Jordan's Age Rating: 14+ (Violence, Disturbing Concepts, Complex Plot)
Jordan's Quality Grade: A
Author:
Garth Nix
Publisher:
Eos (USA)
The Abho
rsen Trilogy, as far as High Fantasy goes, is a top-notch selection. If you are a fan of such writers as Robert Jordan, Ann McCaffrey, and J.R.R. Tolkien, do not pass this series up! It takes place in the mystical Old Kingdom, which is full of magic and magical creatures and beings, and Ancelstierre, a Kingdom which mirror's our own world in the early 20th Century. Both of these worlds are richly portrayed, though not overly detailed, so as not to distract from the main storyline. The story is epic on the same scale as the Lord of the Rings, though much more down to earth and easy to relate to. The trilogy abandons many of the popular cliches found in many other fantasy series, and provides a more gritty, realistic adventure, which really brings it down to the level of the reader.
rsen Trilogy, as far as High Fantasy goes, is a top-notch selection. If you are a fan of such writers as Robert Jordan, Ann McCaffrey, and J.R.R. Tolkien, do not pass this series up! It takes place in the mystical Old Kingdom, which is full of magic and magical creatures and beings, and Ancelstierre, a Kingdom which mirror's our own world in the early 20th Century. Both of these worlds are richly portrayed, though not overly detailed, so as not to distract from the main storyline. The story is epic on the same scale as the Lord of the Rings, though much more down to earth and easy to relate to. The trilogy abandons many of the popular cliches found in many other fantasy series, and provides a more gritty, realistic adventure, which really brings it down to the level of the reader. Book I - Sabriel: The first and, in my opinion, best volume of the series. This book follows the strong willed daughter of the Abhorsen --a man charged with making sure that the Dead stay just that, dead-- on her quest to find her father and defeat a great evil which threatens to destroy the very fabric of existence! I really cannot find anything negative to say about this episode, other than perhaps that the antagonist, Kerrigor, was slightly cliche.
Book II - Lirael: This book follows a daughter of the Clayre, Lirael, and the young Prince Sammeth, Prince of the Old Kingdom and Abhorsen-In-Waiting, as they both struggle to discover their own identities and survive the paths they have chosen, or perhaps been chosen for. The characters in this volume are strong, and the story itself is riveting. However, in places the action seems to drag out, and Mr. Nix seems to ramble about things insignificant to the rest of the story. Also, Lirael can sometimes be something of a whiner, justified perhaps, but after a while it does get a bit old. There are also a few slight inconsistencies in the plot, which are quite irrelevant in the long run. Overall a fantastic read, despite it's small flaws.
Book III - Abhorsen: This episode is a continuation of the story introduced in Lirael. This volume more than makes up for whatever flaws may have been tangable in Book II, although Lirael still has some rather annoying tendencies, similar to those in the Second Book. This book starts with action right away, and doesn't slow down until it's magnificent climax, which will reveal to the reader unanswered questions, some from as far back as Sabriel, concerning the companion of the Abhorsens, Mogget, and Lirael's helper, the Disreputable Dog. In short, this book is a marvelous conclusion to a brilliant series, which I would recommend highly to any reader of Fantasy or High Adventure.
Also by Garth Nix:
Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen, and Other Stories
The Ragwitch
1 comment:
Hey! Don't forget the Seventh Tower series or his newer Keys of the Kingdom series. Though aimed at younger audiences, they all have Garth's wonderfully creative creepy edge and inconceivable novelty.
Garth Nix Rules!
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