Nix's award-winning epic trilogy--composed of "Sabriel, Lirael," and "Abhorsen"--is now available in a boxed set of mass-market paperbacks, featuri...
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Aug 17, 2008
Squeemu
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May 24, 2007
Eric
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This reminded me somewhat of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, but not quite as good. Where His Dark Materials is about Science and Religion instead of Swords and Sorcery, the substitute here is Necromancy.
My issue with this trilogy (and to a lesser extent with His Dark Materials), was how the second book started out with a new unfamiliar character. In the case of Lirael, her story was not compelling enough for me to want to read it. I wound up putting the book down More...
My issue with this trilogy (and to a lesser extent with His Dark Materials), was how the second book started out with a new unfamiliar character. In the case of Lirael, her story was not compelling enough for me to want to read it. I wound up putting the book down More...
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Jan 09, 2008
Rachel
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I just finished "Abhorsen," the third book in the trilogy. I read "Sabriel" a long time ago, in high school, and "Lirael" several years back. I never got around to finishing the series even though I loved the books...now I finally have and the only disappointment I have is that (aside from a further book of "related" short stories) this wonderful story is now over, and that Nix is not a more prolific writer. Some of the most interesting and emotionally mat
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Sep 18, 2011
Josephine
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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.
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Jan 16, 2011
Michael
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Within the world there are actually two. One world, Ancelstierre, is a place of technology and science; the other, the Old Kingdom, a world of magic and many things unnatural, things both wonderful and horrific.
Most people in Ancelstierre are not even aware that the Old Kingdom exists, many think it a myth, and those that know the truth wish they didn’t. For within the Old Kingdom technology does not function, but the dead do, and all that separates the dead from Ancelstierre is the More...
Most people in Ancelstierre are not even aware that the Old Kingdom exists, many think it a myth, and those that know the truth wish they didn’t. For within the Old Kingdom technology does not function, but the dead do, and all that separates the dead from Ancelstierre is the More...
Jan 03, 2011
Marc
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Many of you may not have heard of this series… I picked it up by complete chance about 5/6 years ago when visiting a relative. I forgot the book I was currently reading (Magicians Guild) and was kinda bored over the weekend there. Still having 5 days left on my trip, I walked past a charity shop and sat in the window was a book called ‘Sabriel’. Now, to me it looked ‘fantasy-ish’ so I picked it up…
The book was so amazing that by the end of the holiday I was almost finished on the third More...
The book was so amazing that by the end of the holiday I was almost finished on the third More...
Dec 26, 2010
Lowed
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Yeah.! This was an amazing read. If you like Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials (which I did), then you definitely have to grab a copy of these precioussssss piecesss. Anyway, As I was trying to check his website for an update of Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen the fourth book in the series.. I found this instead.. Really funny Nix! Really Funny. I still do not know how to create some really cute links here, so I just copied the whole article and pasted it. EnjoY!
MY NEW REALLY EPIC FANTASY More...
MY NEW REALLY EPIC FANTASY More...
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Apr 09, 2010
Bunners
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I just finished re-reading this trilogy, and I'm choosing to review all three books at one time, as I think that the series as a whole is stronger than its parts.
When I first read these books, the first one was my least favorite. I found Sabriel to be a less sympathetic character than I did Lirael, which only goes to show that time and perspective can certainly alter opinions and points of view. Ten years on from my initial reading, Sabriel is by far more interesting to me an More...
When I first read these books, the first one was my least favorite. I found Sabriel to be a less sympathetic character than I did Lirael, which only goes to show that time and perspective can certainly alter opinions and points of view. Ten years on from my initial reading, Sabriel is by far more interesting to me an More...
Sep 21, 2010
Laurie
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These books are awesome. Suspenseful, vividly-conceptualized fantasy with strong characters. By "strong," I literally mean of the tough, will-stop-at-absolutely-nothing-to-keep-the-bad-guys-from-destroying-the-world variety, but I also thought the characterization was pretty good. (You do love those heroines -and their animal sidekicks.) The "magic" described throughout the books practically sizzles off the page -believable, original, and wonderfully alive. I also enjoyed Nix
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May 04, 2009
Abby
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A trilogy set in a fantasy realm separated by a wall from a WWI-era England-ish country demonstrates that no wall can truly stop the dead from their goal. The Abhorsen Chronicles republish the three books with an added short story at the end. The stories are entertaining, with enough quirks and eccentricities to make it unique, and the characters are fleshed out, particularly the second and third books. Everything is not given out at once, though many answers are predictable, but the discovery i
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Jul 31, 2011
Olga
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It is the first half of the 20th century and the world is changing. The peaceful existence of the country south of The Wall is threatened by the possibility of a war and to the north dark powers are getting stronger as well and death itself is finding its way into the living world from the other side. The Abhorsen is the only one who can control the dead and send them back where they came from, beyond the last gate on the cold and tumultuous river. When the Abhorsen’s daughter, Sabriel, receives
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Feb 17, 2012
Ramona
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I started this series very young at the age of 13. Sabriel, the first book, gave me new perspective and appreciation of fantasy despite Nix's descriptions that made me look behind my back at night. I was very satisfied though, with the ending.
A few years later I began Lirael, and equally appreciated it. The ending finished with a hanger that was a little irritating and I had little time to read because I was graduating school.
Now, a few years later I finally finished the last book, the More...
A few years later I began Lirael, and equally appreciated it. The ending finished with a hanger that was a little irritating and I had little time to read because I was graduating school.
Now, a few years later I finally finished the last book, the More...
Oct 17, 2009
Susan
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Finished book 1 Sabriel. Absolutely loved the book. fascinated by the character Mogget, wanted to know more about who/what this character is/was and why it is connected with the Abhorsen. Loved Sabreil, loved Touchstone, and love Sabriel's father (some nice, touching father/daughter moments in this book). Liked the magic system and the way the magic world sits right next to the non-magical world. sad that it had to end, but now onto...
Book 2, Lirael. I was a little worried that More...
Book 2, Lirael. I was a little worried that More...
Oct 13, 2011
Eve
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Ok, I know how Jerusha feels about this trilogy so just let me say "Jerusha, I'm sorry!"
Lots of great ideas, I particularly like the sarcastic cat character whose name I can't immediately recall after a busy day of work...
But Nix's world feels SO FLAT. No meaningful characters outside of the main bunch, so when people die...I just don't care! And there is little by way of fleshing out the history, culture, flora & fauna of the world.
Some things that More...
Lots of great ideas, I particularly like the sarcastic cat character whose name I can't immediately recall after a busy day of work...
But Nix's world feels SO FLAT. No meaningful characters outside of the main bunch, so when people die...I just don't care! And there is little by way of fleshing out the history, culture, flora & fauna of the world.
Some things that More...
Jul 02, 2010
Erica
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I just re-read these as a little summer treat, as they are some of my all-time favorite YA fantasy books. Nix is one of those rare authors who manages to write fantasy in a very detailed, realistic way that makes it all entirely believable. I wouldn't quite call these books dark or gritty, but almost, since the antagonists are mostly necromancers and the dead. Nix also writes likable, strong heroines, which I am learning to appreciate more as I've read a few of the weak, personality-devoid gi
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Nov 25, 2011
Selah
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I really enjoyed these books. At the start of the first book, I didn't like it, because the beginning didn't hook me in. But as I read, I really enjoyed them.
The one other thing I didn't like, was the extra short story at the end. The Authors Note said that they'd written it because some of their readers wanted to know what happened next. It was good, but they could have done better. It didn't have much info on what was going to happen in the future, especially with Lirael and Nick. But o More...
The one other thing I didn't like, was the extra short story at the end. The Authors Note said that they'd written it because some of their readers wanted to know what happened next. It was good, but they could have done better. It didn't have much info on what was going to happen in the future, especially with Lirael and Nick. But o More...
Feb 21, 2012
Violet
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I read very little fantasy, but I trusted a friend's recommendation. I was immediately sucked into this new world, described fully yet unobtrusively so that I never had to backtrack. I didn't think of the words "necromancer" or "undead"; they just didn't fit with a story that isn't quite horror, and for me, that took a back seat to the very real characters. It's been years since I regretted reaching the end of a book because I would miss my companions, but this made me fee
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Nov 25, 2011
Shanna
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I've read this series before and have enjoyed it thoroughly.
Sabriel: This book is filled with mystery, suspense, action, and adventure. I love it so much .
Lirael: I didn't remember this book when I started it again, so reading it from a fresh perspective helped me realize this story focuses on Lirael and Touchstone's son, Prince Sameth and how they're both trying to learn how to become what they are destined to be. There's a plentiful amount of action and, what I've come to realize are More...
Sabriel: This book is filled with mystery, suspense, action, and adventure. I love it so much .
Lirael: I didn't remember this book when I started it again, so reading it from a fresh perspective helped me realize this story focuses on Lirael and Touchstone's son, Prince Sameth and how they're both trying to learn how to become what they are destined to be. There's a plentiful amount of action and, what I've come to realize are More...
Nov 29, 2011
Althea
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These were fun books.
Sabriel is pretty much a stand-alone book, but the second two are really one novel - Lirael ends right smack in the middle on a cliffhanger, and Abhorsen starts right where it left off...
The trilogy gives us a dual world - one which very strongly resembles Britain in the early twentieth century - and then, across the Wall, the Old Kingdom, a magical land which is currently in a dire state of anarchy and seriously plagued by the Dead - which rise as zombies and ma More...
Sabriel is pretty much a stand-alone book, but the second two are really one novel - Lirael ends right smack in the middle on a cliffhanger, and Abhorsen starts right where it left off...
The trilogy gives us a dual world - one which very strongly resembles Britain in the early twentieth century - and then, across the Wall, the Old Kingdom, a magical land which is currently in a dire state of anarchy and seriously plagued by the Dead - which rise as zombies and ma More...
Mar 01, 2009
Anna
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Sabriel, a daughter of Abhorsen, lives on border of two worlds - earthly and the Old Kingdom. After receiving the message from her father she goes on a journey to the Old Kingdom to find out what exactly happened. Sabriel takes on her father's title and duties as a controller of the endless dead creatures. Sabriel gains helpers - Mogget, the white cat and Free Magic conscruct contolled by special collar, and Touchstone, the bastard prince and only heir of the Royal Blood. Entertaining and engagi
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Sep 15, 2009
Annie
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I admit that I am currently reading far below my grade level.
Maybe I missed my adolescent moment to truly immerse myself in the Fantasy. Maybe I am making up for lost time. Maybe I am researching appropriate Fantasy novels for the giraffes. Maybe I require lite works with strong female characters.
If you are looking for some lightweight magical fare that features girl-heroes, check out Nix's Abhorsen Trilogy. It is truly not to be missed, the first, second or third
Maybe I missed my adolescent moment to truly immerse myself in the Fantasy. Maybe I am making up for lost time. Maybe I am researching appropriate Fantasy novels for the giraffes. Maybe I require lite works with strong female characters.
If you are looking for some lightweight magical fare that features girl-heroes, check out Nix's Abhorsen Trilogy. It is truly not to be missed, the first, second or third
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Feb 15, 2011
Annie
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this is the very best magic-type book I have ever read. This is the second time reading it, and in a couple of years I will read it again. The trilogy is one story, smooth, interesting, magic is not the unicorn type at all. Protagonists are young people who mature throughout, and there isn't a dull moment from start to finish. I recommend the three books be read one after the other if you don't get them in one book.
I didn't start it on the 12th, though! It takes more time than that to More...
I didn't start it on the 12th, though! It takes more time than that to More...
Dec 06, 2008
David
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Brilliant and engaging ideas, combined with considerable narrative skill make this one of the outstanding examples of modern young adult fantasy. Mortality, wisdom, magic and family are superbly explored, and the second book contains one of the strangest and best libraries in Fiction. The contrast and relationship between the magical and 'real' worlds is one of the series' many high points.
Jun 15, 2011
Mystique
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I all but murdered for this boxset since I didn't buy it when it was on the shelves in the UK, only to then find in 2008 that it truly was a limited edition box set (beautiful box included) and they weren't restocking with anymore.
Had to delve into the depths of the internet to get this specific set since the shops had heard no news from the publishers.
Definitely one of my booksets for life, the stories and world are simply amazing :)
Had to delve into the depths of the internet to get this specific set since the shops had heard no news from the publishers.
Definitely one of my booksets for life, the stories and world are simply amazing :)
Aug 07, 2009
James
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These books are excellent, and very different from any other fantasy book I've ever read. What's unique about them is that the protaganists are young women, which unfortunately will turn many young men away from reading them, which is very unfortunate, because they rank in my top 5 favorite fantasy books.
Jul 08, 2011
Kwejeebo
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I loved the first two, but the third one kind of turned me off. It was like the opposite of the first two, which were a little more fast-paced. I almost got bored at times with the last one. It even felt to me like it almost didn't belong in that book set. The main characters weren't the same.
Mar 16, 2010
George
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Necromancer Sabriel sets out to find her missing father in the magical Old Kingdom. Lirael’s longing to be special leads her to attempt magic far beyond her ability and discover an unexpected destiny. Together, the two women fight a danger greater than either has known before.
Oct 01, 2011
Clark
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Loved this series. Although YA, I really loved the characters, the world creation and the magic used in the book. A very interesting take on necromancy, an intriguing story, and at towards the end I stayed up until 3 in the morning because I had to see how it ended.
May 12, 2010
Jeannine
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This is a Young Adult trilogy but the concepts are so original that I couldn't stop reading. In the series, the Abhorsen is responsible for keeping dead people in death but they are always being resurrected by necromancers for evil purposes. The descriptions of Charter Magic, what death is like when the Abhorsen enters it, creatures that come out of it and the descriptions of the set of bells the Abhorsen rings to control the dead are fascinating.
