52 Books in 52 Weeks - Book 4: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

In this story, Lucy and Edmund return to Narnia, along with their highly disagreeable cousin, Eustace Scrubb. The three are looking at a photo of a ship on the ocean that becomes more and more lifelike, until they find themselves actually becoming a part of the photo. They end up in the ocean, and are pulled up onto The Dawn Treader which turns out to be a Narnian Ship, led by their friend, King Caspian. (Whom they met in "Prince Caspian").

Three years have passed in Narnia, since the last time the children were there. Caspian has undertaken a voyage to find seven Narnian Lords, loyal to Caspian's father, who were sent away by Caspian's usurping uncle Miraz. In order to get them out of his way, Miraz sent them on a voyage to explore the unknown Eastern Seas beyond the Lone Islands. After defeating Miraz and successfully establishing his Kingdom, Caspian has set off to fulfill a vow he made to discover what has become of these noble men.

They encounter many fascinating adventures during this trip, as they travel into uncharted territory. On each new island, they discover clues about the 7 lords, and encounter a variety of interesting people and creatures.

One interesting theme that runs through this book is the theme of temptation. Eustace is tempted by greed, which results in his transformational experience on Dragon Isle. Caspian and Edmund are also tempted by greed on Deathwater Island. Lucy is tempted to eavesdrop, and give in to vanity during her visit to the island of the Duffers. At the end of their journey, Caspian is tempted to abdicate his throne in order to continue on - to find "the end of the world". Whether they end up giving in to the temptation or not, it is always Aslan who brings them through it.

This is one of my favorite books in the Narnia series.

Sojourner