So I was wondering has everyone read the whole series? I have heard some awful stories about the ending being dreadful, and before I decided to pick up a copy I wanted to know is it worth my time? I love the movies and as silly as it sounds I don't want to ruin the movies if the books are dreadful or end awfully. So if anyone could help me out I'm be most grateful! 

I read them all in my late teens and then again just before the first movie came out. The movies have been very close to the books. 

The ending being dreadful ... I have no idea what they could be thinking. 

I loved the ending, I can't think of any other way it could have ended.

Thank you! I don't know about the ending someone told me they all get hit by a train and die, I just didn't want to waste my time and love the books...then pow death by train haha Then I will check it out, I've been wanting ot read them ever since i saw the movie when I was little (the OLD movie).

Oh ... well, sort of ... but really, it's not at all like that.  None of them know that's what happened, nor does the reader. And it's not all of them.  Those involved, their "souls" (for lack of a better word) are "swooshed" (again for lack of a better word) to Narnia. It really has no impact on the story.  I'd completely forgotten that.  (I can see why the movies left it out--just a complication. ) And it's by no means "the end".  There are several more books after that.

It's like Sharla says, it's not like a cheesy death scene or anything. It's surprising and makes sense. It was a good ending.

My son discovered these around 7th grade.  For years, he re-read every one each year.  For myself, other than reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe because several of my students read it, I was never tempted to read the rest. 

I made my kids read The Magician's Nephew (book 1) before seeing LW&W. That book sets up the next one, so to me it was important to read. I loved all the books and I agree the movies were very close to the books, which i appreciated. :)

I read them last year for the first time, in chronological order. I was definitely surprised at the ending. It's basically like this stranger Narnia place, and if you have "gotten" the allegory all along, you "get" very early that it's supposed to be heaven... and so it makes sense that somewhere along the line they must have died.

Honestly, I found that last book kind of freaky. I take that it was supposed to semi-parallel the happenings of Revelation, but it is doctrinally "off" somehow.. hard to put my finger on it really though. I think it would be MORE freaky for someone who is only semi-familiar with end-times prophecy. Not so much for those who read it not at all for the allegories, and not as much for those who may think themselves VERY familiar with end-times... but, in general, it was a little unsettling for me. It didn't give me nightmares (sometimes books do) or make me obsess about it or anything like that. It was just, willy-nilly, shiver a time or two, kinda creepy.

And I didn't like that one of the siblings didn't "make it" to heaven. I take doctrinal issue with that specifically, and it kind of "ruined" it for me. I could have dealt with creepy if we'd had a satisfying, happily-ever-after kind of ending with everyone happy and living in heaven. Kinda ticked me off at Mr. Lewis. LOL

I really and honestly wouldn't say to NOT read this series because of that though. I think the series would have been just as good without that last book, and you wouldn't miss anything by not reading it, so if it bothers you to think of it then just leave that one off! But for sure it is not worth missing the rest of them just for the creep-factor of the last one. Not, anyway, in my opinion. :) I do wish someone had warned me, but I don't regret reading it, and I'm sure I'd have read it even if I'd known all of this beforehand. In fact, I'd not have been nearly as unsettled if I HAD known.

Is that the sort of info you're looking for? Thanks for asking! Like I said, I wish someone had told me!!

The Chronicles of Narnia is my favorite series to re-read!  I have to have a box of tissue at the end...love it!  But, I am a sap for most good endings.  You will never know if you like it if you don't try it.