Taran shouts to the king to call out the guard to help search for Eilonwy and Magg. The king, of course, thinks that the sea air has addled Taran’s brains, and asks why he accuses Magg of such an offense. Taran agonizes for about half …
Read MoreThe Castle of Llyr, Chapter 4 – Shadows
That evening’s feast is merry, though Taran can’t enjoy it at all, since he’s too worried about Eilonwy, who is chattering animatedly with Prince Rhun after pointedly reminding Taran that she’s not speaking to him (heh). Fflewddur performs the new lay he’s composed, and afterward …
Read MoreThe Castle of Llyr, Chapter 3 – The Shoemaker
Taran is stunned to see the shoemaker is actually Gwydion, and confused by his message. He asks if Arawn has found them on Mona. No, says Gwydion. So are King Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria actually evil, then? Guess again, says Gwydion. Taran can’t think of …
Read MoreThe Castle of Llyr, Chapter 2 – Dinas Rhydnant
Sorry for the delay in getting this recap up, folks – I’ve was out of the country, finally visiting England for the first time. London was amazing, though we didn’t make it to Wales, unfortunately – next time, I’ve got to see Anglesey, also known …
Read MoreThe Castle of Llyr, Chapter 1 – Prince Rhun
The third chronicle of Prydain is, Alexander tells us in the author’s note, as much about Eilonwy as about Taran. He hints at romance growing between the two, as well as a storyline that is more bittersweet than its predecessors. “The nature of fantasy allows …
Read MoreWhat I’m Reading: The Age of Miracles
Karen Thompson Walker’s The Age of Miracles starts with a very simple premise: what if the rotation of the Earth slowed slightly so that the days and nights gradually became longer and longer? Walker tells the story through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl, Julia, …
Read MoreWhat I’m Reading: Shine On
It’s not every day that I’m reading a book and suddenly up pops a mention of me, right there on the page. But that’s exactly what happened while I was reading Claire Cook’s “Shine On: How to Grow Awesome Instead of Old”! You see, the …
Read MoreThe Black Cauldron, Chapter 20 – The Final Price, part 2
As Ellidyr charges toward the cauldron, Morgant draws his sword and commands his guards: “Slay him! Keep him from the cauldron!” Taran, Doli, and Flewddur rush out of the tent, and unarmed, Taran tries to wrestle Morgant’s sword away from him. Morgant throws Taran to …
Read MoreThe Black Cauldron, Chapter 19 – The War Lord – and Chapter 20 – The Final Price, part 1
Morgant’s warriors tie up Taran and his companions, knocking Gurgi unconscious when he tries to fight. They even put a gag on Eilonwy after she accuses Morgant of being a traitor and a liar. Taran warns Morgant that if he kills them, he’ll have to …
Read MoreThe Black Cauldron, Chapter 18 – The Loss
Taran wakes that evening to find Eilonwy, Gurgi, and Fflewddur tending to him. They’ve lit a campfire, and Taran is alarmed that it will betray their presence to the Huntsmen. Fflewddur says they couldn’t let Taran freeze to death, and besides, the Huntsmen are looking …
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