By Garth Nix
5 stars
Sabriel is a wonderful fantasy book by Garth Nix that introduces readers to the world of two neighbouring countries separated by a wall. North is the Old Kingdom, a country of magic, both free and of the Charter. To the South lies Ancelstierre, a country with no magic... usually. Sabriel, the Abhorsen in waiting, must use her knowledge of both countries to vanquish a certain troublesome... someone, while her father is unavailable, so to speak.
I personally loved this story for many reasons. For one, its complexity is at just the right level. Comprehensible but not predictable, it includes just the right amount of confusion thanks to Mogget and a "fool". They both know what they're talking about, but you'll have hard luck deciphering their choking words. Some might find this annoying, but I loved being able to feel like the main character (even if that meant being confused).
Another reason for which this book deserves no less than five stars is the characters themselves. The Sendings with their helpful nature and the "fool" who is determined to serve will both present comic relief to the reader. Sabriel herself is a determined daughter who I feel is very curious as a person, especially given her mysterious background. Mogget, however, is, I think, the true masterpiece of all the characters. No one knows his exact nature, or rather, it's been forgotten, and his willfulness and trickery is extraordinarily well imagined. In fact, I wonder where Nix got the inspiration for such a creature.
In conclusion, Sabriel is a great read that will satisfy many interests. These range from necromancy to prophecies and even, to some degree, cats!
Reviewed by Uliana
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