Plot: The march of the cauldron-born, an army of undead warriors under the rule of Warlord Arawn, continues. To limit the spread of the army, a council under the guidance of a powerful wizard meet with a plan to seize and destroy the source of the army itself - the cauldron. Taran, an Assistant Pig-Keeper, is permitted to go, while a scullery-maid princess and a furry creature sneak along as well. Yet the price of the cauldron may prove great, especially for a young prince determined to make his name and his honor. The fact that three very, very strange enchantresses currently hold the cauldron do not make things any easier.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Similar Titles: Book of Three, The High King, The Blue Sword
Personal Thoughts: The book manages to examine, in detail, one of the least understood and most sought after concepts in human understanding - honor. Is honor receiving praise? Is anyone entitled to it by birth? By action? By circumstance? When hope is lost and other motivations fail, is honor enough? The book appears to argue it is not, since the hero actually gives up his honor. Yet, by giving it up, he actually gains it. Honor, much like courage, appears incomprehensible, yet undeniable.
The book received a Newbery Honor.
Disney made a movie based on the novel and The Book of Three. I have watched it. Sadly, I can never get that hour and a half of my life back. It was terribly done.
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