This is the midpoint of the Chronicles of Prydain, and it’s of a piece
with the others. Our hero, Taran of Caer Dallben, escorts “the
golden-haired Princess Eilonwy” to the Isle of Mona, where she is going
to live with the King and Queen of Mona and learn all about being a
princess. Nothing goes quite as planned, of course, and no sooner do
they arrive than Eilonwy is kidnapped by Achren, the wicked enchantress
who stole her from her mother when she was a baby. Naturally, Taran must
rescue her.

As in the previous volumes, the other characters seem to be chosen for
the lessons they can teach young Taran. In this case, the major learning
experiences are provided by the feckless Prince Rhun and a giant named
Glew. From Glew he learns that physical size has nothing to do with
moral stature; from Rhun he learns that fecklessness can go with a good
heart, that it is not a permanent condition, and that he really doesn’t
want anyone else to marry “the golden-haired Princess Eilonwy.” And
there are all the usual things about loyalty, courage, and the
importance of good friends.

David’s immediate response when we finished it was, “Tomorrow, we can
start the next one!”