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a_proud_bibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt
chris_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I was pretty disappointed to realize this book does not continue following Sabriel, but is about the generation after hers. I thought the plot was good, but I just didn't find the new characters particularly compelling. The pace was also much slower than the first book. I will still read the next one to find out what happens, but my eagerness has plummeted significantly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Trafficking
Minor: Deportation, Child death, and Medical content
egiannakop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't know what the technical definition of "high fantasy" is but this is what I think of when I hear that term, complex world building, unique lore and magic, interesting characters with multiple issues, the list goes on. This is my kind of book, I really enjoyed learning about the different kinds of magic and how Lirael learns to work them. A great follow up to Sabriel, honestly I might prefer this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
bearystarry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
Lirael still feels relatable even though I'm not 16 anymore. This is a lot darker than I remembered, and I did dnf this last year? Maybe the year before... but I'm glad I pushed through this time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Body horror, Xenophobia, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
Moderate: Trafficking, Genocide, and Slavery
Minor: Incest
megstar35's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
lyriumbones's review
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
jordandotcom's review against another edition
5.0
nicholas you dumb idiot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
pebbajebbas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
graham_h's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
leguinstan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
I enjoyed this waaaaaaaay more than Sabriel!! It manages to improve upon the weaker aspects of the first book without sacrificing any of its positive qualities.
I love that Lirael still had the moody atmosphere and palpable sense of menace that was present in the first book. And in addition to this, I really appreciate the way that Garth Nix fleshed out the setting. The lore behind the creation of Charter Magic, the introduction of more Free Magic entities, and the depiction of life within Clayr's Glacier were fascinating additions to the world-building in the series. The early sections of the book when Lirael works in the Clayr's Library really stand out to me in particular! The explanation of librarian protocols and safety measures are well-thought-out and makes the library feel like a believable setting. And yet Nix still chooses to maintain some sense of mystery to the setting which evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity about the magical inner workings of the library. This is going to sound weird, but I love it because it makes magic feel... well... magical!
While I think that the titular protagonist of Sabriel was lacking in character depth, I am happy to say that Lirael and Sameth are a lot more complex and dynamic! They both develop in interesting ways and end up subverting some of the epic fantasy expectations that are ingrained in me. I also like Nix's approach to romance in this book, which is my absolute least favorite aspect of Sabriel. The romance in that book was so sooooooo boring, I really can't emphasize enoughhow relieved I felt when the ending shot all possibility of romance between Sabriel and Sameth to smithereens !!
I tend to struggle with YA fantasy so I'm pleasantly surprised I liked this one as much as I did!
I love that Lirael still had the moody atmosphere and palpable sense of menace that was present in the first book. And in addition to this, I really appreciate the way that Garth Nix fleshed out the setting. The lore behind the creation of Charter Magic, the introduction of more Free Magic entities, and the depiction of life within Clayr's Glacier were fascinating additions to the world-building in the series. The early sections of the book when Lirael works in the Clayr's Library really stand out to me in particular! The explanation of librarian protocols and safety measures are well-thought-out and makes the library feel like a believable setting. And yet Nix still chooses to maintain some sense of mystery to the setting which evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity about the magical inner workings of the library. This is going to sound weird, but I love it because it makes magic feel... well... magical!
While I think that the titular protagonist of Sabriel was lacking in character depth, I am happy to say that Lirael and Sameth are a lot more complex and dynamic! They both develop in interesting ways and end up subverting some of the epic fantasy expectations that are ingrained in me. I also like Nix's approach to romance in this book, which is my absolute least favorite aspect of Sabriel. The romance in that book was so sooooooo boring, I really can't emphasize enough
I tend to struggle with YA fantasy so I'm pleasantly surprised I liked this one as much as I did!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Death
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Animal death
Animal death of