The Iron Ring

Our rating: ***

Tamar receives a night visit from Jaya, a mighty ruler. Jaya’s only pastime is the gambling game of aksha. So, Tamar plays to please his guest. But Jaya bets his life against Tamar’s and Tamar loses. Charging him to come to his palace in Mahapura, where he will claim his debt, Jaya vanishes. Driven by a sense of dharma, or honor, Tamar seeks Mahapura and finds many strange adventures on the way.

I believe that Lloyd Alexander’s best books are his Chronicles of Prydain, which start with The Book of Three. The Iron Ring was pretty good and contained much of the morals that Alexander’s other books hold. Tamar is from India, so a lot of the mythology is from Indian legend. Animals talk, magic gems abound and things are not always as they seem.

The Jedera Adventure

Our rating: ***

When Vesper Holly discovers a very old book that her father borrowed from a library in Africa before he died, she determines to return it, dragging Brinnie along with. As usual, they encounter many adventures along the way, including kidnapping, slave traders, and a mysterious blue-skinned man.

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as some of Lloyd Alexander’s other books, but it’s definitely worth reading. A very action packed mystery with a great deal of humor.

The Drackenberg Adventure

Our rating: **

Vesper Holly’s back in full force, Brinnie and all. When Vesper accepts an invitation to the Grand Duchess Maria-Sophia’s Diamond Julbilee celebration, Brinnie and Aunt Mary are swept into a whirl of adventure. Strange things are going on and Vesper is certain that Dr. Helvitius is at the bottom of it. Exploding sausages, a genuine Leonardo da Vinci portrait and a band of gypsies. This book is a credit to the Vesper Holly series.

Another great book. (I would tell you if it wasn’t.) It’s not my favorite in the Vesper Holly series, but that doesn’t make it bad. Have fun. (Look! I wrote a short comment!)…(Believe it or not)…(Believe it.)

The Arkadians

Our rating: ****½

When the newly-elected King Bromios receives his prophecy from the oracle pythoness, Woman-Who-Talks-To-Snakes, he becomes very angry when all he hears is about ashes and rags, and he orders death to all who serve her. Meanwhile, Lucian, a young man working at the palace, accidentally uncovers a scheme that the King’s right-hand men are involved in, and has to run for his life. On the way, he meets Fronto, a former poet who has been turned into a donkey and he begs Lucian for assistance. The trio is completed when Joy-In-The-Dance, a girl of marvels and mysteries, rescues Lucian and Fronto from a tricky situation. Together, they set out on a journey to The-Lady-of-Wild-Things to find help for Fronto and advice for Lucian.

A well written book, with hilariously twisted Greek mythology throughout. Lloyd Alexander creates a magical and enchanted atmosphere in The Arkadians, while Lucian and Joy-In-The-Dance’s relationship is strikingly similar to that of Taran and Eilonwy, in the Prydain Chronicles.

The Book of Three

Our rating: ****

The first book of the Prydain Chronicles is off and running. Running in the form of the oracular pig, Hen Wen, who has mysteriously run away. Taran, the assistant pig-keeper, sets out to find her and also to seek for adventure. On the way, he meets Prince Gwydion, the war leader of High King Math, and tries to assist the prince in his battle against Death Lord Arawn’s chief warrior, The Horned King.

I could have told you more in the summary, but that was such a nice ending and I might have given things away. Ah well, (sigh) such is life. Hopefully, now you’ll want to read it. This book is great. A classic. Adventure, captures and, of course, daring escapes. This is a great beginning to an addicting series.