Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
There's something very *pure* about this trilogy that I can't quite put my finger on. Honestly, I think if I'd read these books as a teen, I would've been confused and bored, though that would have been the result of my own inattention. Reading them now, I can see the intense and subtle care that has gone into the crafting of Nix's world, especially in the way that magic functions, both as a structured utilitarian system (charter magic) and a natural, untempered chaotic force (free magic). There's a lot more to explain about how necromancy fits into this, how the Abhorsen stands in as a kind of one-person army, maintaining order between the living and the dead.
Point of view is third person omniscient, but there is no Hagrid-like gatekeeper to guide us along and instruct us about what's what and who's who; we must instead infer the world's inner workings from how characters suss out whatever situations are going on around them. The end result is an exploratory close-to-the-ground experience viewed over the shoulders of the trilogy's protagonists, Sabriel and Lirael, two quiet but highly independent and active characters. You could even say that the triology is, at it's core, about young women setting off on their own, executing plans (however flawed), and solving seemingly insurmountable problems.
There's also a talking cat, and a talking dog, and they are both very good and magical.
The trilogy isn't perfect. It's villains are not as complex or as frightening as they could be; their motives are not where the narrative's interests lie. When the endgame boss's ultimate goal is the debasement and destruction of all things everywhere, there's not much doubt as to whether or not the protags will succeed in their quests. But it's still a fun ride in the meantime.
Point of view is third person omniscient, but there is no Hagrid-like gatekeeper to guide us along and instruct us about what's what and who's who; we must instead infer the world's inner workings from how characters suss out whatever situations are going on around them. The end result is an exploratory close-to-the-ground experience viewed over the shoulders of the trilogy's protagonists, Sabriel and Lirael, two quiet but highly independent and active characters. You could even say that the triology is, at it's core, about young women setting off on their own, executing plans (however flawed), and solving seemingly insurmountable problems.
There's also a talking cat, and a talking dog, and they are both very good and magical.
The trilogy isn't perfect. It's villains are not as complex or as frightening as they could be; their motives are not where the narrative's interests lie. When the endgame boss's ultimate goal is the debasement and destruction of all things everywhere, there's not much doubt as to whether or not the protags will succeed in their quests. But it's still a fun ride in the meantime.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Favorite series of all time. I have yet to read the books that follow the original trilogy, but these books are by far my favorites ever.
I LOVED Sabriel, even on a second (non-childhood) reading. But the following two books were a MAJOR letdown. Sabriel's daughter was nowhere near as engaging of a character as Sabriel herself.
The Abhorsen Trilogy is the BEST. I read Lirael first, but the order is Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen. Great. Okay. An Abhorsen is given charge of nine bells, and basicaly, puts the dead to rest. Because..... they keep coming back. Necromancy is a problem in the Old Kingdom, across the Wall from 'The Kingdom' where electricity works. Sabriel is the Abhorsen our story starts with, and we continue with Lirael who is not an Abhorsen, but is not a Seer either. She has been born and raised by the Clayr. The Magical seers of the realm who are famously blonde and peachy skinned, where Lirael is pale and dark haired. She has passed the age of being called to See, because she doesn't have the talent. The book starts with her attempting suicide... yet again. Not that she's failed before, she just calls it off, or is interrupted. Anyway, she teams up with a big black dog who speaks, (Sabriel had 'teamed up' with a demon she captured and put into the form of a white cat, Mogget.) the black dog is basically known as the Disreputable Bitch. Last book unites them and the long lost previous Abhorsen, I believe, as they battle a really infamous Necromancer who was the baddest of Bad and somehow has returned from beyond the ninth gate of the river of death where all dead go... I am leaving out so much more enticing details because I'm afraid of spoiling it... Ah, so dark... And there is some good romance. But the focus is definatley the Raised Dead.
An amazing series, with characters I am sorry to leave behind (especially Lirael). The only weakness I can see is the story's sense of place; there aren't many details that really tie the reader to the world. The characters, however, are amazingingly built.
I've been meaning to read this trilogy ages ago, ever since a friend recommended the second book, Lirael, to me. Having now read it, I can see why she recommended it so much and counted it as one of her favorites, though I can't quite put it on my own favorites list. A few thoughts:
-Out of the three books, Sabriel is definitely my favorite, followed by Abhorsen, then by Lirael. I think I would've liked Lirael better if the main characters hadn't spent so much of it feeling sorry for themselves, but there you have it.
-I very much enjoyed the interplay between magic and technology and the fact that the whole world isn't stuck in the medieval era. That was pretty cool.
-Not gonna lie; Nick annoyed me when he was first introduced. But by the end, I thought he was pretty cool, and he definitely deserved to have his own short story.
-Also the whole thing is kind of a fantasy zombie series, in a way? So that's interesting and different. It also made me a little uncomfortable at times, but not too much.
-I very much appreciate Sabriel as a protagonist, ok? She may not always know what she's doing, but she gets stuff done and doesn't waste time.
-And the Disreputable Dog and Mogget are both wonderful and I love them. Period, exclamation mark.
So, yeah. Definitely glad I read these, and I'll probably reread them at some point.
-Out of the three books, Sabriel is definitely my favorite, followed by Abhorsen, then by Lirael. I think I would've liked Lirael better if the main characters hadn't spent so much of it feeling sorry for themselves, but there you have it.
-I very much enjoyed the interplay between magic and technology and the fact that the whole world isn't stuck in the medieval era. That was pretty cool.
-Not gonna lie; Nick annoyed me when he was first introduced. But by the end, I thought he was pretty cool, and he definitely deserved to have his own short story.
-Also the whole thing is kind of a fantasy zombie series, in a way? So that's interesting and different. It also made me a little uncomfortable at times, but not too much.
-I very much appreciate Sabriel as a protagonist, ok? She may not always know what she's doing, but she gets stuff done and doesn't waste time.
-And the Disreputable Dog and Mogget are both wonderful and I love them. Period, exclamation mark.
So, yeah. Definitely glad I read these, and I'll probably reread them at some point.
Finishing book one of the Golden Compass reminded me of this fantastic trilogy. Clearly I'm a sucker for young adult sci fi. This series also features a lead female character who is absolutely inspiring, and the dark and entirely strange features of this series swept me into its fictional world far more quickly than the Golden Compass has, although that is shaping up to be a good series too.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Love it, and I hope it is made into a movie one day.