Ranking the Narnia books (very subjectively)
Until I redo this ranking with some more thought out analysis :p
(very curious to hear what other people's rankings are!)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: obviously. Much as I love the whole series, I do think that this is the best written one. The moment where Susan and Lucy just sat in silence after Aslan's death did actually make me emotional.
The Silver Chair: I LOVE JILL, SHE'S MY FAVE PROTAG (well, her and Aravis). I love the developing friendship between her and Eustace. I love the more cynical, cold tone in this book, compared to the ones before it. I love how Puddleglum is allowed to be a pessimist. I love how his attitude actually becomes a comfort as the story goes on. I love the moment between Aslan and Jill after Caspian dies. I do have some minor complaints (I feel like Rilian should be way older than just being in his early twenties, the lady of the green kirtle is kinda underwhelming despite being conceptually horrifying), but other than that... this book is tied with LWW for me.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: for me, this book is just plain fun. Kinda unique in not having an overarching villain or big bad? I dig it. A lot of good world building, Eustace's arc is great, seeing how far Caspian has come. The plot is just built around a single line from Prince Caspian but it makes for a very good story. Haven't watched the movie adaptation yet though...
The Magician's Nephew: Oh, how I debated between this and Prince Caspian... in the end though, I do definitely find TMN more engaging and not just because of the huge lore dump (although that is definitely part of it). I already knew I would like and sympathize with Digory but after connecting so much with Jill and Aravis, I was a little worried that I wouldn't care as much for Polly... only to end up really liking her character. The whole scene where Frank the cab-driver (later king) just starts singing in the void before Narnia's creation fucking slayed me, it was so good. Bit sad that Andrew didn't die, but what can ya do. Although, as someone who also really likes LOTR, though not as much as Narnia, I COULD NOT overlook how Narnia was created through song lol. Though that was prolly just because Lewis and Tolkien were friends irl.
Prince Caspian: watching the movie for the first time, I kinda didn't care for Caspian (don't kill me) - I think 10-year old me was just more attached to the Pevensies and didn't like the idea of him becoming the new king, symbolically showing they didn't have a place in Narnia anymore. Anyways, now that I've read the book and more time has gone by, I've warmed up to him a lot and by extension, the book as well. However... the pacing just annoys the hell out of me. Does it do that for anyone else? Like, just having Trumpkin tell his whole backstory right in the middle of the book... I actually think I prefer how the movie handled that part (though the movie has its own problems). Love the dynamic between the siblings though! Too bad they're kinda flat in this book. And I do feel bad placing this book so low, given it was the last time Susan was really, truly relevant.
The Horse and his Boy: the xenophobia in this book is mostly the reason why it is so low and you already knew that. It's a real shame too, because there are so many individual moments in this book that I LOVE. Aravis, obviously. And Corin. And Lune. Bree's character arc - the conversation between him, Aravis and the hermit might actually be one of my favorite moments in the whole series. Seeing the Pevensies and Tumnus again, of course. So overall, I do like this book - I like all of the books - just some more than others.
The Last Battle: the one I just got done reading, so I might need more time to form my thoughts on this one. Jill is still great, I didn't expect to like Tirian as much as I did - his story honestly got me kind of emotional. But, yeah, the xenophobia, again, kinda drags this down (although I do appreciate Emeth's existence and the Aravis mention at the end). I can without a doubt say that the ending nearly made me cry - seeing all their friends and family at the end??? uuuuggggghhhh. I do still think the Shift and Puzzle plot was weird though.
