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heather667's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, Grief, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Violence, War, Animal death, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, and Child abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I must say that I do not understand how so many people can read this series in the 21st century without knowing beforehand that it is an overt religious allegory. I knew as much years ago just from the plot of the animated movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Not wishing to read that kind of book is perfectly understandable, but to then hate read the whole thing and rate it lowly because of being so thick with Christian undertones is beyond my comprehension. However, to each their own. Read what you want, rate it how you feel.
My thoughts: Reading this series as an omnibus was a JOURNEY. As a child, I saw the animated movie adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and loved it. I watched it every time that I caught it on TV. Later, in 5th grade my ELA teacher assigned us to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for class, and the book was great. I always figured one day I would read the full series, and I'm very glad I read all the stories together. The edition I have includes pictures throughout the book and maps for most of the stories, which I love as a fantasy reader. It also has all the books in chronological order as Lewis wished for people to read them after The Magician's Nephew was published.
The Magician's Nephew excited me, when I learned origins of many elements in the second story I already knew well and loved, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Horse and His Boy informed me that the Pevensie children return to Narnia and will likely be recurring characters. What I like most about that one is exploring more of the world outside Narnia itself. Prince Caspian is a good story with stories within it about the goings-on of Narnia since earlier events, but for some reason it felt quick and a little forgettable. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is easily my favorite (aside from the most well-known story with the wardrobe), because I love a quest type story with various adventures involved. Having not read the premise for any story before opening the omnibus, The Silver Chair was most surprising with the title meaning being tied to something so specific in the story. Besides Prince Caspian, I felt The Silver Chair was most predictable in pieces. The final story, The Last Battle, threw me for a loop. Its ending reminds me a bit of the ending for Lord of the Rings in a bittersweet way. Riding off with elves felt comforting in LOTR; killing off the ENTIRE CAST, save for Susan (with scarce explanation) felt disconcerting and like a betrayal and is what keeps me from giving the omnibus 5 stars. I expected a heartfelt goodbye, yet a received a beautiful, heavenly Narnia courtesy of a TRAIN WRECK?! What? Why, Lewis? I'm sure Aslan would have a wise way to answer that.
Great high fantasy with Christian connections for any age to enjoy, comparable to a lighter in tone LOTR. Beware of violence and expect much magic.
Added note: I loved the fourth wall breaks throughout the book. Those made me feel like someone was truly telling me a story.
My thoughts: Reading this series as an omnibus was a JOURNEY. As a child, I saw the animated movie adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and loved it. I watched it every time that I caught it on TV. Later, in 5th grade my ELA teacher assigned us to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for class, and the book was great. I always figured one day I would read the full series, and I'm very glad I read all the stories together. The edition I have includes pictures throughout the book and maps for most of the stories, which I love as a fantasy reader. It also has all the books in chronological order as Lewis wished for people to read them after The Magician's Nephew was published.
The Magician's Nephew excited me, when I learned origins of many elements in the second story I already knew well and loved, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Horse and His Boy informed me that the Pevensie children return to Narnia and will likely be recurring characters. What I like most about that one is exploring more of the world outside Narnia itself. Prince Caspian is a good story with stories within it about the goings-on of Narnia since earlier events, but for some reason it felt quick and a little forgettable. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is easily my favorite (aside from the most well-known story with the wardrobe), because I love a quest type story with various adventures involved. Having not read the premise for any story before opening the omnibus, The Silver Chair was most surprising with the title meaning being tied to something so specific in the story. Besides Prince Caspian, I felt The Silver Chair was most predictable in pieces. The final story, The Last Battle, threw me for a loop. Its ending reminds me a bit of the ending for Lord of the Rings in a bittersweet way. Riding off with elves felt comforting in LOTR; killing off the ENTIRE CAST, save for Susan (with scarce explanation) felt disconcerting and like a betrayal and is what keeps me from giving the omnibus 5 stars. I expected a heartfelt goodbye, yet a received a beautiful, heavenly Narnia courtesy of a TRAIN WRECK?! What? Why, Lewis? I'm sure Aslan would have a wise way to answer that.
Great high fantasy with Christian connections for any age to enjoy, comparable to a lighter in tone LOTR. Beware of violence and expect much magic.
Added note: I loved the fourth wall breaks throughout the book. Those made me feel like someone was truly telling me a story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Violence, Animal cruelty, and War
Minor: Slavery
erintempleton's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
some problematic symbolism and characterization, but a classic collection of adventure stories
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Racism, and Death
Minor: Animal death and Slavery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calormen#Accusations_of_racismthepeculiarlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The trigger warnings aren’t exactly outwardly expressed in the books (except war, war is a major player), but they are hinted at in some ways.
This is one of my favorite series i’ve ever read. I was invested in all the characters and their adventures, and never wanted them to end. Genuinely cried when it finally did.
This is one of my favorite series i’ve ever read. I was invested in all the characters and their adventures, and never wanted them to end. Genuinely cried when it finally did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Xenophobia, Slavery, Death, Grief, War, Animal cruelty, and Emotional abuse
thepeculiarlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The trigger warnings aren’t exactly outwardly expressed in the books (except war, war is a major player), but they are hinted at in some ways.
This is one of my favorite series i’ve ever read. I was invested in all the characters and their adventures, and never wanted them to end. Genuinely cried when it finally did.
This is one of my favorite series i’ve ever read. I was invested in all the characters and their adventures, and never wanted them to end. Genuinely cried when it finally did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Slavery, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, and Death
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Note: This edition has all 7 of The Chronicles of Narnia in. I am so glad to have re-read these books, especially as an 'adult'. They are timeless yet you pick up on new things everytime that you read them. Yes, they are books of their time meaning that the culture is very different and they are not as appropriate, compassionate or inclusive as we would expect in this age, but they are still wonderful books and I would highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Racism, and Alcohol
agatha_hopkins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, War, Confinement, Torture, and Violence
carrotsxcks's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Violence, Colonisation, and Torture
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
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