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erikaraz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
honestlysean's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Minor: Child death
cass_lit's review against another edition
3.75
This was a beautiful historical fiction focusing to the power of stories, paying homage to CS Lewis and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It’s not very plot-driven, but it has characters you can’t help but root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death and Death
markedwithanm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
shelleys_shelf's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Child death, and Medical content
xandra_lyn's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such an amazing book! It's hard to describe what it's about. It's about a girl trying to find answers for her dying brother. It's also about c.s. lewis's life. Ultimately, it's about stories and how the effect us.
This book is rather slow (which is why it's not a 5 star). But it did effect me. I will think about it a lot.
This book is rather slow (which is why it's not a 5 star). But it did effect me. I will think about it a lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
oceanwriter's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Having finally finished all of the Narnia series, I’m ready to branch out and explore Narnia and C.S. Lewis inspired books. Though this one is really a Christmas book, I’ve read it at the end of Spring.
This story was heartwarming and, in keeping with the tone of The Chronicles of Narnia, bittersweet. Megs’ love for her brother George is touching. And in her quest to answer his questions about his favorite book, she discovers something about life herself as well as her own talents for storytelling. Though not set in the world of Narnia, Once Upon A Wardrobe puts into words that wonderment so many people feel when they read and reread the series. How does Narnia compare to the real world? Who is Aslan? Could a place like Narnia be possible? While a part of me does wish I waited for Christmastime to read this, it made for a good comfort read to wrap up a busy month.
This story was heartwarming and, in keeping with the tone of The Chronicles of Narnia, bittersweet. Megs’ love for her brother George is touching. And in her quest to answer his questions about his favorite book, she discovers something about life herself as well as her own talents for storytelling. Though not set in the world of Narnia, Once Upon A Wardrobe puts into words that wonderment so many people feel when they read and reread the series. How does Narnia compare to the real world? Who is Aslan? Could a place like Narnia be possible? While a part of me does wish I waited for Christmastime to read this, it made for a good comfort read to wrap up a busy month.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Bullying and War
alliemikennareads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
I really loved this. I read it cover to cover. LOL that I thought I’d make it to the end without crying, but no dice. This is a very sweet story with good pacing and an overall quick read. You don’t have to love Chronicles of Narnia to fall in love with this, but it certainly helps. This stole my heart and, probably, a spot on my favorites of the year list.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Chronic illness
mhinnen's review
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I listened to the audio book and ended up increasing the speed since the book is a little slow for my taste. But I loved the stories within stories connected and swirling across time and space. Very sweet and makes me want to revisit Narnia. Also makes me wonder about the stories that are dwelling within each of us out of sadness, celebration, and ordinary days.
Like so many of us, young George is captivated by the world of Narnia. Where did Mr. Lewis get these ideas? When he learns is older sister goes to Oxford where CS Lewis is a professor he asks her to find out. How could Megs turn down her 7-year-old brother's heart's desire? Especially when some babies are born closer to the end of their story than others, and this little boy was one of those.” And so she begins learning about CS Lewis' life and making connections with the characters "Once Upon a Wardrobe and not very long ago and not very far away . . . " weaving them into stories for George. In the process, we experience layers of stories, words and phrases weaving together imagination and reality.
Like so many of us, young George is captivated by the world of Narnia. Where did Mr. Lewis get these ideas? When he learns is older sister goes to Oxford where CS Lewis is a professor he asks her to find out. How could Megs turn down her 7-year-old brother's heart's desire? Especially when some babies are born closer to the end of their story than others, and this little boy was one of those.” And so she begins learning about CS Lewis' life and making connections with the characters "Once Upon a Wardrobe and not very long ago and not very far away . . . " weaving them into stories for George. In the process, we experience layers of stories, words and phrases weaving together imagination and reality.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
angelaf's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Meh...I was underwhelmed. While I was interested in the C.S. Lewis info, the George and Megs storyline felt too precious and almost like filler to have enough for a book. I think I would have enjoyed this much more if it had been historical fiction solely focused on C.S. Lewis. It did, however, make me want to reread The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Read if you are interested in: literary figures, Oxford, C.S. Lewis
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and War
Moderate: Child death