Sabriel

Rating:
Summary: Sabriel
Review: 18 year-old Sabriel was raised in Ancelstierre and her dad, a necromancer, only came to see her during the holidays. It was during these rare visits that Sabriel read parts from The Book of the Dead, which is like a necromancer's Bible. However, Sabriel is not ready to become the Abhorsen and fight a Dead so great she never could have imagined actually existed. But when her Father is trapped in Death, she has no other choice if she is to save him from passing through the Ninth and final Gate of Death. By taking the necromancer's bells and her Father's sword, Sabriel is in for an exciting and dangerous adventure.

Since the book "Sabriel" takes place in this new world, it is a bit hard to understand the concept of Death and Charter Magic. However, Garth Nix pulls it off beautifully and explains these things without making the story boring and adding too much description. "Sabriel" is, in my opinion, an excellent book for fantasy lovers. Though it could be a bit dark at times, this just creates a scarier atmosphere. This is great book that might make you shiver in fright or disgust at times, but always keeps you coming back for more.

Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Read, a definate page turner.
Review: Sabriel is about a young woman that must battle the creatures of the dead and necromancers, all because of the death of her father. Now she is the Abhorsen, destined to live in battle all her life. She enters this world unknowinly, compared to her successors before her, learning of the house of the Abhorsen, of Mogget, and of the mysterious shadow known as Kerrigor. With Mogget, a free magic spirit imprsoned in the body of a cat to serve the Abhorsen generations, Sabriel must defeat what the last few Abhorsens could not. How will she accomplish this, bringing back the Old Kingdom at the same time?
With her talent, Sabriel shall rise to capture even the attention of even those who read little. Garth Nix has truely accomplished a majestic work of art. I reccoment this to all ages, whether child or adult or inbetween, this is one book to definately read. I have loved this book since I began reading it, many years ago and it has become an absolute favorite, right next to LOTR and In the Forests of the Night. As the first in the Abhorsen trilogy, it's a must read.

Rating:
Summary: A truly amazing book!
Review: This book i have read atleast 10 times over and over that my own copy is showing the gerenerous look of love. It is truly an amazing adventure from start to finish. Leaving you wanting more and more. I couldn't put it down the first time i read it, and since then i have suggested it to almost anyone who is looking for a great book. A Tolkien lover through and through I hold a special place in my heart for Sabriel. If you read any good fantasy book besides the Lord of the Rings it should be this. I promise, it will be hard for you to be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: An old favorite
Review: *laughs* I got into this book because of the cover. Seriously. The artist was the same as drew the cover to another of my favorite books, Wise Child, and the name intrigued me. So, I asked for it for Christmas my 7th grade year... and it's been one of my favorites ever since!

I've re-read Sabriel... oh, 3 or 4 times now and forced my friends to read it as well. Most liked it though a few found it too 'dark'. And for good reason. Sabriel is about Death, and the people who work in and with it, the necromancers. People die, dead things come to life, and blood is cruelly spilled.

All of this is made tangible through the beautifully wroght descriptions and characterizations, and all the fantastical elements are handled with such a normalcy that it is easy at times to believe there is a strange, magical kingdom to the north... where I would go in an instant if I could. Overall, it's one of the best written novels I've read in a long while, particuarly of this genre, and here I am a college student and still loving this book as much as I did the first time I read it, during classes even I was so enthralled. *guilty grin*

Read Sabriel. You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly believable for a fictional story
Review: When I read this story I nearly cried. With her fathers ultimate sacrifice and the hardships Sabriel went through. I loved Mogget. He added alot to the story with his sarcastic humor and surprising actions. Sabriel was a very good character. Seemingly a regular teenager, well as normal as you can be as a charter mage in a city of magic and mystery, when her life takes an unexpected turn when finding her father becomes a journey of a lifetime that turns her into a responsible adult with the most important duty in the Old Kingdom. I loved this story. Email me if you did too!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Insight from a fan
Review: Don't you think that it is amazing that a school girl can change into an internationaly known hero? That is just one of the cool things about this book! SABRIEL ROCKS!

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This book was amazing. The reason I only gave it four was because it took a while to fully understand the book. A little confusing at the begining but then it all falls itto place. Great book,I would recommend this to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A fresh look at high fantasy and adventure
Review: There are many strengths in this novel that make it such a good read; foremost of these is Garth Nix's creativity. The division between Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom is a fresh treatment of the modern world-fantasy world schism, often hackneyed and overused in many other novels. Nix also uses many other elements of high fantasy in a new way, such as necromancy and arising from the dead. I'm fairly sure that Nix invented the description of the seven bells, and this is one of the best usages of magical items I've seen in fantasy literature. The description of the gates and regions of death is also quite original and clear to understand.

There are only two flaws in the book, both not serious enough to prompt a downgrading to four stars. (If there was a possible 4.5 stars, I would probably opt for that option). Firstly, the characterization of Sabriel, while complete, did not evoke a complete sympathy in me. This made it difficult, at times, to understand why she was so pressured or why her own quest was so important. Secondly, while the description of the necromancer's bells was clear, I found myself having to keep referring back to the descriptions (incidentally, I've memorized that the description of the bells start on page 80 of my version).

However, all in all, Nix has written an excellent first novel. While it does have dark undertones and revolves mostly around necromancy, the dead, and a bit of resurrection, I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to read a bit of original and different high fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: Could not put it down
Review: I loved this book! I have not finished a book in a long time, but when I picked this one up and started reading it, I just could not put it down. I love the action and the suspense of
the whole story. I was just totally enthralled with the magic, the twist and turns, and the wonderful characters.

Rating:
Summary: Sabriel
Review: Not bad. Garth Nix has managed to create a world that is very different from any I have seen. (quite a feat, for I am an avid fantasy reader) It is a worthwhile read, but not worth re-reading.

Unlike many, I did not find the lack of description confusing at all. If you really think, and aren't watching television as you read, it makes a lot of sense. Like many readers, however, I find the love between Touchstone and Sabriel a little forced, but I've read stranger.

There are some very well-thought-out ideas in here, such as the bells and their different purposes and the nine gateways through Death.

While some books of this type are good for kids of all ages, this one is not. There is some (ahem) "adult material" such as describing bust sizes and nudity, and anyone who is under twelve might not be mature enough to take it.

A good read.