Just to be honest, this installment didn't hit as hard as its predecessors. There were a few beautiful turns of phrase, such as the idea that Aslan grows larger as the beholder grows older or that he remains unseen by those who don't have the faith to follow him. But, on the whole, it just lacked some of the depth that we've become accustomed to in Narnia. Still a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next one. ( )

I read [b:The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe|100915|The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)|C.S. Lewis|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1353029077s/100915.jpg|4790821] as a child, but never went on to read the whole series. I finally decided to try this one yesterday out of mild curiosity, and I quite enjoyed it. It's an amiable fantasy tale with nothing really disagreeable about it, I like the way it starts, this time none of the children behave badly, and there's a conventional villain instead of the bizarre White Witch. But it's a slight book that seems to be over quickly, and the story could be summarized quickly and simply.

It makes another little adventure for the Pevensie children, but a very much briefer adventure than their previous one, and they don't really have anything important to do in it. The forces of the bad king are basically overcome by Aslan, who could have done that at any time he chose, with or without the Pevensies.

Revealing himself initially only to Lucy seems like pointless teasing.

It also seems rather odd of Aslan to assert that Narnia can be ruled only by a human, although its native inhabitants aren't human. The Narnia books are known to be written from a Christian point of view; are they also written from an imperialist point of view?

I might have given this book three stars but for its slightness and the way Aslan sweeps in and makes the struggles of the other characters seem irrelevant.

At the end, Aslan tells Peter and Susan they're now too old to return to Narnia. Why? Because these are supposed to be children's books? Seems pretty arbitrary. Especially as they all grew well into adulthood in Narnia during the previous book. ( )

I did enjoy seeing the children go back to Narnia. Although a year had passed for them things had changed in Narnia which I found interesting. ( )

Well I guess I'm in the minority. Quests and battles. Interesting characters not getting their due development or even full descriptions. 'Middle book' boring & irrelevant to the series arc, as best as I can tell. Poor Susan; I don't know why Lewis had to write her scene of cowardice because it's not true to her character... I guess he just had to show how gracious & forgiving Aslan is yet again. Well, onward! ( )

Book 281 - CS Lewis - Prince Caspian

The 4 Pevensie are summoned back to Narnia from a train station and arrive on a beach near an old ruined castle. They soon discover their weapons of old and realise that several hundred years have passed since they were last in Narnia. There are new rivalries…some who threaten the old ways…the ways of Aslan.

Greed…human greed and selfishness is at the core of the evil of this story. Eyes are off Aslan and onto peoples from across the continents… especially the Telmarines. Caspian flees for his life and with Aslan instructing Lucy… she tells the others where they and the Narnians must stand and fight.

Peter challenges the leader of the Telemarines, Miraz, to single combat …winner takes all…

In a thrilling finale we find out some of the links between our world and Narnia…we also learn that growing up is hard and not everyone gets to go home again.

Stunning…and so real. ( )