The Magician's Nephew
Read "The Magician's Nephew" as the 6th book in the The Chronicles of Narnia sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.
⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Horse And His Boy" (Book 5)
This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.
Verdict Insight: As the 6th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.
The Last Battle
Book #7 of 9 in Series
Complete Series Reading Order
Publication Order
Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Chronological Order
May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.
Order Confidence
Why this order?
This book, published sixth (1955), acts as a chronological prequel, detailing the creation of Narnia and how evil first entered the world (introducing the White Witch). Lewis's stepson successfully advocated for placing it first in the numbered reading order, overriding the original publication sequence.
?Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for The Chronicles of Narnia conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip reading The Magician's Nephew?
This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.
Can I read The Magician's Nephew before The Horse And His Boy?
No. We recommend reading The Horse And His Boy first. The Magician's Nephew is the 6th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.
Is The Magician's Nephew required reading for the The Chronicles of Narnia?
Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.
What comes after The Magician's Nephew in the reading order?
The next recommended book after The Magician's Nephew is The Last Battle (Book #7).
