The High King (Prydain Chronicles) (Paperback)

by Lloyd Alexander (Author) "Under a chill, gray sky, two riders jogged across the turf..." (more)
Key Phrases: cantrev lords, poor tender head, former giant, Fair Folk, Hen Wen, Caer Dathyl (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"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
-- Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"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

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Yearling (September 15, 1969) Language: English ISBN-10: 0440435749 ISBN-13: 978-0440435747 Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 7 ounces Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (131 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,598 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #16 in  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( A ) > Alexander, Lloyd This is item 5 in The Chronicles of Prydain Series.

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First Sentence:
Under a chill, gray sky, two riders jogged across the turf. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cantrev lords, poor tender head, former giant, battle host, white pig, bald crown, war band

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Fair Folk, Hen Wen, Caer Dathyl, Caer Dallben, Sons of Don, Assistant Pig-Keeper, King Smoit, Great Hall, King Rhun, Lord Gwydion, Great Belin, High King, King of Mona, Caer Cadarn, Fflewddur Fflam, Mount Dragon, Prince of Don, Summer Country, Red Fallows, The Book of Three, Arawn Death-Lord, Chief Bard, Chief Steward, King Eiddileg, Lord of Annuvin

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 22 books:

• The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander in Front Matter, and Back Matter
• Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner, 2000) by Christopher Paul Curtis in Back Matter
• The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder in Back Matter
• The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare in Back Matter
• Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander in Front Matter

See all 22 books this book cites

 

100 books cite this book:

• A Century of Welsh Myth in Children's Literature (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy) by Donna R. White on 11 pages
• Quizzes for 220 Great Children's Books: The Quest Motivational Reading Program (Through Children's Literature) by Polly Jeanne Wickstrom on 4 pages
• A Lloyd Alexander Collection (3 Complete Novels) by Lloyd Alexander on 4 pages
• Teaching Fantasy Novels: From The Hobbit to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Phyllis J Perry on 4 pages
• Newberys & The Net: Thematic Technology Connections by Annette Lamb on page 191, page 192, and page 206

See all 100 books citing this book

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Discusses:

• poor tender head
• white pig
• Fair Folk

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

Discusses:

• poor tender head
• Assistant Pig-Keeper
• Lord Gwydion

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

Discusses:

• poor tender head
• Fair Folk
• Hen Wen

The Foundling by Lloyd Alexander

Discusses:

• white pig
• Fair Folk
• Hen Wen

The Prydain Companion by Michael O. Tunnell

Discusses:

• white pig
• Fair Folk
• Hen Wen

Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander

Discusses:

• cantrev lords
• poor tender head
• Fair Folk

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander Discusses: poor tender head white pig Fair Folk The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander Discusses: poor tender head Assistant Pig-Keeper Lord Gwydion The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander Discusses: poor tender head Fair Folk Hen Wen The Foundling by Lloyd Alexander Discusses: white pig Fair Folk Hen Wen Loading...

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	76% buy the item featured on this page: The High King (Prydain Chronicles) 4.8 out of 5 stars (131)
	10% buy The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain) 4.7 out of 5 stars (239) $6.99
	6% buy The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain) 4.7 out of 5 stars (123) $6.99
	5% buy Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain) 4.7 out of 5 stars (60) $5.99

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Customer Reviews

131 Reviews 5 star:  (111) 4 star:  (13) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (3) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (131 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars May smile at a king, September 22, 2004 By  E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    I'm always fascinated by books and movies that are parts of larger series, and yet win major awards entirely on their own. A good recent example of this might be the third part of the "Lord of the Rings" films winning the Oscar. Similarly, the final book in Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles won the coveted Newbery Award. I pity the graduate film and literature students that discover these award winners without having seen/read their predecessors. Fortunately, "The High King" doesn't require too much backstory or catching up. If you are reading this book on its own you'll undoubtedly be annoyed by its continual references to characters or situations you're not personally familiar with. My advice is not to begin with this, the last in the series. Find "The Book of Three" and carry on from there. "The High King" is good, but it's best within context. When we last saw our heroes, Taran and Gurgi were finally returning to Caer Dallben after more than a year of Taran "finding himself" in the classic sense of the term. At last they are coming home, and to their delight everyone has turned out for their arrival. Unfortunately the joy is not for long. Prince Gwydion has been grievously hurt on his way to the party and his sword of Dyrnwyn has been stolen. Needless to say, this is very bad news. Soon the armies of Arawn-Death-Lord are marching and the time for an end to his reign is at hand. With Taran now a wiser steadier fellow, our band of ragamuffin heroes sets off once more towards adventures, traps, and triumphs. Old friends are met, new friends are found, and many good stout-hearted people die. Still, through it all our heroes never give up and the book is a stirring testament to the will of the average joe. By the end of the book Taran must face his greatest decision yet. And, as author Lloyd Alexander points out, "whether the ending is happy, heartbreaking, or both, readers must decide for themselves". Out of all the Prydain books, this is the one that bears the most similarity to the aforementioned "Lord of the Rings". This is based on a variety of different factors. The types of battles waged. The evil lord's landscaping. The idea that the bad guy has gotten an object of particular power and can now wield it for evil. Even the ending is similar (though Taran makes a surprise decision that is the direct opposite of Frodo's own surprise decision). Don't feel that this book is a weak knock off of Tolkien's (admittedly) better written baby though. Alexander's at the top of his game here, posing as many philosophical queries as he does political jabs. The presentation of a former good guy who believes peace can only come by joining up with bad guys... heck we're talking WWII political theory here. On top of that Taran is at his wisest in this book. He's poised and confident without being cocky. There's the odd inclusion of a terribly annoying fellow named Glew in this book who serves only to create important plot points and a form of weak comic relief, but fortunately he is the sole flaw of the book. I was greatly relieved too. After the meanderings of Alexander's far weaker, "Taran Wanderer", I was worried that, "The High King" might bog down into dreary who-am-I? type speechifying. Fortunately Eilonwy is present and accounted for in this novel. She fights and gets captured, but at least she's a gutsy ball of gung-ho goodness. As the sole female of the novel she's a welcome relief to everyone's serious even toned conversations. Once again, Eilonwy saves the novel. "The High King" is far longer than its predecessors, but that's fitting since it's the last in the series. Alexander keeps the action constant and upbeat. I doubt you'll find any serious objections to it. It is sad to say goodbye to the characters we've all grown to know so well in the books. I've always had a serious crush on Fflewddur Fflam so I think I'll miss him most of all. Fortunately there's always "The Foundling" and "Coll and His White Pig" to read for fun. They're not officially part of the Prydain canon but they belong squarely in that world. Consider checking them out if you fall into Lloyd Alexander withdrawal. "The High King" is rightfully considered the strongest book in its series. I recommend it with nary a reservation in sight. 11 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The journey comes to an end, September 21, 2000 By  E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       Lloyd Alexander said in a Scholastic interview just how painful it was to end the Prydain Chronicles, and he definitely does quit while he's ahead. Did I mention I put off reading this book for ages because I didn't want the story to end? "High King" is the most mature of all of the books, a hard story that ends bittersweetly. The sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by the shapeshifting Arawn Deathlord, and the various cantrevs (kingdoms) of Prydain are launching a military strike against Annuvin, The Land of Death. A scarred Taran and his friends set out on their most dangerous journey, along with the broken sorceress Achren, who wants to get back at Arawn. The end is sad but somehow necessary, though it's a bit reminiscent of the "Gray Havens" scene in LOTR. Taran is no longer the naive boy we see in "Book of Three." Having had plenty of adventure, the events of this book end his adolescence and starts his adulthood, as a strong man. Eilonwy is a bit less twittery in this book, after her adventures and training in the Isle of Mona. Gurgi and Fflewddur are... well, themselves, as is Gwydion. Dallben is perhaps the most changed in Taran's view--in TBOT he was seen as a finicky old man, while here he is the great enchanter we always knew he was. Other characters, such as the lovable bear King Smoit and the great warrior Gwydion. There are some character moments that, I promise, will wrench tears from you. Those of you who are put off by the old-style language of "Taran Wanderer" or extensive battle scenes, be forewarned: There are plenty in this. But it's to be expected in the final chapter of an epic saga, that you'll never want to end. "Chronicles" is, after "Lord of the Rings," my favorite fantasy series, and the High King won a Newbery for a reason. Read, and enjoy... 11 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't read this book unless you've read the other 4 first!, July 6, 1998 By A Customer You will be sorely disappointed if you read this book before reading the first four Chronicles of Prydain. This allegedly children's series is actually a heart-rending tale of the tragedies and triumphs of the trip from teenager to adult. It is, I believe, one of the best stories ever written and a landmark in teenage literature. do yourself a favor--start with The Book of Three and read the other four books before you read The High King. If you do, Taran and his friends will remain with you for life.		Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting end This is a fitting end to a great series. All that is meant to happen in these characters lives do happen. Our characters have come, in their own ways, full circle. Read more Published 1 day ago by Christopher M. Fulton 5.0 out of 5 stars Great books I read the Prydain Chronicles as a child and still find them enjoyable today. I look forward to one day sharing these tales with my children. Published 2 months ago by Jeffrey A. Hensley 5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious, heart-wrenching finale The High King brings the five-book Chronicles of Prydain to a conclusion that cements the series as one of the best works of fantasy literature in history. Read more Published 5 months ago by Charlie Brooks 5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book! This book is the last in a series of five called The Chronicles of Prydain and I think everyone should read them. Read more Published 5 months ago by MoonSage 5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite children's book I read this book for the first time when I was in the fifth grade. Since then I have read and re-read it time and again over the years (I am now 40) and the book still has a... Read more Published 9 months ago by Steven C. Edwards 4.0 out of 5 stars My Poor Tender Head! The High King, like the four volumes leading up to it, is an entertaining read to say the least. Sadly, I was 17 before I discovered the chronicles of Prydain, so a lot of the... Read more Published 13 months ago by Dave Lister 5.0 out of 5 stars Create Your Own Review Jamin P. review of The High King by Lloyd Alexander, March 19, 2008 The book I read, The High King, was great. Read more Published 15 months ago 4.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader Pig boy gets over it, the sword, the girl, the knowledge and the administration job. Taran finally gets organised as far as the princess is concerned, but, as... Read more Published 22 months ago by Blue Tyson 5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Fantasy It is NOT my intent to be inflammatory or insulting with this review. However, as humans, we live and die by comparing and contrasting, so I can't help it if I do so. Read more Published 23 months ago by Lit Chic 5.0 out of 5 stars Fast order The order came in a few days which was great. The person I orded this for was happy with the book and enjoyed reading it. Read more Published 24 months ago by Cyndi Brewster Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (September 15, 1969)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440435749
• ISBN-13: 978-0440435747
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (131 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,598 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #16 in

  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( A ) > Alexander, Lloyd

• This is item 5 in The Chronicles of Prydain Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May smile at a king, September 22, 2004

By	E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'm always fascinated by books and movies that are parts of larger series, and yet win major awards entirely on their own. A good recent example of this might be the third part of the "Lord of the Rings" films winning the Oscar. Similarly, the final book in Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles won the coveted Newbery Award. I pity the graduate film and literature students that discover these award winners without having seen/read their predecessors. Fortunately, "The High King" doesn't require too much backstory or catching up. If you are reading this book on its own you'll undoubtedly be annoyed by its continual references to characters or situations you're not personally familiar with. My advice is not to begin with this, the last in the series. Find "The Book of Three" and carry on from there. "The High King" is good, but it's best within context.

When we last saw our heroes, Taran and Gurgi were finally returning to Caer Dallben after more than a year of Taran "finding himself" in the classic sense of the term. At last they are coming home, and to their delight everyone has turned out for their arrival. Unfortunately the joy is not for long. Prince Gwydion has been grievously hurt on his way to the party and his sword of Dyrnwyn has been stolen. Needless to say, this is very bad news. Soon the armies of Arawn-Death-Lord are marching and the time for an end to his reign is at hand. With Taran now a wiser steadier fellow, our band of ragamuffin heroes sets off once more towards adventures, traps, and triumphs. Old friends are met, new friends are found, and many good stout-hearted people die. Still, through it all our heroes never give up and the book is a stirring testament to the will of the average joe. By the end of the book Taran must face his greatest decision yet. And, as author Lloyd Alexander points out, "whether the ending is happy, heartbreaking, or both, readers must decide for themselves".

Out of all the Prydain books, this is the one that bears the most similarity to the aforementioned "Lord of the Rings". This is based on a variety of different factors. The types of battles waged. The evil lord's landscaping. The idea that the bad guy has gotten an object of particular power and can now wield it for evil. Even the ending is similar (though Taran makes a surprise decision that is the direct opposite of Frodo's own surprise decision). Don't feel that this book is a weak knock off of Tolkien's (admittedly) better written baby though. Alexander's at the top of his game here, posing as many philosophical queries as he does political jabs. The presentation of a former good guy who believes peace can only come by joining up with bad guys... heck we're talking WWII political theory here. On top of that Taran is at his wisest in this book. He's poised and confident without being cocky. There's the odd inclusion of a terribly annoying fellow named Glew in this book who serves only to create important plot points and a form of weak comic relief, but fortunately he is the sole flaw of the book. I was greatly relieved too. After the meanderings of Alexander's far weaker, "Taran Wanderer", I was worried that, "The High King" might bog down into dreary who-am-I? type speechifying. Fortunately Eilonwy is present and accounted for in this novel. She fights and gets captured, but at least she's a gutsy ball of gung-ho goodness. As the sole female of the novel she's a welcome relief to everyone's serious even toned conversations. Once again, Eilonwy saves the novel.

"The High King" is far longer than its predecessors, but that's fitting since it's the last in the series. Alexander keeps the action constant and upbeat. I doubt you'll find any serious objections to it. It is sad to say goodbye to the characters we've all grown to know so well in the books. I've always had a serious crush on Fflewddur Fflam so I think I'll miss him most of all. Fortunately there's always "The Foundling" and "Coll and His White Pig" to read for fun. They're not officially part of the Prydain canon but they belong squarely in that world. Consider checking them out if you fall into Lloyd Alexander withdrawal. "The High King" is rightfully considered the strongest book in its series. I recommend it with nary a reservation in sight.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The journey comes to an end, September 21, 2000

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Lloyd Alexander said in a Scholastic interview just how painful it was to end the Prydain Chronicles, and he definitely does quit while he's ahead. Did I mention I put off reading this book for ages because I didn't want the story to end?

"High King" is the most mature of all of the books, a hard story that ends bittersweetly. The sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by the shapeshifting Arawn Deathlord, and the various cantrevs (kingdoms) of Prydain are launching a military strike against Annuvin, The Land of Death.

A scarred Taran and his friends set out on their most dangerous journey, along with the broken sorceress Achren, who wants to get back at Arawn. The end is sad but somehow necessary, though it's a bit reminiscent of the "Gray Havens" scene in LOTR.

Taran is no longer the naive boy we see in "Book of Three." Having had plenty of adventure, the events of this book end his adolescence and starts his adulthood, as a strong man. Eilonwy is a bit less twittery in this book, after her adventures and training in the Isle of Mona. Gurgi and Fflewddur are... well, themselves, as is Gwydion. Dallben is perhaps the most changed in Taran's view--in TBOT he was seen as a finicky old man, while here he is the great enchanter we always knew he was.

Other characters, such as the lovable bear King Smoit and the great warrior Gwydion. There are some character moments that, I promise, will wrench tears from you.

Those of you who are put off by the old-style language of "Taran Wanderer" or extensive battle scenes, be forewarned: There are plenty in this. But it's to be expected in the final chapter of an epic saga, that you'll never want to end.

"Chronicles" is, after "Lord of the Rings," my favorite fantasy series, and the High King won a Newbery for a reason. Read, and enjoy...

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't read this book unless you've read the other 4 first!, July 6, 1998

By A Customer

You will be sorely disappointed if you read this book before reading the first four Chronicles of Prydain. This allegedly children's series is actually a heart-rending tale of the tragedies and triumphs of the trip from teenager to adult. It is, I believe, one of the best stories ever written and a landmark in teenage literature. do yourself a favor--start with The Book of Three and read the other four books before you read The High King. If you do, Taran and his friends will remain with you for life.