The Castle of Llyr (The Chronicles of Prydain #3) by Lloyd Alexander

The Castle of Llyr
The Chronicles of Prydain #3
Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 20 - 23 June 2020
Length: 160 pages
Published: 1966 (1968 in GB)


Princess Eilonwy is sent to Mona to learn how to be a proper princess. Accompanied by Taran and their band of companions, they make it to Mona, only to realise things are not as they seem, and Eilonwy is in grave danger. Can they save her?


I like Eilonwy. You forget she's actually a princess because she's so down to earth and just acts like 'one of the boys'. In her heart she wants to stay and have adventures with her friends, but she knows she must learn how to be a lady.

Prince Rhun of Mona is a bit of an idiot, and in no way an adventurer. But he comes through for them in the end and that makes him one of the good guys. "Hallo, hallo!"

Who doesn't love a giant cat? Well, most people when they're trying to get away. Luckily Llyan likes Fflewddur Fflam and his harp.

We learn a little more about Eilonwy's magic orb. It is called the Golden Pelydryn and can be used to read the Book of Spells. But it won't work for everyone!

There is still more to learn of course. We still don't know who Taran's parents are!

So I didn't quite enjoy The Castle of Llyr as much as the previous two, but it's still good! I'm looking forward to reading more.



Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The First Rebellion (The Waverley Women #1) by M. C. Beaton

The First Rebellion
The Waverley Women #1
M. C. Beaton

Date read: 14 - 19 June 2020
Length: 217 pages
Published: 1989


Fanny, Frederica and Felicity have been adopted by Mrs Waverley, a bluestocking woman and advocate of women's rights. But the girls are growing up, and don't all believe men to be the beasts they were brought up to think. When the Earl of Tredair enters their lives, poor Fanny has a lot of thoughts and feelings to consider.

His kiss has left her flushed and disconcerted -

perhaps men are best avoided after all!

This is a nice easy read. Perfect summer romance novel!

I want to know more about Mrs Waverley. She's very secretive about her past and I'm hoping we will learn more about her in the following two novels.

I think there is more to the girls' lineage that we will find out later. They know what orphanage they came from, and it was slightly different in that someone must have paid for them to go there. When Fanny tries to find out more she gets nowhere!

I'm glad there was a happy ending for Fanny. She got what she wanted in the end, even if she had to do it in a strange way.

Looking forward to the next one!

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

Million Dollar Baby by F. X. Toole

Million Dollar Baby
F. X. Toole

Front cover

Date read: 8 - 13 June 2020
Length: 235 pages
Published: 2000


Originally published as Rope Burns, Million Dollar Baby contains short stories about boxing; the people in boxing, their lives, the industry, and fights. Each story tells something new, but all are deeply about the sport.


I don't really know much about boxing, apart from what is portrayed in movies and TV programmes. I'm not a sport fan. But after reading these short stories, I feel like I've actually learned something about the real world of boxing. The author, F. X. Toole whose real name is Jerry Boyd, was a professional boxing trainer and 'cut man'.

I quite enjoyed these stories, although my favourite is probably Million Dollar Baby. I guess that's why the book was re-named and also why the film got this title. I'll need to watch the film and see how it compares.

I found Black Jew hard to read at first. It would probably be easier to read it aloud! It's written in the way that the main character Jeet/Jackie would talk. But as I read more I got more into it and found it easier.

Rope Burns was also pretty good. It shows how bonded some people are in boxing. The people they work with can become like family.


A good collection of stories.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain #2) by Lloyd Alexander

The Black Cauldron
The Chronicles of Prydain #2
Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 3 - 7 June 2020
Length: 182 pages
Published: 1965 (1967 in GB)


Once again Taran finds himself in danger. In order to protect Prydain, he sets out on a secret quest to destroy the Black Cauldron; used to create the undead Cauldron-Born for evil Arawn. Will he succeed?


This is a good second volume which introduces new characters and hints at others which may come.

Ellidyr is selfish and horrible. He only cares about himself and he makes this clear almost from the beginning. He puts the others in danger and he doesn't mind as long as he gets what he wants.

King Morgant is even worse! At least Ellidyr was clear about his intentions, whereas Morgant acted like their friends until the last moment when he revealed himself to be a traitor.

I like Taran's companions; Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam, and Gurgi. I hope all the adventures at least feature them in some way, and preferably in the thick of it!

Bring on the next one!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Mammoth Book of Awesome Comic Fantasy edited by Mike Ashley

The Mammoth Book of Awesome Comic Fantasy
Edited by Mike Ashley

Front cover

Date read: 21 May - 2 June 2020
Length: 528 pages
Published: 2001


Here we have a collection of short stories from many authors. Some are more fantasy-like than others, from stories based on fairy tales and angels, to some more down to earth. It's definitely an interesting mix!


This book was bought by my grandfather not six months before he passed. The receipt was still in the book! He was a great lover of books and science fiction and fantasy in particular. I think it's where I get my love of books!

Most of the authors I haven't heard of so it was good to read something I wouldn't usually. There were even some older stories from early 1900s.

So with a mix of stories there's obviously some I like more than others. My favourite is probably Touched by a Salesman by Tom Holt. It was funny and kept my attention the whole time. I actually wanted more of the story so I will have to check out some Tom Holt in the future, I do actually have a few of his books but I've never read any.

I also liked The Caliber of the Sword by Larry Lawrence. It was one of the shorter ones but I found it interesting and who doesn't like a talking sword? Even if it is an ass!

I liked the introductions before the stories. I felt like it was a good way to introduce the authors before reading the story and it provided some information on their other works.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #3) by Erika Johansen

The Fate of the Tearling
The Queen of the Tearling #3
Erika Johansen

Front cover

Date read: 8 - 20 May 2020
Length: 515 pages
Published: 2016


In order to try to save her kingdom, Kelsea hands herself over to the Red Queen and is now her prisoner. She leaves the Mace in charge, being one of the only people she can trust. Will this be enough to save the Tearling?

FIRST SHE WAS CROWNED, THEN IMPRISONED.

NOW THE ENDGAME BEGINS...

I like learning about the past through the actual characters. It's almost like 2 books in 1!  In The Fate of the Tearling we see more of the younger generation of the new Tearling, Lily's son and his peers. 

It was an unexpected ending, but I suppose it works. At first I thought it was going to be that she woke up and it was all a dream. I was getting ready to be pretty annoyed, but it wasn't quite like that! I guess this ending was okay but I do feel a bit disappointed anyway.

Most of the questions I had were answered but I would have liked to know if Kelsea was Tear or Finn. I guess it's left for me to figure out or I'll just never know.

The Fate of the Tearling is not quite as good as book 2, but still pretty decent. I think it was the ending that brought it down for me, and I would have given it 3.5 stars, but have rounded it up to four.

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain #1) by Lloyd Alexander

The Book of Three
The Chronicles of Prydain #1
Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 3 - 7 May 2020
Length: 188 pages
Published: 1964 (1966 in GB)


Taran, an Assistant Pig-Keeper, is bored. When Hen Wen, the oracular pig, runs away into the forest, Taran chases after her, only to find himself on an adventure. With a band of companions, they search for Hen Wen while avoiding the Horned King. Will they find her?


Confession time: I actually read The Book of Three a long time ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. But for some unknown reason, I didn't go on to read the rest of the series. So this was a re-read as I am now going to go on and read the rest of the series. I know there are some other books not in the series but relating to them, so I may or may not read them depending on availability at the time.

I like Eilonwy as a love interest for Taran. They seem to have a strange relationship in that they like to annoy each other, but I think deep down they actually care. I think something could blossom here.

Gwydion would be a good teacher. He is calm and not afraid to let them make their own mistakes. If he was willing he would be a good mentor for Taran.

Gurgi is interesting and I like they way he talks. Him saying things like crunchings and munchings is one of the things I remember from the first time I read the book. Although it's clear the troupe see him as a burden and a bit of an annoyance, he's still loyal to them and willing to help.

Fflewddur Flam is funny with the harp. I hope he's in more of the books, I would like to see more of him.

I'm very much looking forward to the next one. I think there is a lot more to the story and that Taran is more than he seems.

After I've read the next one I'm going to be watching the Disney film, The Black Cauldron, made from the material from the first two books. My friend is reading the series with me because she has seen an enjoyed the film, but didn't realise it was a book first!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist