The Black Cauldron

The quest is beset by betrayal and bad luck. The cauldron has already been taken by three strange enchantresses in the Marshes of Morva, who will trade it only for something precious, and Taran must decide what he is willing to give up. Eilonwy, the bard Fflewddur Fflam, the faithful Gurgi and the grumbling dwarf Doli are all here, and the gentle warrior Adaon gives Taran some of the most memorable lessons of the series.

Alexander drew on Welsh legend, but this book is really about growing up. Taran learns that heroism is less about glory than about humility, that people who seem like rivals can be capable of great generosity, and that the right choice can cost dearly. Two characters make real sacrifices, and the book handles loss with a clear, honest gravity that young readers can carry.

It is shorter and more somber than many fantasy series openers, and it moves faster than The Book of Three. Many readers remember it as the book where Prydain truly comes alive, and the next three volumes build directly on what Taran learns here. About 208 pages in the Henry Holt paperback.