Alexander’s ability to pack world building and characters into such a tight package amazing me. I love epic fantasy’s sprawl, but Alexander packs an incredible about of character and world into a slim volume. The book also feels like it moves a nonstop action.

These books feel like what I remember the Chronicles of Narnia to be. Narnia with the humor of the Phantom Tollbooth. Black Cauldron is also dark. It does not pull punches for its younger audience.