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miguelito_juanito's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
3.75
pewterwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
While this might not be my fave in the series (did I overhype this in my head? Good grief, yes!), I adore this series and think it a worthy instalment!
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads in 2021
***Copy given by UK Publisher, Hot Key Books, in exchange for an honest review/write-up. I, also, bought the special limited Forbidden Planet edition***
If you have followed me for a little while, you know that I adore this series. I reread via audiobook the series in summer 2020 (Covid 19 lockdown burnout and a terrible case of reading slump) and it was a wonderful experience - even [b:Clariel|23299598|Clariel (Abhorsen #4)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421400152l/23299598._SX50_.jpg|6125574], a book I'm not the biggest fan of, I went "This is lovely. I missed this world." Plus, I think about the lead, Clariel, quite often. So, when it was announced that we were getting another instalment in this world, you can guess how excited I was? And the fact that it was a prequel to the first book in the series, [b:Sabriel|1042542|Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619727476l/1042542._SY75_.jpg|3312237], looking at her parents made me more excited.
Now, before I go further and explain the book, we get most of the information about Sabriel's parents in the prologue of Sabriel so we know where their story ends. But we don't know how they met and how the relationship evolved and that's what this book is about: her parents meeting.
Ok, I need to talk the story, don't I? In the Old Kingdom, where Charter Magic and Free Magic exists, 18 year old Terciel is the Abhorsen-In-Waiting. A necromancer to bind the Dead down and lay them to rest. Soon, he will be the Abhorsen and soon, he will have to face the Dead and, maybe, Greater Dead. But when he is sent south into the Ancelstierre, he doesn't realise the ploy he's walking into...
In Ancelstierre, where magic usually doesn't work (unless close to the Old Kingdom or the winds blowing from the north), 19 year old Elinor lives a seduced life. Her closest friends are her governess and a former circus performer. Her mother lies in bed, close to death. But in a space of a night, everything she knows is burnt, killed or ripped away from her as a ploy from an ancient enemy brings Terciel into her life and the truth of her connection to the Old Kingdom is revealed.
And still, the enemy is waiting, buying their time...
Now, I love this series. Don't get me wrong. This is one of my favourite fantasy series and, normally, I can devour each instalment quite quickly. But this... this took me a month to read. Mainly because of time (some days, I could only spare about five minutes before rushing to work), but also because this wasn't what I was expecting. Now, I like when books take me in directions I'm not expecting. It's just... how can I explain this in a way that makes sense?
Ok, I think I got it. This is a book about how the series's main hero's parents first met, correct? And how the Big Bad of this book (and of Sabriel, FYI) is delayed, yes? So... why does the majority of this book have our main leads apart with no interaction? I mean, the character first meet on page 50(ish) then apart way on part 82. Then they don't meet up again till around page 288. That is 206 pages of them apart (remember, this book is around 409 pages long, minus Author's Note and Acknowledgement, so over half the book is these two characters apart) and I get why this had to happen, but boy, there were moments when it dragged.
Some chapters needed to be longer and others needed to be much shorter.
I think my main issue with this is the same as I have with Clariel on my first reading. Which is that it feels slightly disjointed from the rest of the Old Kingdom series. You know it fits the series and it does, but at the same time, it feels even-so-slightly off kilter, as if the story of these two teens finding themselves and their place in the world isn't strong enough to hold the story.
Maybe this is me overhyping this book in my head (which I know I have up to a point as this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021!). Maybe, once things are more settled and I reread this (which I will do next year or in 2022), I will read it and I will click with it.
I'm still a huge lover of this series and if Garth Nix writes another instalment, I will preorder it so fast. I would be hugely curious to see where he goes (I would love to know who the first Abhorsen is and how they became the Abhorsen), but I would be happy if this is the last instalment in the Old Kingdom as I don't want this series I love to outstay its welcome.
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads in 2021
***Copy given by UK Publisher, Hot Key Books, in exchange for an honest review/write-up. I, also, bought the special limited Forbidden Planet edition***
If you have followed me for a little while, you know that I adore this series. I reread via audiobook the series in summer 2020 (Covid 19 lockdown burnout and a terrible case of reading slump) and it was a wonderful experience - even [b:Clariel|23299598|Clariel (Abhorsen #4)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421400152l/23299598._SX50_.jpg|6125574], a book I'm not the biggest fan of, I went "This is lovely. I missed this world." Plus, I think about the lead, Clariel, quite often. So, when it was announced that we were getting another instalment in this world, you can guess how excited I was? And the fact that it was a prequel to the first book in the series, [b:Sabriel|1042542|Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619727476l/1042542._SY75_.jpg|3312237], looking at her parents made me more excited.
Now, before I go further and explain the book, we get most of the information about Sabriel's parents in the prologue of Sabriel so we know where their story ends. But we don't know how they met and how the relationship evolved and that's what this book is about: her parents meeting.
Ok, I need to talk the story, don't I? In the Old Kingdom, where Charter Magic and Free Magic exists, 18 year old Terciel is the Abhorsen-In-Waiting. A necromancer to bind the Dead down and lay them to rest. Soon, he will be the Abhorsen and soon, he will have to face the Dead and, maybe, Greater Dead. But when he is sent south into the Ancelstierre, he doesn't realise the ploy he's walking into...
In Ancelstierre, where magic usually doesn't work (unless close to the Old Kingdom or the winds blowing from the north), 19 year old Elinor lives a seduced life. Her closest friends are her governess and a former circus performer. Her mother lies in bed, close to death. But in a space of a night, everything she knows is burnt, killed or ripped away from her as a ploy from an ancient enemy brings Terciel into her life and the truth of her connection to the Old Kingdom is revealed.
And still, the enemy is waiting, buying their time...
Now, I love this series. Don't get me wrong. This is one of my favourite fantasy series and, normally, I can devour each instalment quite quickly. But this... this took me a month to read. Mainly because of time (some days, I could only spare about five minutes before rushing to work), but also because this wasn't what I was expecting. Now, I like when books take me in directions I'm not expecting. It's just... how can I explain this in a way that makes sense?
Ok, I think I got it. This is a book about how the series's main hero's parents first met, correct? And how the Big Bad of this book (and of Sabriel, FYI) is delayed, yes? So... why does the majority of this book have our main leads apart with no interaction? I mean, the character first meet on page 50(ish) then apart way on part 82. Then they don't meet up again till around page 288. That is 206 pages of them apart (remember, this book is around 409 pages long, minus Author's Note and Acknowledgement, so over half the book is these two characters apart) and I get why this had to happen, but boy, there were moments when it dragged.
Some chapters needed to be longer and others needed to be much shorter.
I think my main issue with this is the same as I have with Clariel on my first reading. Which is that it feels slightly disjointed from the rest of the Old Kingdom series. You know it fits the series and it does, but at the same time, it feels even-so-slightly off kilter, as if the story of these two teens finding themselves and their place in the world isn't strong enough to hold the story.
Maybe this is me overhyping this book in my head (which I know I have up to a point as this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021!). Maybe, once things are more settled and I reread this (which I will do next year or in 2022), I will read it and I will click with it.
I'm still a huge lover of this series and if Garth Nix writes another instalment, I will preorder it so fast. I would be hugely curious to see where he goes (I would love to know who the first Abhorsen is and how they became the Abhorsen), but I would be happy if this is the last instalment in the Old Kingdom as I don't want this series I love to outstay its welcome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Grief, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
twowheelsaway's review
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot. I will always want more Old Kingdom novels, and while some of Nix's other books have been just okay recently, it seems like going back to Ancelstierre always brings out the best in him.
What I wanted from this book: necromancy with bells, charter magic, a trip or two into the river, some Clayr, and more little bits and pieces from one of my favorite fantasy worlds.
What I got: All of those things! Plus--
-a couple flashes of perspectives of the normal people of Ancelstierre I didn't know that I wanted but am now hungry for more of
-A fun relationship between an Abhorsen and her Abhorsen-in-Waiting
-Mogget backstory Mogget backstory Mogget backstory Mogget backstory
-A really powerful and touching ending that I won't spoil but was IMMENSELY satisfying.
The one main thing that didn't hit for me: Nix writes romance like he's holding it at the end of a ten foot pole. Brief, efficient, and largely unromantic. It's not necessarily bad, but not what I wanted either. A little more slow burn between the main characters would honestly have been the thing to bump this up to a five star review for me.
Overall, I did really enjoy this return to the Old Kingdom, and dearly hope to see more!
What I wanted from this book: necromancy with bells, charter magic, a trip or two into the river, some Clayr, and more little bits and pieces from one of my favorite fantasy worlds.
What I got: All of those things! Plus--
-a couple flashes of perspectives of the normal people of Ancelstierre I didn't know that I wanted but am now hungry for more of
-A fun relationship between an Abhorsen and her Abhorsen-in-Waiting
-Mogget backstory Mogget backstory Mogget backstory Mogget backstory
-A really powerful and touching ending that I won't spoil but was IMMENSELY satisfying.
The one main thing that didn't hit for me: Nix writes romance like he's holding it at the end of a ten foot pole. Brief, efficient, and largely unromantic. It's not necessarily bad, but not what I wanted either. A little more slow burn between the main characters would honestly have been the thing to bump this up to a five star review for me.
Overall, I did really enjoy this return to the Old Kingdom, and dearly hope to see more!
iamshadow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
sweaters_raindrops's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
firefox's review against another edition
4.0
(Arc)
'Terciel and Elinor' is a beautiful prequel to the 'Old Kingdom' series (aka: Sabriel)
Terciel and Elinor are the parents of our future Sabriel and seeing the way these two were happy and living their lives just as Sabriel has is a beautiful sight. You can see traits of these two in the future Abhorsen and it touches my heart. But I must say, I love Elinor. Elinor is one of the most beautiful characters Garth Nix has ever written.
'Terciel and Elinor' is a beautiful prequel to the 'Old Kingdom' series (aka: Sabriel)
Terciel and Elinor are the parents of our future Sabriel and seeing the way these two were happy and living their lives just as Sabriel has is a beautiful sight. You can see traits of these two in the future Abhorsen and it touches my heart. But I must say, I love Elinor. Elinor is one of the most beautiful characters Garth Nix has ever written.
ellasayn's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
This story starts out strong and I have to admit that I found Elinor's pov the most interesting. She was a lovely character.
If you're a fan of this series it was fun to get this backstory. However the romance subplot didn't do it for me at all. There was no build up nothing just 'Oh guess we like eachother.' I felt no chemistry there.
I feel similarly about the other books but with this book it was the most obvious. The rest of the story was a joy to read.
I do think this should have gotten another proof read as I noticed some obvious grammar issues or spelling ones. Those could have easily been ironed out.
If you're a fan of this series it was fun to get this backstory. However the romance subplot didn't do it for me at all. There was no build up nothing just 'Oh guess we like eachother.' I felt no chemistry there.
I feel similarly about the other books but with this book it was the most obvious. The rest of the story was a joy to read.
I do think this should have gotten another proof read as I noticed some obvious grammar issues or spelling ones. Those could have easily been ironed out.
bibliophilicwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
This prequel to the Old Kingdom series is an enjoyable read with glimpses of characters we never got to know. There isn't much substance though whether we are talking the relatively predictable plot and the awkwardly written romance - both of which reflect upcoming events in later books.
gretta88's review against another edition
3.0
Hated the audiobook narration. Okay story - should have been a short story.