chaoticblue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- 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 of parent and Death
sapphicbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
This book was great but also so sad. Nix does such a great job at reminding you of how his world works without being annoying about it, which is very helpful when it’s been awhile since you’ve read the others. I was so angry about how Clariel’s parents seemed to not care about her at all, though they did eventually make up for it.
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
laylagrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
addie's review
adventurous
dark
sad
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
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
bluejay21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Grief, and Kidnapping
aylaravenstar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Clariel was much harder to get through than the others in the Old Kingdom series, though overall I did enjoy it. The main character was hard to like, but it's a worthwhile read if you're planning on continuing the series.
Moderate: Death
Minor: Blood, Confinement, and Grief
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nix's writing style has changed a lot since the final volume of the Abhorsen trilogy. I found him to be more verbose in Clariel and, specifically, to focus on detailing the settings in which his characters were moving (a not verbatim example: In the room there was a bed, next to which was a small table. There was a lamp on top of the table and a small, clay chamber pot under the table). Lots of extra words that didn't really add to the story. I found it rather distracting. Also, he gave many superfluous characters names, which were, again, extra details and extra words that had no value for the plot.
Clariel was an entertaining prequel to the Abhorsen trilogy (which is one of my favourite series of all time), but I am most excited for his upcoming books which continue Nick and Lirael's stories.
2022: I really appreciated the aromantic and asexual representation, but this world is a lot more jaded, corrupt and bleak than the world in the trilogy. Not an entirely enjoyable reading experience.
Clariel was an entertaining prequel to the Abhorsen trilogy (which is one of my favourite series of all time), but I am most excited for his upcoming books which continue Nick and Lirael's stories.
2022: I really appreciated the aromantic and asexual representation, but this world is a lot more jaded, corrupt and bleak than the world in the trilogy. Not an entirely enjoyable reading experience.
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Murder
More...