Sabriel

Sabriel is an incredible read showcasing Nix's ability to weave a fantasy tale so well that you are left breathless when it comes to an end.

I am beyond happy that I agreed to the buddy read with my sister (even if illness meant my schedule was off) because now I understand that love for the Old Kingdom. I had high expectations going into it but with little knowledge of the stories themselves which made reading Sabriel all the more enjoyable.

The concept of being a Master of Death isn't a new one in the fantasy world but I haven't encountered someone such as the Abhorsen before and I found myself increasingly fascinated by the Charter magic and the power it has and the almost Old Religion feel behind its importance to those who live on the living side of the Wall. I know I definitely want to know more about both it and why its reverence and importance has weaned over the years.

Sabriel herself is fascinating and I liked (although I bet she doesn't) that her father has failed to teach her everything she needs to know to replace him as the Abhorsen. It makes her more human and relatable when she is faced with trusting those she has only known for a short while - instinct alone isn't enough for their and the world's survival. The subtle reminders that she is indeed young such as her thinking of her school help to also remind us that she is fragile and relatively naive without making it seem farsicle that she would endeavour to save he father from Death.

Love is often shown as a powerful magic whether it be in Tolkien or contemporary fantasy novels. Nix's characters show love and affection in such gentle and often carefree ways that it too whilst important doesn’t detract from the main tale of the survival of the living over the dead. The love for a parent is strong, and it’s perfectly expressed throughout the book that despite their distance, Sabriel wants her father not only for herself but for what he represents.

I'm going to have to rescue book two from my tbr soon because I think Nix just got himself a new fan.

First time reading (early 2000s): 2/5
I was in elementary school when I first read this (or more accurately, tried to read this). I didn't like it as much as was extremely bored by it. I really want to try to read this again one day because the series actually sounds very enticing to me right now.

Seond time reading (09/17/2011): 3/5
I really enjoyed Sabriel. The magic was just so intriguing. I loved the magic. The bells and the swords. I loved it all. Plus, the fantasy world was something I found myself to be completely absorbed by. However, the characters did not live up to the setting.

Sabriel is a girl with little to no personality. She's just like a puppet, dragged along by fate. Another statistic in the line of Abhorsens. Although she has great power, we don't know what she likes to do in her spare time, how she likes to dress, or anything. It's like her being an Abhorsen is all that define her. Maybe that's what Nix was trying to get at but I didn't like it. To be honest, Mogget was the only interesting character. I really wish there was more reveale about him because I really did not understand his background at all, even at the end of the book.

Also, Sabriel's relationship with her father should have been portrayed more in depth. We know the bond is there but Nix should have given something about their relationship that really made us feel for Sabriel. While I was reading all I thought was, "Oh, Sabriel's father is in Death. That's sad I guess." Her relationship with Touchstone wasn't as interesting either. It felt force. Like there was some sort of formula for a good book that required romance. I didn't feel it.

It was a good book but it could have been better. It was just too impersonal for me. Still, it's a great fantasy world.