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Lirael

(Abhorsen #2)

Garth Nix (Goodreads Author)

4.29 · Rating details · 102,745 ratings · 2,942 reviews

Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Now, two years past the time when she should have received the Sight that is the Clayr's birthright, she feels alone, abandoned, unsure of who she is. Nevertheless, the fate of the Old Kingdom lies in her hands. With only her faithful companion, the Disreputable Dog, Lirael must undertake a desperate mission under th ...more

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Paperback, 464 pages

Published December 30th 2015 by Eos (first published April 21st 2001)

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Mar 15, 2018 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-all, own

Omg!! I had 6,000 audio books come through the library today 😫But I wanted to follow along in my book while Tim Curry reads to me 😊

...more

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Jan 06, 2018 Charlotte May rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: epic-fantasy, supernatural-paranormal, ya, favourites

“When the Dead do walk, seek water’s run,
for this the Dead will always shun.
Swift river’s best or broadest lake
to ward the Dead and haven make.
If water fails thee, fire’s thy friend;
if neither guards, it will be thy end.”

Well this was freaking awesome!

As a sequel where the main character from Book 1 isn’t the main focus - I was a bit worried; but there was no need because Lirael continued the story of the Old Kingdom and the dead fantastically!

“The blue hats shaded silver sightless eye s ...more

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May 18, 2017 Caz (littlebookowl) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

4.5 stars

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May 15, 2017 Sh3lly rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 3-stars, read-2017, library, omg-this-book-is-so-long, favorite-narrators

When I started this, I was way excited... another epic story in this cool magical world with TIM CURRY narrating, again. The first section was great. We meet Lirael, who is a loner and has trouble being around other people and communicating. She is a Daughter of the Clayr, but doesn't have the power of sight, she is an outcast.

She finds a place to work where she might belong - the library! - and comes across a new, wonderful friend: The Disreputable Dog. I love TDD. So fun, so funny, stole the s ...more

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Nov 02, 2015 Dannii Elle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adventurous-acuity, fantastic-fabrications

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars. This is the second instalment in the Abhorsen series.

Whilst Sabriel wrapped up in a satisfactory manner, I still was left with many questions and so was a little disappointed , initially, to find that Lirael takes place fourteen years after the events depicted in book one. This disappointment was short lived as I was introduced to the immediately lovable Lirael, daughter of the Clayr but without their infamous sight for future events. She is disheartened at her lack o Actual rating 4.5/5 stars. This is the second instalment in the Abhorsen series.

Whilst Sabriel wrapped up in a satisfactory manner, I still was left with many questions and so was a little disappointed , initially, to find that Lirael takes place fourteen years after the events depicted in book one. This disappointment was short lived as I was introduced to the immediately lovable Lirael, daughter of the Clayr but without their infamous sight for future events. She is disheartened at her lack of skill and so throws her energy into her new role as librarian and in honing her skill with charter magic. She proves adept at both, but not with staying out of trouble or venturing into areas she shouldn't be. This proves fortunate, as she happens across an ancient prophecy bearing her name and so begins her adventures that will lead her away from the Clayr's glacier home and any future she had envisioned for herself.

The other perspective belonged to Prince Sam. He was alike to Lirael in that he did not seem to hold the necessary skills for his perceived future station. He differed in that he was willing to do nothing about it but bemoan his fate. I struggled to connect with his character on the same level as Lirael's but I did enjoy the adventures he also went on, and seeing them intertwine with Lirael's.

This book was made complete by the return of Mogget, the free magic being forced into cat-shaped snarky servitude, and the new addition of The Disreputable Dog, a currently dog-shaped being from before the charter was made. He is far more willing to aid his current companions but has a far more murkier past. I am looking forward to puzzling out these secrets in the coming series instalments!

Despite this entire book leading to a future adventure and solving none of the current mysteries or overcoming any of the enemies lurking close at hand, this did not suffer from any sort of middle-book-syndrome. The plot was fast-moving, even more so than in book one where the skills of charter magic and necromancy were introduced, and largely unguessable in trajectory. I foresee book three, Abohrsen, to wrap up these dilemmas and the series to be nothing but action, from here on out. ...more

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Jan 29, 2019 Faith M ✨ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, fantasy, zambams, mc-boi, science-fiction, 3rd-person, young-adult, mc-gurl, read-2019

I was listening to the last few chapters on audiobook (bless Tim Curry and his downright villainous voice) and had my eyes closed, and when that epilogue reveal happened, my eyes shot open like I was a Dead thing come back to consciousness.

The first 100 or so pages of this didn't entirely hook me, as we had a new protagonist and not a whole lot happened. But once it really got going, I was very invested. Lirael and Sameth were fantastic protagonists and I loved them both so much. Garth Nix is ph ...more

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Nov 28, 2007 Echo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, youngadult, favorites

It took me a while to get around to reading this book, even though I rushed out and bought it immediately after finishing Sabriel. The up side to that is in the meantime, I'd bought Abhorsen as well. That's important. Sabriel was a good stand-alone novel. Lirael and Abhorsen are not. In fact, I'd recommend that before you read Lirael 1) you read Sabriel first and 2) you have a copy of Abhorsen ready to pick up as soon as you finish Lirael. Lirael ends in the middle of something, and the two prob ...more

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Mar 09, 2015 Lindsey Rey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, 2015

[4.5 Stars]
Way better than the first one!

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Feb 17, 2018 TS Chan rated it liked it · review of another edition

While the Abhorsen series continues to thrive on its magic and worldbuilding, the characterisation in Lirael is unfortunately not up to par with its predecessor, Sabriel.

It does appear that Sabriel is written almost like a stand-alone, as this sequel takes place almost one and a half decade after the events in the first book with two new main characters; Lirael, a daughter of the Clayr and Prince Sameth, the son of Sabriel and Touchstone.

Both characters demonstrate the typical angst and insecu While the Abhorsen series continues to thrive on its magic and worldbuilding, the characterisation in Lirael is unfortunately not up to par with its predecessor, Sabriel.

It does appear that Sabriel is written almost like a stand-alone, as this sequel takes place almost one and a half decade after the events in the first book with two new main characters; Lirael, a daughter of the Clayr and Prince Sameth, the son of Sabriel and Touchstone.

Both characters demonstrate the typical angst and insecurity of teenagers; one who bemoans the absence of a power that is the birthright of her race and the other who decries the responsibility thrust upon him because of his birthright and powers. If I have to choose, I will say Lirael is definitely the more aggravating one. While the other Clayrs of ages younger than Lirael started gaining the power of Seeing, she remained an outcast as she continues to well into her teenage years without even a hint of it. However, it turns out that she is very adept at Charter magic and has the ability learn quickly and perform marvellous feats which most others cannot. BUT just because she cannot See, her anxiety that she will never fully be one of the Clayrs grates on her self-confidence and my patience. The appearance of the Disreputable Dog - a creature of magic - was a welcome change to Lirael's story. Not accepting her constant self-belittling, the Dog prods her into action that finally takes the direction of her tale towards an intriguing revelation of her potential heritage. Prince Sameth (or Sam) may be slightly less annoying but I do feel like giving him a good shake for both his actions and inaction in addressing his debilitating fear of his legacy.

The Disreputable Dog

The highlight of this series so far truly lies in the magic and worldbuilding. We learn more of the Clayr, a race who appeared briefly in Sabriel, and the birth of the Charter, created out of Free Magic. The seven bells used for necromancy and controlling both the living and the dead, which are tied to the creation of the Charter, are just simply fascinating. So is the portrayal of Death, which is a river, grey and cold, with currents pulling the dead through the Gates, nine in all before a soul goes beyond any necromancer's ability to be summoned back.

The story also started to become more interesting when Lirael and Sam eventually encountered each other under grave circumstances. This also meant that the Disreputable Dog met Mogget, the cat, who is now accompanying Sam after he stole away from the palace under the guise of an ordinary traveller. It was pretty obvious from the start that both these creatures of magic had a history together, and not an entirely pleasant one. A delightful turn of events, one might say.

The common thread that brought Lirael and Sam together is the potential re-emergence of an extremely dangerous and powerful entity engineered by a necromancer of considerable strength. As we find both our main characters getting to terms with each of their own true legacy, the enemy is moving ever closer to his goal. This volume concluded on an unresolved note, with Lirael and Sam both contending with the grim prospect of having to face this new adversary, setting up the stage for the next book, Abhorsen.

This review can also be found at Booknest ...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Mike (the Paladin) rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-fantasy

Well.....okay. Not as good a book as Sabriel, I went with 3 stars on this one. It was close as the story is a pretty good one and we are still following the plot line thrown out in Sabriel, just not quite as well (in my opinion of course).

We pick up about 14 years after end of that volume and we sort of get an introduction like, 14 years have passed. there have been many battles as the King (Touchstone) who married Sabriel (the Abhorsen) overthrows evil, saves the Kingdom and aids the people. At Well.....okay. Not as good a book as Sabriel, I went with 3 stars on this one. It was close as the story is a pretty good one and we are still following the plot line thrown out in Sabriel, just not quite as well (in my opinion of course).

We pick up about 14 years after end of that volume and we sort of get an introduction like, 14 years have passed. there have been many battles as the King (Touchstone) who married Sabriel (the Abhorsen) overthrows evil, saves the Kingdom and aids the people. At the same time the Abhorsen has faced many terrible dangers, binding the dead and destroying awful necromancers.

Really. That might have made a good book. Why didn't you tell us that story???? No we get to start over with another uncertain (even more uncertain) young woman. She constantly bemoans her situation, considers killing herself (but decides that throwing herself off a glacier might not really be the way to go), makes constant bad decisions that seem to work out for her and so on and on and on. And of course a young man who's managed to get himself so scared of his "expected future" that he's paralyzed at the very thought of it...and he won't go to the very people/person who might be able to help him with it.

I'll be honest, I got sick of Lirael's constant woe is me I don't have the sight... Yes it would be awful to go through what she did, to face what she faced. But between her constant bemoaning of her fate and Sam's refusal to talk to his parent's when he had the chance (I'll wait till morning...oops they're already gone) about something that could threaten EVERYBODY... well, it got a bit tiring.

This book may be (and I hope is as I'm beginning the third book Abhorsen) suffering from the well know "second book in a trilogy" syndrome. It's a bit long winded, a bit drawn out and a bit (for me) tiresome. I like good YA fantasy and the first in this series was certainly that. This for me told a pretty good story but could have done it better in maybe two thirds the length...just me possibly.

Three stars, not bad, a fairly interesting story that tells us more of the world and it's people, hope the next strikes me better.

************* Spoiler below line *************************

(view spoiler) ...more

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Aug 28, 2009 Chris rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, 2015-series-challenge, fof-sequels

When I glance at the reviews for this book, I'm actually surprised. Not that people would like this book, but that everyone would like it. I thought for sure there would be more of a split on it.

I mean, the writing is good. Nix can put together sentences and his plot is soundly articulated. His Old Kingdom is a vast and impressive construct, and his imagination is superb. There were even a couple really good scenes in here.

I just...I don't know. I couldn't wait for it to end. I hated the charac ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Samantha rated it really liked it

4.5 stars
I liked this even more than the first book! I really really love Lirael and the Disreputable Dog was a great addition. Some of my favorite scenes where between Dog and Moggot.
He book definitely ends on something of a cliff hanger so I cannot wait to pick up Abhorsen!

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Oct 11, 2016 Mayim de Vries rated it liked it

Sabriel was a pure pleasure to read. Lirael was as appalling as Sabriel was awesome. It sported an insecure and impulsive heroine drowning in her angst and her companions: an idiot of a selfish prince and a dog (a dog!).

Lirael is a Daughter of the Clayr, compensating her lack of Sight (i.e. the ability to see future) with other capabilities like outstanding sociopathy and a penchant for magic. Yes, Lirael is one of these special snowflakes we love reading about. She is so standing apart that she ...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Jessica rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: dark-and-creepy, fierce-ladies, ya, reviewed-books, brainy-chicks-holla, fantasy, zombies-yo, theres-a-prince-yall

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
There’s a reviewer who I follow (Ceridwen) who mentioned in her review of Sabriel how refreshing it is that the magic in the story is “something other than a deus ex machina” (aka: when the protagonist defeats evil without any true skill, the magic just kind of does its thing through them because they are super special snowflakes). I completely agreed with that point…in book 1. Pretty much everything I loved about the protagonist in Sabriel is contradicted in the Mary-Sue that is Lirael, the ma
There’s a reviewer who I follow (Ceridwen) who mentioned in her review of Sabriel how refreshing it is that the magic in the story is “something other than a deus ex machina” (aka: when the protagonist defeats evil without any true skill, the magic just kind of does its thing through them because they are super special snowflakes). I completely agreed with that point…in book 1. Pretty much everything I loved about the protagonist in Sabriel is contradicted in the Mary-Sue that is Lirael, the main protagonist of book 2.

Doormat/whiny/woe-is-me/doesn’t think she’s special even though all signs point to the annoyingly obvious fact that she is. Not only is she mega-talented (but thinks she’s worthless), she has the added convenience of that “dues ex machina” magic that shows up unexpectedly and makes her 10x more awesome.

It killed me that even after the Clayr explained that only super awesome Clayr develop “the Sight” late and only incredibly important people are sent on missions, Lirael is ready to kill herself all over again and actually thinks they’re just kicking her out. Yeah, ok, Lirael. Ok.

And where Sabriel’s looks weren’t really mentioned and her “romance” was pretty dang tame for YA, Lirael, on the other hand, is a silent, sensitive wallflower who hides behind her hair but catches the eye of alllll the boys because they all find her beautiful, even though…wait for it…she doesn’t find herself beautiful!

Ugh, spare me.

Sameth, the male protagonist isn’t much better although he’s a little more sympathetic. He might be somewhat of a spoiled brat, but at least his whining is more believable (not living up to his parents or elder sister’s expectations, because, honestly, what they want for him isn’t what he wants or is even capable of). Lirael, though, is out slaying beasts and is still like, “Shucks, I’m no good at anything, why do I even bother living…” Gurl, write a sad poem in your journal and move on.

Also, this book had no real ending. I’m basically being forced to read the last book of the trilogy against my will. Basically.

THREE STARS because Sabriel and Touchstone make cameos, Lirael occasionally takes breaks from moping to kick some butt, there’s some crazy/creepy action sequences, Nix's world-building is always fun, and the two talking animals (Mogget and Dog) save the reader from utter boredom (concerning the main characters) with their snarky comments and superior characterization.
...more

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May 22, 2008 Nicole rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: feminists with a morbid streak

Shelves: fantasy-dragon-magic-such, ya

I'm not a huge fantasy person, but I'm always up for a kick-ass heroine such as Lirael. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 books in this trilogy, mostly because they appeal to my morbid streak. Death portrayed as a river with 7 gates? Sending the Dead back into Death using necromancer bells? What's not to like here?

Decent writing, excellent story, not-quite-typical (and therefore appealing) fantasy story. Not to mention book covers by the Dillions. I will read almost anything that has a Dillions c ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 Katie.dorny rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018

The only thing that held this book back was the character of prince Sameth, the son of Sabriel and Touchstone. Apart from him, I fell in love with both Lirael and the Disreputable Dog and cannot wait to get my hands on the last book! I also personally think this book was better than the first. I have high expectations now for the last one!!

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Jan 29, 2014 Sanaa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

[4 Stars] I'm conflicted about this rating because the first half of the book was probably more like a 5 star book, the last half of the book was more 4 stars, and all of Sameth's parts were around 3.5 or even 3 stars. Why did Sameth have to be just as annoying as Lirael was amazing? Lirael was seriously such a fantastic protagonist, and I wish the book had focused almost entirely on her as opposed to bringing Sameth into the picture. He just seems like a bit of a waste in all honesty: annoying, ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 BAM The Bibliomaniac rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, fantasy, audiobooks, series-have-read

Audio # 33
2018 Reading Challenge: deals with a library or bookstore

Lirael is so depressed and has such low self esteem.

Note-Tim curry can feel free to narrate every book I own please

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Feb 22, 2011 Lady rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Lady by: Ben

Shelves: fantasy, bookclub

I liked this book. The writing wasn't as beautiful as I hope for in fantasy novels. But his world building was thorough and very interesting. I went back and forth between liking the characters and not, which I think reveals how fully formed they are.

I really liked the whole Charter marks and Free Magic stuff. I think it made a fascinating world and sense of magic. I liked that, just because Lirael was good with Charter marks, didn't make her all powerful; that there were weaknesses to how it ca ...more

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Oct 20, 2012 Eddie Costello rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014

These books are awesome and should be mandatory reading by everyone.

I first read this trilogy(Lirael is a second book in the old kingdom trilogy; Sabriel is first while Abhorsen is the finale) when I was in middle school and I have to admit I'm just as obsessed with this series now as I was then.

With a cast of fantastic characters and a quick moving pace(mostly), you are truly sucked into the world of the old kingdom and it's pretty scary.

I'm truly surprised that this book can be considered YA ...more

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Jun 13, 2015 Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-high, audiobook-would-recommend, meh-boring-dragged-blah

Two books through this trilogy (because I'm very unsure about reading past that, since Nix has started doing prequels and such) and I'm STILL uncertain how I feel about it. I reread my Sabriel review and basically find myself feeling the same way, if rather reluctantly. As I mentioned in my last update, these books are sometimes difficult to focus on, but by the end I want to go back and reread them to piece everything together. Lirael and Sameth both felt very realistic, although I was disappoi ...more

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Apr 09, 2017 Laure rated it really liked it

Nice to see the stories and characters are getting more complexed - I am looking foward to the next instalment in the stories.

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Dec 31, 2008 Ashley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, orphalins, violent-and-epic, treasure-and-adventure, favorites, here-be-dragons, world-lit, not-quite-five-stars-but-sooo-close

So there’s this girl, and she lives in a Glacier. Yes, a real glacier. It’s in a tall mountain at the very tip-top of her country, and she lives there with thousands of cousins, who are collectively called ‘The Clayr,’ most of whom are female and have the pale blonde hair and tanned skin that marks them as one of their own. They are entitled to this sobriquet because every single one of them can see the future. Every single one of them, except Lirael, that is. Most Clayr receive the Sight by the So there’s this girl, and she lives in a Glacier. Yes, a real glacier. It’s in a tall mountain at the very tip-top of her country, and she lives there with thousands of cousins, who are collectively called ‘The Clayr,’ most of whom are female and have the pale blonde hair and tanned skin that marks them as one of their own. They are entitled to this sobriquet because every single one of them can see the future. Every single one of them, except Lirael, that is. Most Clayr receive the Sight by the age of twelve. Lirael passes twelve. Then fourteen. Then seventeen. She is an adult, and she does not have the Sight. This is the main source of inner conflict in Lirael’s life.

Lirael is also different physically. Her black hair and pale, deathlike skin mark her immediately out from her fellow Clayr, but Lirael is also unusally quiet and reserved, because Lirael is very lonely. All the other Clayr have a purpose. They all take turns on the Watch, and they wear the robes of an adult, while Lirael still wears the robes of a child, simply because the main indicator of adulthood as a Clayr is the Sight, which, as discussed above, Lirael doesn’t have. What’s worse, none of the other Clayr have ever Seen Lirael. Not one. They don’t know what to do with her any more than she knows what to do with herself.

So instead of actually throwing herself off the highest peak of the glacier, as she almost did on yet another birthday without the Sight, she instead chooses to focus on learning the Charter (the magic system in the Old Kingdom), which leads to her creation of her companion the Disreputable Dog (who is THE BEST). This is the Disreputable Dog when she first meets Lirael:

“Suddenly, the dog stopped scratching, stood up, and shook itself, spraying droplets of dirty water all over Lirael and all over the study. Then it ambled across and licked the petrified girl on the face with a tongue that most definitely was all real and not some Charter-made illusion.

When that got no response, it grinned and announced, ‘I am the Disreputable Dog. Or the Disreputable bitch, if you want to get technical. When are we going for a walk?’”

Together, Lirael and the Dog explore the Clayr’s magical, GINORMOUS library and mine it for secrets, defeating monsters lurking in the corners, and all the while honing Lirael’s magic. Oh, yeah, did I mention that Lirael is a librarian? BECAUSE SHE IS TOTALLY A LIBRARIAN and the library is almost as terrifying and awesome as the Library the Doctor and Donna visit where the Library is an entire planet (and also the shadows are trying to kill them).

Now, I’m focusing on Lirael here because she’s my favorite, but this book has other stuff going on, as well. It takes place 14-18 years after Sabriel (depending on Lirael’s age), and Sabriel is barely in it at all. The two main characters are Lirael (obvs) and Sameth, Sabriel and Touchstone’s son. The narrative starts with them apart as we get to know them, but eventually they meet up and things are pretty much BOOM BOOM BOOM from there on out. Both Lirael and Sam have good character arcs, their inner lives and conflicts are way more realized than Sabriel’s were in book one. Sabriel can pretty much stand alone, but the second two books are basically one long continued story, with Lirael setting things up, and Abhorsen bringing them to a close. I think I prefer Lirael, though, because of the library, and because also Abhorsen honestly kind of scares the shit out of me. But more on that in the appropriate review.

[4.5 stars] ...more

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May 08, 2015 Nikki rated it liked it

Shelves: children-s-and-ya, fantasy

As much as I love Sabriel (both the book and the character!), I was reluctant to read this again. Lirael’s role in the library is awesome, but both she and Sameth are rather too prone to self-pity to stand up well beside Sabriel’s example. Which is part of the whole point, that Sameth’s grown up in his parents’ shadows, but still. While Sameth has serious problems to deal with, he’s also selfish, doesn’t think things through properly, and would do a lot better if he’d open his mouth and let word ...more

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May 28, 2018 MoonWyvern added it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf

I wasn’t very interested in this book. “Sabriel” was an enjoyable read having me guessing what will happen next, however, with this book I don’t feel the same connection.

I don’t really have much to say about this. I’ll read this book again in the future but for now... eh.

DNF - page 92

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Sep 10, 2017 daisy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, fantasy

I'M SO !!!!!
I stayed up until midnight to finish this and I don't regret that really, but I need to be awake at 5am for uni, so... I'll write a review out tomorrow lmao
REALLY enjoyed this though 🙏

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Jun 13, 2008 Mir rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, books

This sequel to Sabriel is stronger on character development but weaker on action; I don't think Nix has quite figured out how to balance the two aspects of the story. In Sabriel, the heroine (and we as the readers) were plunged almost immediately into the dangerous journey across the Wall. While I liked Sabriel, I found her a bit flat and her relationship with Touchstone not terribly convincing emotionally. With Lirael, we spend much more time watching her grow up and develop some confidence. He ...more

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Nov 10, 2011 Cinda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, fantasy

I'm really enjoying this series. Check it out if you get the chance!

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Apr 01, 2016 The Captain rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

Ahoy there me mateys! While drawin’ up me lists of 2016 for me log, I realized a curious thing – out of 134 books read, not a single one was a re-read. In me enthusiasm of discovery and taking suggestions from me crew, I did not revisit a single old port for plunder! And part of what I love about readin’ is re-visitin’ old friends. So I decided to remedy that and thus created me new category where I take a second look at a previously enjoyed novel and give me crew me second reflections, as it we Ahoy there me mateys! While drawin’ up me lists of 2016 for me log, I realized a curious thing – out of 134 books read, not a single one was a re-read. In me enthusiasm of discovery and taking suggestions from me crew, I did not revisit a single old port for plunder! And part of what I love about readin’ is re-visitin’ old friends. So I decided to remedy that and thus created me new category where I take a second look at a previously enjoyed novel and give me crew me second reflections, as it were, upon visitin’ it again . . .

Now I had touched upon this novel and the author in me previous log post, the first Broadside No. 1. I adore Garth Nix and have re-read the Old Kingdom series many times over the years. I only recently began listening to audio books and generally prefer to listen to old favourites while I multitask so I feel like I’m not missing anything. Well me best friend told me that the Tim Curry narrates this book and so I knew I had to listen to it.

But before I give me second reflections, a story . . . I had read a negative review of this book by dan @ onemanbookclub where he states “Huh. There are a lot of people who really love this book. Obviously I missed something.” He thought the plot was tedious and that the characters were idiots. I of course told him that while he had an interesting take on it, he was of course, wrong! Dan said he was happy to be convinced otherwise if I could explain it to him. While I don’t feel that I can capture the true love I have for this book and in fact delayed writing this review for quite some time while pondering the question, here is me response to give Dan (and crew members) me ideas about it.

After a small adjustment period getting used to hearing Tim Curry’s voice reading, I ended up sucked right back into one of me favourite stories. One of the elements that hit me this time around was that ye have two main characters in opposite situations but with similar feelings. One, Lirael, wants nothing more than to have the Sight like everyone else and finally feel like she belongs in her family and community. She feels worthless without it. The other, Prince Sameth, has been told that he is the next Abhorsen and has been training all his life for a role he doesn’t want. He is surrounded by love and affection but feels horrible because he wants nothing to do with this future that has been plotted for him. I found the juxtaposition of the longings of the characters to be rather interesting this time around because I never thought of it before. One wants the birthright she thinks she should have and the other spurns the birthright that has been given to him. And both are miserable about it.

I do see how the two characters could maybe become tedious in their immense focusing of how they don’t fit in and are disappointments. But as a rather quirky human meself, I remember being the odd one out so often in life. I have always wanted different goals then “average” people and felt adrift due to me own expectations and desires. So I guess ultimately I can sympathize with young folk who are so concerned about their futures and the expectations of society. I mean, I look back at me earlier self and how different life has become and how much I have changed and wish sometimes that I could go back to me younger self and tell her that those feelings would lose their power and almost seem silly in retrospect. Of course in this book Prince Sameth and Lirael are facing actual world-ending problems and the deaths of many if they don’t succeed so their stakes are way higher than mine ever were!

The plot is slowly built and so much of it is in day to day descriptions. There is action but it is in small bits that tend to happen towards the end of the book. I just love the world building so much that I feel that the Old Kingdom exists and it is almost like I am an invisible spirit getting to watch someone I admire go about their lives. Cause Lirael is a wonderful, strong fabulous person despite her own self-doubt.

Nowhere is this better shown then from her adventures in the library. Now, I have always believed that libraries, especially old cool ones, are some of the most awesome places on the planet. For example, I got to visit the United States Supreme Court’s library and was in heaven! Lirael works in a library full of books of amazing facts. There is magic and danger in the library. There are hidden passages and monsters and mysteries. Lirael’s work in the library gives her a strength of purpose and solidifies her love of learning. Also how I wish that I could sneak into forbidden sections and learn magic and other things forbidden to me.

This book shows Lirael making mistakes and learning from them. She is a person who finds comfort in her own company. As an introvert in a family of extroverts, it was wonderful reading about someone who felt like me. She has a best friend that is a magical dog! I prefer cats meself but I adore their relationship. Ye get to follow Lirael as she grows up and matures and I love her.

As for the ending of the book, this really is only half of a story that doesn’t pick up pace until the next book in the trilogy. That can be off putting for some. But for me, I feel that this trilogy is basically perfection. So if ye haven’t read this series by Garth Nix, I for one recommend it wholeheartedly.

Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp... ...more

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Apr 23, 2015 Ally rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, boys-who-need-to-be-punched, fantasy, read-2015, kick-ass-heroines, action, magic, ya, pov-switches

Garth Nix has done it again folks.

Lirael is closer to a piece of artwork than a book. The world is so vivid, it becomes a character itself. Nothing in this book is an inanimate object. Everything from the Abhorsen's house to the river Ratterlin has character and charm. Specific settings of the book carry emotion that is felt by the characters and readers alike. For instance, the Clayr's glacier has an air of oppression and deep sadness, while the great library Lirael came to love conveyed a sens Garth Nix has done it again folks.

Lirael is closer to a piece of artwork than a book. The world is so vivid, it becomes a character itself. Nothing in this book is an inanimate object. Everything from the Abhorsen's house to the river Ratterlin has character and charm. Specific settings of the book carry emotion that is felt by the characters and readers alike. For instance, the Clayr's glacier has an air of oppression and deep sadness, while the great library Lirael came to love conveyed a sense of hope. Every single place Lirael visited played an physical and an emotional role in the book.

That brings me to how amazing the Clayr library is. It's everything any bookish person could ever wish for. It had thousands upon thousands of books, rooms filled with magical items, and the lurking threat of an escaped monster at every turn. So generally it was a ton of fun watching Lirael explore it all, learning crucial magics along the way.

Lirael was fantastic. She embodies everything I look for in a protagonist. Smart, funny, and doesn't need no man to get the job done. Lirael managed to use her past to fuel her future, and didn't have the self pity that usually accompanies main characters. She was resourceful; furthering her knowledge of magic every time she could. She was always asking to read magic books or explore ancient tunnels in search of forgotten tomes. I really related to the curious side of her, cause if it were me, I'd be doing the exact same thing.

I loved Lirael's furry companion, the Disreputable Dog almost as much as I loved her. The Dog is awesome. Seriously, where can I get one. She's loyal, funny, and wildly powerful. Unlike Mogget from Sabriel, the Disreputable Dog actually wanted to be with Lirael. It allowed for a kinship that was new to the series.

Sadly, Mogget leads us to the negative part of the review.

So Lirael has a split POV. This usually doesn't bother me, but I absolutely hated Sameth, the other character followed through the book. He is everything Lirael isn't; winey, self absorbed, and privileged. Intill later on in the story, all he does is make bad decisions and complain about the burdens of being the abhorsen in waiting. To make things worse, Mogget is asleep basically the entire time, so we don't get any reprieve from Sam's winey ways. Although, I could see a light at the end of the tunnel for Sam. Throught the series, I see endless potential for growth. He could become the brave warrior that fights for his kingdom. Maybe that day will come, but for the entirety of the book, he was a little snot that really needed to suck it up.

Overall, the book was really good. Honestly, I'm regretting not have picking it up sooner. The ending was a bit abrupt, and Sameth was a little aggravating, Lirael and the world building made up for it seven fold. ...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. young girl. She lives in some kind of magic group of people in a mountain, works in a library [s]	6	620	Jul 03, 2019 08:43PM
/r/Fantasy Discus...: March 2019: Lirael	4	92	Mar 28, 2019 01:41PM
In A Bookish Reverie: Week 2	1	4	Mar 12, 2017 10:24AM
In A Bookish Reverie: Week 1	1	1	Mar 12, 2017 10:21AM
In A Bookish Reverie: Lirael	1	5	Feb 18, 2017 09:36AM
The Library Lived In: Lirael (Old Kingdom #2) - Dec 2016	7	3	Jan 16, 2017 07:51AM

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About Garth Nix

Garth Nix

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Garth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, Australia, to the sound of the Salvation Army band outside playing 'Hail the Conquering Hero Comes' or possibly 'Roll Out the Barrel'. Garth left Melbourne at an early age for Canberra (the federal capital) and stayed there till he was nineteen, when he left to drive around the UK in a beat-up Austin with a boot full of books and a Silver-Reed typewriter.

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