Book Review: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Synopsis:

Narnia has been at peace since Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund helped rid the kingdom of the evil White Witch. But the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve have returned to their own world and a dark presence now rules this once harmonious land...
Wicked King Miraz has imposed a pernicious new order of persecution and imprisonment, but the King's nephew and rightful heir, young Prince Caspian, realizing the evil of his uncle's regime, vows to revive Narnia's glorious past. Fearing for his life, he is forced to flee and calls on the four children, the magic of the mighty lion Aslan, and an army of fauns, dwarfs and woodland spirits to help him in his seemingly impossible task. (Image and synopsis from goodreads.com)



My Review:

I have been enjoying the Chronicles of Narnia series for several days now. Prince Caspian is the fourth book out of the seven in the series. So far, two children discovered that other worlds exist and witnessed the birth of one, four children stumbled in that new world and saved it from the white witch, a boy and girl from that new world escaped from one land in that world to the free land of Narnia, and, in Prince Caspian, a boy takes his place as the rightful ruler of Narnia.

After the four children left Narnia to go back to England, Narnia fell into decay as men took over the land and forced the talking animals and moving trees into hiding. But, when a young boy in the ruling family of Narnia calls for help to overthrow the ruling men, the four children are pulled out of Englad and back into Narnia. The children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy re-enter the magical land of Narnia and once again breathe in that revigorating air. They eventually come to the aid of Caspian, the boy who called for them, and put him on the throne of Narnia. The animals and trees are allowed to come out of hiding and Narnia is once again a land of enchantment and pleasure.

While the plot was entertaining, I felt like there was something missing that had been present in the first three books. I didn't like that the four children were pulled against their will out of their life in England to the beck and call of Caspian. Although time moved only a neglible amount in England so that they didn't miss anything, I felt that it wasn't right for them to pulled out. I also didn't feel the same excitement in the land of Narnia that had been there before. I hope the last three books bring that excitment back.

However, this book once again demonstrates another admirable moral for children; humans should appreciate and respect nature and living creatures. Men who rule without regard for others often fall into bad ways and bad ends.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars