The Chronicles of Prydain: The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Middle School, (Mid-late Elementary Needs Parent Supervision)

This is an awesome continuation of the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy saga. I highly recommend you start with The Book of Three, as both books have fantastic reflections of the gospel.

Possible Concerns:

• Death. A major character is killed, and it is heartbreaking.
• Respect for Women. There are several cutting comments about Eilonwy having a lesser status or value because she is a girl. She is headstrong and doesn’t let it shake her, and by the end of the series she is a brave, lovely and respected woman.
• Fantasy. Witches, enchanters, spells, etc.

Things I liked: I enjoyed this one tremendously, and if you are able to read it with your kids, there will be so much to talk about:

• Sin. One character has a “beast on his back.” What are your “beasts,” and how do you hope to shake them?
• Death Destroyed. The power of death in the black cauldron is destroyed when someone willingly enters in to save all. Have you ever given something up to save something else? Has anyone ever given something up for you?
• Sacrifice. (spoiler alert!) The witches change their tune when they discover Taran is a friend of Dallben. Has being someone’s friend ever helped you? Now imagine at the gates of heaven you have nothing to offer to speak for your soul. Can you think of how the Heavens may respond if you can say you are a true friend of Jesus, the son of the high king?

I also highly recommend the next book in the Chronicles of Prydain series, The Castle of Llyr.

Here are links to my reviews of all the books in the series:

title	link	rating	reading_level
The Book of Three	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/?p=2265	My bookshelf	Middle school
The Black Cauldron	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2024/07/26/the-chronicles-of-prydain-the-black-cauldron-by-lloyd-alexander/	My bookshelf	Middle school
The Castle of Llyr	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2024/05/08/the-chronicles-of-prydain-the-castle-of-llyr-by-lloyd-alexander/	My bookshelf	Middle school
Taran Wanderer	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2024/05/17/the-chronicles-of-prydain-taran-wanderer-by-lloyd-alexander/	My bookshelf	Middle school
The High King	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/?p=2318	My bookshelf	Middle school