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talethal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The first and second acts were not bad, but the final act? Oh, phenomenal. While The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe provides a beautiful depiction of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for the sake of traitors, The Silver Chair paints a clearer picture of the false reality in which we live, that we have exchanged our crowns and true jewels for life in the Shallows.
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
5.0
"I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia."
Eustace Scrubb is back in school, at a crazy "Experiment House" where kids are unruly and bully each other. One day, he spots Jill Pole, one victim of bullying. As the two try to flee the bullies, they are suddenly pulled into the world of Narnia. Aslan then tells them that Caspian is near-death and his son has been missing for years. The two children must follow his signs and find Prince Rilian.
I Liked:
In my journey to the land of Narnia, I've found some books are just as stellar as I remember ("The Magician's Nephew"), some are more boring and pedantic than I remember ("Prince Caspian") and some are better than I remember ("The Horse and His Boy"). I am pleased to report that "The Silver Chair" is one of those glorious find.
The characters are far more rounded and interesting than the Pevensies ever were (for me). Eustace Scrubb is from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", but don't expect to see him be all goody-two-shoes. He bickers with Jill, makes mistakes, complains, and otherwise acts like a real child. I like how he tries to stand up to the bullies in the beginning, and his courage throughout the novel (it was kinda neat to see how he was good at shooting a bow). Jill Pole is nothing like the perfect Lucy and the complaining Susan (if anything, she is more like Polly from "The Magician's Nephew"). She is the newcomer to Narnia, and it's neat to see her view of this land. She is given four signs from Aslan and must relay them to Eustace for their journey. I liked how she flubbed up, how she forgot the signs at one point, and then how she redeemed herself by enchanting the giants.
But my absolute favorite character of this book is Puddleglum. I love his gloomy spirit (and yet, he's somehow the more optimistic of his kind!), his stalwart friendship, and his bravery. Plus, he probably has the funniest lines of the book (not to mention a hilarious scene where he snores so loud that Jill is left to dream of trains all night!).
For those that grow weary of Aslan and his deus ex machina, have no fear! Aslan does give the signs to Jill and appears to her in a dream, but nowhere does he pop in to resolve the conflict for the characters. After "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", where he did that repeatedly, I was so afraid he would randomly pop in and "clean up" the action, but fortunately, his role here is to cause a change in Jill, which is perfect, in my opinion.
The journey that Eustace, Jill, and Puddleglum embark on is exciting and meaningful. The children ACTUALLY have to do something and aren't just a catalyst for some other random background action. The evil sorceress is a real, unique force, along the lines of the White Witch in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" but more realistic, as she doesn't look or even act evil most of the time.
I Didn't Like:
I might complain that it is the girl who flubs up, only we HAD Eustace's "redemption" story last book, so I'm not going to complain about that.
I will say that there are quite a few cases where the three are completely oblivious. I won't give spoilers, but I saw some obvious revelations, which took them eons to figure out.
Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
I could have sworn Jill says "da**". Also a case of "@ss", but it could be referring to the animal.
The evil sorceress is said to have charmed Prince Rilian away.
A glimpse into a Giant's recipe book results in the discovery of a few ways to cook humans, Marsh Wiggles, and lots more sentient beings. There is a big battle of sorts along with some caves being destroyed.
Overall:
This is an impressive, enjoyable book! I love the character, their growth, and how Aslan didn't erase all conflict just to make the story easier on kids. Highly recommended!
Eustace Scrubb is back in school, at a crazy "Experiment House" where kids are unruly and bully each other. One day, he spots Jill Pole, one victim of bullying. As the two try to flee the bullies, they are suddenly pulled into the world of Narnia. Aslan then tells them that Caspian is near-death and his son has been missing for years. The two children must follow his signs and find Prince Rilian.
I Liked:
In my journey to the land of Narnia, I've found some books are just as stellar as I remember ("The Magician's Nephew"), some are more boring and pedantic than I remember ("Prince Caspian") and some are better than I remember ("The Horse and His Boy"). I am pleased to report that "The Silver Chair" is one of those glorious find.
The characters are far more rounded and interesting than the Pevensies ever were (for me). Eustace Scrubb is from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", but don't expect to see him be all goody-two-shoes. He bickers with Jill, makes mistakes, complains, and otherwise acts like a real child. I like how he tries to stand up to the bullies in the beginning, and his courage throughout the novel (it was kinda neat to see how he was good at shooting a bow). Jill Pole is nothing like the perfect Lucy and the complaining Susan (if anything, she is more like Polly from "The Magician's Nephew"). She is the newcomer to Narnia, and it's neat to see her view of this land. She is given four signs from Aslan and must relay them to Eustace for their journey. I liked how she flubbed up, how she forgot the signs at one point, and then how she redeemed herself by enchanting the giants.
But my absolute favorite character of this book is Puddleglum. I love his gloomy spirit (and yet, he's somehow the more optimistic of his kind!), his stalwart friendship, and his bravery. Plus, he probably has the funniest lines of the book (not to mention a hilarious scene where he snores so loud that Jill is left to dream of trains all night!).
For those that grow weary of Aslan and his deus ex machina, have no fear! Aslan does give the signs to Jill and appears to her in a dream, but nowhere does he pop in to resolve the conflict for the characters. After "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", where he did that repeatedly, I was so afraid he would randomly pop in and "clean up" the action, but fortunately, his role here is to cause a change in Jill, which is perfect, in my opinion.
The journey that Eustace, Jill, and Puddleglum embark on is exciting and meaningful. The children ACTUALLY have to do something and aren't just a catalyst for some other random background action. The evil sorceress is a real, unique force, along the lines of the White Witch in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" but more realistic, as she doesn't look or even act evil most of the time.
I Didn't Like:
I might complain that it is the girl who flubs up, only we HAD Eustace's "redemption" story last book, so I'm not going to complain about that.
I will say that there are quite a few cases where the three are completely oblivious. I won't give spoilers, but I saw some obvious revelations, which took them eons to figure out.
Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
I could have sworn Jill says "da**". Also a case of "@ss", but it could be referring to the animal.
The evil sorceress is said to have charmed Prince Rilian away.
A glimpse into a Giant's recipe book results in the discovery of a few ways to cook humans, Marsh Wiggles, and lots more sentient beings. There is a big battle of sorts along with some caves being destroyed.
Overall:
This is an impressive, enjoyable book! I love the character, their growth, and how Aslan didn't erase all conflict just to make the story easier on kids. Highly recommended!
caitlyn_larissa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
anaariel24's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lizak14's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
puddleglumtime's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
skeeter4366's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly loved the allegory here. They messed up most of the signs, and they still succeeded, it was just a bit harder for them than it could have been. The signs were a bit vague, but also on the nose. It was a nice allegory of the idea we can 'fuck up' destiny but it will still work out in the end. The key is to keep trying, and you'll end up in a nice place. Cute af
simsimmi's review against another edition
I read this years and years ago, and I know some people adore this series, but this is honestly one of the worst books I’d ever read. I think of it often, but can’t seem to drum up the strength to try again.
adrian_1987's review against another edition
3.0
Creo que tiene las 3 estrellas bien merecidas. Nada que ver con los libros anteriores. Si EL CABALLO Y EL MUCHACHO fue innecesario, este es aún más. No alcancé a entender el propósito porque no se le da un desarrollo a ninguno de los personajes. Si acaso, la trama del libro ayuda a que Eustace y Jill se lleven mejor, pero hasta ahí; pero si Aslan los llevó a Narnia, entiendo que fue con un propósito como en los libros anteriores.
Hasta antes de este libro no quería que se acabara la saga pero sinceramente estoy teniendo un bloqueo lector muy fuerte y ya quiero leer algo distinto.
Spoiler
Me dolió que la esposa de Caspian muera porque se me hizo un gesto muy lindo que en el libro anterior ella le dijera que a su regreso del viaje en barco, ambos se casarían y reinarían juntos en Narnia.Hasta antes de este libro no quería que se acabara la saga pero sinceramente estoy teniendo un bloqueo lector muy fuerte y ya quiero leer algo distinto.