Book Review: The Black Cauldron

The Black Caldron by Lloyd Alexander, A Yearling Book, Dell Publishing, New York, 1965.
This continues the story of the Assistant Pig Keep of Caer Dallben.  The Black Cauldron, is the means by which the Lord of Death has been increasing his forces.  He throws the body of a newly dead person into the cauldron, and they become undead.  These warriors do not die, nor do they live.  But even worse, the Dark Lord has sponsored several murders, so as to get more bodies for the cauldron.  Prince Gwydion as determined that they must attack the Dark Lord's realm, and destroy the cauldron.  Schemes are laid, and the plan carried out, except the cauldron has gone missing.  Taran, (assistant pig keeper) and his companions come upon clues which lead them to pursue the cauldron.  He travels with Guthrie, his loyal friend (a hairy being), Ellidyr, who is constantly harassing the pig keeper to prove his own worth as he is the youngest prince, and often forgotten, Adaon, son of the high bard,  and Fflewunder, a king but also a bard hopeful.  Doli, of the fairy folk is also with them.  They are separated from the others, and under attack, but seek refuge in the Fair Folk (undergrond people) way station.  There from Gwystyl and his crow, Kaw, they are given clues of where the cauldron has gone.  The decide to pursue the cauldron without waiting for others.  They must travel to the Marshes of Morva and confront three witches, who have taken the cauldron.  Ellidyr, seeking glory for himself, leaves the group.  they are attached and Adaon is killed.  He leaves to Taran a brooch which gives powers of seeing things, and sensing things.  This he later uses to purchase the cauldron from the three witches (the cauldron belongs to the witches, and the "repossessed it from Arawn the Dark Lord.)
However taking the cauldron back to Gwydion is a most difficult task.  Ellidyr comes upon them and steals the cauldron, then Morgant, a supposed ally takes the cauldron, with the hopes of rising to power.  This leads to a sharp battle.  The destruction of the cauldron comes from an unexpected source.
I am enjoying this series of the assistant pig keep who always seems to prove himself somehow.