Reviews

High fantasy world building save me. high fantasy world building save me.

I'm still a frequent fantasy reader, but it has been quite some time since I've read a fantasy written in the style of the 80s/90s( which remains to be the year of the most iconic fantasies)

I l honestly love the 1930s setting of Ancelstierre and the 1800s of the Old Kingdom, it makes for such nice contrast and fits the "dated" 90s style of writing.
GIVE ME WORDY DESCRIPTIONS DOWN TO THE SMALLEST DETAILS ABOUT BUILDINGS, FOOD, AND LENGTHY PARAGRAPHS OF THE ABHORSEN'S OUTFIT-I am hungry for it. There is such a familiarity in Nix's writing style. It reminds me of being a child and playing fantasy table top rpg games with my sibling. I guess what I am saying is the way Nix narrates is so quintessentially D&D lol.

I've missed the Old Kingdom so much. I think every fantasy reader has one specific classic from the genre that really shaped the rest of their reading taste in fantasy novels. For most, I assume it'd be Tolkien, but my obsession lies in the Old Kingdom.

At the time of reading Goldenhand I had really thought it would be the end of this series, and didn't think I'd be interested in a story of Terciel and the mother of Sabriel, but I think I enjoy reading the earlier period of the Old Kingdom(like Clariel) before it falls into the neglected dying state we find in Sabriel.

I really like how different Elinor is so different from Lirael and Sabriel who clearly take after their quiet dutiful father, Terciel. Elinor is so full of love and warmth, yet also practical it was a nice change.

Notes:

nice to see a little bit more of Ancelstierre and it's politics with the Old Kingdom. Revisiting Wyverly collage gave me such a bittersweet feeling because of the ending in Sabriel :(
It's hilariously ironic that Terciel is nervous around the Clayr because they're open and honest about the pleasures of the body (haha) and then he ends up fathering a two children with Clayr women.
I NEED a proper explanation for etymology behind the naming system of the Old Kingdom (please I need more authors to be meticulous about these details like Tolkien)
ngl, I don't get Kerigor. I can understand wanting to take over the entire world of living for power, but it isnt that a bit boring when you're (technically) the only left alive? Additionally must we keep up the rotten/broken aesthetic? Why trade a nice cushy castle and position as prince for a lousy decrepit version of a throne? just because you're a greater dead being now, why do we have to actually stick to the whole dead brand?

the_lady_miaow's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

stacy_morow's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jaymoonneyyy's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5/5. Once again, I find myself enjoying the world created by Garth Nix. So deep into the Abhorsen series but still learning so much about Abhorsens, Charter & Free Magic, and the wall as well. Elinor is automatically a character I like as she is so similar to Sabriel in action, thought, and intellectual strength. Terciel is great, too, but Elinor clearly overshadows him in personality and ability. I find myself enjoying this book immensely as Nix returns to his storytelling roots;
I am sad that I have come to the end of the Abhorsen series, and this was the book with the least involvement of My favorite character [Moggett]. It's a bitter sweet ending, as well.

emtebbe's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.25

twocents's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

4.0

sydney_arcuri's review against another edition

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4.0

review to come

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