iamshadow's review
5.0
I first read [author: Lloyd Alexander] when I was around fourteen, and not again for thirteen years, so reading [book: The Book of Three] has been very much a journey of total discovery for me.
While some stories can go on for hundreds of pages and feel too simplistic, this book goes for barely over 150 pages, and in this case, it works. It's a simple story of adventure based in Welsh myth, legend and history, and it doesn't feel like it needs hundreds of pages of exposition. It just is what it is. The characters leap from the page with little introduction. They are instantly familiar without being overdrawn. The reader can identify with Taran, the youth wishing to prove himself and become a man, with the stuck-up but good-hearted chatterbox Eilonwy, and with Fflewddur, the timid bard who has an unfortunate (but never malicious) habit of exaggerating the truth.
There are children everywhere (and is a child in all of us) that would benefit from reading (or rereading) The Book of Three and its four sequels. There's something in them for everyone.
While some stories can go on for hundreds of pages and feel too simplistic, this book goes for barely over 150 pages, and in this case, it works. It's a simple story of adventure based in Welsh myth, legend and history, and it doesn't feel like it needs hundreds of pages of exposition. It just is what it is. The characters leap from the page with little introduction. They are instantly familiar without being overdrawn. The reader can identify with Taran, the youth wishing to prove himself and become a man, with the stuck-up but good-hearted chatterbox Eilonwy, and with Fflewddur, the timid bard who has an unfortunate (but never malicious) habit of exaggerating the truth.
There are children everywhere (and is a child in all of us) that would benefit from reading (or rereading) The Book of Three and its four sequels. There's something in them for everyone.
jennyzee23's review
3.0
I can see this being perfect for a young reader interested in LotR type fantasy. I loved Princess Eilonwy.
inkandplasma's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read, though I didn't find it super gripping. I think I was holding onto The Black Cauldron a little too hard, as one of my favourite children's movies. I did love that it was very dark in places and didn't shy away from that, when I've read modern books that have tried to soften villains to the point where they're not scary. I think the Horned King would have been terrifying if I'd read this as a kid. There was nothing wrong with Book of Three per se, I just wasn't driven to keep picking it up like other books I've been reading lately. I will probably still try the rest of the series though.
knmed's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jessicafee86's review
3.0
Really fun read, though the ending seemed a bit rushed. Would've preferred some more details but I loved the characters anyway and will eventually check out the other two books in the series. So glad that I finally got around to reading it!
k_lee_reads_it's review
2.0
Fantasy literature for kids thirty years ahead of the trend. I give Alexander his due for that, but I honestly don't much enjoy the writing or really the story. This may be one of the originals, but it isn't one of the most moving.
ncurtis6's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
zowie333's review
4.0
Fun, quick adventure. It’s very different from the Disney movie (I saw it as a kid) which I see as a good thing because it kept me interested. Grace loved Eilonwy’s sass and talkativeness. She also thought Gurgi was hilarious. We’ll definitely read the next one.
elusivesue's review against another edition
5.0
Another one of my favorite fantasy series that I read growing up and would still feel fine sharing with a classroom audience. A bonus is that after reading Black Cauldron, there's an animated movie for it. (granted, I don't know how good the movie was compared to the book, but sometimes it's nice to have a movie incentive for reluctant readers).