The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

A list of fantasy adventure books filled with fun, magic, and hope would hardly be complete without one entry from The Chronicles of Narnia. And though it’s hard to pick just one, I think we have to go with The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

When Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace are swept away into the magical world of Narnia to sail with king Caspian and his ragtag crew across the sea, there is no shortage of adventure. They face many challenges along the way, including the incessant whining of Eustace.

Our protagonists never give up, even in the face of… show more.

I love all The Chronicles of Narnia books, but this one is my favorite.

How could it not be, with Eustace Clarence Scrubb, a boy almost as terrible as his name, as well as the giant-hearted talking mouse Reepicheep?

There are battles and adventures galore, but it’s also quieter than the other books in the series—the characters explore the landscape around them and wrestle with who they are and what they are becoming.

Written close to a century ago, there’s dated language and ideas for sure, but I’ve rarely found another story that captures so well the bittersweetness of growing… show more.

The entire Chronicles of Narnia were go-to books when I was a kid, but The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was a favorite then, and remains one to this day. I loved this book because it wasn’t about war or fighting evil. Instead, it was about exploration, about discovering what wonders might lie over the horizon. Also, Eustace is such a difficult character, and his growth into someone we can like doesn’t come through miracles or being a Chosen One, but through learning to admit his errors and learn from them. Add in Reepicheep, the universe’s best heroic mouse, and… show more.

In Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader we see the return of Edward and Lucy to Narnia. They along with their entitled, grumpy cousin Eustace land on Prince Caspian’s ship as it explores the Eastern Seas. They encounter adventures that challenge the young people and teach them valuable lessons about life and growing up.

Eustace learns important lessons when he’s turned into a dragon and sees himself in a different light. His time as a dragon teaches him humility and to care for other people.

Lucy's lessons are a more subtle as she faces growing up, the futility of… show more.

Narnia is just as flat as Discworld – though the similarities pretty much end there! In fact, at one point, Prince Caspian is so annoyed with the Pevensies because they hadn’t mentioned they’re from a world that’s spherical. Those are so special and romantic! The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is actually aimed at reaching the edge of the world, and though they don’t quite make it all the way, the voyage is well worth following.