Lloyd Alexander - The Black Cauldron

Pros: a stirring tale with delightful characters and great themes

Cons: a bit slow in the first half

The Bottom Line: The adventure continues - and what a ride it is! - in this intriguing second chronicle.

Review: Just coming out of The Book of Three, your imagination fired by the adventures of a certain Assistant Pig Keeper? Lloyd Alexander doesn't keep us waiting for the fun to continue - he jumps right into the action with The Black Cauldron, the...

Pros: beautifully realized themes of redemption and sacrifice

Cons: if I think of one, I'll let you know

Review: Unfortunately, I don't feel I can discuss this book without giving some serious spoilers. If you want to read the book without knowing of certain events, please read no further.




There is something about a perfect character,...

Pros: Great moral examination, written for children....

Cons: This is very heavy for a bed time story...

The Bottom Line: The Black Cauldron is a great literary work. It will teach your children life is hard, unlike Disneyesque sugary crap. Not a great bedtime story however.

Review: Well, here it is... the second installation of my review on the Prydain chronicles. Much of my analysis can be found in my first epinion "The Book of Three"... however, I will repeat some of the more important information for readers who are interested...

Pros: Fast paced , well integrated moral values

Cons: Should be longer

Review: The realm of high fantasy has rarely produced a book such as this, Which is not only a great product of the imagination but is readable by an 11 year old. Alexander has created a world, based on Wales, with all of it's mythology and magic. The fast paced...