pinkrose89's review against another edition
3.0
Much like Abhorsen, this book was way too short. I finished the book desperately needing more, although I very much enjoyed what I did read.
francis_deer's review against another edition
4.0
Unfortunately, I had picked up clues to Clariel's identity by fannish osmosis so I came spoiled to this book. Now I don't normally mind spoilers, but in this case, would have liked to know if it would have changed my connection to the main character. As it was, I was always wary of what would come next.
Even though, I came to like Clariel more than I expected. In some ways, she has a lot in common with Lirael or Sameth: She has a dream she pursues against all the odd, i.e. becoming a Borderer in the Great Forest. Of course, Lirael's dream of gaining the Sight is exchanged against a new path that is a better match for her. Sameth, on the other hand, does not have to follow a path that is wrong for him but ultimately gains the chance to become a wall-maker, an inventor and a builder of things. Clariel does not get such a happy fate.
I found it interesting that her downfall was not so much caused by her own actions, but by various other people shirking their duties or making unwise decisions. Clariel is not that easy to love - she comes across as quite distant - but at least she tries to act and her actions are not self-serving. She also has a sense of duty; if not she would have run away from home a long time ago. So yes, I came to like her a lot and enjoyed the wistful ending of the novel.
There was one decision in the book that I did not understand:
"Clariel" is mostly written from Clariel's PoV, and I wish that (with the exception of the prologue) we had stayed fully in her mind and not switched away from her viewpoint. E.g. when Clariel's mother is murdered, we see this scene outside Clariel's PoV; Clariel is no longer even in the room. Later, however, there is speculation on the question if Clariel's mother is alive or dead and this topic pops up repeatedly with Clariel always stating that she's sure her mother is dead. Which always rubbed me the wrong way, because how could she be that certain?
Personally, I think the story would have been more powerful and clear if the author had chosen one of two options:
a) Clariel is not present when her mother is killed. She wonders if she's alive, and one of her later motivations is that she wants to find her mother and rescue her.
b) Clariel witnesses her mother's death and plans revenge.
Apart from that, there was a lot I enjoyed:
- Having an asexual main character for once.
- Looking back 600 years into the past of the Old Kingdom and seeing all the differences
- The idea that not all Abhorsens want to do the job, but may be scared of death, never mind their bloodline
- All the tiny details that connect us to the world we know, e.g. the Redwood table in the Abhorsen's house
- Mogget: I loved his shady part in this book. :-)
Even though, I came to like Clariel more than I expected. In some ways, she has a lot in common with Lirael or Sameth: She has a dream she pursues against all the odd, i.e. becoming a Borderer in the Great Forest. Of course, Lirael's dream of gaining the Sight is exchanged against a new path that is a better match for her. Sameth, on the other hand, does not have to follow a path that is wrong for him but ultimately gains the chance to become a wall-maker, an inventor and a builder of things. Clariel does not get such a happy fate.
I found it interesting that her downfall was not so much caused by her own actions, but by various other people shirking their duties or making unwise decisions. Clariel is not that easy to love - she comes across as quite distant - but at least she tries to act and her actions are not self-serving. She also has a sense of duty; if not she would have run away from home a long time ago. So yes, I came to like her a lot and enjoyed the wistful ending of the novel.
There was one decision in the book that I did not understand:
"Clariel" is mostly written from Clariel's PoV, and I wish that (with the exception of the prologue) we had stayed fully in her mind and not switched away from her viewpoint. E.g. when Clariel's mother is murdered, we see this scene outside Clariel's PoV; Clariel is no longer even in the room. Later, however, there is speculation on the question if Clariel's mother is alive or dead and this topic pops up repeatedly with Clariel always stating that she's sure her mother is dead. Which always rubbed me the wrong way, because how could she be that certain?
Personally, I think the story would have been more powerful and clear if the author had chosen one of two options:
a) Clariel is not present when her mother is killed. She wonders if she's alive, and one of her later motivations is that she wants to find her mother and rescue her.
b) Clariel witnesses her mother's death and plans revenge.
Apart from that, there was a lot I enjoyed:
- Having an asexual main character for once.
- Looking back 600 years into the past of the Old Kingdom and seeing all the differences
- The idea that not all Abhorsens want to do the job, but may be scared of death, never mind their bloodline
- All the tiny details that connect us to the world we know, e.g. the Redwood table in the Abhorsen's house
- Mogget: I loved his shady part in this book. :-)
random_ben's review against another edition
Up there with the classics (sabrielnand Lirael ). Preferred to sabriel even. Loved that it had my main man Mogget in it.
elys3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ohmage_resistance's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Death of parent, and Murder
Common aphobic talking points are mentioned several times throughout the book, but none are really addressed as being false or harmful.Spoiler
Also, Clariel's parents are murdered in front of her.endlessmeg's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was fun to revisit the old kingdom series again.
missprint_'s review against another edition
5.0
Clariel is the daughter of one of the most renowned goldsmiths in the Old Kingdom. With ties to both the Abhorsen and the king, she also is part of a powerful family line. Despite the supposed prestige, Clariel wants nothing to do with her mother's goldsmith work or the city of Belisaere which will apparently further her mother's ambitions.
While Clariel plots her escape back to the Great Forest near Estwael, she finds herself drawn again and again into political machinations within Belisaere. The more she tries to escape, the more problems (ranging from a Free Magic to a decidedly unwanted marriage proposal) appear to keep Clariel in the city.
Clariel knows her own mind better than most and is determined to choose her own path no matter who or what might try to stop her. But with so many temptations and obstacles, can Clariel ever truly be free? More importantly, how many times can a passion be thwarted before it goes horribly, irreparably astray in Clariel (2014) by Garth Nix?
Clariel is a prequel to Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series. It is set roughly 600 years before the events in Sabriel (the first Old Kingdom book).
Readers of the Old Kingdom books will know that Clariel eventually becomes Chlorr of the Mask--a villain who features in first three Old Kingdom novels. Beyond that fact, Clariel is its own story. Free of spoilers for the rest of this series, this book can serve as an equally good entry point for readers looking to discover the world of the Old Kingdom.
Clariel is a brusque, singular protagonist. For most of the novel she cares little about others or anything beyond her immediate desire to return to the Great Forest. In a lesser narrative these attributes might have made for a self-absorbed heroine and little else. Clariel, however, is much more than that. Even though her agency is undermined again and again, even while she is constantly manipulated, Clariel remains her own woman.
In Clariel, Garth Nix presents a nuanced story about choice and redemption featuring a capable heroine. Even knowing what Clariel eventually becomes, Nix has delivered a story that is as taut as it is heartbreaking. A must-read for fans of high fantasy.
Possible Pairings: Plain Kate by Erin Bow, Fire by Kristin Cashore, The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch, Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
*A copy of this book was acquired from the publisher at BEA 2014 for review consideration*
While Clariel plots her escape back to the Great Forest near Estwael, she finds herself drawn again and again into political machinations within Belisaere. The more she tries to escape, the more problems (ranging from a Free Magic to a decidedly unwanted marriage proposal) appear to keep Clariel in the city.
Clariel knows her own mind better than most and is determined to choose her own path no matter who or what might try to stop her. But with so many temptations and obstacles, can Clariel ever truly be free? More importantly, how many times can a passion be thwarted before it goes horribly, irreparably astray in Clariel (2014) by Garth Nix?
Clariel is a prequel to Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series. It is set roughly 600 years before the events in Sabriel (the first Old Kingdom book).
Readers of the Old Kingdom books will know that Clariel eventually becomes Chlorr of the Mask--a villain who features in first three Old Kingdom novels. Beyond that fact, Clariel is its own story. Free of spoilers for the rest of this series, this book can serve as an equally good entry point for readers looking to discover the world of the Old Kingdom.
Clariel is a brusque, singular protagonist. For most of the novel she cares little about others or anything beyond her immediate desire to return to the Great Forest. In a lesser narrative these attributes might have made for a self-absorbed heroine and little else. Clariel, however, is much more than that. Even though her agency is undermined again and again, even while she is constantly manipulated, Clariel remains her own woman.
In Clariel, Garth Nix presents a nuanced story about choice and redemption featuring a capable heroine. Even knowing what Clariel eventually becomes, Nix has delivered a story that is as taut as it is heartbreaking. A must-read for fans of high fantasy.
Possible Pairings: Plain Kate by Erin Bow, Fire by Kristin Cashore, The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch, Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
*A copy of this book was acquired from the publisher at BEA 2014 for review consideration*
taxiforone's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kelskiiz's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rated high for the delight of that oh! moment in the last quarter of the book. i’m surprised i didn’t spoil it for myself by reading the last author’s note (i kept flipping back to see how many pages in the book). nix writes such strong, solid characters, i love clariel a lot. he speeds through the climax of the story quite quickly, but i usually enjoy the journey to get there enough that it doesn’t matter to me.
sapphicbookdragon's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent