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savaburry's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kenziekuma's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
artsybry's review against another edition
2.0
I never did finish this book. When I sat down to try and finish it I realized I just didn't care. I didn't care about the characters, the political upheaval, or even the oracle telling pig.
I think it was the writing style that really did me in. The names were so complicated and unpronounceable it completely removed me from the story every time a new character was mentioned.
This was recommended by a friend who has pretty good taste in books, but sadly I just couldn't add this book to my good list.
I think it was the writing style that really did me in. The names were so complicated and unpronounceable it completely removed me from the story every time a new character was mentioned.
This was recommended by a friend who has pretty good taste in books, but sadly I just couldn't add this book to my good list.
chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition
4.0
Now, I am going to address the elephant in the room ... I have never watched The Black Cauldron nor had I heard of these books until around a week ago. There, I said it. Crap, poor childhood, I know - blame my parents! I was advised to read these by a friend on instagram as I was looking for a light read in-between all the heavy fantasy I was reading. I just wanted a bit of a break, this is exactly what this book did and I really enjoyed it.
This was such a fun read which I enjoyed from start to finish. I absolutely love Gurgi. I think other people find him annoying but I like annoying. He is hands down my favourite character in the book. I loved his plea for "crunching and munchings" all the time, that is definitely me! I wish I had read these as a child and now revisiting them as an adult but this is not the case. I want to follow these characters more and find out what they get up to next. I have already downloaded the next book and am eager to begin.
What was really noticeable in this book was the humour, I absolutely loved the humour it definitely had me laughing throughout and just generally made me love the characters and the story more.
I don't have much to say apart from I loved the writing style, I loved the world and the characters were excellent. This is such a light hearted fun read that I think all children and adults should read at some point in their lives. I will definitely be recommending it to my children.
This was such a fun read which I enjoyed from start to finish. I absolutely love Gurgi. I think other people find him annoying but I like annoying. He is hands down my favourite character in the book. I loved his plea for "crunching and munchings" all the time, that is definitely me! I wish I had read these as a child and now revisiting them as an adult but this is not the case. I want to follow these characters more and find out what they get up to next. I have already downloaded the next book and am eager to begin.
What was really noticeable in this book was the humour, I absolutely loved the humour it definitely had me laughing throughout and just generally made me love the characters and the story more.
I don't have much to say apart from I loved the writing style, I loved the world and the characters were excellent. This is such a light hearted fun read that I think all children and adults should read at some point in their lives. I will definitely be recommending it to my children.
lootgoblin's review against another edition
5.0
I was hesitant to read this at first because it is about rescuing a magical pig?! But it did not let me down! This book is a great start to the Chronicles of Prydain series.
The Book of Three is fairly easy to read if you can get passed the weird names of the characters and places. There is a pronunciation guide in the back of the book, but I just created my own pronunciations as I was reading. Otherwise, it is an easy, good paced, short read.
The story is formulaic with a few twists, but it is still enjoyable. I found that it is very interesting and fun! The plot flows very well with no overly detailed or boring parts. There is also minimal violence, which I thought is good since it is a children’s book. Aspects of the story are original, but it does have a Lord of the Rings likeness, which isn’t a bad thing.
The main characters are dynamic, engaging, and realistic (they actually make mistakes). They are also of a likeness to Lord of the Rings and if it bothers you to see characters that are similar to others you have read then this book may not be for you. I still find them to be original and enjoyable. Some of the characters are also funny, which I rather enjoy.
I also like that the box set contains a fold out map. It is very well drawn, colorful, and helps you keep track of where this adventure will take you.
If you like adventure fantasy, LOTR, and an easy read, then I would give this book a try! It is definitely suitable for children 8 and older, and adults will find it entertaining as well.
The Book of Three is fairly easy to read if you can get passed the weird names of the characters and places. There is a pronunciation guide in the back of the book, but I just created my own pronunciations as I was reading. Otherwise, it is an easy, good paced, short read.
The story is formulaic with a few twists, but it is still enjoyable. I found that it is very interesting and fun! The plot flows very well with no overly detailed or boring parts. There is also minimal violence, which I thought is good since it is a children’s book. Aspects of the story are original, but it does have a Lord of the Rings likeness, which isn’t a bad thing.
The main characters are dynamic, engaging, and realistic (they actually make mistakes). They are also of a likeness to Lord of the Rings and if it bothers you to see characters that are similar to others you have read then this book may not be for you. I still find them to be original and enjoyable. Some of the characters are also funny, which I rather enjoy.
I also like that the box set contains a fold out map. It is very well drawn, colorful, and helps you keep track of where this adventure will take you.
If you like adventure fantasy, LOTR, and an easy read, then I would give this book a try! It is definitely suitable for children 8 and older, and adults will find it entertaining as well.
zbmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely one of the most overlooked of all children's series, this was a re-read to my 10 year old. She could have handled it on her own, of course, but I remembered loving this series as a kid, and some of the almost celtic, vowel heavy names can be a challenge to pronounce.
If you want your child to read The Lord of the Rings and they're not quite ready, this is where you start. Alexander obviously had great fondness for the series and was using at and other basic archetypes when he created a reluctant hero, Taran, drawn into a quest during times of trouble. The secondary characters are just as interesting as those of Tolkien, although Gurgi is going to appeal by far to the younger reader, and after a couple chapters of Eilonwy, you will be strongly suspecting that J.K. Rowling read this at some point before she created Hermione Granger. Just like Tolkien, the immediate goal is solved in one book, so you can stop there, but there is an overarching threat that may make you want to read the whole series.
If you want your child to read The Lord of the Rings and they're not quite ready, this is where you start. Alexander obviously had great fondness for the series and was using at and other basic archetypes when he created a reluctant hero, Taran, drawn into a quest during times of trouble. The secondary characters are just as interesting as those of Tolkien, although Gurgi is going to appeal by far to the younger reader, and after a couple chapters of Eilonwy, you will be strongly suspecting that J.K. Rowling read this at some point before she created Hermione Granger. Just like Tolkien, the immediate goal is solved in one book, so you can stop there, but there is an overarching threat that may make you want to read the whole series.
cekisha's review against another edition
4.0
- illustrated by Yaniv Shimony
Published only 10 years after [b:The Fellowship of the Ring|34|The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298411339s/34.jpg|3204327] and almost 30 years after [b:The Hobbit|5907|The Hobbit|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372847500s/5907.jpg|1540236], The Book of Three bears many similarities to these two novels, and "surprisingly", both Tolkien and Alexander based them on their WWII experiences.
Even though I felt like I was reading a milder version of LOTR, I still enjoyed it. It was a fast, light and adventure-packed read.
Now I'll just list the similarities that I found while reading:
Caer Dallben - The Shire
The Horned King - The Witch-king of Angmar
Gwydion - Gandalf the Grey
Princess Eilonwy - Arwen Undmiel
Gurgi - Gollum
The Fair Folk - the Dwarves
Doli - Gimli
Gwythaints - Fellbeasts
Fflewdur - Merry/Pip
Arawn - Sauron
Medwyn - Radagast
The Cauldron-Born - The Orcs
Taran is pretty much unique, but could be a mix between Frodo and Aragorn.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
3.0
I have fond memories of this book....but I am starting to wonder if I am combining bunch of various Arthurian type stories...and my love for the library as a kid into one big ball of smiles. That said, I had a hard time tracking down this book...and finally had to request a copy through the library. I didn't remember much except a pig and a villain with a skull and antlers in place of a head.
I dove in, excited to escape YA and regular books with something filled with legends and inspired by Welsh folklore....but I found myself dragging my feet the first couple chapters and finding the book a bit dry. Thankfully Eilowny and Fflewddur Fflam appeared....and the hero's journey finally took off with an assortment of characters....ragamuffins and such. Of course, Eilowny speaks to carefree girls...full of spunk and reddish hair....and Fflam is the comic relief for the journey. Taran is our unlikely hero, trying to find Hen Wen and get to his home to warn of the Horned King.
Read if you enjoy Celtic inspired stories...full of magic and unlikely creatures. And if that doesn't inspire you, dig up a book you read a long time ago and had fond memories of...hopefully, I will get through the series this time!
I dove in, excited to escape YA and regular books with something filled with legends and inspired by Welsh folklore....but I found myself dragging my feet the first couple chapters and finding the book a bit dry. Thankfully Eilowny and Fflewddur Fflam appeared....and the hero's journey finally took off with an assortment of characters....ragamuffins and such. Of course, Eilowny speaks to carefree girls...full of spunk and reddish hair....and Fflam is the comic relief for the journey. Taran is our unlikely hero, trying to find Hen Wen and get to his home to warn of the Horned King.
Read if you enjoy Celtic inspired stories...full of magic and unlikely creatures. And if that doesn't inspire you, dig up a book you read a long time ago and had fond memories of...hopefully, I will get through the series this time!
a_chickletz's review against another edition
3.0
I was able to come across a complete set of Prydain books! Since I enjoyed elements of 'The Black Cauldron' film, I wanted to read the books it was based off of.
I liked the characters, I liked how the book was a mixture of Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia.
I feel thought that the world building lacks, and I can't really picture the geographical landscape nor can I understand who is on what side.
I'm enjoying it and I'm willing to give the second book a go. Maybe I'll have more full of a review for that one.
I liked the characters, I liked how the book was a mixture of Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia.
I feel thought that the world building lacks, and I can't really picture the geographical landscape nor can I understand who is on what side.
I'm enjoying it and I'm willing to give the second book a go. Maybe I'll have more full of a review for that one.