The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis

The following post is taken directly from my hand-printed Reader's Journal. I will be sharing these reflections each week on the Rivera Runs Through It blog. The date at the end of each post is the date of the original writing, which is typically the date I completed the book. The reflections are short, but represent my initial reactions to a book, a brief summary of the book or the questions it raised for me at the time. I hope you enjoy this segment in my blog and feel free to comment on what you read here.

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

The seventh and final book of the Chronicles was an excellent ending. The battle was great, but what came after was even better. The forgiving spirit of God (Aslan) was shown as well as His judgement. Essentially Judgement Day came for Narnia and we were taken through its end just as we were there at its birth - we then followed all of the characters through the Door into Lewis' vision of heaven. I especially liked Aslan's conversation with Emeth about his faith no matter what name he gave to his God.

Dated: 12/30/03

The Chronicles of Narnia was the first ever book series that I read through to its completion (I am not counting Lord of the Rings because J.R.R. Tolkien intended those three books to be one book, not a trilogy). My husband and I had started them together, but he lost interest along the way, which is what had happened to me in the past with book series that I had begun. 

After I read this book, "The Last Battle," I realized how much could be lost if not read all the way through. I enjoyed most of The Chronicles of Narnia, however, once I read book seven, I fell in love with the series. As much as I loved the seventh book on its own, I know that it was through the support of the six books that came before that it seemed to be such an amazing tale all its own.

What was the first book series you read through to its completion? 

Do you feel as though the last book was the "best" of the series?

Have you abandoned/forgotten series in the middle of reading them? What do you think would have kept you hooked? 

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

The following post is taken directly from my hand-printed Reader's Journal. I will be sharing these reflections each week on the Rivera Runs Through It blog. The date at the end of each post is the date of the original writing, which is typically the date I completed the book. The reflections are short, but represent my initial reactions to a book, a brief summary of the book or the questions it raised for me at the time. I hope you enjoy this segment in my blog and feel free to comment on what you read here.

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis


Book 3 of The Chronicles of Narnia. It is curious that the Chronicles are not stories of succession, but instead overlap one another. This story takes place during the same time as The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, but refers very little to that story. Th characters are on a quest to find Narnia to free themselves from their lives, but know very little of the free land. Aslan shows up again and seems to be the only constant in these tales besides Narnia itself. I am intrigued by the parallels between Aslan and Christ in all the books.

Dated: 11/30/03

I believe the sequence of the Chronicles of Narnia is different than the sequence in which the books were originally published, when something like this occurs do you prefer to read books in the order in which they were published, or in the chronological order of the story being told? Why?

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The following post is taken directly from my hand-printed Reader's Journal. I will be sharing these reflections each week on the Rivera Runs Through It blog. The date at the end of each post is the date of the original writing, which is typically the date I completed the book. The reflections are short, but represent my initial reactions to a book, a brief summary of the book or the questions it raised for me at the time. I hope you enjoy this segment in my blog and feel free to comment on what you read here.



The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Book two of The Chronicles of Narnia surprisingly takes place many years after book one. An enchanted wardrobe opens the gates to Narnia once again to four unsuspecting children. It is an adventurous tale of good versus evil and delves into more of the magic of Narnia, Aslan and the Witch. I was struck by the unique ending to this book and am now officially hooked on the Chronicles! My only complaint is the constant change of leads.

Dated:11/25/03

How do you feel about book series where the protagonists change from book to book?

For readers of this book, did you read the entire Narnia series? Why/why not?

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The following post is taken directly from my hand-printed Reader's Journal. I will be sharing these reflections each week on the Rivera Runs Through It blog. The date at the end of each post is the date of the original writing, which is typically the date I completed the book. The reflections are short, but represent my initial reactions to a book, a brief summary of the book or the questions it raised for me at the time. I hope you enjoy this segment in my blog and feel free to comment on what you read here.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis


The first of seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia begins an interesting tale. A story of two children thrust into a magical world against their wishes. Aslan, the Lion from Narnia, is a fascinating character. I was enthralled by the birth of the land and touched by Aslan's warning to our world as he left Digory and Polly at the end of their time together. I am curious enough to explore the rest of the Chronicles.

Dated: 11/22/03

I will spoil the ending by telling you that I feel in love with this series.
For those who have read The Chronicles of Narnia, when were you introduced to it? 
For fans of the Narnia films, have you read the books?