Scan barcode
imsoverycool's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Genocide, Gore, and Child death
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, and Abandonment
wharj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I think having the first section set in an established location and relative safety loses some of what I liked about the first book - being in a wild land that feels like it's been dead for years was part of the atmosphere that I think really worked in the first book and you don't get that so much here. Still, I am definitely going on to book 3 and hopeful that it's great!
Graphic: Child death, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Gore
cait's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Gore, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, and War
chris_reads's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
lyriumbones's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
mattiedancer's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
- Fans of high-fantasy worlds
- Readers looking for a semi-young adult read that is deep and interesting
- Those who have read and liked Sabriel
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Death of parent, Body horror, Murder, Violence, Gore, Animal death, Child death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
pobi's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, and Death
geekmom's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Child death
leguinstan's review
- 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 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!
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Death
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Animal death
Animal death of