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hijodelsol14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
wharj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The worldbuilding, atmosphere, and overall vibes of this book are so unlike any other I've read and in a way that makes me disproportionately enjoy it. It feels a bit like Dark Souls meets His Dark Materials and probably a few other things that I'm missing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Gore, Death, and Body horror
More descriptions of corpses than goremageofvoid's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
ejbiscuit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
cait's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Grief, Child abuse, Genocide, Death, Gore, War, Medical trauma, Violence, Vomit, Child death, Body horror, Death of parent, and Confinement
remescient's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My favorite book from middle school, and it still holds a very special place in my heart ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Gore
thenoboshow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Stalking, Vomit, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Child death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Slavery
emilyplun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Vomit, and Death
misskimmers's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Such a clever and unique story with a lovingly crafted world and comprehensive magic system. Highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a fantasy adventure in a similar vein to Sanderson, Jordan or Hobb but a slightly lighter read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Please note: With this book, I’m incapable of removing the amount of bias I generally try to remove before writing reviews. Sabriel is a book I read when I was in my teens, and it has stayed with me over the years. Further, it would transgress my own values to give this book anything other than a five-star review, given the lasting and impeccable impression it left on me. Lastly, in a world where young women are often handed books full of dangerous, exhausting, and demeaning tropes, I fully love Garth Nix for introducing me – at a young, impressionable age – to a female character who is strong, capable, powerful, and loves fully.
Writing: 5⭐️/5
I love how Garth Nix uses the perfect mixture of language to hook us into this story. Starting with a young woman who wants to save a rabbit, it’s clear through his language that this story will supersede those simple expectations. I love how the dialogue feels natural and I really love his clarity to expose such a complicated world with ease.
Characters: 5⭐️/5
Sabriel is one of my all-time favourite characters. She is a badass without being snippy, she’s sassy without being harsh, and she’s strong without giving up her femininity. I also fell in love with Touchstone the first time I read this novel. I loved his gallantry, his humility, and his growth throughout the book. Beyond those two, the side characters are invaluable and fascinating. I love Mogget: a small cat-like creature who desires freedom from its cage without truly wanting it, who defends his Abhorsen, who appears innocent and actually holds immense power. Sabriel’s father, full of flaws and regrets, feels real – instantly real and vibrant – despite getting very little “screen” time. A whole cast of fantastic, deep characters to enjoy and read about.
Plot: 5⭐️/5
I mean, I love this book, and the plot follows suit. With a mixture of fast-paced adventure and world-building, I really love (and have always loved) how the plot progresses, slowly introducing us to our world and then quickly identifying our big bad. No notes.
World 5⭐️/5
The Old Kingdom is a rich world. I love the mixture of high and low fantasy elements, with a world similar to ours edging on a world that’s very different. I love the references to technology, I love the thoughtfulness of the world’s politics, structure, and beliefs. To quote Leigh Bardugo: “There is no joy like returning to the Old Kingdom.”
Who Should Read This Book?
- Readers looking for a fantastic fantasy read with a drop of romance
- Young adult readers looking to bridge into high fantasy
- Readers looking for a good fantasy read with a great female lead.
Content Warnings?
Blood, injury, injury detail, death, death of parent, death of child, slavery, body horror, gore, sexual content, confinement, grief
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
*sigh* I just love it.
Final Rating: 5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Animal death, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, and War
Minor: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Gaslighting