Taran Wanderer

By Lloyd Alexander

Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, who wants to be a hero, goes questing for knowledge of his parentage, hoping that his journey will ennoble him in the eyes of Eilonwy, the princess with the red-gold hair. Accompanied by several loyal friends, Taran begins his search when three wily enchantresses of the Marshes of Morva send him to consult the Mirror of Llunet for the answers he is seeking, cryptically promising that “the finding takes no more than the looking.” During his adventures he meets Craddoc, the shepherd, and the common people of Prydain, whom he comes to respect and admire. With their help, he continues his mission to learn the secret of the Mirror and the truth about himself.

This is my favorite of the Prydain books. It's really a turning point for Taran, who leaves Caer Dallban of his own free will to seek his parents. Taran is a everyman kind of character, an assistant pig-keeper who desperately wants to be more for the girl he loves. This novel follows Taran as he travels through the free commots and meets all sorts of people who help him, and others who hurt him, and challenges that nearly break his heart. This is the most touching of the books, your hopes fly high with Taran's, and your heart breaks for him when he suffers. There are few characters that you will root for as much as this assistant pig-keeper who is searching to find out who he really is.

The High King

By Lloyd Alexander

When the sword of Dyrnwyn, the most powerful weapon in the kingdom of Prydain, falls into the hands of Arawn-Death-Lord, Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, and Prince Gwydion raise an army to march against Arawn’s terrible cohorts. After a winter expedition filed with danger, Taran’s army arrives at Mount Dragon, Arawn’s stronghold. There, in a thrilling confrontation with Arawn and the evil enchantress Achren, Taran is forced to make the most crucial decision of his life.

This is the final installment of the chronicles of Prydain, and I was so anxious to read it, mostly to finally find out about Taran's past. I had all kinds of precieved ideas about how Lloyd Alexander would finish out this series, but I was delighted that I was wrong in my assumptions, and even better I was still completely satisfied! Try it and you'll like it. It might seem slow at first, but keep going and you'll be glad you did.

The Castle of Llyr

By Lloyd Alexander

Princess Eilonwy has accompanied Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, on all his adventures. But a princess needs special skills that can only be learned in a royal household, so she travels to the Island of Mona to being her proper education. As it turns out, court life isn’t as boring as it seems to the unwilling princess-friends and enemies appear in many guises, and danger hides in every corner. When Eilonwy disappears and disturbing rumors about the evil enchantress Achren surface, Taran and his companions undertake an exciting and terrifying mission to rescue their princess. But will Taran battle to save Eilonwy’s life only to lose her in the end?

It was this book that got me hooked on the chronicles of Prydain. I really enjoyed watching Taran mature and grow in this adventure. He becomes the leader of his little band of friends, including the rather simple-minded prince Rhun. There is quite the shift for Taran, who is uncomfortably aware of his growing feelings for Eilonwy, who as a princess is destined to marry a nobleman. There is a fun relationship between Taran and Prince Rhun, who is a hopeful candidate for Eilonwy's hand. This book was really fun and full of the high style of writing that I enjoy echoing Tolkien for kids.

The Black Cauldron

By Lloyd Alexander

In the imaginary land of Prydain, where “evil is never distant,” Prince Gwydion faces dangers more threatening than have ever been dreamed of. It has become imperative that the Black Cauldron, chief implement of the evil powers of Arawn, lord of the Land of Death, be destroyed. For each of the warriors chosen to journey to Arawn’s domain, the quest has special meaning. To Ellidyr, the youngest son of an impoverished king, it means a chance to satisfy his bitter longing for fame. For Adaon, beloved for his gentleness and bravery, the quest is an omen whose significance he dreads to discover. And to Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, the adventure seems a glorious opportunity to wear his first sword, and be a man among men. In this story, filled with great sacrifice and great adventure, each warrior fulfills his destiny in ways entirely unforeseen.

Before you ask, yes, this is the book that Disney based it's own animated version on. But, as per usual, it is quite different from the Disney movie. I can't say enough about this series, of which the first book is The Book of Three, which follows the adventures of Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran and Princess Eilonwy of Llyr. Author Lloyd Alexander is a master story-teller of the high style, very reminiscent of Tolkien, except these books are for a younger audience. If you like the journey-type adventure stories and memorable characters like Gurgi and Flewdur Fflam, you will love this series. After more than 40 years, it's still a story for everyone.

The Book of Three

By Lloyd Alexander

Taran, the assistant pig-keeper longs to be a hero. He begins his journey with a strange assortment of companions on a dangerous mission to save his beloved land, Prydain. Packed with action, humor, romance, and gallantry, Taran’s adventures chronicle his beloed Prydain and his battle with the forces of evil.

Lloyd Alexander knows how to spin quite the yarn. His books have such an old feeling to them, as if they were written as legends even when they are new. Taran's story is familiar in that he is a boy wishing to be a warrior, and when he gets what he wants he realizes it might not be everything that he thought. It's funny how the premise of good vs. evil and a journey from an unlikely hero never gets old. This book is the first in the chronicles of Prydain, of which there are 5. You may also recognize it from Disney's movie "The Black Cauldron" which is the second book in this series. Have a peek, especially if you have never experienced Lloyd Alexander before. This book can be slow at times, especially if you're used to the fast-pace of modern stories that go for plot speed vs. character and story development. Give it a go and you might be surprised. Alexander's "The Iron Ring" is one of my favorites.

The Iron Ring

By Lloyd Alexander

When Tamar, the young king of Sundari, loses a dice game, he loses everything-his kingdom, its riches, and even the right to call his life his own. His bondage is symbolized by the iron ring that appears mysteriously on his finger. To Tamar, born to the warrior caste, honor is everything. So he sets out on a journey to make good on his debt- and even to give up his life if necessary. And he enters into a world where animals talk, spirits abound, and magic is everywhere...

This book is based on the culture of India in all its richness. It was one of my favorites as a kid. I even found a ring and wore it for probably two years because I decided it was my own iron ring and I was off to have adventures like Tamar. This book has everything anyone could want in it: warriors, magic, animals, love, laughs, and many teaching moments. I adore this book and have read it many times over the years. It shows that while honor is everything, caste is really nothing. Tamar's story is akin to a coming of age, but more like a coming to wisdom. At the beginning he is very naive and also extremely proud, but as he comes to the end of his journey and loses everything, he gains everything in the process. It's a beautiful story.