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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
The pros and cons were more balanced in comparison to the previous novels, which were very pro-weighted. This novel is good, an easy yet engaging read, with a very likeable main character in Sashta/Cor, and great pacing. Overall it was a really nice read.
However, the majority of the story happens outside of Narnia, which is fine, but it definitely felt a little flat, Aravis and Bree are somewhat unlikeable for at least the first 2/3s of the story, and much like with TLTWATW, the lack of prose throughout the battle was a little disappointing. I’d have rather experienced the last battle from Edmund, Sashta and Corin’s perspective as opposed to the Hermit and Aravis’.
However, the majority of the story happens outside of Narnia, which is fine, but it definitely felt a little flat, Aravis and Bree are somewhat unlikeable for at least the first 2/3s of the story, and much like with TLTWATW, the lack of prose throughout the battle was a little disappointing. I’d have rather experienced the last battle from Edmund, Sashta and Corin’s perspective as opposed to the Hermit and Aravis’.
adventurous
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
medium-paced
Not my favorite. It was really hard to make out what the point of this book was. Most of C.S. Lewis' books have central themes diving the narrative, but this just felt an adventure story? Which is fine, except it wasn't really good.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was too long and too descriptive. I found it left me scratching my head trying to figure out what's happening. The characters were bland and the pacing was... just was. This book caused me to stop reading the Narnia books. I should get back on that "horse" so to speak. It didn't satisfy, but it was still decent. 3.7/5
adventurous
lighthearted
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
Such a wonderful surprise and one of the most memorable stories in The Chronicles of Narnia. I went into it not expecting much—especially since I thought it wouldn’t involve the Pevensies—but having them appear in the story was such a delightful touch. At the same time, I loved meeting new characters like Shasta and Aravis, and exploring new parts of this magical world. Narnia always feels like the land of endless possibilities, and this book reminded me why it’s such a beloved place to escape to.
What stood out the most to me was how deeply meaningful Aslan’s presence is throughout the story. At first, you don’t quite realize it, but as the story unfolds, you start to see that Aslan has been with Shasta all along, even in the hardest, most hopeless moments. That realization struck a chord with me—it’s such a beautiful metaphor for how, in our own lives, even when we face pain or moments of despair, there’s a greater purpose behind it all. Sometimes we don’t understand why things happen the way they do, but like Shasta, we eventually see that everything has been guiding us to something better.
The story is full of adventure, humor, and heart, but it’s also deeply reflective and full of hope. I especially loved the way it all tied together at the end, with Aslan revealing his role in Shasta’s journey and giving us that sense of closure. It’s a sweet, satisfying ending that left me feeling grateful for this story.
The Horse and His Boy is a book I’d absolutely recommend to anyone, whether you’re new to Narnia or a longtime fan. It’s a story about courage, trust, and the beauty of knowing that no matter what happens, we’re never alone.
What stood out the most to me was how deeply meaningful Aslan’s presence is throughout the story. At first, you don’t quite realize it, but as the story unfolds, you start to see that Aslan has been with Shasta all along, even in the hardest, most hopeless moments. That realization struck a chord with me—it’s such a beautiful metaphor for how, in our own lives, even when we face pain or moments of despair, there’s a greater purpose behind it all. Sometimes we don’t understand why things happen the way they do, but like Shasta, we eventually see that everything has been guiding us to something better.
The story is full of adventure, humor, and heart, but it’s also deeply reflective and full of hope. I especially loved the way it all tied together at the end, with Aslan revealing his role in Shasta’s journey and giving us that sense of closure. It’s a sweet, satisfying ending that left me feeling grateful for this story.
The Horse and His Boy is a book I’d absolutely recommend to anyone, whether you’re new to Narnia or a longtime fan. It’s a story about courage, trust, and the beauty of knowing that no matter what happens, we’re never alone.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took a while to read this one due to me needing to return it and recheck it out with a wait time. This was a fascinating tale by C.S. Lewis that captures a sense of what it means to be alone and to find peace and to find family for oneself. It was a book also that, in some ways, had a bit of a weird taste in my mouth about Middle Eastern countries and of Islam which I wasn't entirely fond of. Still, it was a good read and the story of Bree and Shasta was engaging and it was especially neat to see a story played out of canonical order and to read one referenced in a previous book, which then Lewis would recall past books within this book, in a manner in which I thought was cheeky and fun.
I also liked the ending to this one where it got somewhat surreal, in some places it balanced a fine line between horror and fantasy, and how it referenced fights, quarrels, but also of coming together and of apology. There is also a wonderful scene between Shasta and Aslan taking place in the Narnian mountains that I found to be very unique and very intriguing in how Lewis played it out that I don't want to spoil but how I want to say it captured my imagination quite well.
Sometimes I've heard this compared to be a lesser book in the series, but honestly none of them have been bad so far and all of them have been pretty good and unique. Some get very strange and some get weird and bizarre but in very entertaining and engaging ways. This is no exception. It is no less satisfying than the other books in the series and holds its own really well. He even had some elements, I'd argue, of Tolkien in here that make for a pretty fun approach where some characters definitely seem to behave like Hobbits.
That said, it's a good book about found families and loneliness and a good one on finding peace and finding each other in the hardest of times and also coming together to find oneself during trials and tribulations.
I also liked the ending to this one where it got somewhat surreal, in some places it balanced a fine line between horror and fantasy, and how it referenced fights, quarrels, but also of coming together and of apology. There is also a wonderful scene between Shasta and Aslan taking place in the Narnian mountains that I found to be very unique and very intriguing in how Lewis played it out that I don't want to spoil but how I want to say it captured my imagination quite well.
Sometimes I've heard this compared to be a lesser book in the series, but honestly none of them have been bad so far and all of them have been pretty good and unique. Some get very strange and some get weird and bizarre but in very entertaining and engaging ways. This is no exception. It is no less satisfying than the other books in the series and holds its own really well. He even had some elements, I'd argue, of Tolkien in here that make for a pretty fun approach where some characters definitely seem to behave like Hobbits.
That said, it's a good book about found families and loneliness and a good one on finding peace and finding each other in the hardest of times and also coming together to find oneself during trials and tribulations.