Saturday, February 17, 2018

Book Review: The Castle of Llyr

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, A Dell Yearling Book, New York, 1966.
This is the third of the five books which include The Black Cauldron.  In this book, Taran has some competition in winning the love of Eilonwy.  This is in the person of Prince Rhun, whose parents are set to tutor the princess, and they hope their son and Eilonwy marry.  Eilonwy is leaving Caer Dallben to be trained in the ways of princesses.  Taran accompanies her to the island realm of Mona, which is close to the original home of Princess Eilonwy's people.
However, shortly after arriving a plot is made known to them to harm the princess. What is worse, there is a traitor in the castle.  Too late do Taran, and Prince Don (who has been there in disguise) react, and the princess is kidnapped.  The book then becomes one of rescuing the princess.  On their journey they meet a giant cat, who would have done them in but the cat likes the harp playing of the bard, Fflewunder.  They also meet the giant, who also almost does them in in trying to get out of a cave where he has trapped himself growing too large.  After their escape they travel to the island, Llyr, once inhabited by Eilowny's people, where they confront an old nemesis Achren.  She is hoping to use Eilonwy, control her and restore her powers. 
Somethings are not meant to be controlled however. 
Again I enjoyed this book.  I like the characters, and now we have a love triangle, Taran, Eilonwy and Prince Rhun.

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