Almost want to go easy on this because it's targeted at a younger demographic. However, there are better books than Sabriel for that target audience which also have some appeal to older readers. I'm fairly sure that at no younger age would I have enjoyed such lifeless characters. I could handle stereotypical, two-dimensional caricatures, but the protagonist, her cohorts, and those she engaged with barely met the criteria for that description, with one exception.

A young woman is on a quest to find her dad, who she feared is dead. I say feared, but it wasn't conveyed convincingly enough to justify the usage of the word. The lack of imminent peril didn't help, nor did the little time spent establishing a relationship between the two. This is especially true when it's established fairly early on how absentee the father is. I don't know why she cared. I certainly didn't.

There are things to appreciate in this story, like the magic system. But it was like watching someone play Mario Kart and seeing them constantly going off course. Nix may have had fun, but I just wanted someone to play 'properly'. It seems that while the book has some interesting elements, the overall execution left much to be desired.

When an otherworldly visitor reveals to Sabriel that her father has been ensnared in the world of the dead, she is left with no alternative but to abandon her student life in Ancelstierre and embark on a perilous adventure into the Old Kingdom to rescue him.

In her father's absence, she must assume the role of Abhorsen, a necromancer entrusted with ensuring that the dead remain deceased.

Although she doubts her own capabilities, Sabriel undertakes the journey, accompanied only by a mysterious talking cat named Mogget and a re-awakened amnesiac guardsman, Touchstone.

Garth Nix is currently my favorite YA fantasy author, and one of my all-time favorites. Sabriel catapulted him to popularity and respect among genre fans, and I understand why.

It is a brilliant, fast-paced book that is simply impossible to put down. This holds great significance coming from someone like me, with an average attention span of 20 pages or less. It features a solid plot, realistic characters, and a unique world constructed so seamlessly that it is completely believable.

Garth Nix is a masterful world builder. He lays the groundwork for a brand-new world and allows the "fantastic" details to seep in not through long-winded info-dumps but by neatly weaving them into the narrative, so you scarcely notice what he is doing. The world and magic of the Old Kingdom are unlike many magic systems I have encountered, and it is impressive how he never spends more than two pages explaining things. Of course, this means that some aspects are left unexplored, but since there are two more books in the series, there is still time to delve into them.

His characters are also among the most human I have ever come across. Sabriel and Touchstone are competent as the heroine and hero, yet flawed enough to be interesting without ever descending into the "emo" or whiny and melodramatic traps that adolescent characters often fall into in this genre. Despite the strangeness of the world they inhabit, the characters are as real as can be, and the relationship between Sabriel and Touchstone develops with taste and subtlety.

Most notably, Sabriel is depicted as a normal girl with ordinary concerns, rather than either a weeping, confused damsel or an overly masculinized warrior woman. Additionally, she does not become a spineless, sex-obsessed weakling when faced with a boy, despite having the typical anxieties and feelings in that regard. She proves to be a quick-witted heroine, and Garth Nix does not undermine her character but instead places her in some truly amazing, heart-stopping conflicts.

As a final point, although this is the first book of a trilogy, it stands alone as a solid story, so you can pick it up without any concerns about whether you should complete the series or not.

I have read a plethora of fantasy books, and I can assert with absolute certainty that Sabriel is one of those stories that truly stands out. It is an extremely unique, interesting, and complex narrative. Just like many other fantasy books, it requires a bit of time to fully understand the unfolding events and truly immerse oneself in the story. However, once that moment arrives, you will most likely take a deep breath, plunge in, and be reluctant to emerge until the very end.

Sabriel is a young girl, yet she has the heart and mind of an adult. A strong female character like her is truly a gem! She is neither annoying nor dense, and she comprehends the significance of having responsibility. This book boasts excellent characterization. Touchstone, Maggot, and all the other characters are very unique, interesting, and memorable. The magic system is simply outstanding! If you have a penchant for Necromancy, then you must read this.

Is this a romantic book? Not really. It is a highly intense fantasy book, and romance is not a primary element. However, is there a very beautiful love hidden within the pages? Hell yeah! It's a grown-up kind of love!

In my opinion, this is a dark fantasy. Certain parts completely took my breath away. You just have to envision and place yourself in Sabriel's shoes, and you will successfully terrify yourself. I truly enjoyed reading this book. I may not remember all the details after a long time, but this book is unique enough that I will never confuse it with something else. I just need a few hints to recall it all.

Are you in search of an intense, rich, and fascinating fantasy book? Then give this one a try.