Sabriel (Abhorsen #1) by Garth Nix - Restarting November 1st 2020

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I read the first two books in this series YEARS ago, but only a handful of pages in and my love for this series came fully flooding back. Rereading it is making me realise how this reads like a YA GoT, with the wall dividing the kingdom and the magic contained behind it.

Sabriel is such a great protagonist. She is both a badass but shows her vulnerabilities. I really appreciate how she isn’t painted as a perfect fighter or a fearless warrior, yet still has the grit and determination needed to persevere. I look forward to seeing her grow.

Her journeys into death are so interesting. The gates to keep the dead at bay, the bells with their special abilities and the stream threatening to sweep her away are all so creative and interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quater - (view spoiler)[If the first 100 pages reminded me of a YA GoT then meeting Mogget gave me YA Nevernight vibes. This was written before Kristoff’s creation and I wonder if he got his inspiration from Mr Kindly here? Both refer to their cat creations as ‘the cat who was not a cat’.

I’m really enjoying this adventure into the old kingdom and the abundance of new magical and historical information that is constantly provided. Touchstone’s character is proving an interesting one, as are the truths that both he and Mogget seem unable to speak. Who is he really? (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

68% (view spoiler)[ I had a feeling Touchstone was royal. It just fit as to why they would preserve him. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - I read the first two books in this series YEARS ago, but only a handful of pages in and my love for this series came fully flooding back. Rereading it is making me realise how this ..."

I agree she is a well rounded character.

[Krystal]

Dannii wrote: "Krystal wrote: "21%. I’m loving this book so far! Thanks for putting it on my radar. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I definitely see the Old Kingdom more medieval but her city is way more modern. I guess they make that on purpose. I do agree I don’t think it’s as modern as now. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Krystal wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Krystal wrote: "21%. I’m loving this book so far! Thanks for putting it on my radar. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

It does make a cool contrast to explore.

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[This book has been completely fascinating but a little slower in pace, as the complex world and abhorsen skills were explained to both Sabriel and the reader. Now the trio have reached the city though, the pace and the tension have risen. Sabriel’s journey into death to retrieve her father left me with tears brimming my eyes. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to these characters so soon, but I felt real pity for Sabriel when she was reconnected with her father only to learn of his imminent death moments later. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ We barely got any of him so that was a bit disappointing. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Krystal wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I definitely was expecting more of him and his story not to end that way.

[Krystal]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I loved the black and white cats at the end! I can’t wait to see what trouble they cause. (hide spoiler)]

Wooeeee that was good! I loved the adventure and story building! I definitely want to continue this series.

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Sabriel and Touchstone’s flight on paperwing, and their descent back beyond the wall, only served to heighten the differences between these two parts of the same kingdom. A magical flying paper creation serves in one where tanks and armoured vehicles are in another. The science and magic divide is a super interesting one and I hope it is focused on more, as the series continues.

The ending was super tense! I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough, as I followed their slow journey to the college with the fog descending behind them. The battle against Kerrigor was over pretty quickly, yet not unsatisfactorily. Colonol Horyse, however, deserved better! Sob! I’m excited to see how the two new Mogget’s will behave in book two and how Sabriel will banish them for good. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I think we finished it at the same time, haha. I'm glad to see you enjoyed this as much as I did. Let me know if you want to continue on with the series this month :)

[Krystal]

Dannii wrote: "I think we finished it at the same time, haha. I'm glad to see you enjoyed this as much as I did. Let me know if you want to continue on with the series this month :)"

I definitely do! Whenever works best for you is fine with me.

[Krystal]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - Sabriel and Touchstone’s flight on paperwing, and their descent back beyond the wall, only served to heighten the differences between these two parts of the same kingdom. A magical..."

(view spoiler)[ It was a bit upsetting about the Colonel! I definitely wanted him to beat the odds for his daughter. The differences between the magic and technology was interesting and I found myself not caring as much about them not explaining it fully in the beginning because it just worked out. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Krystal wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I think we finished it at the same time, haha. I'm glad to see you enjoyed this as much as I did. Let me know if you want to continue on with the series this month :)"

I definitely ..."

Would you want to read the next book on the 5th? I think there's someone who still wants to read the series with us so this can give them a few days to catch up :)

[Krystal]

Sounds good!

[Lily]

I somehow finished this today and LOVED it! Mogget is the best and Touchstone can be a bit irritating but he grew on me.

[Krystal]

Loved Mogget!

[Dannii]

Lily wrote: "I somehow finished this today and LOVED it! Mogget is the best and Touchstone can be a bit irritating but he grew on me."

I agree! (view spoiler)[I loved Moggett! He was just so snarky and it provided lots of sarcastic light relief throughout. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

As we're all done would you want to jump straight into book two today?

[Krystal]

I’m fine with that

[Dannii]

Awesome :) Here's the thread:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Lily]

(view spoiler)[ I really felt bad for Sabriel losing Abhorsen right after she found him. But the ending with her dying was really good. (hide spoiler)]

[Lily]

Dannii wrote: "Krystal wrote: "21%. I’m loving this book so far! Thanks for putting it on my radar. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

The technology really is confusing. I wish the time period was more stated or clearly implied.

[Dannii]

Lily wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

I agree. It didn't quite make me sob, but almost!

[Lily]

Dannii wrote: "Lily wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

I agree. It didn't quite make me sob, but almost!"

I’m surprised I didn’t cry. I liked how the ending reminded me of Jesus’ resurrection. (view spoiler)[ The small detail of her ending up in Touchstone’s arms was perfect. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Lily wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Lily wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

I agree. It didn't quite make me sob, but almost!"

I’m surprised I didn’t cry. I liked how the ending reminded me of Jesus’ resurrection. [spoilers..."

Oh wow! That's not a comparison I had made before. Very interesting!

[Karen]

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Date changed. Restarting November 1st 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Karen]

Opening couple of chapters mark Sabriel as someone who is not used to working like others.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

18%

(view spoiler)[ I first read this one as a teenager. I forgot that it went straight into it. I'm enjoying it but I don't remember much. One thing that I remembered is the bells and i love them from the first time round. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

53%

(view spoiler)[ I wonder what has happened to her dad. I'm enjoying it and I like the constant dead and live world. It's hard for her as she doesn't really fit in either. Seems like you can't trust the death. I like the way that each dead thing is something different. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

76%

(view spoiler)[ Touchstone is growing on me. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Well it was good. I really didn't remember anything about it apart from the girl looking for her father and they were both Necromancers that used bells. I like the gates and different realms its a cool way of looking at the dead. i also like how the dead wasn't romanticized. I'm looking forward to reading more. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Karen wrote: "Opening couple of chapters mark Sabriel as someone who is not used to working like others."

(view spoiler)[ Yeah when she went to the dead plan she really seemed to struggle although she mentions the lessons her father taught her. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch7. Immediately curious to know of Abhorsen’s fate. Hate not being able to see spoilers on the app - will reply to comments once on pc.

[Karen]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "18%

[spoilers removed]"

What I'm not clear on is how the Abhorsen gets chosen. It sounds like a tough existence.

[Karen]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "53%

[spoilers removed]"

Not quite as far in as you yet, but I am wondering about the way these entities seem to be tied to help. The cat is a little concerning, as I sense they could be dangerous.

[Karen]

73% (view spoiler)[ Thought she might be allowed a brief respite upon finding her father! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. This first instalment isn’t the most dramatic or exciting read, but it clearly establishes our character and is a solid introduction to the world.

[Karen]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I too felt the way death was presented here was almost reassuring. It was simply part and parcel of life, and that definitely seemed to be quite reassuring for those facing it. (hide spoiler)]