School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-Lloyd Alexander's third book in the five-volume Prydain Chronicles (BBD, pap. 1969) is a tale of adventure, mystery, enchantment, and sacrifice. Taran, an assistant pig-keeper, who cares for Princess Eilonwy deeply and is just beginning to realize the impossibility of it, and Prince Rhun, Eilonwy's betrothed-to-be, set aside their differences and work together to find Princess Eilonwy who has been captured by an evil enchantress. Along with the bard Fflewddur, shaggy Gurgi, and Lord Gwydion, the Prince of Don, they make a loyal band that meets several obstacles on the way. The author reads a brief introduction to acquaint listeners with the characters and scope of the tale. The narrator, James Langton, gives voice to the numerous characters using a variety of accents and tones, and the interesting names and places in the story come alive with his erudite pronunciation. Listeners may be tempted to read or listen to the entire series: The Book of Three (2004), The Black Cauldron (2004), Taran Wanderer (2004), and The High King (2005, all Listening Library).-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.