Prince Caspian

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are on their way to boarding school a year after their return from Narnia when they are abruptly pulled back to the land they once ruled as kings and queens. Much time has passed here and a wicked king, Miraz, now is in charge and the old tales and magic is forbidden and the Old Narnians have been forced to hide for their lives. There had been hope that Prince Caspian, the nephew of Miraz, would eventually rule, but when the wicked king has an heir, Caspian is told his life is threatened and he must flee. Caspian joins the Old Narnians, and they attempt to face Miraz and his troops, but they are greatly outnumbered. In desperation, Caspian blows Susan's horn, and the four children arrive in answer to its call.

Sometimes I almost think I remember trying to read these books when I was a child, and the things that bother me as an adult are probably the same things that bothered me as a child. What makes Miraz wicked, other than the scheming and killing he did in order to obtain power? And how is his killing different from the killing of the Old Narnians against the forces of Miraz? Why must it come down to a battle? Is killing off the wicked the only way to restore good to power? Who ruled Narnia after the four children left? Did they leave someone in charge? And why did that not work well?

I can see that I need to do more background reading on the series.