Many Narnian years have
passed since Eustace and Jill helped ensure the Royal line. But when
they are jerked back violently into this strangest of lands they find
the present King in danger and Narnia facing its darkest hour. With
Eustace and Jill at his side, the King, the noble unicorn Jewel and a
few remaining loyal subjects must stand fast against the powers of evil
and darkness and fight the Last Battle to decide the future of this once
glorious kingdom.
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“The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.”
The Last Battle ended up being a classy, deep finish to the epic series. It contains a depth of darkness and tragedy that isn't present as strongly in the others, but ends more peacefully and beautifully than any of them.
From the first page there's something going on, pace is strong and swift, and I especially loved the donkey Puzzle and the glimpse Tirian sees when he glimpses into the world of the children after shouting for help. Powerful imagery aided action sequences, all high with emotion from friendship and loyalty, hope and despair. Impossible for me to grow bored reading this one. Since it's a Christian viewpoint series, that of course is high to be seen at the end of the book as with all of them. CS Lewis's old-fashioned, high language style only added to the dimensions of this final Narnian fairy tale.
You get to see some surprise company and reoccurring visitors, all personalities again likeable. I especially loved the Unicorn as a new introduction, where Jewel was not only presented as mystical and majestic but dangerous and brutal on the battlefield. The last King was a good character, but I don't think he holds the same strength of charm as his predecessors. I do wonder on the fate of one the main original children...
There was a strange, ironic humor with Puzzles and the disguise which made me laugh until the story took an abrupt turn for a much darker side. Whatever else can be said, there's plenty of emotional scenes to make a dramatic impact on the reader. Supreme joy and supreme sorrow, CS Lewis ended the series on a serious bang, wrapping it up completely not only for the stories of one character, but several, and then took it even further.
Book Quotes:
“They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out.”
“People shouldn't call for demons unless they really mean what they say.”
“I have been wandering to find him and my happiness is so great that it even weakens me like a wound. And this is the marvel of marvels, that he called me Beloved, me who am but as a dog.”
Special Week Feature:
I did a special weeks feature for the Chronicles of Narnia series back in 2012. Here is link to the full feature listing, along with other special weeks done.
Posts from that feature for this book:
Cover Comparison: The Last Battle
Reader's Autopsy:
I did a Reader's Autopsy post - The Bizarre Order That is the Chronicles of Narnia...
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