The High King: The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 5 (Newbery Medal Winner) (The Chronicles of Prydain, 5) Paperback – May 16, 2006

"The High King" is the fifth and last book in the truly wonderful Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander, preceded by "The Book of Three", "The Black Cauldron", "The Castle of Llyr," and "Taran Wanderer", all of which are necessary reading if you want to fully understand and enjoy this last installment. "The High King" however has the added distinction of being the winner of the Newbery award, as well as being a good deal thicker than the previous books.Throughout the last four books the allied forces of Prydain under leadership of Prince Gwydion and the enchanter Dallben have waged war against the evil Death-Lord Arawn, whilst the Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran has grown from man to boy. Now returning from his journey of self-discovery in "Taran Wanderer", he is eager to be home, especially since Princess Elionwy has returned from the Isles of Mona. Soon everyone is reunited in the cottages of Caer Dallben, which is a special treat if you've read the previous books as everyone is there: Gwydion, Fflewddur Fflam, Gurgi, Doli, Llyan, Kaw, Hen Wen, Glew, Rhun, Coll, Hen Wen - you name it and they're there. Predominantly among them is the conquered enchantress Achren - a shadowy figure who despises Arawn and has her own secret plans to have her vengeance.But Arawn has struck sooner than the good guys intended, and the magical black sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen. Now Taran is swept up once more on an adventure that's way over his head. Guided by the mysterious prophesy of the oracular pig and devastated by a betrayal amongst the allied forces, Taran gathers together the people of the Free Commots and begins a dangerous journey through the mountains to reach Annuvin in time to help Gwydion's fleet. On the way we re-met every possible character we've ever met in Prydain - Magg, Gwystyl, Eiddileg, Smoit, Medwyn, Dorath, Melynlas, all the common folk from "Taran Wanderer", and of course Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch - Alexander hasn't missed a single one, and they all have important and meaningful parts to play.Previously, the books have been told solely from Taran's point of view, but now for the first time we see events through the eyes of other characters - everyone from Elionwy to Dallben to Kaw gets a chance to be in the spotlight. "The High King" is an exhilarating read, as by this stage most readers will be deeply invested in these characters and the land of Prydain, and the author swings us continually back and forth from despair to hope and back again. The fortunes of the good guys are always up for grabs, and Alexander makes sure we know that the stakes are high and the cost of defeat is unthinkable.As well as Alexander's wonderful sense of humour that is found throughout the series, there are (many) moments of great wisdom, poignancy and bitter-sweetness, not to mention romance, magic and mild horror. There are sacrifices, deaths of major characters, destruction of beautiful things and many a difficult decision to be made. Some of the issues are incredibly deep, and not at all what you'd expect to find in a children's book.Every story is wrapped up satisfactorily, from Magg's escape in "The Castle of Llyr" to Taran's role to play in `The Book of Three' to the gwythaint fledgling that was saved in the first book. Very few endings to series leave you with a sense of completion, but I believe "The High King" is one of them, as well as having my highest recommendation in terms of a truly worthwhile and rewarding read - a perfect five stars.

If ever there was a closing volume of a series that never failed to disappoint, and in fact was so good it raised the quality of every book that came before it, it is "The High King," the last book in Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles.The Prydain Chronicles is a key series in children's fantasy literature, walking the fine line between being accessible to young readers while being appealing and engaging enough for adults to enjoy. Here in "The High King," that shows itself in spades. This is a serious work comparable to anything the fantasy genre has to offer. While appropriate for children, this is hardly "children's fantasy."The action here is epic, larger in scope than anything seen in the series before. Sprawling armies clash. Wars are fought. People die. Its grim and serious stuff - but amazingly wholly suitable for readers of all ages.All of our favorite characters come back for their final appears in this last volume. Taran, now grown and brave and confident, is among those to lead the charge in the final clash between ultimate good and ultimate evil. The fate of all of Prydain hangs in the balance as Arawn Death-Lord prepares to lay siege to all. The others return, too, including Eilonwy, the stereotypical spoiled princess, Gurgi, the crazed Gollum-like creature, and Fflewddur Fflam, the hapless bard who is prone to exaggeration.One of the great joys of the Chronicles is the progress from lighthearted fantasy to adult themes and a grim tone. By the end, you feel as if the characters have taken a lifetime of journeys, learning from them as they went. It all culminates here, with joy, sadness, pain, death, and sacrifice mixing together to form a classic adventure tale.Because Alexander draws his stories from ancient myth, these feel like stories you've read many times before - yet that never comes across in a tiresome way. It's a story that operates in a welcome comfort zone, nice in a time when so many books try so hard to be different solely for the sake of being different.The Prydain Chronicles, and "The High King" especially, is recommended reading for anyone who enjoys fantasy, especially classic children's fantasy. Classic stuff in every way.

The last time I read these books I was 12 years old. Now I find myself to be much much older but if possible I have enjoyed them even more. I see a new depth and new meaning and so much more than I saw when I read them as a child. A truly amazing series of books.

Good book.

The fifth and final novel of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain is every bit as good as its predecessors, and brings the sequence of books to a magnificent conclusion, as the forces of evil are launched against Prydain. There are more echoes of Tolkien than in the previous books, and some episodes bring to mind events in the Lord of the Rings, but always with substantial differences, and Lloyd Alexander has a lighter touch, with more moments of comedy. The final chapters brought tears to my eyes as Taran, the lead character of the novels, proves he has grown into his full stature and faces a hugely difficult decision. The book was written for young adults, but can be relished by older readers: I am a moderately ancient adult and really enjoyed it.

It's the first time in over 30 years that I've read the Chronicles of Prydain all the way through. I'm still as big a fan as I was - but- without giving things away, on this reread and having widened my scope with other fantasy authors-Eddings, Gemmell, Pratchett, to name but a few- I felt that the ending to the High King on this reread was- shall we say- rushed? Seems that all the loose ends got tied up in what seemed like a very few pages, and seemed a little derivative. I'm assuming that this was because Lloyd Alexander was drawing on similar source material as Tolkien and other writers of that ilk and period. That being said, it's still a good read even after all these years!

I loved this book so much actualy no I loved these series. They were amazing! I highly recomend reading them for they actually make you think more about the right choices.Lloyed Alexander is such a good author to make up such a wonderful book like this. It must of been so hard to write this amazing series as you would have to make your own choices about the book and they are quite hard choices! READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!

A good series, five books of the search for adventure, and a mix of historical and mythical tales that's brilliant.