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Editorial Review:
This may be the first book of yet another "cross-over" fantasy trilogy--theoretically equally appealing to both children and adult readers--but thankfully Sabriel has enough verve and panache about it to reach just such a wide readership and to ensure that author Garth Nix has created a bandwagon all of his own. Constantly rich and meaty, the story is intriguing from the off. Page by page the tension builds and draws you into a highly imaginative landscape that has familiarity and originality in equal measures.
Sabriel attends Wyverley Girls College in Ancelstierre (Nix's version of normal) and has recently graduated with runaway firsts in every subject. But her particular school has certain extra-curricular activities, like the learning of Magic, because of its proximity to the Wall which marks Ancelstierre's border with the Old Kingdom. Over the wall, life is very different and the use of magic is commonplace. Then, on the edge of death, Sabriel's father, Abhorson, sends her a cryptic message that means she must venture into the Old Kingdom and calm the storm that is brewing there, and which will surely multiply at her father's passing. Refusing to accept his fate, Sabriel inherits the tools of her father's trade and his name. Her new duty is to lay the disturbed dead back to rest with the help of seven powerful bells worn across the chest. Sabriel seeks her father's slayer in a mammoth journey that is hindered by dark magic, monsters-a-plenty and shadowy unsubstantial evils.
The narrative builds into a luxurious tale of good versus evil, with a re-assuringly likeable central character to take us through it all. Nix's writing is solid and well-planned, his prose convincing and rounded. Make a note to look up the sequels Lirael and Abhorsen in due course--they're unlikely to disappoint. (Ages 10 and over)--John McLay
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Excellent Traditional Fantasy with a Difference I came across this book later in its history, as a fantasy & science fiction fan of some 30 years. Favourite books being Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Dune etc. Sabriel isn't really like those books at all and not just `cause it's (allegedly) written for young teenagers. It's different due to its more downbeat and sombre tone and the feeling that the evil forces might actually win. It does remind me a little of C.J. Cherryh's "Chronicles of Morgaine" in that it has a totally believable &... more info
Not enough depth for adults I agree about the severe lack of character development. The story is OK, but it lacks the depth of Pullman and Rowling. It was OK and a pleasant enough read, but I wasn't able to engage with it enough in order to want to read the sequels.
A MUST read This trilogy can be summed up in one word: unforgettable. I finished the trilogy a couple of months ago and was both exhilarated and upset (as there were no more books in the series). If you love to read you should definately get this book, along with all the others in the trilogy (Lirael,Abhorsen). Im personally not particular fan of science- fiction novels but these books really are something else- in a world of their own. I couldn't put it down so I really cannot understand why some have rated it 3* or... more info
Courtesy of Teens Read Too The first thing that hit me when I finished reading this book was that I should have read it much sooner. I'd been meaning to read it for the past six or seven years but never quite getting around to it--and that was a mistake. In SABRIEL, Garth Nix introduces the reader to a compelling fantasy world that comes alive through the actions of the title character and others. The Old Kingdom is a place of magic, both Charter magic, wielded by those with some connection to the ancient Charter that bound... more info
