"Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?"

I've been engaged in a long-term project for about five years now. The aim is to track down and read all the YA adventure series that I should have read during my middle school years. Instead, I spent those years re-reading the Prydain series and every single one of those Royal Diaries books - no regrets! Sabriel, the first installment in the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, ticks another box on that list. I'm pretty sure I wasn't even aware of these books until recently. But I'm certain they would have been right up thirteen-year-old Madeline's alley. I can't speak for the rest of the series, but Sabriel is like a blend of Tamora Pierce and Lloyd Alexander, with a hefty dose of Goth elements. In short, it's a fun, coming-of-age adventure featuring zombies!

The world of Sabriel reminded me a little of George RR Martin's Westeros. We have a country (here called Ancelstierre) that's separated from the Old Kingdom - a land of magic and danger. Sabriel spent the first few years of her life in the Old Kingdom with her father, a necromancer known as "the Abhorsen", but has lived in Ancelstierre for her entire adolescence. When Sabriel is eighteen, she receives a distress message from her father. He's trapped somewhere in Death, and Sabriel has to use the skills she learned from him to travel back to the Old Kingdom and rescue him. Along for the ride are a cat that's not a cat and a man who was trapped as a wooden statue for two hundred years. Oh, and evil zombies who serve an undead demon are also tracking Sabriel.

As you can probably guess from the above description, there's a lot of action and creepy elements in this book, as well as magic, sassy sidekicks, ghosts, and (my favorite) totally frank depictions of sexuality aimed at preteen audiences! At one point, Sabriel considers all the implications of pursuing a sexual relationship with another character, and her mental list of Things to Deal With includes contraception! Hooray for you, Garth Nix! Speaking of fantastic moments, I knew Sabriel and I would get along as soon as Nix's narration shared this tidbit with the readers: when Sabriel got her first period, she used her necromancer abilities to summon her mother's ghost for advice. Which, frankly, why wouldn't you?

Even though this is part of a multiple-book series, Sabriel doesn't end on a cliffhanger and can easily be read as a standalone novel. However, if you're like me, you'll want to continue with the series, if only to find out how Sabriel continues to explore her role as a necromancer and what other adventures Nix has planned for his heroine.

(One more note: I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, which had two distinct advantages. First, I learned that Sabriel does not rhyme with "Gabriel", as I assumed, but is pronounced "Sah-briel." And second, the audiobook I found is narrated by Tim Curry. He's not the best candidate for voicing an eighteen-year-old girl's dialogue, but I didn't even mind because his villain voices are on point. Voice like buttah, I'm telling you.)

The world-building in this story is wickedly amazing.

It's like a whole new and captivating universe has been created, filled with unique landscapes, cultures, and mysteries.

However, there is a sad drawback.

There is too little character portrayal.

It's almost as if the focus was solely on the adventure aspect, which, for my taste, was a bit too much.

While the setting immediately fascinated me and drew me in, I never really felt like I got to know the characters on a deeper level.

As a result, I could never truly connect with them.

I found myself more interested in the world around them rather than in their personal stories and emotions.

This lack of character development made it difficult for me to fully engage with the narrative and feel a sense of investment in what was happening to the characters.

It's a shame because with such a great setting, the potential for rich and complex characters was there.

Maybe in future installments, more attention will be given to character portrayal to make the story even more engaging.

3.5 Stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a moderately good experience. It's not quite a full 4 stars, but it's also far from being average or below par. There are aspects that are definitely commendable, perhaps the quality of the product or service is above average in some areas. However, there are also a few areas that could use some improvement. Maybe the customer service could be a bit more responsive, or there might be some minor glitches in the overall functionality. Despite these small drawbacks, the 3.5 stars still suggest that it's a worthwhile option. It has enough positive qualities to make it stand out from the competition, but there is room for growth and refinement. Overall, it's a solid choice that offers a good balance between优点 and areas for improvement.

I picked this book up from the library and noticed stickers on it declaring that it was part of a reading challenge in NSW for grades 7 - 8.

"This book is acceptable for 12 - 13 year olds? Fuck me, can we turn around and go back to the library?" I asked my husband.

He just shook his head and smiled at me. "Just try it. You never know."

"It's for twelve - to - thirteen year olds! No sex! No swearing! Minimum violence! I don't fucking think so!"

In the end, we brought it home and I sulked the whole way. But yesterday I opened it up and decided to give it a try, and I'm really glad I did.

Surprisingly, it managed to have more romance in it than Darkfever, and that bloody book has naked people on the front cover!

I initially thought this was going to be a story about a young girl on a magical adventure with a sword and a bad hair-do. But it turns out it's about an eighteen-year-old woman with dark, deadly skills being chased and hunted by a terrible and deadly enemy.

Sabriel has a good, clear head on her shoulders. She's smart, strong, and a well-balanced and interesting character. The characters in Sabriel are all interesting and captivating in their own ways. Mogget was just pure win. He cracked me up. Touchstone was annoying at first but quickly won me over.

The world is interesting and complex, filled with enough creepy things that go bump in the night to really freak me out.

That's the best thing about this book. It's not trying to be a children's book. The rising action, climax, and very short denouement had me on the edge of my seat. I was actually on the edge of my seat throughout most of the book.

In some parts, it's really freaky and quite scary, while in other parts, it's sad.

This is the second male author I've come across lately who has written female characters better than the women have been writing them lately. You can't even compare Sabriel to a character like Bella. Unless you were to really dumb it down into this: Bella - sucks, Sabriel - awesome beyond all belief.

Give this book a go. It was fun, scary, action-packed, and I absolutely can't wait to read the sequels!

If you don't know already, I have an intense love for zombies. Due to this passion, I was extremely eager to read this book. And let me tell you, I truly enjoyed it.

Sabriel, the main character, is quite complex. On one hand, she's only 18 and desires to be young and pretend that responsibilities don't exist. However, unfortunately for her, that's not an option. Her father is in the business of killing Dead things and is bound to complete this service even at the sacrifice of his own life (the kind with a family, a dog, and a white picket fence). From a young age, Sabriel was taught the art of killing Dead things in preparation for the day when she'd have to take his place. I'd say this kind of upbringing matures a person rather quickly. So, while she wants to have fun, she knows that responsibilities must come first.

She's been educated about the various things her world has to offer, and not all of them are pleasant. Learning how to walk in Death and kill Dead things does give her a certain air of Badassness. She has a healthy dose of "OH Crap! It's Time To Run" in her arsenal, but she also has a good amount of "You Wanna Piece Of Me?!?" stored away. When the situation calls for it, she knows exactly which one to reach for.

I actually really liked this trait in Sabriel. It's highly commendable to know when to stand and fight and when you're outmatched. Sabriel is brave, but bravery is not the same as stubbornness.

Now, let's talk about the zombies. They aren't actually called "zombies" in the book, but they are walking corpses among other things. You see, when living beings die, they pass into Death, and from there their spirit goes through a series of Gates or stages of death. The normal, natural way is to die and have the spirit pass through all 9 gates into permanent death. But some spirits aren't ready to die, so they either fight their way back on their own to inhabit a recently dead body or they are called back as the servant of a necromancer. Either way, they aren't truly alive and must feast on the living to keep the parasitic spirit in the host body, so to speak.

There are quite a few different kinds of Dead things, and I won't go into all of them, but they are all cool and unique in their own way. Perfect for zombie lovers like me. :)

Anyway, moving on. I really loved the way that Sabriel's world is a blend of medieval and modern. Well, sort of modern. They are just starting to experiment with flying machines and films (black and white), but like most cultures, they have a wide variety of weapons. Their scientific advances are more like the non-magical people's way of making life easier for themselves, similar to how Muggles use 'eceltricity'. However, in Sabriel's world, the non-magic and the magic all coexist peacefully, and there are no "EEEK! A WITCH!" reactions. Anyway, the two (magic and science) cannot truly coexist. Magic outranks science, and science becomes subservient to it.

I was a bit confused by the magic though. I don't really understand how Free Magic is the "bastardization" of Charter magic. I would think that Free Magic would have come first, considering that magic has to originate somewhere in order to be learned, tamed, organized, and formed into the Charter. But then again, maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way - perhaps "Free Magic" is magic that originated within the Charter and broke free of the rules when it went "bad". I'm not sure.

One thing that I did notice, and I'm not sure if this was intentional, is that the Charter seems almost like a form of religion, only without the worship of a figurehead. They abide by the rules or laws of the Charter, swear by it, baptize with it, and so on. What I mean by wondering if it was intentional is whether it was supposed to take the place of a religion or if the Charter is just the prevailing source of power. I don't know anything about Nix's religious views, so I won't hazard a guess.

Anyway, I did like this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series, even though I hear that they are only related to Sabriel and not a true sequel. I'll keep you updated! :)

This book is truly remarkable, and I'm almost at a loss for words to describe its many wonderful aspects. Let's begin with the title character, Sabriel. At the start of the story, she's an ordinary schoolgirl, but suddenly she's thrust into a world that she scarcely understands and isn't fully prepared for, yet burdened with an enormous responsibility. Her reaction is truly admirable. There's a hint of reluctance in her to embrace the full extent of her new duties, which is understandable given her natural impulse to deny the loss of her father. I can empathize with this all too well. She makes several mistakes along her journey, but she's constantly striving and learning. And when the need arises, she can truly take command. I adore a YA heroine who has a healthy dose of confidence balanced with appropriate humility.

I also appreciate that although there's a romance in the story, it doesn't overshadow the entire book. At no point does the narrative become solely about Sabriel falling in love. The romance develops at a relatively slow and natural pace, which suits me just fine. I didn't pick up this book in search of the next great fantasy love story; I read it for the magic.

And what a magical system it is! While many aspects of Charter Magic, Free Magic, and necromancy remain unexplained, I felt that Nix provided just enough detail for me to understand the story. His magic seemed like entirely new concepts, and I relished seeing the level of skill required to use it in this world. Even more fascinating was the use of bells in necromancy. It was a unique way of wielding magic, and the description was so vivid that it felt almost real. The portrayal of Death as a tangible land dominated by flowing water was also really cool.

Oh, and there's a story too. This might be the closest thing to a weak point in the book. The action is a bit disjointed, jumping from one exciting event to the next without a strong connection. Nix uses the spaces in between to flesh out the world and magical system further, which is a good thing. But it's not exactly a tightly plotted narrative. However, the choice of villain is excellent, as he is both thoroughly evil and truly menacing. And I give a lot of credit for wrapping up the story completely in just one volume. Clearly, there's still a lot of the world left to explore, but this particular story has run its course.

Overall, this is a really good book, another excellent addition to the subgenre of YA fantasy with a strong female lead. It's a real shame that I didn't read this book sooner (I'm about twenty years behind!), and I feel a bit guilty about that.

Unique Magical World and Engaging Characters

In the realm of literature and entertainment, there exists a captivating domain filled with a unique magical world and engaging characters.

These fictional universes transport us to places beyond our wildest imaginations, where the impossible becomes possible. The magical elements, whether it's spells, potions, or mythical creatures, add an air of mystery and excitement.

The characters that inhabit these worlds are equally enchanting. They come in all shapes and sizes, with their own distinct personalities, motives, and backstories. Some are brave heroes, others are cunning villains, and still, others are quirky sidekicks.

Together, the unique magical world and engaging characters create a rich and immersive experience that keeps us hooked from beginning to end. Whether we're reading a book, watching a movie, or playing a video game, we can't help but be drawn into these fantastical realms and become part of their stories.

There was an awful lot happening around her, but she didn't really feel part of it. That basically sums up the overall experience. The characters seemed like blank slates, and a whopping 90% of the whole thing gave the impression of randomness. It was a jumble of knowledge, ignorance, history, the present, and the setting. However, one redeeming factor was the good writing.

I found myself wondering at times if I hadn't somehow landed in Marc's manatee folder (FYI, bad books) and had to constantly remind myself that this was actually the work of Garth Nix. And indeed, his smarts and imagination were on display. But, as mentioned above, I never truly felt a part of the story.

Unconventional, just like the book itself, I have to rate it 3 stars. I'm not sure if I'll continue reading, even though there was a talking cat. It's a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, the writing and certain aspects are appealing, but on the other hand, the lack of connection makes it a bit of a struggle.

Sabriel is truly an amazing and kick-ass character.

She doesn't waste time whinging or feeling sorry for herself. Instead, she takes action and gets things done.

If you have a passion for YA fiction, magic, and dystopian universes, then this book is an absolute must-read.

The story of Sabriel is filled with excitement, adventure, and mystery.

You'll be on the edge of your seat as you follow her journey through a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

So don't hesitate, give this book a try and discover the wonder of Sabriel for yourself!

The relief that I still like the story after 15 years is great. But otherwise, I would also have liked the rather unexcited style of a Garth Nix. Nowadays, fantasy always has to be bigger, better, scarier and more catastrophic. So, a well-thought-out world filled with exciting ideas and approaches is infinitely dearer to me. Characteristics are not hyped up and praised to the point of nausea, but simply applied.

I'm already looking forward to reading more in the BR in April :)

The Old Kingdom trilogy has been around for an astonishingly long time. Sabriel, first released in 1995, predates the YA fantasy boom of the mid-2000s. Yet, it has not lost its shine over the decades. After this refreshing reread, I feel the same way as I did as a teenager.

The plot of Sabriel is a classic "there and back again" quest. Sabriel, our brave hero, must overcome many obstacles as she travels across the Old Kingdom. Although the foundation is typical of the epic fantasy genre, the execution is excellent. There are no dull moments, with just enough time between action sequences for characterization and world-building. The story builds to an exciting climax that ties up all the major plot threads.
The world-building in Sabriel is also top-notch. The contrast between the magic-dominated Old Kingdom and the modernizing Ancelstierre is fascinating. Nix allows the reader to learn about the Old Kingdom through Sabriel's experiences as she searches for her father. Her journey takes us to significant locations and offers history lessons along the way.
Sabriel is a grounded and believable teenage heroine. She doesn't fit into any YA fantasy stereotypes and feels like a real person. Her naivete and ignorance make sense and are written believably. She develops and adapts throughout the story. The supporting cast is also solid, with Mogget the cat adding humor and Touchstone being a bit of a miss for me.
In conclusion, Sabriel and the original Old Kingdom books are always a great choice for a reread. The plot is a classic fantasy quest, the characters are well-developed, and the world-building is still fresh and interesting. I rate Sabriel 4.5/5.

You can read my original review on my book blog, or listen to the audio version on YouTube.

No, unfortunately, it couldn't be done.

I have no negative remarks about the book other than the fact that it failed to capture my interest. I suppose corpse and necromancy simply aren't to my taste.

I am also beginning to believe that I only enjoy fantasy that has a very light touch of magic and a very heavy emphasis on romance. Otherwise, it just goes beyond my comprehension.

Perhaps my preferences are quite specific, but that's the way I am. I need a certain balance in the stories I read to truly engage and lose myself in them. This particular book, with its focus on corpse and necromancy, just didn't hit the mark for me.

However, I do understand that different people have different interests, and what doesn't appeal to me might be someone else's favorite. That's the beauty of literature - there's something for everyone.