Book Review: The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia #7)

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Strong story and allegory make for a great final book in the series.

Cons: Won't mean a thing if you read it out of order

The Bottom Line:

Amazing climax

For those who love characters

So save it for last

"The Term Has Ended.  The Holiday Has Begun."

It is always with mixed emotions that I approach the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia. I love the series, and with all things I love, I am sad to see it end. Yet The Last Battle contains one last great adventures and a truly glorious ending.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Narnia is a fantasy world where animals talk and creatures such as centaurs and dwarves are real. Children from our world are called to Narnia at the time of their greatest need. Written over 50 years ago by Christian C.S. Lewis, they are also strong allegories. However, they can be read as pure fantasy.

If you aren't familiar with Narnia, don't start here, however. While the story is great, there are references to previous books that you won't get. And the ending will mean absolutely nothing to you. Most of the books in the series can be read in any order, but this one needs to be saved for last.

King Tirian of Narnia is thrilled to hear the rumor that, after a couple hundred years of silence, Aslan has returned to the country. But when he goes to investigate himself, he discovers that no one is allowed to see the Lion. In fact, an ape is speaking for Him. The new pronouncements are just as puzzling, including the enslavement of the talking animals to foreigners. What is going on?

With most of the talking animals afraid to go against Aslan's pronouncements, Tirian has few allies. Help does arrive in the form of Eustace and Jill, children from our world who have helped Narnia in her hour of need in the past. But can they defeat this new evil?

This book is different from others in the series because the story starts in Narnia and then brings the characters from our world into theirs. Maybe it's because of that or maybe it's just because the story is so great, but this is easily the fastest moving story of the series. With so much intrigue and fighting going on, it's hard to put down, even on a reread.

This book is one of the stronger allegories in the series, borrowing heavily from the book of Revelation in the Bible. Some of the imagery here gave me chills as a kid and continues to do so as an adult.

The characters are also strong. Those familiar with Eustace and Jill will be delighted to see that their character has improved for the better. Tirian is sharply drawn. And the villains are absolutely unforgettable.

All this leads to a ending that leaves me with a feeling of euphoria mixed with just a little bit of melancholy because the series is over. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I first discovered these books in third grade and fell in love with them. Yes, the fact that they are written in British English and they are over 50 years old made them a little harder to read. But I did it and enjoyed it. Kids of any age who are strong readers will find these books well worth reading.

This is a book that fans of the series will love. And if you don't know Narnia, set The Last Battle aside and come back to it later. You will appreciate it so much more if you do.