Sabriel

About four years ago, I came across Sabriel when I researching speculative fiction series that may heal my post-Potter depression. While doing Google searches, since I hadn't discovered Goodreads yet, The Abhorsen Trilogy would frequently pop up as a top recommendation. Since reading Sabriel, which I soon followed with Lireal and Abhorsen, it's been one of the few series I've kept in my top tier YA fantasy/scifi category.So to put in a nutshell, Sabriel is set in a fantasy land where there are two neighboring countries. One is the land of Ancelstierre which is kind of the "new world" of the two; it's got engines, electricity, and other cultural aspects similar to the 20th century. To the north is the Old Kingdom and is separated from Ancelstierre by a heavily guarded border called The Wall. The Old Kingdom is a land where magic can be used and extremely dangerous dead spirits exist. These dead spirits are corpses that have been reanimated called Dead Hands and also powerful supernatural beings known as Free Magic. These dead beings are raised by "Necromancers" who can travel into the gates of death and create Dead Hands to do their bidding. The Abhorsen are a bloodline of Necromancers that fight against this by laying these beings back into death by using magical bells that each have their own unique power.It took me almost half the book bit until I fully understood the concept of the magic used in this fantasy land. The magic is referred to as Charter Magic and derives its powers through a network of magic channeled from "The Charter." The Charter are a group of powerful objects that were created thousands of years ago; it consists of the Great Charter Stones, The Wall (the one that separates Ancelstierre from the Old Kingdom), and three bloodlines. These bloodlines are the royal family, the Abhorsen, and the Clayr (a large sisterhood of blondies that can see the future). The Charter is meant to maintain order on magic from reigning freeling. Charter Mages or members of these magical bloodlines cast Charter spells by summoning symbols called Charter Marks, and combining the different marks to achieve their desired affect.So Sabriel, our heroine in this novel, is attending school in Ancelstierre at the beginning of the novel. Her father Terciel, who resides in the Old Kingdom, is the current Abhorsen of their time. While at school, Sabriel receives an alarming message from her father in which he sends her his weapons which includes a sword and bells. Sabriel believes her father has been overcome by an incredibly powerful evil entity so immediately leaves for the Old Kingdom to rescue her father. When Sabriel reaches her father's house on a cliff, she finds a creature named Mogget. Mogget is a Free Magic construct who has been bound into a form of a white cat by a red Charter collar which forces him to serve the Abhorsen. Mogget joins Sabriel on her journey to the Old Kingdom to find her father and tells her that she is the new Abhorsen, though she refuses to believe it. The two are eventually joined by another companion who calls himself Touchstone. Sabriel and Mogget find Touchstone in an ancient burial ground where he was magically imprisoned as a ship's figurehead for the last 200 years. Touchstones history is a mystery to Sabriel at first but acts like nothing but her loyal servant. The three of them continue on a journey to find Sabriel's father and discover the greater evil at work.The novel was plush full of innovative magic, creepy dark monsters, wonderful characters, and lots of adventurous trials. The one thing that made this book was Sabriel's incredible bravery and heart. A lot of high fantasy series don't feature female leads, and the female characters that do make an appearance typically aren't very endearing. I think writers should take take a lesson or two from Mr. Nix on how to get into a girl's pysche. She's not written like a uber-tough superwoman or like an over emotional, unreasonable damsel. Instead she's written like an actual human being. She's got real emotions, uses logic, is fearful yet brave, and just down to earth. Mogget was definitely a favorite of mine in the book. He's is very much that smartass, talking cat character and we're never quite sure about him because of the dangerous, blood thirsty Free Magic that resides in him.I love how this book is still labeled a YA book but doesn't dumb itself down for the sake of the audience. It's got a nice, sweet romantic story within it between our heroine and Touchstone. A lot of popular YA novel are written purely for romance, but I like it better when the romance works with the story's plotline. Overall, the book is incredibly innovative and exciting. It had everything I was looking for in a post-Potter remedy. An original fantasy world, unique magic, young likeable protagonists, great characters, lovely relationships, and an exciting plot. My only complaint was it ended too fast. Ever since I got my Kindle, I can't really tell the length of books anymore but I felt like plowed through Sabriel too quickly, but that may just be because I couldn't put it down.

If you like dark fantasy, you’ll probably enjoy this book. Undead abound, interesting magic, solid characters, a hint of romance, and a scary cat. Clearly written, with evocative descriptions.One gripe is that much of the plot is quite predictable. But even when it unfolds the way I expected, it’s a fun read.Another is the motivation of the big bad evil guy. Mostly to be a big bad evil guy.

"... I loved the woman who lies here. She would have lived if she had loved another, but she did not. Sabriel is our child. Can you not see the kinship?"That is how the life of Sabriel begins. Her mother has died giving birth to her and her father decides to join the wanderers he finds in the forest. Sabriel's father is the Abhorsen. A necromancer who banishes or binds the dead that plague the living."... the Kingdom sinks day by day, into a darkness from which no one will rise..."Sabriel is now 18 and finishing up her last year at Wyverly College.Everything has gone good until she gets word that her father has disappeared. She has no choice but to leave school and search for him on her own. The road will be long and perilous ,with death threatening her every step of the way, but she must find her father."May the Charter be with you, Sabriel."Wow.I had no idea how much I would like this book when I first started reading it. There were many strange names, the beginning confused me, and it didn't really catch my interest. At first.From what I understand, Sabriel was published in 1995. It is my personal opinion that some of the best books written were published between the late 90s and early 2000s. Sabriel is a perfect example of that theory. Let's be honest, books published in the last few years (especially after Twilight) are more "romance" than anything else. And I, for one, prefer a lot more action and magic in my books. I don't enjoy having to sit through page after page of teenagers lusting after each other. Yuck!This book can't be compared to anything I have ever read before. Not Harry Potter, not The Last Apprentice, nothing. The magic is different, the atmosphere is pretty much the same: good vs evil, the town, city, country, is plagued by evil, only a few people possess the willpower and strength to defeat it, blah blah blah. But the way the magic is performed and used is different.The characters are fully fleshed, intelligent, outspoken, and brave. Well, brave enough. I loved them. From Sabriel and Touchstone to Mogget and Colonel Horyse. Except for Kerrigor, of course. I didn't like Kerrigor...I liked Sabriel more than I liked Katniss, believe it or not. I only hope she stays how she is now and doesn't get annoying like most characters tend do later on down the line.& Touchstone. Oh, Touchstone. By page 220 I was irrevocably and undeniably in love with him. Touchstone, please tell me that I'll be reunited with you in the next 2 books. I won't be able to stand it if you're not there!Mogget. I actually liked Mogget, he's witty and sarcastic. And scary when without a collar...The story couldn't have been any cooler. Don't get me wrong, some parts left me a bit confused but I'm blaming that on the fact that I'm a little slow and because I rushed through some parts to find out what happens in the end. I'm sure I'll get it when I re-read it.I've noticed that many Fantasy books are dark. Sabriel falls into that category. People are betrayed, murdered, enslaved by both the living and the dead.But I find that I prefer reading books with dark undertones. It always makes the story more interesting for some reason...But, anyway, this book is excellent. There's plenty of action and only a tiny bit of romance. That's the perfect combination for me.Take note, YA authors, THIS is what YA books should be like. More action, less making out. I would read a lot more YA books if I knew it wasn't just a huge kiss-fest.If you like the HP series or The Last Apprentice series,I HIGHLY recommend Sabriel.

Good fantasy novel that is worth reading. Good fit for young adults to read.Read it before letting my 12 year old read it.Yes there are monsters and death. There is no sex etc other than the mention of some noises in the room next door at an inn

I was recommended this book as I enjoy a good fantasy series. This one did not disappoint. Edge of your seat fantasy from start to finish. Good characters and excellent world building concepts. Magic, sorcerers, creatures, good, evil, and an incredible world separated by a magic and imposing wall. Some good elements of mystery thrown in as well. And a talking cat! Very good indeed. I’m on the next book in the series now.

Sabriel is classic fantasy book hands down! Garth Nix is a genius. On of my top fantasy books ever. Deserves way more attention then some overrated homophobic books.

I love this story. I read it when it first came out in paperback and have read it at least once a year since. Amazing world building. Beautiful characters who seem real and understandable.

A rollicking good yarn: A wonderful fantasy story, up there with other greats, such as the wizard of earthsea trilogy by Ursula Le Guin and Astrid Lindgren's; Ronia the Robbers daughter and Brothers Lionheart. I stumbled across this gem of a story by accident and I'm so glad I did. His writing style is totally unpretentious, the action rolls along at incredible pace, never a dull moment. I would certainly recommend this book to a teen who has not yet found a love of books and needs a gripping story to ignite the reading flame.

When I first read this book I was roughly 12 years old and was immediately sucked in by the story. Over 10 years later I still remembered the story quite clearly and greatly enjoyed reading it again! As a child I looked up to the main character Sabriel and I still like her now. There are some parallels to the Game of Thrones series, although this book lacks the "shades of grey" in the characterization of its protagonists (the good and bad guys are clearly spelled out.)