| This is the first book in the magical Chronicles of Prydain. As the book begins, the mythical kingdom of Prydain is in trouble. Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, must set out on a dangerous journey to save Prydain from the evil doings of the Horned King.
Taran who has never been satisfied with his farm life has always longed to be a brave warrior. So when one day Hen Wen, the oracular pig he cares for, runs off in fright, he chases her through the forest and meets Gwydion, a valiant warrior. Together they fall into the clutches of the evil sorceress Achren. In his dungeon Taran befriends a talkative girl named Eilonwy who helps him escape. He also makes friends with a bard named Fflewddur Fflam whose magic harp always breaks a string whenever he tells a lie, a wild man named Gurgi and also a dwarf named Doli who is very grouchy because he can't figure out how to make himself invisible. With his collection of strange and wonderful friends, Taran finds himself fighting so that good may triumph over evil. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - great warrior Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 30 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a teen Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can cast all sorts of spells Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Terrain Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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