Sabriel's father is Abhorsen, the necromancer who escorts the souls of the dead on their journey through the cold river into Death. She has just graduated from boarding school in the country of Ancelstierre when a terrifying vision warns her that her father is trapped in Death . . . and that if he isn't freed, he may never walk among the living again. Sabriel arms herself with her father's tools--a rune-etched sword and a bandolier with seven magical bells--and sets out alone to save him.
Eighteen-year-old Sabriel is intelligent, brave, and loyal without ever becoming sanctimonious or dull. Her devotion to her only parent is matched by her fear of losing him. The characters she meets are complex and interesting--the catlike Mogget, a reluctant servant and definitely no one's pet, deserves special mention.
Ancelstierre is like an early twentieth-century Britain with simple magic, and the dangerous Old Kingdom, where Abhorsen lives, is more like a classic fantasy setting. The different types of magic are fascinating and well-conceived. The richness of the world makes Sabriel's plight very real.
This is high fantasy, not escapism. Death is treated very seriously--it's not "happily ever after" for everyone. Evil and human weakness are distinct from one another. Although it's barely mentioned and perfectly natural in context, nudity occurs, and there's implied sex between adults. I was pleased to see this discussed in a matter-of-fact manner instead of made into a hush-hush taboo.
Sabriel is sold in the young adult section, but I first read it at twenty-seven. I think a teenager or preteen would enjoy this book for the same reasons I do, and would appreciate the fact that it doesn't condescend to them. I would recommend it especially to anyone who enjoyed Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. I've lent (and sometimes given) copies to readers of fantasy literature, and every recipient has thanked me with far greater enthusiasm than politeness required.
Nix s spellbinding Abhosen Trilogy takes readers on a brilliant voyage into a land of dark secrets, stupendous magic, and unimaginable danger. These c...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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