Before Harry Potter, Before Roland Dashain, Before Percy Jackson, Before Jon Snow, there was Taran of Caer Dallben.

Hello 1000 Bookies:

Before Harry Potter, Before Roland Dashain, Before Percy Jackson, Before Jon Snow, there was Taran of Caer Dallben.   On our latest stop on our book tour from the 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die, we travel to the mythical world of Prydain where we meet some interesting characters.  The Book of Three is the first volume in a young adult Science Fiction/Fantasy series called The Chronicles of Prydain.  This series was written during the 1960s but wears its age well. 

This book has everything for fantasy story lovers--heroes and princesses, from really bad guys to the good guys, from mythical creatures to zombies, from oracle pigs to the fairy folk.  At the center of the story is the character of Taran.  Taran, like any typical teenager, is a dreamer who wants to leave the farm where he is caring for a white pig, named Hen Wen.  He wants to learn to become a hero and great warrior.  He wants to emulate his hero, Gwydion, the crown Prince. However, be careful what you wish for Taran, for you might just get it.  The evil arrives in Prydain wants Hen Wen for she can tell the future and invades to obtain her.  Hen Wen runs away in fear of the Horned King and Taran leaves to find her. 

In his adventures searching for Hen Wen, Taran meets his hero Gwydion, not realizing it was him.  Taran has all these expectations of what a hero is and what a hero looks like, that he misses the forest from the trees.  The Book of Three is the formation of the group that will go on to save Prydain.  We meet Princess Eilonwy, a combination of beautiful, wise and a bit of a flake.  We meet Fflewddur Fflam, a king who would rather be a bard—he tends to exaggerate.  We also end up with Gurgi, a hairy beast and Doli, a dwarf guide.  The group searches for Hen Wen to get her to safety.  Throughout the adventure Taran just wants to go home.

The Book of Three is a great read with fun characters and beautiful settings.  The book has Welsh names and has its roots in Welsh mythology.  I assumed the author; Lloyd Alexander was from Wales.  I was surprised to learn that Mr. Alexander was born, raised and moved back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, my hometown.  Disney made a movie incorporating the first two books, The Black Cauldron (the name of the second book) so please check that it out also.  I understand and agree with its place on the 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die because it was the grandparents of the fantasy-adventure series that we embrace today.  I recommend pick up the series. 

Keep Reading My Friends!!!!