** spoiler alert ** This is my third time through the Chronicles of Narnia. After finishing the final installment, I have come to the realization that I will probably never read them again.

Why?

Because they're not that good.

Lewis has an odd style. Speaking as the narrator he attempts to describe really good or bad feelings, tastes, smells and such. Now, if these sensations are beyond description, he's sure to let the reader know that should they one day visit Narnia, they should definitely check this out. As if he's writing a Rick Steve's travel book for Narnia, Western Wildlands, Calormene, Archenland and the general vicinity.

Then he describes a certain noise as being like "cats making love." Unexcusable.

Then, in "The Final Battle," he totally wusses out. Once the final battle is had all the kings and queens end up in some netherworld and Aslan (or God, or Jesus, or both)destroys the world only to recreate it as it was, only real. And it's poorly explained as well. Hell, even the characters are confused.

Plus, he kills everyone off. Granted, they get to live forever in "heaven" or Narnia, but nonetheless. Way to beat around the bush and then tersely explain it ... "There was a real railway accident." Wouldn't the dead children be mortified and shocked? Wouldn't there be some fantastical reaction to this.

Hell, even Reepicheep makes an appearance. Everything's so hokey and sentimental and gutless. Considering his allegory, religion and life isn't any of those things, or it shouldn't be.