"An epic tale with magic, mystery, love and everything in between that people of all ages can appreciate." 5 Stars
Pros: An interesting mix between the two worlds of the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre/The character Mogget (a sarcastic, talking cat is just a plus in any book) and Sabriel's vulnerability; even though she's inherited her Father's title, it's a heavy burden and she's still just a young girl. Her struggle is understandable and the reader feels for her.
Cons: The mystery behind certain things, such as the creating of the Charter, but that's obviously to keep the reader interested and wanting to continue with the series, though it can be frustrating when not all the pieces of the puzzle fit together/The antagonist, Kerrigor. It would have been nice to have seen him in human form and not just as a malevolent beast, to understand that he once had some small shred of humanity.
Full Review:
Sabriel is in her last year of boarding school at Wyverly College in Ancelstierre. Her Father, a powerful mage called the Abhorsen, who is a Necromancer (someone who can control the dead, bring the dead back to life and even travel into the land of death itself) comes and visits her often. But when he fails to show up one night and the school is attacked by a shadow monster, Sabriel knows that something must be wrong.
This starts an adventure where Sabriel must travel to the Wall, an ancient structure that separates the more modern, Ancelstierre from the Old Kingdom; a land that was once ruled by Royalty but has fallen into ruin. The rules are different in the Old Kingdom, magic has no bounds and it is dangerous and full of the dead.
But when Sabriel first entered the land of the dead to try and discover where her Father is, she meets a messenger and it gives her, her Father's sword and his bandolier of bells. Seven bells that are magic in and of themselves and have the power to control the living and the dead alike. Some are more powerful than others and they all must be used sparingly. After receiving these from the messenger, Sabriel knows that something terrible has happened. So, determined, she crosses the wall and begins her quest to discover what exactly happened to her Father and how, or if, she can make it right.
There are only a handful of main characters so it's easy to remember and feel for them all. Sabriel is the Protagonist and she is courageous but also young, fighting hard to do what she thinks her Father would want her to do and also to do what is right. She was sheltered from the world of the Old Kingdom on purpose, by her Father, because he didn't want her to struggle with the same kinds of difficulties that he has had to face as the Abhorsen. Since he is currently MIA, the title is now thrust upon Sabriel and she grudgingly accepts it, though she is very often out of her league and overwhelmed. But she doesn't cower or cry, she simply accepts things as they are and does her best to keep going forward and that's why, to me, she was a very likable character. She takes things as they come and does her best, she doesn't except anyone to help her and she doesn't hide behind other people when things get difficult.
The character of Touchstone, whom Sabriel rescues from having been trapped in the land of the dead and ends up being a far more important person in the Old Kingdom then he at first lets on, is easy to like as well. He's noble, chivalrous, polite and loyal and though his servile nature, at first, irritates Sabriel, they eventually form a friendship. We learn more about who Touchstone really was before he was trapped in death and his story helps shed some light on who the main antagonist, Kerrigor was. He's an important part of the puzzle and he forms a deep affection for Sabriel but also a strong partnership where they both supply knowledge, power etc.
Mogget, a creature of free magic that is bound by a red leather collar with a miniature version of one of Sabriel's bells attached to it, was by far my favorite character. He has been in service to the Abhorsen, which is a hereditary title passed down through generations, for eons. When we first meet him, it's in the form of a small, white cat. Events lead to him convincing Sabriel to remove the collar and let him use his true form at one point and things get very hairy, very quickly. But, deep down, he seems loyal to Sabriel, indebted to the Abhorsen perhaps and wanting to pay his dues but also having a small sliver of affection for his "captor." We don't know what he did to have become the Abhorsen's "prisoner" but hopefully that will be explained in the later books.
The ending was kind of predictable but at the same time it left off at a good stopping point. If the reader wants to know what happens with Sabriel and Touchstone, they can continue the series, but if they don't, Nix doesn't make it feel forced. The reader doesn't feel obligated to pick up the next book if they don't want to. It can act as a stand alone novel. Since I always like to see things through though, I will be getting my hands on a copy of the next book ASAP.
I would recommend this book to anyone who finds magic interesting, the way the Charters spells work, that they have to be drawn in the air by hand and words spoken aloud were reminiscent of "Doctor Strange." And to anyone who likes a good adventure story, an interesting mix of the old and the new and characters that are both sympathetic but strong. I remember being curious about this book ever since I saw it on a friend's bookshelf many, many years ago. And I'm glad that I finally got around to picking it up.
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