Abhorsen - Garth Nix

Advantages: Excellent, fast-moving plot, rich mythology, likeable characters
Disadvantages: Deals with some mature themes, Nix's characterisation can be flat at times

Abhorsen - Garth Nix Abhorsen is billed as the third part of Garth Nix's acclaimed fantasy trilogy set in the Old Kingdom. It has become one of my favourite books, and I intend to take a critical look at it in this review. Below, you can find the following sections: Introduction Plot Writing Style Characterisation Concepts Audience Prices and Product Information Summary This review will have spoilers for both Abhorsen and Lirael. - Introduction ...
...an affinity with it. The Abhorsen is the title given to these people, who are charged with the duty to keep the living safe from the malevolent Dead. This is one of the brilliant concepts of the book, and watching the main character journey into Death - which is divided into nine precincts, each with their own qualities and dangers - is one of the highlights of the book. The Abhorsen uses seven bells, each with a differing purpose, to control the ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant end to the trilogy!
Disadvantages: It ends the trilogy!

Abhorsen starts off with Lirael newly coming into her inheritence of being the Abhorsen in waiting. With her companions Prince Sameth, Mogget, and the Disreputable Dog Lirael must set out on a journey that will test her strenghs to the extreme. An evil is stirring and Lirael knows that the fate of the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre, even the whole world are at her hands. With the vision from her old home with the Clair to follow Lirael only hopes that ...
...most needs to be: the Abhorsen and to stop the evil before all hope is lost. After reading Sabriel and Lirael i was eagerly awaiting the release of Abhorsen, and i was not in any way disappointed! At first i feared that like many trilogys being the last Abhorsen would never be as good as the first, but i was wrong. Abhorsen is a brilliant ending to the trilogy and my only bad point about this book is that it ends the series hence ending the dream ... Read review

Advantages: All your questions are answered!
Disadvantages: Its the last one of the trilogy

...read Sabriel and Lirael. Abhorsen is the concluding book in the Clayr trilogy, and you need to have read at least Lirael beforehand, as it begins mid story. This book continues following Lirael, and Sam on their quest to save Nick, and stop the dead and free magic creatures that are using him to rise and destroy the world. It is now that the characters find out who they truly are, and their places in the world. Sam has the relief that he was never ...
...death itself. Abhorsen ties up all of the loose ends and nagging questions that have been with us since Sabriel – Who created the charter? What is Moggett – is he good or bad? What is the mystery behind the elusive Disreputable Dog? You are left feeling that everything is finished, but also that it is just a part of the cycle of life in the Old Kingdom. By the end, this world is real, and you know it will continue after you put your book away. This ... Read review

Advantages: very good book must read
Disadvantages: nothing

this is the best book i ave ever read apart from maybe the other 2 in the trilogy . any 1 keen on fanasty books . must read please i do u dont now wat u are missing . 1 ave read this book 15 already and im still not gettin bored i can't stress how good a book it is. and alsotry and fall the keys to the kindom books i really enjoy readin this . well this book is the closing sequel of the trilogy it finishs them off easly garth nix it is very talented ... Read review

Advantages: good adventure book
Disadvantages: i wasnt really that interested

...This is the first book in a trilogy by Garth Nix, Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. I have only read this one. It was recommended to me by my sister, who loved it and thought it was amazing. I read it, but I wasn't that interested. It had some good ideas and plots, but I thought that it rambles too much and is really confusing. Its about this girl called Sabriel who has these bells which help her to enter into the realm of death and bring back people. Her father is Abhorsen, a great sorceror who is very powerful. Sabriel goes on a journey to help save her father from death. She has a cat called Moggart, who is actually a spirit chained up - hes really cool. Overall I would say it is a good book, and everyone else I know who has read it really likes it, so maybe it is just me. But if, like me, you do not like confusing language when you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Easy read and captivating
Disadvantages: Someone's bound not to like it, however much I do

...is almost unheard of at the age of 14. To try and escape from the feeling of being an outcast, she gets work in the library and finds herself a friend in The Disreputable Dog. On her 19th birthday, still without Sight, she finds some items in a lost room which lead her to the destiny she was really born for. With just a vision from the Clayr and The Disreputable Dog as a companion, she leaves the Clayr glacier to try and save the kingdom from the evil free magic that threatens it. ****** As it turned out, I needn't have worried about reading Lirael first, as it is set a whole generation after Sabriel. Also, Garth Nix doesn't assume that the reader knows what has previously happened in Sabriel and enough information is given for you to know what is going on. I was able to understand what an Abhorsen was, even though this book is more about... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some good characters and hint of better to come in rest of series!
Disadvantages: Clunky plot and dialogue, boring.

...of Sorcery and after 130 pages I can already see a marked improvement in characterization, dialogue and story development as well as a few more action packed scenes. I have asked Ciao to add the second book and will review it properly once I have finished. In conclusion I would say this book is only for die hard fantasy fans who are willing to sacrifice good writing for another helping of magic and mystery. If you don't normally read the genre and have had your interest piqued by the recent revival caused by the Lord of the Rings films and the Harry Potter books then this book is not a good introduction. If you liked Harry Potter and want more (and better) writing then a brilliant author is Diana Wynne Jones who writes for children, young adults and adults too. Most of her books appeal to a wide range of ages. Also give Garth Nix a try, his... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful