Game of Thrones fans will love the New York Times bestselling Abhorsen series. Sabriel, the first installment in the trilogy, launched critically acclaimed author Garth Nix onto the fantasy scene as a rising star.
Dark Secrets, Deep Love, and Dangerous Magic
Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the … young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old Kingdom to find him. She soon finds companions in Mogget, a cat whose aloof manner barely conceals its malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories.
As the three travel deep into the Old Kingdom, threats mount on all sides. And every step brings them closer to a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death—and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own destiny.
“Sabriel is a winner, a fantasy that reads like realism. Here is a world with the same solidity and four-dimensional authority as our own, created with invention, clarity and intelligence.” —Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy
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Most original YA in years. Glorious prose, intense world building, strong characters.
I’ve read Sabriel countless times. Coming back to this novel and series is like seeing a good friend for the first time in a long time. The lead is a strong female role model in every sense of the word – and the magic and world building of Sabriel is top notch. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a talking cat!
This is one of my favorite young adult novels (also great for adults too). Anyone who likes YA or fantasy should read this book.
This book is very effective in it’s development of characters. It is magical, and a page turner. Although it has a difficult ending, you know this is a series of books so hopefully there is resolution. I am a senior citizen and I very much enjoyed reading this book on a long bus ride. I recommend this book for teens through adulthood.
A fascinating tale of the Abhorsen and his daughter, Sabriel and their quest to protect their home country from the dark magics outside the boundaries set by them.