Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I put off reading this for the longest time because I was worried I wouldn't like it as much as the original three books. In the end, I definitely was not disappointed, and I really enjoyed Clariel's progression through this book.
It feels like I've been waiting for another Old Kingdom book ever since I finished Abhorsen, and Clariel certainly doesn't disappoint. I started reading this yesterday and couldn't put it down until I'd finished. Thank you Mr Nix for another amazing book!
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Re-read January 2022
--
Original review:
This book brought back so many good memories of reading the original Abhorsen trilogy. It's darker and more bloodthirsty than I remember the other books being, but I might be misremembering.
Clariel is more of an anti-hero, very unlike [b:Sabriel|518848|Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1293655399l/518848._SY75_.jpg|3312237] and [b:Lirael|47624|Lirael (Abhorsen, #2)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266458951l/47624._SY75_.jpg|2067752] - she is self-centred, quick-tempered and prone to making rash decisions, but I liked her in spite of all that. I understood her motivations, even though I wouldn't have made the same choices she does. In a note at the end, Nix explains that.
Belariel, Clariel's friend and the Abhorsen's great-nephew, is much more like Sabriel in temperament and outlook, and takes the threat from the Dead much more seriously -
It was also good to get some history about the Old Kingdom, especially the way the old Abhorsen doesn't think much of his position and would prefer to spend his time hunting. There's a passing reference to a female river-pirate, and I wouldn't mind a spin-off novella about her, or about the fascinating Mistress Ader. It's definitely a good book to get you back into the Old Kingdom-verse before reading [b:Goldenhand|28594830|Goldenhand (Abhorsen, #5)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459724394l/28594830._SY75_.jpg|42858213].
--
Original review:
This book brought back so many good memories of reading the original Abhorsen trilogy. It's darker and more bloodthirsty than I remember the other books being, but I might be misremembering.
Clariel is more of an anti-hero, very unlike [b:Sabriel|518848|Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1293655399l/518848._SY75_.jpg|3312237] and [b:Lirael|47624|Lirael (Abhorsen, #2)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266458951l/47624._SY75_.jpg|2067752] - she is self-centred, quick-tempered and prone to making rash decisions, but I liked her in spite of all that. I understood her motivations, even though I wouldn't have made the same choices she does. In a note at the end, Nix explains that
Spoiler
she becomes Chlorr of the mask, the necromancer Lirael has to fight, which is far from a happily-ever after but seems an oddly appropriate destiny for herBelariel, Clariel's friend and the Abhorsen's great-nephew, is much more like Sabriel in temperament and outlook, and takes the threat from the Dead much more seriously -
Spoiler
it's not explicitly stated, but I assume he is her distant ancestor, so it makes sense to assume that he made sure his descendants got their priorities straight.It was also good to get some history about the Old Kingdom, especially the way the old Abhorsen doesn't think much of his position and would prefer to spend his time hunting. There's a passing reference to a female river-pirate, and I wouldn't mind a spin-off novella about her, or about the fascinating Mistress Ader. It's definitely a good book to get you back into the Old Kingdom-verse before reading [b:Goldenhand|28594830|Goldenhand (Abhorsen, #5)|Garth Nix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459724394l/28594830._SY75_.jpg|42858213].
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this book. I hoped it would spark a bunch of memories of the original series but I think it was too different to really pull it in. but man, those bells!!! I'm going to have to re-read the original trilogy for sure.
Clariel, as with the previous Abhorsen novels, brings us to a magical realm where creatures of Free Magic walk the earth and a chosen few can venture into Death. Although we are presented with a conflicted protagonist that has one simple desire - to return to the forest she loves - that commands her emotions and decisions, we find ourselves rallying behind her, even when she may not make the best of decisions. A wild ride of ups and downs, Clariel is another Garth Nix novel that is not to be missed.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
More adventures in the Old Kingdom of Nix. Of all the books so far, this one was probably my least favorite but its not to say it wasn’t good or interesting but I just did not connect as well with the main character and my prequel problems were in full force (aka if I know where it ends up I’m not that interested).
Clariel takes place hundreds of years before the events of the original Abhorsen trilogy. It follows a young woman, Clariel, who is moved from her country home where she loves wandering into the woods and living basically alone, into city life when her mother gets a promotion. Clariel, despite entirely being disinterested in basically anything to do with anyone, keeps being pulled into political, relationship, and magical drama when she really really just wants to live in the woods.
While the storyline and intrigues that follow Clariel are actually pretty interesting, its hard to get through the story if you can’t quite connect with Clariel herself. She’s a purposefully difficult character and if you like difficult characters then maybe this will work a little more strongly for you. I tend to like my heroes a little bit more cliche which is completely on me and what I’m interested in. Clariel is never cruel but she exhibits an almost complete lack of interest in those around her. This makes her appear mostly cold and rather callous.
The world building is very interesting as we get to see a time period of the Old Kingdom where Abhorsen’s are treated with a kind of disrespect in a world that is so entirely peaceful and they are unneeded. The city was prosperous instead of a ruin and the Abhorsen’s house was surrounded by a town filled with related members.
The plot pulls along well but I still found myself feeling dragged along. Mostly since I knew where it was headed. Prequels continue to be a mostly miss for me (Terciel and Elinor in this series was a rare exception).
Clariel is often listed as asexual rep but I probably would not consider it good representation. Clariel’s asexuality seem more based on wanting to be entirely alone and away from people more than specifically a lack of interest in sex. I am not asexual though so I am sure others can speak on this better.
Overall, I don’t think you should skip it on your Old Kingdom journey especially to hear about the world itself but definitely not my favorite of the series and definitely check out if you like unlikable narrators and conflicting female characters. I know that is loved by many if not by me.
Clariel takes place hundreds of years before the events of the original Abhorsen trilogy. It follows a young woman, Clariel, who is moved from her country home where she loves wandering into the woods and living basically alone, into city life when her mother gets a promotion. Clariel, despite entirely being disinterested in basically anything to do with anyone, keeps being pulled into political, relationship, and magical drama when she really really just wants to live in the woods.
While the storyline and intrigues that follow Clariel are actually pretty interesting, its hard to get through the story if you can’t quite connect with Clariel herself. She’s a purposefully difficult character and if you like difficult characters then maybe this will work a little more strongly for you. I tend to like my heroes a little bit more cliche which is completely on me and what I’m interested in. Clariel is never cruel but she exhibits an almost complete lack of interest in those around her. This makes her appear mostly cold and rather callous.
The world building is very interesting as we get to see a time period of the Old Kingdom where Abhorsen’s are treated with a kind of disrespect in a world that is so entirely peaceful and they are unneeded. The city was prosperous instead of a ruin and the Abhorsen’s house was surrounded by a town filled with related members.
The plot pulls along well but I still found myself feeling dragged along. Mostly since I knew where it was headed. Prequels continue to be a mostly miss for me (Terciel and Elinor in this series was a rare exception).
Clariel is often listed as asexual rep but I probably would not consider it good representation. Clariel’s asexuality seem more based on wanting to be entirely alone and away from people more than specifically a lack of interest in sex. I am not asexual though so I am sure others can speak on this better.
Overall, I don’t think you should skip it on your Old Kingdom journey especially to hear about the world itself but definitely not my favorite of the series and definitely check out if you like unlikable narrators and conflicting female characters. I know that is loved by many if not by me.