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briely's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
authorcharlottee's review against another edition
3.0
When I picked up this book, the main reason I wanted to read it was because the cover is AMAZING!! But as I started to read it, I found that it was really hard for me to get into. Although, the prologue made me want to read more, as I did I began to get sort of bored. I think that's because the only character in the first few chapters is Sabriel. She journeys in the first part of the book alone which I think is why it took me so long to get into. But once Mogget was introduced, I was hooked, then when Touchstone came in the picture the story just kept getting more and more interesting.
In regards to Touchstone and Sabriel, I really liked that Nix didn't emphasize a lot on their relationship. He kind of left it as a small part of the novel which pleased me because teen fiction seems to be absorbed in all of that. I understand that this is an older book and I think that it is one that teen fiction authors should refer to when writing. I say this because everything seems to be following the same trend and Garth Nix seems to be very good at breaking that.
Mind you, it still took me awhile to actually get sucked into the book as there were still some parts that bored me in the middle, but as you near the end it just gets really exciting and epic! The ending is BRILLIANT and I can't wait to continue the series!
In regards to Touchstone and Sabriel, I really liked that Nix didn't emphasize a lot on their relationship. He kind of left it as a small part of the novel which pleased me because teen fiction seems to be absorbed in all of that. I understand that this is an older book and I think that it is one that teen fiction authors should refer to when writing. I say this because everything seems to be following the same trend and Garth Nix seems to be very good at breaking that.
Mind you, it still took me awhile to actually get sucked into the book as there were still some parts that bored me in the middle, but as you near the end it just gets really exciting and epic! The ending is BRILLIANT and I can't wait to continue the series!
irinna's review against another edition
5.0
Sabriel by Garth Nix
is an engaging fantasy novel that delves into a realm filled with magic and necromancy. The protagonist, Sabriel, is a young woman thrust into a role for which she is unprepared. She embraces this destiny to locate her father and rescue the Old Kingdom. This book marks my introduction to Garth Nix's work.
is an engaging fantasy novel that delves into a realm filled with magic and necromancy. The protagonist, Sabriel, is a young woman thrust into a role for which she is unprepared. She embraces this destiny to locate her father and rescue the Old Kingdom. This book marks my introduction to Garth Nix's work.
scholarhect's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
calbowen's review against another edition
2.0
This was not very well done for me. I enjoyed the concept, and I do think that one star was given to the unique magic system, though I did not care for it personally. I felt that the characters were too much of a cartoon cutout of themselves, and the cat felt very Cheshire (which is not bad, except that he is written poorly) and the stoic guard who is the guard/info-dump of the novel. And the lead, who just felt unconvincing to me. And, the style is very travelogue, without any descriptions of the places. When you name a fictional place and do not describe it, why give it a name at all? Just call it, the city! So exciting, the City. Why is it exciting? I don't know, because we are now passing through, The Town! Sarcasm aside, this was a very bad read.
flyingorcas's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I've been meaning to read this for ages, and it turned out to be not at all what I was expecting. I am always and forever a sucker for good and layered worldbuilding, so despite some things that didn't quite work for me (random changes of POV, a bit of deus ex machina), I really enjoyed this. After all, on top of everything else, who doesn't love it when the prince is the one who's saved? (Even if the half-hearted romance felt wholly unnecessary.)
bibi003's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars for Sabriel. If I had been into fantasy as a kid, I probably would have loved this. I still liked it. But Sabriel, as a protagonist, fell short for me. She didn't seem to have much substance, apart from some cool family history and a willingness to just go for it when it was her turn go step up. I wanted her to feel more edgy or something.
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
I should have read this when I was younger. Would have been all over it then. Certainly imaginative, very humorous in places (Mogget is a favourite character for sure), but the emotional notes didn't hit as deeply as they might have done.