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theoretically_reading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Clariel is (to-date) the odd duck of the Old Kingdom books - in setting, scope, plot and characterisation it stands solo. And if you're a fan of those books it'll likely stand or fall on that for you. Familiar locations, characters and lore from the Old Kingdom are explored and understood from a new perspective, and the role of the Charter, Free Magic and the history of the not-yet-ruined Old Kingdom is re-evaluated. But, like its sibling books (especially Sabriel & Lirael) - this is a book about a teenager, a destiny, and the question of her agency. Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker? But where Sabriel and Lirael each stepped-up to some greater destiny in a time of horrific peril - their 400 years distant ancestor Clariel lives in a time of peace & plenty, and just wants to go live alone in a forest. It's everyone else who wants her to embrace a great destiny, whether she wants to or not.
Several reviewers had trouble with this one because of Clariel's character. Unlike pragmatic, brave, loving Sabriel; or melancholic, misbegotten, genius Lireal; Clariel is hard to like as a 'fantasy protagonist' - and she means to be. She's uninterested in magic, uninterested in people, and uninterested in anyone's plans for her future as the key to power in the Old Kingdom. Alienated from her dysfunctional parents, separated from her beloved Aunt, and unable to break away from the comfortable, but unhappy life that's all she knows... Clariel might be brave, capable, honest and true-hearted... but she's also disdainful, selfish, and the poster-child for 'refusing the call'. She's surrounded by a myriad of people striving to live up to grand designs, heroes in their own stories as they fight for the power to change the Old Kingdom. But the question emerging from the heart of Clariel is, what will Clariel do if she actually gets the power to change her world? And what will power do to Clariel?
Clariel is a complex, flawed, wonderful character. She isn't endearing, but her griefs are so clear and deep its impossible to misunderstand where things are going wrong for her. If a person is a person through other persons, then Clariel kind of doesn't care about being a person. She just wants to be heself, alone, at peace. Her interplay with her parents is heart-wrenching, her introduction to her Abhorsen cousins (especially "delightfully enthusiastic" Belatiel) is compelling, and her encounters with Free Magic Creatures are dramatic, empathetic and startling. This isn't a feel-good tale, it's a story of the Old Kingdom's fall from grace - and I think it's wonderfully and boldly told.
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
pobi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Confinement
mattiedancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*Some Spoilers*
*Some Spoilers*
- Fans of The Old Kingdom
- Fans of Garth Nix
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
chaoticblue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
ohmage_resistance's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Murder
Common aphobic talking points are mentioned several times throughout the book, but none are really addressed as being false or harmful.sapphicbookdragon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
qrschulte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
inameitlater's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
But I'm glad I read it. It was great to get an asexual main character and I yearned with her for the woods.
The story itself felt a bit rushed, there was no time for Clariel or the reader to reflect a lot. But a lot of shit happened and during such times, people mostly react and don't think a lot. This is something the book showed really well.
Graphic: Death of parent
laylagrace's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
naomi_k's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting