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A review by jpdubs
Terciel and Elinor by Garth Nix
5.0
This was a wonderful prequel to one of my favorite series ever so I am a little bias in my enjoyment of it. So of course as a fan, I loved this book. But I think this is a great book even if you are not a longtime fan.
As always, Nix's writing is lyrical and the world unique and magical. There would be a little confusing for new readings about this world that I think the first 3 books rectify. Some of the world-building is not as well defined as in the other books (like the whole deal with Abhorsens and the realms of Death). As we switch POV a lot, we are able to see the world from an outsider with Elinor, but even that is not enough as a new reader. I definitely recommend this book to be read after reading the other ones first.
There could be some work on the pacing with the lead-up a little slow and the climax all at once. I can see that how someone might think the same of the romance (which is not the main focus of the book), but I think where it lead was perfectly reasonable of young adults that like each other, have a stressful situation, and want to learn more about each other afterward.
The characters were strong with Elinor being a real favorite with her theater-loving self. I wish we could get more with her in it with her being awesome after the book. Terciel was the weaker of the two, but still well characterized. Terzinael on the other hand was interesting but I would be so frustrated to know her in real life. I wish Nix explored the was way Terzinael was not a good mentor to Terciel and neglected him. I wanted some confrontation with them.
Overall I enjoyed this book as a longtime fan. It is a great prequel filled with good characters and a magical world, though I would not recommend this book as a starting point for the series.
As always, Nix's writing is lyrical and the world unique and magical. There would be a little confusing for new readings about this world that I think the first 3 books rectify. Some of the world-building is not as well defined as in the other books (like the whole deal with Abhorsens and the realms of Death). As we switch POV a lot, we are able to see the world from an outsider with Elinor, but even that is not enough as a new reader. I definitely recommend this book to be read after reading the other ones first.
There could be some work on the pacing with the lead-up a little slow and the climax all at once. I can see that how someone might think the same of the romance (which is not the main focus of the book), but I think where it lead was perfectly reasonable of young adults that like each other, have a stressful situation, and want to learn more about each other afterward.
The characters were strong with Elinor being a real favorite with her theater-loving self. I wish we could get more with her in it with her being awesome after the book. Terciel was the weaker of the two, but still well characterized. Terzinael on the other hand was interesting but I would be so frustrated to know her in real life. I wish Nix explored the was way Terzinael was not a good mentor to Terciel and neglected him. I wanted some confrontation with them.
Overall I enjoyed this book as a longtime fan. It is a great prequel filled with good characters and a magical world, though I would not recommend this book as a starting point for the series.