Abhorsen

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book!
Review: This storyline is very engrossing and the ending of the Abhorsen Trilogy is very moving. Nix has created an outstanding new world of possibilities and this series should attrack any fan of the fantasy genre. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Another brilliant series by Garth Nix
Review: I read Sabriel in a weeks time...

I read Lireal in three days...

I read Abhorsen in two days...

Nix's books always do this to me. His style is hard to ignore, and his creativity, unsurpassed- at least that's what I think.
His latest book was no different. With its heart-pumping action, and a great sense of imagry and plot. This book is easily one of my favourites. Garth Nix never fails to go beyond my expectations when writing his final books -though he's only written two so far-. This MUST-READ cliff-hanger is too good to be literature.

Rating:
Summary: Predictable? I don't think so!
Review: In at least ten customer reviews of 'Lirael', which Abhorsen is the sequel to, readers complained that the series was "predictable". Well now, aren't all you predicters out there just the TINIEST bit embarassed that at the end of Abhorsen Lirael is STILL SINGLE and is NOT together with Nick, and does not look to be in the near future? I would just like to say that Garth Nix is hardly ever predictable, and I predict that anyone who goes overboard with their predicting is going to be predictably proven wrong. So there.

And by the way, this book is excellent! Buy it now!

Rating:
Summary: You had to get this one if you read the previous one
Review: OK, Nix left you on the cliff with the previous book, so you had to get this one. It doesn't matter if you like it or not. You're going to have to read it. The only way to not read it is to not read Lirael.

Now there are some good points here. The character development is improving. You start to have a feel for them all, know where they stand. You get to meet the Gods of this world & a lot of it is very poetic. The names of the Gods are graceful. The land of the dead is captivating as well as suspenseful. The familiar animals, Mogget & the Disreputable Dog, are a nice sort of comic relief.

Unfortunately, the fields of destruction and death are pretty overwhelming. And, once again, the main characters can't turn around or take a breath without coming face to face with a zombie, in true video game like quality. I find this constant attack, attack, attack pretty dismal after a while.

And, of course (though this may be a spoiler) much like Sabriel, the ending is very abrupt. I would have liked to linger longer and savor some of it, but no. It's just over.

Speaking of spoilers, the editorial review reveals the name and identity of the secret bad guy who isn't revealed until near the end of the book. How dare they! A lot of this book is about mystery about who is being fought & what the enemy wants. These guys need about 1000 lashes with a wet noodle.