New to Prydain
Start with The Book of Three. Continue in number order if your child enjoys classic quest fantasy, humorous companions, and a hero who has to grow into his ambitions.
Book Series · 5 Books
The Chronicles of Prydain Books
In order from The Book of Three to The High King.
Taran dreams of becoming a hero but begins as an impatient Assistant Pig-Keeper with much to learn. Across five classic fantasies, friendship, failure, and difficult choices shape him into the kind of leader he once only imagined being.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Chronicles of Prydain
Read the five novels in publisher order, beginning with The Book of Three and ending with The High King. Taran's growth, relationships, and the conflict with Arawn develop across the full sequence, while Taran Wanderer's personal search in book #4 directly prepares him for the final story.
The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain is an optional collection about characters and events from different points in the world's history. It can be enjoyed after a reader knows the main cast, but it does not interrupt the five-book story and does not need a numbered position.
Sources: Macmillan's official five-book boxed-set order, Macmillan's Prydain series guide, Macmillan's Foundling companion description.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The story includes sword fights, kidnappings, armies, war, injuries, sacrifice, grief, and character deaths. The Black Cauldron's deathless warriors and the final war can be frightening, but violence is described in the elevated style of classic children's fantasy rather than with graphic detail.
Taran makes mistakes, judges people too quickly, and has to reconsider what courage and nobility mean. The books reward patience and empathy, but their older prose style and Welsh-inspired names may make them a better fit for children comfortable with traditional fantasy or for family read-alouds.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
The Book of Three is the intended entrance and introduces every relationship the later books build upon.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1964
The Book of Three
A pig-keeper's quest to become a hero in a battle of good versus evil.
190 pages· 42,509 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the land of Prydain, Taran, an assistant pig-keeper, dreams of heroism. Joined by a spirited princess, a boastful bard, and loyal friends, he faces an epic battle between good and evil. As Taran's journey unfolds, the fate of Prydain hangs in the balance. Will he rise to the challenge and become the hero he longs to be? Discover the enchanting adventures that have captivated readers for decades.
In reading order
The Chronicles of Prydain Series
5 books · Published 1964–1968
#1
Sale price
$858
The Book of Three
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1964
A pig-keeper's quest to become a hero in a battle of good versus evil.
#2
Sale price
$858
The Black Cauldron
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1965
A dark army rises. Can a young pig-keeper destroy the cauldron fueling it?
#3
Sale price
$858
The Castle of Llyr
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1966
A princess's magic draws danger. Can a pig-keeper save her?
#4
Sale price
$759
Taran Wanderer
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1967
A hero's quest for identity leads to a truth he may not be ready to face.
#5
Sale price
$858
The High King
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1968
A powerful weapon in enemy hands. Can Taran and allies stop the ultimate evil?
Optional stories from Prydain's past
The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain
1 book · Published 1973
A companion collection revealing earlier adventures and histories of Dallben, Coll, Fflewddur Fflam, and other familiar figures. It adds context without continuing the numbered plot.
Sale price
$958
The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1973
Uncover Prydain's secrets and the fate of its magical artifacts in these enchanting tales.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Chronicles of Prydain series?
There are 5 books in the Chronicles of Prydain series. It began with The Book of Three in 1964, and the newest book, The High King, was published in 1968.
What order should you read the Chronicles of Prydain books in?
Start with The Book of Three and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #5.
What ages are the Chronicles of Prydain books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–13, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Chronicles of Prydain book is the longest?
The High King (Book #5) is the longest book in the series at 65,470 words (253 pages).
Which Chronicles of Prydain book is the shortest?
The Book of Three (Book #1) is the shortest at 42,509 words (190 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Chronicles of Prydain to life.
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