The High King (The Chronicles of Prydain Book 5)
by Lloyd Alexander
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"Greater, more disastrous, and demanding more courage are the battles into which Taran leads his followers against Arawn Death-Lord.... The book has the philosophical depth and overtones of great fantasy." --The Horn Book
Book Description
The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his ...more
Book Description
The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his ...more
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Read in September, 2005
During November I've also finally read the Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. This series consists of The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King. These books were first recommended to me by my friend Wolf (yes, this is his real name & not some weird RenFaire thing gone awry) during the 3rd or 4th grade. I finally read them and really enjoyed them - even though they're obviously intended for younger readers.
This is a fantasy series with so...more
This is a fantasy series with so...more
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Read in October, 2007
There are times in life where everything seems to go right, and then there are the times where everything seems to go wrong. The High King is both of these. There were times I wanted to throw the book down and times I couldn't even bear to close it at night. The book, while a fairy tale, is life.
Nothing in life is free and all things come with a price, even the price of gifts that we wish we could keep. And the gift that requires the greatest price is that of love. People change,...more
Nothing in life is free and all things come with a price, even the price of gifts that we wish we could keep. And the gift that requires the greatest price is that of love. People change,...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Helen by:
jameslhelena@bellsouth.net
Taran Wanderer becomes Taran Warrior in this last of the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran and his companions go to try to reclaim the sword Dyrnwyn from the hands of Arawn Death-Lord before all of Prydain is destroyed. Taran and Prince Gwydion raise an army to march against Arawn and recover the sword even if they must go to the gates of Annuvin, a place of death. In this story, Taran fully becomes a man and shows what he is made of. Read this heroic tale to discover what becomes of Taran’s lo...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Cinnamon Bread by:
Whitney Tasticrecommends it for: Anyone
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in June, 2008
I first came across this book in 4th grade when my teacher, Mr. Fawson, read it to our class. Ever since then it has been one of my favorite stories of all time. I picked it up at the library on a whim and finished it in two days. It is a powerful story of good and evil and how a good heart and care for those we love are more important than the usual things that people think gives them power. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age. It is the fifth and final book in the series and ...more
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Lloyd Alexander was a kind, simple man with a passion for mythology, especially Welsh lore. These books began with an exploration of ancient stories, and grew into what I believe to be the best children's literature out there. I still read them now and again, just because they move me so. Alexander manages a rather brilliant balance of humour and sorrow--something rarely found in books written for young people. His characters are lovable, entertaining, and real, despite their fantastical setting...more
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I’ve tried to read this series a dozen times and I’ve always given up until now. This time I started with the last book in the series and I couldn’t put the book down. The author assures the reader in the introduction that though this is the final book in his series it is a stand alone; I found this to be so. The characters are slowly led on the stage, with their past exploits clearly delineated. I never felt unclear or confused. I grew to love all the characters, even the whiny Glew and t...more
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Read in April, 2008
I love this series from Lloyd Alexander! I even named my daughter Taran, after the main character. I read them the first time at BYU as part of a children's literature course, and I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard of them before. This is a perfect series for anyone who loves fantasy, such as the Lord of the Rings, but is less bloody and doesn't have as much poetry. It's also fantastic for kids interested in this type of literature, because there are wonderful life lessons to be learned ...more
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Read in July, 2008
I finished The High King, and therefore The Chronicles of Prydain this morning. I will definitely say that this last book is my favorite of the series. The story and characters are much improved since the beginning books. I am still not a large fan of the writing style itself, however. I felt that there were some awkward parts (like everyone standing around and having a conversation during what was supposed to be a crisis moment).
Still, I am quite satisfied with the ending....more
Still, I am quite satisfied with the ending....more
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Read in June, 1998
This is to date one of the best children's novels I've read in one of the best children's series out there. Alexander draws on a wealth of Welsh mythology to put together a rags to riches story of a pig-keeper, his growth from child to youth to man, and the decisions we are all forced to make in adulthood. There were many different types of closure in the final book -- the first time I read it I cried, which is really rare for me. I found the portrayals of key characters moving as well as the st...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Fantasy Fans
This is a good ending to this series. All of Prydain bands together to defeat Arawn the Death Lord, and Alexander does a good job of telling the story. He does not shy away from killing characters and ties up all of the loose ends that were exposed through the rest of the stories. This book sort of takes all the components of the previous books and combines them into a final adventure for Taran and his companions.
Definitely worth reading if you have read the rest of the series, as it is a...more
Definitely worth reading if you have read the rest of the series, as it is a...more
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
dreamy pre-teens; dreamy adults
As I said in my review of The Book of Three, I originally read this (and the other books in the series) in the fourth grade I think, and re-read it in 2007 at age 39.
While I adore all of these books, this one is possibly my favorite. The story is so, so bittersweet. The ending left me with tears in my eyes -- as an adult. I get a bit misty-eyed even now as I write this review.
Growing up is hard. Being an adult is even harder. Or m...more
While I adore all of these books, this one is possibly my favorite. The story is so, so bittersweet. The ending left me with tears in my eyes -- as an adult. I get a bit misty-eyed even now as I write this review.
Growing up is hard. Being an adult is even harder. Or m...more
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It's been a while since I read this book and I had forgotten how good it is. While I love the other books in the series, and they may be more fun, this one really hit me this time through. It's content is, I feel, especially appropriate for right now - for the world at large as well as in my own life. It's a good reminder that sometimes doing things that we don't want to are necessary. Alexander is an amazing author who truly understands and expresses what most of humanity feels when faced wi...more
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The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain, and in it the companions take on the dreaded Arawn himself, Lord of the Land of the Dead. Taran raises warriors from the communities he visited in Taran Wanderer, and then he and his friends must face a traitor king as well as Arawn. Heroism, tragedy, more tragedy, and more heroism ensue. You will doubtless be reminded of Lord of the Rings in some ways, with Achren playing the Gollum role. The ending, too, is similarly bittersweet -- a...more
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Read in January, 2001
recommends it for:
young fantasy fans, ages 10 and up
The last book of the Prydain Chronicles, here's where it gets all serious, and to me, less fun. But I suppose it's powerful, because, hey, it won the Newbery Medal. I like the first three books better. They have jokes! They are fun! Not this one, because that would make it less powerful.
Why is humor so undervalued? Why do comedies never win Best Picture at the Academy Awards? Lighten up, everyone, it won't hurt, and you might actually enjoy life a bit more!
Why is humor so undervalued? Why do comedies never win Best Picture at the Academy Awards? Lighten up, everyone, it won't hurt, and you might actually enjoy life a bit more!
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A thicker book than the rest of the series, which is good, as the others seemed a little short -tho I should remember that Lloyd Alexander is writing to a young audience.
Anyways, Taran is dramatic as always, but now more "manfully" dramatic or whatever, plus he's lovesick. blah blah. The ending was influenced by LOTR, but good all the same, and wrapped the series up nicely.
... It always makes me sad when the elves/fair folk, etc., leave us all ... boo!
Anyways, Taran is dramatic as always, but now more "manfully" dramatic or whatever, plus he's lovesick. blah blah. The ending was influenced by LOTR, but good all the same, and wrapped the series up nicely.
... It always makes me sad when the elves/fair folk, etc., leave us all ... boo!
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This series holds great memories for me. The first summer in our new house my sister read these books to me. She felt I would love them, but I didn't think I would read them on my own, so every night after dinner, we would go into her room (our very first time with our own rooms), close the door, and we would delve into the wonderful world of Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, and Hen-Wen. It was the best summer ever and great stories to boot!
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Read in May, 2008
Yes! I loved this series sooo much. It's very similar to the Lord of the rings books, but MUCH more simple. I loved the ending, it's sad to say but it would have been too good to be true for them to live forever all happy with no worries. What kind of life would that be??? Yes, I want it too. I will definitely buy this series so my kids can read them later. Beers Books, here I come! (used book store on Sac)
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The final book in the series is as packed with adventure as the others. In this conclusion, all the beloved characters gather together once again to combat Arawn who is beginning to take bold and deadly measures to destroy those who stand in his way of the conquest of Prydain. Taran, now much more mature than he was, is worthy at last to take a high hand at leadership in the war against Arawn.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.28 (1949 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.28 (1804 ratings) number of reviews: 86popular shelves
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quote
"A shade of sorrow passed over Taliesin's face. "There are those," he said gently, "who must first learn loss, despair, and grief. Of all paths to wisdom, this is the cruelest and longest. Are you one who must follow such a way? This even I cannot know. If you are, take heart nonetheless. Those who reach the end do more than gain wisdom. As rough wool becomes cloth, and crude clay a vessel, so do they change and fashion wisdom for others, and what they give back is greater than what they won.""
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