The story developed to the most exciting part, which including the deep magic and the deeper magic. I have no special feeling about the story but the portraits of the characters impressed me a lot.
I also learnt lots of expressions.
When he had been made to walk far further than he had ever known that anybody could walk, the Witch at last halted in a dark valley all overshadowed with fir trees and yew trees.
I think here 'had been made to do' means you're forced to do or reluctant to do. It could be used in situations like this one.
He was too tired even to notice how hungry and thirsty he was.
too ... (even) to , this is a common phrase could be used a lot.
“Perhaps the Wolf will smell us out and bring us news,” said the Witch.
smell out
you can smell out something which is hidden (find/ find out)
you can also smell out some secrets (detect/ feel/ tell) smell a plot out
It was the sound of a knife being sharpen.
I like this expression. It bring up the image vividly.
A chap can’t mind everything at once—what’s that? Oh, sorry, it’s only an old stump!
Mostly if you do not mind something, you are not annoyed by it.
For instance, do you mind my smoking? No, I don't mind.
But here mind has the similar meaning as care/ take care of/ look after
If you mind a child or something such as a shop or luggage, you take care of it, usually while the person who owns it or is usually responsible for it is somewhere else.
But everyone became perfectly still in the end, so that you noticed even small sounds like a bumble�bee flying past, or the birds in the forest down below them, or the wind rustling the leaves.
still
Still could describe something is about to happen, but still has not happened yet.
In this sentence, it means staying in the same position and not making any noise.
The Witch was just turning away with a look of fierce joy on her face when she stopped and said, “But how do I know this promise will be kept?
fierce
This word is supposed to describe some strong feelings. Here fierce joy means very happy.