I have owned this beautiful set of illustrated hardback editions of these books since childhood and am only now getting around to reading them. After reading this spellbinding first installment I am so mad at myself that I have missed out on entering this world for so long.

I decided to begin reading this series in chronological rather than publication order (as per the numbers on my books) and I am so glad I did. This brilliantly sets up the rest of the series without giving any spoilers of what is to come. The particulars of the plot for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe are well known to me, as I have seen the movie adaptation numerous times, and it made reading this so special and exciting as facets from the second book were incorporated into the first.

Regardless of the order, this is one series I believe has universal appeal, regardless of age, and is one that everyone must read at some point in their lifetime!