The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

The Horse and His Boy
by C.S. Lewis [j Lewis]

Set entirely in the magical world of Narnia and it’s neighboring countries, a young boy named Shasta and a young girl named Aravis run away together with a pair of talking horses. Initially Shasta and his equine companion Bree, and Aravis and her equine companion Hwin, are escaping from their homes separately by fleeing to Narnia, where both horses are originally from (which is why they can both talk). The two pairs meet on the way and join up, but not without troubles along the way. In a city they must pass through, they become separated. Shasta is mistaken for someone else and forced to go with some people who recognize him. Aravis meets a friend, whom she’s know all her life, and goes with her. The two escapees must now escape on their own, which they do, but not before Shasta meets his double and realizes he must warn Archenland (in Narnia) that war is coming from one of their neighboring countries. There is a happy ending and the characters’ stories do carry over into the following Chronicles of Narnia. I would not say they are the protagonists, but Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy are all in the story, as it takes place during the time when they are kings and queens, so chronologically speaking it takes place during The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I think you could read it without reading any other Narnia books before. Recommended to those looking for classic fantasy fiction with character development and moral themes.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the entire Narnia series, by C.S. Lewis:

 Publication Order:
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
4. The Silver Chair (1953)
5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
6. The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
7. The Last Battle (1956)
Chronological Order:
1. The Magician’s Nephew
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. The Horse and His Boy*
4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The Silver Chair
7. The Last Battle
* Takes place within the time of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]

[ official C.S. Lewis web site ]

Recommended by Kristen A.
Gere Branch Library

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