Reviews

Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander

belgatherial's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cyanide_latte's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

To my understanding, Lloyd Alexander wrote this because he was of the opinion that more story was needed to show Taran's character growth and development between the previous installment and the final one. And honestly I can say that I'm very glad he went ahead and made this book, because it does very much focus on and showcase the growth of Taran's character in a way that was very much still needed. The same is also true for Gurgi, albeit to a lesser extent.

I do want to say that if anyone is reading the Chronicles of Prydain and you reach this book, don't skip it. Make no mistake that this one is very much a bit of a slow burn, and it goes quite all over the place, but it's worth it for what we get in terms of character growth. It is very much needed and I think overall the final story of this quintet is going to be much richer for what we got in this book and what was focused on. I continue to be very very glad that I am reading this series at last, and this is just so highly underrated among any fantasy children's books I ever hear talked about. I really do think more people need to give this series a shot.

capgambit's review

3.0

Not very impressed with this one. I understand the reason for this book but the way it was written was more like a mash up of people that Taran met during his travels. Didn't hold my interest very well.

psoglav's review against another edition

3.0

My rating: ★★★

llanirev's review

2.0

Taran went all over the place in this story. But the book went nowhere.

beccalynnjo's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

marimar_morningstar's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

kes7706's review

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

roseleaf24's review

3.0

Aptly named, this book is entirely Taran's coming-of-age and his character development, but does little to further any of the series-long storylines. That was disappointing to me, and I was looking for a little more purpose to the adventure.

kellbells's review against another edition

5.0

I only have dim memories of the last two books in this series, so it's almost like reading them for the first time. Taran Wanderer isn't plot-heavy-really more like connected folktales-instead, the focus is Taran's journey to adulthood and dealing with the insecurities he's held since the first book. Now to the showdown with Arawn!