Iron Ring [Hardcover]

King Tamar is young for his station in life, but he rules his small kingdom with grace and skill. When a fellow king arrives one day and insists on an all-stakes gambling match with Tamar, the younger man finds himself having bet away his own life to the fellow. Soon thereafter no one else in his palace remembers the mysterious visitor, but Tamar finds himself wearing an iron ring, the very physical embodiment of his debt. To determine whether not his wager was real or just a dream, Tamar embarks on a quest to find the other king and to settle once and for all what he owes. Along the way he picks up a variety of traveling companions. Amongst them are his own tutor Rajaswami, the beautiful gopi Mirri, Hashkat who is king of the monkeys, the ever complaining eagle Garuda, king Ashwara, and a very odd fellow named Adi-Kavi. Have no fear. Their names, as well as the names of every other character in this book, are collected in an index for easy reference for the easily confused reader. Embarking on a series of adventures with his crazy crew, Tamar learns much about the world outside his kingdom and what it truly means to be a warrior and a king.

(...). This book was so similar to several of the "Prydain Chronicles" that it was all I could do to keep from noticing the fact on every other line. Consider. In the "Prydain Chronicles" a boy named Taran must learn to control his aggression in the face of hostility, discover what it truly means to be a warrior, and deserve the love of the fair Eilonwy. In "The Iron Ring" a king named Tamar must learn to control his aggression in the face of hostility, discover what it truly means to be a warrior, and deserve the love of the fair Mirri. In one, Taran is joined by the furry Gurgi, a speaking crow, and a noble prince. In the other, Tamar is joined by the furry Hashkat, a speaking eagle, and a noble king. The adventures are similar. The tone of the book is similar. Heck, even the beginning of the stories are similar. As a writer, Lloyd Alexander isn't one for weighing down a tale with loads of exposition and explanation. Nope, one chapter down and suddenly we're in the heart of the tale. It's a thrilling way to write a book. Just not an especially thoughtful one.

But don't judge my words too harshly. The book's a fine frolicsome ride. Fun for the whole family, and not a hint of profanity or innuendo to be uncovered. As an added plus, the battle scenes in this story are fabulous. You really do find yourself caught up in the action. And be sure to refer often to the map at the front of the story and the glossary of unfamiliar terms at the end. It's a well written, if sometimes overly familiar, story that deserves a reading by any adventure lover.