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emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition
5.0
I was so excited to enter the old kingdom again and this installment did not disappoint. Although my experience was certainly coloured by nostalgia for the first time I read Sabriel at age ten, I very much enjoyed Terciel and Elinor in their own right. They were endearing protagonists.
maevedor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
eletricjb's review against another edition
2.0
I could NOT get into this one. I wish it had been told from just Elinor's point of view; her chapters were far more engrossing. But also, you're telling me that Sabriel's mother is also a Clayr, and fuckin' no one brought it up ever?!?! Stop retconning, I hate it.
jomzjomzjomz's review against another edition
4.0
It was fun to dive back into the world of the Old Kingdom after so many years. I loved Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen when I was younger. I loved the dark world that Nix built, where the magic felt gritty, tangible, and messy, and death was simply another path to explore.
bravesirtoaster's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
megstar35's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.5
Terciel and Elinor is a prequel to the first book Sabriel. It is the story of how Sabriel's parents meet, fall in love, and how they seal away Kerrigor.
I continue to love the world and magic of the Old Kingdom but I also enjoyed being in Ancelstierre for part of it. This book does split between two POVs of Elinor and Terciel. I liked this a lot more than I did in Goldenhand.
Elinor was a great character to follow along on this journey. You really get to see her grow to be more independent and learn about Charter magic. Terciel is interesting but I really think he shines towards the end.
My only complaint is that the romance still very fast and distant. However the interactions the two do have are nice to see. I also wouldn't have minded more Mogget and seeing him more intertwined in the story.
I continue to love the world and magic of the Old Kingdom but I also enjoyed being in Ancelstierre for part of it. This book does split between two POVs of Elinor and Terciel. I liked this a lot more than I did in Goldenhand.
Elinor was a great character to follow along on this journey. You really get to see her grow to be more independent and learn about Charter magic. Terciel is interesting but I really think he shines towards the end.
My only complaint is that the romance still very fast and distant. However the interactions the two do have are nice to see. I also wouldn't have minded more Mogget and seeing him more intertwined in the story.
hlmackenzie's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thelibraryofklee's review against another edition
5.0
“For a moment, she wondered why she was not shocked herself. But she wasn't. Everything changed that day at Coldhallow House, that last day, not least Elinor herself. She wasn't sure what she was to become, but it was not someone who would be shocked by the unconventional.”
I was sent this one by the publisher, saw it was the 6th in a series, panicked and asked the bookstagram community if I needed to read 5 books to understand this prequel, and was calmly told to buy Sabriel (the first in the Old Kingdom series). So I did. And I highly recommend you also take this path if you plan to skip between books (although I am honestly off to buy the back catalogue of this series now - obsessed).
Tercial and Elinor is the story of Sabriel's parents. Terciel is an orphan picked up by a great-great Aunt / Abhoresen (was that enough greats?) Elinor lives in the human world with an oddly over bearing and aloof mother. Terciel and Elinor's worlds collide when Elinor's mother is bed stricken with a mystery illness, and Terciel arrives to investigate. As per Sabriel's story, Elinor's world and the Old Kingdom collide in another wonderful adventure. Elinor must find out the truth to her lineage while Terciel battles with his growing role as Abhorsen-in-waiting. We even get to meet Mogget again squeee (alas with a different name and body). Honestly, this book is just as good as the first (and I am sure as the ones in between.) The world building (on life side and death side) is so wonderfully immersive, and the characters all intriguing in their own ways. If you have missed the Old Kingdom, you will def want to get a copy of this one in your library.
“A passion for something was energy to be exploited, not thwarted.”
I was sent this one by the publisher, saw it was the 6th in a series, panicked and asked the bookstagram community if I needed to read 5 books to understand this prequel, and was calmly told to buy Sabriel (the first in the Old Kingdom series). So I did. And I highly recommend you also take this path if you plan to skip between books (although I am honestly off to buy the back catalogue of this series now - obsessed).
Tercial and Elinor is the story of Sabriel's parents. Terciel is an orphan picked up by a great-great Aunt / Abhoresen (was that enough greats?) Elinor lives in the human world with an oddly over bearing and aloof mother. Terciel and Elinor's worlds collide when Elinor's mother is bed stricken with a mystery illness, and Terciel arrives to investigate. As per Sabriel's story, Elinor's world and the Old Kingdom collide in another wonderful adventure. Elinor must find out the truth to her lineage while Terciel battles with his growing role as Abhorsen-in-waiting. We even get to meet Mogget again squeee (alas with a different name and body). Honestly, this book is just as good as the first (and I am sure as the ones in between.) The world building (on life side and death side) is so wonderfully immersive, and the characters all intriguing in their own ways. If you have missed the Old Kingdom, you will def want to get a copy of this one in your library.
“A passion for something was energy to be exploited, not thwarted.”