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!




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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.




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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.

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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!




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Tales From Watership Down (Watership Down #2) by Richard Adams

Tales From Watership Down
Watership Down #2
Richard Adams

Front cover

Date read: 26 April - 2 May 2020
Length: 267 pages
Published: 1996


In the sequel to Watership Down we have some stories of rabbit folklore, that all rabbits grow up learning. There are some stories of El-ahrairah and his trusty friend Rabscuttle, and lastly a few tales of Hazel and his warren after the defeat of General Woundwort.


This is a very nice collection of short stories, I just wish there were more! I think probably most people were looking for more of a novel as the sequel, but I think this was really nice and something a bit different.

I think Hazel is a good leader even if he's not the best fighter. He is empathetic and understands that the needs of the warren come before his own. He regularly is willing to sacrifice himself for his warren.

In the sequel part of the novel Hazel and his rabbits help a hutch rabbit find a new home. There is some resistance to this as hutch rabbit and wild rabbits are not known to mix, but it's a nice thing for them to do.

I like Hyzenthlay too. Her partnership with Hazel works very well and I think Hazel chose well from the rabbits in the warren. She will lead the warren well.


A very nice ending to Watership Down.

Richard Adams

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The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

The Almost Moon
Alice Sebold

Front cover

Date read: 19 - 25 April
Length: 291 pages
Published: 2007


Helen helps to care for her mother, a woman in her 80s with dementia. On her latest visit, her mother soils herself. This leads Helen down an unexpected path, and the next 24 hours will seal her fate. Told with flashbacks, we learn how her past may have led her to where she is now.


The Almost Moon has a very shocking beginning! I was totally unprepared for what happened and very much taken by surprise.

As I read more of the book I began to realise I don't much like Helen. She is a very strange character and doesn't really seem to have a strong connection with everyone. All her relationships with people are weird. She has two grown up daughters that she doesn't really seem to keep in touch with, an ex husband who she doesn't even know where he lives, yet he's suddenly back in her life, and a best friend, who she doesn't actually seem to care all that much for. Not in a selfish way, almost in a not able to way.

Some things seem obvious that she seems oblivious to, mainly the state of the mental health of her parents, particularly her mother, but though flashbacks it's also revealed that her father was struggling too. In a way I can see how growing up with a mother with mental health issues might just seem normal to her, but even when she was a teenager I would think she would begin to realise what's really going on, yet she seems totally oblivious to it all.

One part I didn't really like was the ending. It was a very unsatisfying ending, it almost seemed rushed. Without saying too much, basically there were three options for Helen at the end. Yet when the end came, there was no real conclusion and it's basically up to us to decide which ending happened. There are clues to point you in the right direction I suppose, but still unsatisfying.


So my real rating for this book is probably between 2 and 3 stars. I went with 3 because some parts were interesting and kept me going, but in general I wasn't really a fan of this book. It's a shame because I read The Lovely Bones, and although it is also about really difficult subject matter, it was a good book! This one, I'm sorry to say, not so much.

Alice Sebold

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Jo's Boys (Little Women #3) by Louisa May Alcott

Jo's Boys
Little Women #3
Louisa May Alcott

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 18 April 2020
Length: 304 pages
Published: 1886


Ten years after Little Men, nearly all the boys have grown up. They're off doing their own things; sailing, being a musician abroad, even going to jail! But they all come back to Plumfield as often as they can.


My favourite boy is Nat. He's so pleasant and eager to do what's right, even to his own detriment. When he gets himself into a sticky situation he finds a way out and works hard for it.

Not surprised Dan went to jail. Although he made some improvement over time, he was always a bit selfish and dismissive of other people. He does what he wants regardless of the consequences, and that's part of what landed him in jail. He was always my least favourite boy.

I felt ready for the series to be finished, and I got the impression Alcott was too. Perhaps she was under pressure from fans or her publisher to keep producing stories, and it amused me to get to the last chapter to find it titled "Positively Last Appearance", as if she was telling everyone there would be no more.


Although I began to feel less connected to the March family as the books went on, I have very much enjoyed reading these stories. It was good to read about Jo's life in more detail, but the first 2 volumes (Little Women and Good Wives, or Little Women Volume II) will always be my favourite.




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