The Book of Three Review

by Lloyd Alexander

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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Writer

GMRsMom
Oakland Gardens, NY

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Great Story for All Ages

chronic book buyer, a fan of clever plots, an avid reader, read for fun

Pros

engaging story, suitable for many ages

MAR

2008

The Book of Three is the first book in the five-book series of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles. The books are based loosely on Welsh mythology, most notably The Maninogion and anyone familiar with it will notice many familiar names. It is not simply a retelling of Welsh myths, however. Alexander also has a cast of unique characters with which he weaves a truly amazing story.

I first read the Prydain Chronicles in elementary school and have re-read them many times since. They were some of the few books I took to college with me and that never got packed away when I moved. The story has never lost it's magic, even after 20+ years.

The Book of Three begins by introducing Taren, an orphan raised by the enchanter Dallben, who longs to leave the small farm and go off on adventures like his hero, Prince Gwydion. Wanting to be something, Taren is dubbed Assistant Pig-Keeper, giving his duties of caring for the oracular pig Hen Wen a title. When Hen Wen flees one day into the forest, Taren heads after her, and his adventures begin.

During his journey, he meets both friend and enemy. Shortly after leaving Caer Dallben, he encounters the Horned King, warlord to the evil Arawn, Lord of Annuvin, who is himself searching for Hen Wen. Other enemies include the beautiful but deadly Queen Achren, the deathless cauldron-born, the Huntsmen - an evil brotherhood whose strength grows as one is slain, and the spying gwythaints.

Yet he also encounters friends and companions, the sharp-tongued Eilonwy, the hapless Gurgi, the bard Fflewddur Fflam, the dwarf Doli who can't turn invisible, and Prince Gwydion, son of Don and warlord to the High King.

I don't want to spoil any of the story for anyone, so I'll let you read the books themselves for more of the plot. :)