The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis

The Horse and His Boy (c) 1954 by C. S. Lewis

The Horse and His Boy, another of the many great books in the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, follows the story of Shasta and Bree, a young human and a talking Narnian horse who work together to escape slavery in Calormen. Along the way, they meet up with Aravis and Hwin, a young Calormene noble woman, and a talking mare who are also escaping together. Aravis is running away from an unwanted betrothal, and Hwin, like Bree, was kidnapped as a young foal.

The four of them have various troubles and setbacks on their journey north, particularly in the city of Tashbaan, but doing so they learn important information about a planned invasion by Prince Rabadash on Archenland and Narnia that they take with them as they escape Tashban and cross the desert toward Archenland.

The story was an enjoyable one, and like the other books in the Narnian Chronicles, is a story that I believe both adults and young people will enjoy. Mr. Lewis, as he does in all his books, shows the natural consequences that come when people choose wisely and unselfishly, as with Shasta and Aravis' choices, and the natural consequences when people choose unwisely and selfishly as with Rabadash's choices.

I enjoyed the book very much, and heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy/adventure story!