The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis -Restarting January 18th 2019

[Dannii]

2/4 of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: (view spoiler)[Edmund is an absolute brat! I know I'll end up feeling sorry for him as the plot progresses but for now I don't pity him one bit! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

3/4 of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: (view spoiler)[Even though I knew what the end result would be I felt so saddened at Aslan's death. Damn, Lewis is BRUTAL considering this is a children's book! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

4/4 of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: (view spoiler)[From sad tears to happy tears. The ending is written so evocatively and beautifully and I really felt like my own journey into Narnia had come to an end. Thankfully, I still have 5 more books to go! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dannii]

1/4 of The Horse and His Boy: (view spoiler)[This has such an interesting and intriguing title!

This is the first book in the series not set from the perspective of someone entering Narnia from the human realm and, as such, it has lost some of the magic for me. I am still enjoying it immensely, though it is not what I thought it would be. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

2/4 of The Horse and His Boy: (view spoiler)[It is astounding to me that such short books aimed at pre-teens can incorporate such a wealth of knowledge and history about a fantastical land. This never feels bogged down by information and yet I'm learning so much about these mystical lands. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

3/4 of The Horse and His Boy: (view spoiler)[Shasta is proving himself such an adorable main character. Even though I know all will turn out well for him, as is the nature of the series and children's books in general, I am full of anxiety for him to hurry and get to Narnia! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

4/4 of The Horse and His Boy: (view spoiler)[Overall, I enjoyed this book but I felt it relied on the stereotype of the savage other and incorporated some racist elements that might have been fitting for the time it was published but jarred with me, as a modern-day reader. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dannii]

1/4 of Prince Caspian: (view spoiler)[I'm so glad to be back with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is probably the best known of the seven Narnia tales and I never realized that another story featured the four siblings.

I love how the characters in all the books take the transportation into a new world in their stride; it encourages the reader to do the same. But this is an incredibly sad adventure, peeking into the ruins of the former great castle and entering the new Narnia, were magic is almost lost. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

2/4 of Prince Caspian: (view spoiler)[I love how horses are so important to each story and how each character has a strong bond with them.

...So I spoke too soon and his horse just betrayed him.

The mystery of how the siblings got to Narnia is now explained! I was sure Susan's horn would come up somewhere, in the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

3/4 of Prince Caspian: (view spoiler)[After being a little disappointed in the last book, this has the same magical feel as the first two in the series!

Haven't they learned anything from not trusting little Lucy before!?

I think this is just that I am already familiar with the characters, but I prefer the story elements focusing on the Pevensies rather than Prince Caspian. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

4/4 of Prince Caspian: (view spoiler)[I wondered how they would decide who the rightful king is but Peter handed over his right to the throne to Caspian. It only seems right as their leaving to return to human world is what ended the Golden Age, apparently. I just though, as well, that they had children they just disappeared on, which is a very sad thought.

As always the ending has me in floods of tears. This series just has such pure endings! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dannii]

1/4 of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: (view spoiler)[I've heard this is so many people's favourite in the series so I'm excited to dive in!

It is so exciting to be venturing further into this fantastical world and I am happy to be reunited with Edmund, Lucy, Caspian and, of course, Reepicheep. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

Dannii wrote: "1/4 of Prince Caspian: I'm so glad to be back with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is probably the best known of the seven Narnia tales and I never..."

I would have to agree with you totally Dannii (view spoiler)[ While it was great to have the 4 children back it was a very tragic and sad beginning (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

Dannii wrote: "2/4 of Prince Caspian: I love how horses are so important to each story and how each character has a strong bond with them.

...So I spoke too soon and his horse just betrayed him.

T..."
I always wondered what kind of help blowing the horn would do.

[Gillian]

Dannii wrote: "3/4 of Prince Caspian: After being a little disappointed in the last book, this has the same magical feel as the first two in the series!

Haven't they learned anything from not trust..."

Yes this feels more like part of the series than the the last one did it was a little out of kilter with the rest of the books. (view spoiler)[ As far as trusting Lucy I hope they don't make that mistake again. I do think the younger you are the more inclined to believe you are. If thats true its sad to think there may be a time when none of them see him anymore. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

Prince Caspian
Finished: This book just flew by so much I thought I was missing part of the story as it ended so abruptly. I decided to watch the movie as I had no idea before reading the book that a movie had been made and no my book was not missing anything lol An excellent children book yet again. :)

[Gillian]

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Great Start (view spoiler)[ Edmund and Lucy are back again (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
1/4
Eustace Scrubb is as obnoxious as his name soundsI hope he has a drastic change in personality now he is (view spoiler)[on the Dawn Treader for the trip of a life time. Its good to know only 3 years have past for Prince Caspian (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
2/4 (view spoiler)[This is an excellent adventure across the sea as far east as they can go. To rescue the seven Lords of Narnia whom Caspian's uncle Miraz banished. Each rescue is a little story all on its own. Lucy and Eustace are sold as slaves lol some slave Eustace will make. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

3/4 (view spoiler)[ Eustace's greed has turned him into a Dragon and the world of good it is doing him too, hope he can keep up being helpful if he ever gets turned back. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

Finished: An excellent story they seem to be getting better as they go.

[Dannii]

Gillian wrote: "Dannii wrote: "1/4 of Prince Caspian: I'm so glad to be back with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is probably the best known of the seven Narnia ta..."

these kill me as an adult and i think my heart would have broken reading them as a child

[Dannii]

Gillian wrote: "Dannii wrote: "3/4 of Prince Caspian: After being a little disappointed in the last book, this has the same magical feel as the first two in the series!

Haven't they learned anything..."

that thought hurts my heart

[Dannii]

2/4 of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: (view spoiler)[I am loving getting to explore more of this world. This almost reads like a series of connected short stories as each island they land on has a tale relating to it that ends as they disembark it. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

3/4 of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: (view spoiler)[Just like with Edmund in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, this is a moralistic tale that ends with Eustace's attitude adjustment. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

4/4 of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: (view spoiler)[I feel saddened that this is truly my last time with any of the Pevensies. Apart from Aslan, they are the most famous characters of the series. That they have to grow and leave this world makes me feel like I, myself, am loosing something too. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Gillian]

Dannii wrote: "2/4 of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: [spoilers removed]"

I felt the same way :)

[Gillian]

Dannii wrote: "3/4 of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: [spoilers removed]"

These books do teach great character building lessons for children in such a subtle way I doubt children reading these books would even notice.

[Gillian]

The Silver Chair
I don't like the sound of the school Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole attend "Experiment House" what right minded parent would send a child to a school with a name like that.

[Gillian]

The Silver Chair
Oh dear what hope do they have Jill being a show off has jeopardised their chances of success already and the story only just started. :(

[Gillian]

The Silver Chair
1/4 (view spoiler)[ 2nd chance gone Eustace needs to concentrate more on the job at hand if he is to find Caspian's son. For all Eustace has changed its still not enough. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

1/4 of The Silver Chair: (view spoiler)[No Pevensies *sob sob*

This seems very stilted in dialogue, originally. Perhaps it is just the difference in the time of the setting but the school scenes just don't feel real.

This begins in the same vein as many of the other stories do. One of the children perform a moral error and Aslan makes them see the error of their ways before sending them on a quest. It is becoming an expected formula by now but still manages to feel exciting. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

2/4 (view spoiler)[Lady of the Green Kirtle accompanied by a silent knight in black armour, now there is a very suspect pair I would not trust them as far as I could kick them. I wonder why the night is silent. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

2/4 (view spoiler)[ Oh they should have listened to how The Lady of the Green Kirtle said "have them for their Autumn Feast." I can see them now being put in a pot over an open fire (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

Finished: The Silver Chair Over all i really enjoyed this book I loved all the clues they had to follow again this series is just getting better as it goes.

[Gillian]

The Last Battle
Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ This Ape is a dreadful creature and the sill Ass that is dressing up as Aslan is not better. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

The Last Battle
Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole to the rescue :) (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

The Last Battle
I honestly don't know what to think of this book. It ties up bits of all the previous books but the religious side of it seems over the top.

[Gillian]

The Last Battle
finished: After enjoying the other books so much this was a let down (view spoiler)[ The story of the false Aslan was far fetched and mad all the believers look like idiots. The was a lot of prejudice against black people. The way Susan was portrayed and not able to enter heaven was sexist as if all the others were perfect and she was shunned because she was vain. If anyone was vain in the other books it was Lucy. Peter always thought he was better than anyone as he was the high king, Edmund betrayed all his family and was filled with jealousy. On the bright side it was good to see Reepicheep again (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

2/4 of The Silver Chair: (view spoiler)[This feels more overtly religious than the other stories, with the image of the snake linked to lust and temptation. Also, the school is cast in a bad light and it is mentioned continually of how little religion the children attending are taught. I don't really enjoy it but find I can always forgive these books that aspect, due to age of publication.

I am loving the journey into Narnia not witnessed in the series, before. Puddleglum is actually the most adorable creature.His constant gloomy grumblings just make him so lovable! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

3/4 of The Silver Chair: (view spoiler)[I have a bad feeling about the lady and the knight. I feel they have led the trio wrong and they will actually become the feast, rather then be a part of the feast with the giants!

I had a feeling the 'maze' Jill fell down was going to spell something out! (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

Dannii wrote: "3/4 of The Silver Chair: [spoilers removed]"

The way it was worded I think you may be right.

[Dannii]

Gillian wrote: "Dannii wrote: "3/4 of The Silver Chair: [spoilers removed]"

The way it was worded I think you may be right."

It definitely would have fooled me had I been in the younger target audience reading this, though!

[Dannii]

4/4 of The Silver Chair: (view spoiler)[I had a feeling the knight would turn out to be the missing Prince! I was confsed at his odd character when they first met him, however, and could not imagine him willingly returning. The chair that bound him, and that the book is named after, played such a small part in the overall plot.

Noooo! How could they let Caspian die! This is brutal for a children's book! Couldn't the book close on them reuniting as father and son and just leave it at that!? *sobbing* (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I hope Puddleglum appears in the final book. He is my favourite character of the series, so far!

[Dannii]

1/4 of The Last Battle: (view spoiler)[I think I prefer the stories that see children from our world enter and save Narnia. So far, it doesn't have those elements and, therefore, doesn't feel as magical, for me.

This is such a sad tale with the poor trees being felled and the animals being put to work. It feels like Narnia is being turned into our own world :( This definitely has a more serious tone to it and feels aimed at a more adult audience. (hide spoiler)]