Rating: 
Summary: So-So
Review: I was anitcipating this book for a long while, and when I spotted it in the book store I snatched it up eagerly. It took my several days to finish it, which is odd because I can usually read a book of that size in a few hours.The reason it took me so long was because Garth Nix adopted the annoying habit of jumping between different characters too quickly. I would just be falling under the spell of the story when he would be off on another branch, and I would be left holding the book, thinking, "Well, this kind of [is bad]..." In another fifty pages or so, I would be able to resume reading where that particular branch left off, but by that time I would already have forgotten about it, or be uninterested in picking up where we left off. Plus, the trilogy, starting with 'Sabriel', has slowly lowered its reading level and toned down the richness of unique details that made Nix's stories differ from others. This book is written more in a tone for the audience of his past books, The Seventh Tower series (I believe that's what they're called), which was directed at third graders. 'Sabriel' is definitely more complex, as far as the wording goes, than 'Lirael' or 'Abhorson'. That's not to say that his books aren't enjoyable, they just don't have the same impact or resonance that they used to. His imagination is interesting, and if you have no trouble with the things I have pointed out, then you will most likely love this novel. However, if you don't like the sound of this book, I recommend 'Shade's Children'. It's a YA book, and one of his best so far.
Rating: 
Summary: powerful conclusion, but.......
Review: on my frequent trips to the book store, i had often considered buying 'sabriel' but never did until about a month ago. the minute i finished, i was back at the store to pick up 'lirael' and 'abhorsen'. all three of these books were exceptional, and though 'lirael' and 'abhorsen' gave the impression of being two sections of the same book, so smooth was the transition from one to the other, i must say 'abhorsen' was by far and wide the best.
if you want a synopsis of the plot, read the back of the book. why i am writing this is to tell you how much i strongly recommend this novel, especially for anyone who enjoys fantasy. people say this about books a lot, but i honestly felt that the characters were real. i cared what happened to them. i even cried at a few points (and trust me, ive read so much this does not often happen)and i was actually shocked at some points (ditto). the language was powerful and evocative, and this book concluded the trilogy excellently, it was everything the infamous "last book" in a series should be.
(on a more serious note:)
HOWEVER: there better be another one, because though this does not seem to be the case, there needs to be!!!!! i dislike cliffhangers and hints!!!! that is cruelty to us on the authors part and it is not very kind to be left wondering!!!! sorry, i had to get that out.
Rating:
Summary: Definately not a let-down
Review: If you finished Lirael and were dissapointed by the cliffahanger; fear not my friend, Abhorsen keeps feeding you the line to the last page. The fast-paced storyline and flow of events keeps you hooked for days. The story picks right up where the last left off-fast and furious.
Rating: 
Summary: near miss
Review: In Abhorsen, the third book in the masterful trilogy created by Garth Nix, there are many possibilities, but none are fully exploited by the author. It is hard to feel nervous trepidation when the main villian, Orannis, isn't in the least bit frightning or intimidating, which can't be more different from the main enemy in Sabriel. In that book, the creature Kerrigor there seems completely evil, with a purpose and a motive. In abhorsen, the villian appears only at the end, and after we're all tired of hearing how horrible he is. The formula is tried, and tired. Even some of the revealed "secrets" that weren't visable from miles away fail to satisfy the reader. But undoubtably, the biggest disappointment is the final battle with the Free Magic being Orannis. Anticlimactic. There is no excitement, nothing unexpected, or creative in the last several chapters. It turns out that all the significant characters from the previous two books are somehow linked correctly so that by blessing some insignificant sword they can somehow cut Orannis in half.
But the book starts out promising, misleading, however. The king Touchstone and his queen, sabriel, are killed in a stunning assassination attempt, and it seems that the story will be filled with the same, unexpected and sad occuring everywhere. Misconception. Half way through, it turns out that they are somehow alive, even though Nix said they were dead, and they help out. There is nothing more disappointing or annoying than when an author backtracks and covers his tracks with an impossible escape or victory, and it occurs here. Suprisingly, against all odds, the reader might wish they had stayed dead! Hard to believe but better than the alternative.
All the character magic is gone as well. In the first book, you had a young, adolescent girl strugging to piece her world back together. Also, you have the mysterious, disgraced touchstone, and thier awkward romance. In Lirael, you are introduced to a new, fascinating character, and realm. You meet Lirael, the failure. The one unable to See. She often becomes so depressed, that suicide seems the only way out. Then there's the prince Sameth, who's being forced to become the new Abhorsen against his will. He also struggles for answers, and ends up starting a journey to locate his misguided friend nick, encountering all the dangers that lie in wait. But here, in Abhorsen, you are introduced to the same characters, again. By this time, their troubles and grievences seem boorish and irrelevant - tired almost. Nothing new here.
On the whole, Nix has created the same thing as before, except with more disappointments and more temptation to put the book down. Readers who read Abhorsen first might find it facisating, but others, who have read Sabriel and Lirael will find it tiresome. An unsatisfactory ending to a great series.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome for all ages!
Review: This book is mythologically rich (if you know where to look) and riveting...it's still one of my all time favorites and will be no matter how I old I am.
For a story that has deep characters, heart-felt struggles, an element of [fear] and uplifting lessons for any child or adult dark at heart...this is the book!
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK
Review: I read too much, and over all the books I've read in my life, this one was second only to Return of the King (LOTR). I was rereading it recently and I realized how amazing the storyline was and how well-developed the characters were.
If you didn't like this book or any other books in this series, get a life. Abhorsen is a great, great read.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Sabriel and Lirael
Review: I was thinking of giving the book only 4 stars, simply because it just wasn't as good as its predecessors. But looking back on Abhorsen, and rating it objectively, I find that I did enjoy it immensly, and it does earn all 5 of the coveted stars. Abhorsen did have an entirely independent plot from both Sabriel and Lirael, but as the third book in this trilogy, I was hoping for more of a conlusion. The beginning and middle of the book built up to an ending that could have been spectacular. But something was lacking in the conclusion. It didn't draw the book together and tie all the loose ends. There was no finality to it. I turned the last page expecting to find more words, and was met with blank white paper. I was rather thrown off by the abrupt ending, and even now, am still speculating as to why the ending was so un-enlightening. Readers who enjoyed Sabriel and Lirael as much as I did will probably also enjoy Abhorsen, but be aware that it is not as fulfilling a read as Sabriel and Lirael. To comment on the writing, I have to say that the first few chapters sounded as if they were written by an amateur. I FELT LIKE I WAS READING A FANFIC. The words weren't gripping, the descriptions weren't colorful, and all in all, Nix sounded bored. The tone of the book did pick up, though, as the story progressed, and towards the end, matched the enigmatic energy of the two previous books. The book wasn't as put together as it could have been, and the story that finally unfolded near the end wasn't mindblowing. But I really liked this book nonetheless, and because it is the final book of a trilogy that I love, I recommend this to anyone who has read Sabriel and/or Lirael. But do read them in order, it makes a big difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: Prince Sameth still bugs me, but this is a good book. It starts right from where Lirael left off and covers only a short period of time. I still want to know more!
Not a stand alone book, you need to have read Lirael to understand this one, and you should read Sabriel too.
Out of the three, Lirael is my favorite. I love that library.
Rating:
Summary: beautiful
Review: beautifully crafted although not the best book in the trilogy it brought tears to my eyes when i finished it. i would recomend this book to everyone. it has a little bit of everything. i luvv it
Rating:
Summary: Satisfying
Review: Garth Nix has delivered with the final (or perhaps not) novel in 'The Old Kingdom' trilogy. Somwhat shocking scenes coupled with an intricate plot that somehow manages to get away with only half answering all those questions that 'Sabriel,' and 'Lirael' left us with. For example, who is the Disreputable Dog? (I must say I had my suspicians, and they were confirmed) What role does Mogget play? Sam, a Wallmaker? These are just some of the niggling and often frustration questions that we all bought the book to answer. And answer it does. The reader is left gaping and shouting 'More!' at the top of their lungs, while making connections that have otherwise remained unconnected. Sorry if I sound mysterious, but to spoil the plot would be denying you a real treat. Although Nix does not delve as deeply into the minds of the characters, (It is almost a reverse from 'Lirael,' when the characters were so introspective that you thought they'd get nothing done!) the rich plot and curious revelations more than make up for that. The "last stand" is simply magnificent, although I must admit that I expected more. (I'm thinking somehow calling ALL of the Abhorsen's from death and doing a collosal bell-ringing to deal with the army of dead that Hedge may or may not suceed in raising? Maybe that's just my overactive imagination.) Trying not to give too much away, sorry! If you're looking for clues, this is the wrong review. I will say, however, that this book holds up the reputation preceding it, and does a bang-up job. The Charter magic only accenuates the tapestry of detail that Nix presents. Well worth the effort. Beg, borrow or steal to get this book. And if you don't like it, well, at least it took your mind off the next Harry Potter for a few hours!
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