blabs it to the whole court after she goes missing. Not to mention, telling her the information would have PREVENTED her from going missing! Why couldn't he just have sworn her to secrecy??

But if you're willing to go along for the ride, you'll find a delightful adventure set in a world of excitement and mystery. It's certainly worth a read!

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eilonwy reluctantly returns home where she's to be taught how to be a proper lady and Taran and the crew serve as her guides. Things don't go according to plan however, as someone dangerous is waiting for them in Eilonwy's homeland. When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Yet how can a lowly assistant pig-keeper hope to stand against the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain?

This was my favorite book in the series so far. The plot is a bit weaker than The Black Cauldron, but I think the personal growth and humanization of the characters is stronger than ever. I loved the emphasis on the fact that titles and status were stated as unimportant.

Taran was born into nothing and Rhun was born into royalty, and yet they both find equality and companionship after placing their lives in each other’s hands during a dangerous expedition to save a girl they both love from the clutches of an evil sorceress. Whether you be a farmer or a prince, all men's fates are connected in some way and there’s always room to set aside your differences and see eye to eye.

***

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[D.J. Edwardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third installment of The Chronicles of Prydain is a little too chaotic to follow. The story starts off without any large, connecting arc and then turns briefly into a bit of a mystery before quickly transforming into a hunt. And then there's the final confrontation with the villain and then it's over.

Not to say it's not an enjoyable read. Prince Rhun is a hoot and Gwydion comes off as usual as regal and heroic, but the plot, well, it just wasn't very strong in this one. It's not really clear, even after the book is finished, just what the villain was trying to accomplish. As if to underscore the point, the author has the villain walking off amicably with the heroes at the end. What?

Anyway, too much head-scratching in this one. It does not measure up to the first two in the series. The sense of danger really is never quite there, even in the climax. It feels more like a misadventure than an actual adventure.

Despite all that, the series on the whole is worthwhile and Taran does grow up a little in this book. His relationship with Eilonwy especially seems to deepen here. Perhaps if it had not been so rushed it could have developed into more, but as it stands, it's an interesting diversion or side quest from what one hopes will be larger, more epic stories to finish off the series.