In which Eilonwy is given a new opportunity, but all is built on sand...

The third book of The Chronicles of Prydain is my favourite thus far. Yet it's a far different beast from the previous two.

I was worried after The Black Cauldron that each book would just be a straightforward quest story reuniting all the same characters. Instead, I longed for a Narnia-esque series in which different aspects of Prydain could be explored. For this novel, we do get a reunion of the main characters, but most of the supporting cast take some time off, which creates a sense of difference here. Eilonwy is one of the series' strongest characters, and it's wonderful to discover her backstory - even if most of it was unknown even to the princess herself. Unfortunately, she's sidelined for most of the novel, but thankfully the young lady has so impressed us in previous books that we genuinely fear for her safety. (Sadly, the 'Big Bad' of the series is also sidelined for the most part, which is a shame since she has a great presence.)

Alexander uses the quest for Eilonwy to explore new parts of Prydain, and to add a lot of history and mysticism. It really works, and creates a sense that things are going to build nicely in the final two books. As always, he mixes a moral quest with haunting reality, and creates genuine obstacles for his characters to overcome.

Still, The Castle of Llyr bears a couple of the same flaws as its predecessors. I listen to a lot of audio plays, and the dialogue here is sometimes similar. Even when they're being chased by a giant mountain lion, the characters speak in lengthy, descriptive passages. Alexander could surely accomplish the same things with passages of prose instead! This is more annoying in this book than previous, because there are some interesting character developments that could have been more subtly handled. Taran is discovering his feelings for Eilonwy, and the new character of Prince Rhun turns out to have a lovely arc. I can see how it would work on television or film, whereas here the arc seems a bit deflated. He develops from fool to fool aware of his status to reluctant hero. Late in the book, it becomes clear that he's realising something exists between Eilonwy and Taran, even as he hopes to be her betrothed. Still, this all comes across in expository conversations, rather than anything more.

Ultimately, The Castle of Llyr is strong enough in its set pieces and quest narrative that it overcomes these weaknesses. The final setting - a half-sunken castle - is gorgeous, and I'll be very interested to see where Alexander takes these characters (both heroes and villains) as we head into the final two novels. There is a slowly growing tension here, but as yet nothing that suggests the series is coming to its end. I can easily see Prydain being further explored for many books to come. Still, I can't wait to experience the next one. ( )

Better than the second, but damn I really thought Eilonwy was going to get a break this time. ( )

Having read Taran Wanderer many times and seen The Black Cauldron movie more, it's great to see what happened between the two (I'm now going to presume that I remember Taran Wanderer well enough to skip ahead to The High King)

The stories are simple, but the characters are endearing, they’ve definitely grown on me over the course of the series.
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The shortest and also the least of the five Prydain chronicles, but still very enjoyable. Eilonwy is sidelined for much of the book, and is forced to largely play the role of damsel in distress, to the book's detriment. Still, it's a good adventure and we are introduced to several unforgettable new characters. ( )