Series · fantasy

The Chronicles of Narnia

by C. S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis has 7 books and is best read in publication order, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950).

Books
7 books
First published
1950
Status
completed
Last checked

Start here: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) — then read straight through in publication order.

Reading order

The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.

  1. Book 1:

    The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  2. Book 2:

    Prince Caspian

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of Prince Caspian
  3. Book 3:

    The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
  4. Book 4:

    The Silver Chair

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Silver Chair
  5. Book 5:

    The Horse and His Boy

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Horse and His Boy
  6. Book 6:

    The Magician's Nephew

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Magician's Nephew
  7. Book 7:

    The Last Battle

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Last Battle

The order the story's events happen in, novellas slotted where they belong.

  1. Book 1:

    The Magician's Nephew

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Magician's Nephew
  2. Book 2:

    The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  3. Book 3:

    The Horse and His Boy

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Horse and His Boy
  4. Book 4:

    Prince Caspian

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of Prince Caspian
  5. Book 5:

    The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
  6. Book 6:

    The Silver Chair

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Silver Chair
  7. Book 7:

    The Last Battle

    Novel

    Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Last Battle

About The Chronicles of Narnia

Four English siblings step through the back of an old wardrobe into Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter under the White Witch's rule -- and find themselves swept into a war for the country's soul alongside Aslan, the great lion who is Narnia's true king. That's just the opening novel; across seven books, C.S. Lewis sends different children (and, once, two unlucky adults) into Narnia across its history, from the world's magical creation to its final ending, encountering talking animals, ancient prophecies, seafaring quests to the edge of the world, and a desert kingdom's political intrigue along the way.

Lewis, an Oxford scholar and Christian apologist, layered the books with moral and religious allegory, but they work first and foremost as pure portal-fantasy adventure -- each book stands as its own quest with real stakes, memorable creatures, and Lewis's dry, warm narrative voice guiding young readers through it. The books reward re-reading precisely because there's more to notice on a second pass without ever demanding that awareness the first time through.

Seven decades after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe first published, Narnia remains a foundational entry point into fantasy for young readers, and one of the most influential fantasy series ever written -- its DNA runs through nearly every portal-fantasy that followed it.

Frequently asked questions

How many Chronicles of Narnia books are there?

Seven, published between 1950 and 1956. The series is complete.

What order should I read Narnia in, publication or chronological?

Either works, but publication order (starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) is the traditional and generally recommended path, since it introduces the world the way Lewis intended. Chronological order starts with The Magician's Nephew instead.

Do I need to read The Magician's Nephew first?

No -- that's only necessary if you're following chronological order. In publication order it comes sixth, and reading it early can spoil later reveals.

Is there a religious allegory in Narnia?

Yes, C.S. Lewis wove Christian themes throughout the series, most visibly in Aslan's story in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but the books work as standalone adventure fantasy without that context.

What age group is Narnia for?

Roughly ages 8-12, though its status as a classic means it's widely read by adults as well.


Reading order last verified .