The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen

�When Prince Jen volunteers to search for the legendary court of T'ien-kuo, a mysterious old man chooses six gifts for him to bear in homage: a saddle, a sword, a paint box, a bowl, a kite, and a flute. Puzzled by the humbleness of the gifts but full of high spirits and pride, Jen sets off -- but stumbles almost immediately into a series of misfortunes. Only with the help of his faithful servant Mafoo and valiant flute-girl Voyaging moon, and only after a breathtakingly exciting string of adventures, can Jen discover the real meaning of the gifts and face his true destiny.�

I absolutely loved this book. The journey of Prince Jen is a very delightful story. I was enjoying it so much, I found myself reading it sparingly because I didn�t want to finish it. I loved all the main characters; they�re all very charming in their own way. My favourites are Mafoo, because of his sarcastic wit, and Moxa, the honourable thief and charming lunatic. I often found myself chuckling at Mafoo's incessant complaints and Moxa�s �Enthusiastic Obedience�. I also like the simple and sweet romance between Jen and Voyaging Moon. The morals and lessons to be learned from this book are great for children and adults alike. I would recommend this book to anyone, young and old. I�m sure most would enjoy it.

The Prydain Chronicles, as a whole, are the best works of fiction I have read and will always treasure. I do acknowledge that there are many other works that are �superior� but personally I have not found any other work of fiction that has given me so much pleasure to read and so much sorrow when I finished them. Alexander has a gift for creating enchanting, thought provoking and unpredictable stories. The Prydain Chronicles were simple yet deep and eloquent. Where there is much humour and joy, Alexander balances that with just as many sacrifices, sorrows and pains. Where there is victory we also find failure and defeat. Where there is much folly we find much wisdom. As Alexander reminds us often, much as it is fantasy there is much reality. "Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it."

Also Alexander has another gift for creating charming characters. I fell in love with Taran and his companions, Gurgi, Eilonwy, Fflewddur, and Doli and many of the friends they made on their adventures (esp Prince Rhun and Adaon). It�s so hard to pick a favourite, but if I had to choose one then Taran would be my choice (Gurgi is a close second. In the first book he gave me a good laugh with his pleadings for �crunchings and munchings�).

Although all the books were great, my favourite from the five is Taran Wanderer. Even though it is not so action packed like the other books I loved this one because it was very deep and thoughtful. I was holding back tears throughout a good portion of the book (yes I can be a sap at times but some parts were really sad). The High King is my second favourite in the series.

I would definitely recommend the Prydain Chronicles to anyone. I think that one can always return to these books perennially and still enjoy them; and they are books which one cannot out grow because like The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen the lessons to be learned in these books are relevant to both young and old.

The Book of Three:

"Blending rich elements of Welsh legend and universal mythology, Lloyd Alexander creates an imaginary kingdom of Prydain to tell a tale of enchantment, both good and evil, and of the Assistant Pig- Keeper who wants to become a hero.

In an enthralling chronicle, Taran Assistant Pig-Keeper to a famous oracular sow, sets out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil. He meets adventures in which humour and high valour are blended in a way that will keep readers of many ages completely absorbed-for this is fantasy that is rooted in reality and truth.

For, as Mr. Alexander says in his introductory not: �Most of us are called to perform tasks beyond what we believe we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart.�

The Black Cauldron:

"In this imaginary land of Prydain, where �evil is never distant",: Prince Gwydion faced dangers more threatening than had ever been dreamed of. It had become imperative that the Black Cauldron, chief implement of the evil powers of Arawn, lord of the Land of Death, be destroyed.

For each of the warriors chosen to journey to Arawn�s domain, the quest had a special meaning. To Ellidyr youngest son of an impoverished king, it meant a chance to satisfy his bitter longing for fame. For Adaon, beloved for his gentleness and bravery, the quest was an omen whose significance he dreaded to discover. And to Taran , Assistant Pig-Keeper, the adventure seemed a glorious opportunity to wear his first sword, a man among men.

How each fulfilled his destiny in ways entirely unforeseen is related in a story filled with adventure and sacrifice that great achievements entail. As in Lloyd Alexander�s, The Book of Three, the thrilling experiences of Prydain�s unforgettable characters will long be cherished by the young."

The Castle of Llyr:

"Once more, the imaginary Kingdom of Prydain springs to life with derring-do, enchanting nonsense, and unforgettable characters in this third chronicle of the kingdom described in The Book of Three and The Black Cauldron.

Princess Eilonwy of the red-gold hair is sad when she must leave her friends at Caer Dallben to go to the Isle of Mona for training as a proper princess. But Eilonwy will face much more than the ordeal of becoming a lady, for she possesses magical powers sought by Achren, the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain. When shortly after her arrival at the Isle of Mona, something sinister and secret befalls the princess, her loyal friends set out on a mission to rescue her. Taran, assistant pig keeper, Fflewddur Fflam, the bard, and Prince Rhun, intended husband of Eilonwy �all go out on a journey filled with excitement, terrifying encounters with evil forces, and private sometimes painful revelations for each of them. Eilonwy herself never forgets what she learns about magic turned to evil purposes.

Rich in the wonderful fantasy inspired by Welsh mythology, but equally rich in its insight into the good and evil that exist in everyone, The Castle of Llyr is enduring literature in the finest fantasy tradition."

Taran Wanderer:

"A profound and enriching experience for all young readers, this stirring fourth book of the Prydain cycle is in keeping with the distinguished literary standards of the previous three books. Here Taran goes questing for his parentage, hoping that it will prove noble for the sake of a certain princess with red-gold hair. Accompanied by the faithful Gurgi, he goes to the three wily enchantresses of the Marshes of Morva who send him to the Mirror of Llunet to learn who he is with the cryptic promise that, �the finding takes more than the looking.� Joined by Fflewddur Flam, the bard-king; Doli of the Fair Folk; Kaw, the talking crow; and Llyan, the giant, music loving cat, Taran, side-tracked time and time again by exciting adventures, eventually comes to the rugged wasteland where the shepherd Craddoc lives and for a time gains a father�and comes to know shame.

Driven mow by a deeper and more serious purpose -- the search for his own identity�Taran Wanderer makes his way to common folk of Prydain with whom he lives. There he finds much that is noble and much to admire from the crafts they pursue. From each of the four master craftsmen he learns a different strand in life�s pattern and finally, life�s hardest lesson, to accept failure.

In a deeply moving climax at the Mirror of Llunet which is not an ending but a beginning, Taran Wanderer learns who he is and the secret of the Mirror�which the wily Enchantresses had known all along."

The High King:

"When the sword of Dyrnwyn, the most powerful weapon in the kingdom of Prydain, falls into the hands of Arawn-Death-Lord, Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, and Prince Gwydion raise an army to march against Arawn's terrible cohorts. After a winter expedition filled with danger, Taran's army arrives at Mount Dragon, Arawn's stronghold. There, in a thrilling confrontation with Arawn and the evil enchantress Achren, Taran is forced to make the most crucial decision of his life."(I don't really like this description because it's kinda misleading...but the publisher's description will have to do because I'm too lazy to write my own. ^_^)