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theoretically_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
I'm the biggest fan of this book, and especially this audiobook version - so there are big biases below! :)
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
mattiedancer's review
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Writing: 4⭐️/5
In contrast to the other books in the series, I found Clariel lacking a bit something. The start of this novel is a bit lackluster, taking a while to get started. In contrast, the ending wrapped up a little quickly.
Characters: 3.75⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
*Some Spoilers*
Clariel, unlike Lirael, Sameth, and Sabriel, lacks a bit of depth. While the Clariel we see as the novel progresses does get deeper and more interesting, she never gets to a point where I believe her fully. For her motives, she’s relatively one-dimensional, searching for a way to escape the city without giving up her lifestyle. At nearly every interval we are reminded of this as a core of her being and, while I appreciate this motive, it makes her feel less real that she rarely thinks of anything else. I did enjoy Bel and the character shift we see in Mogget when left alone for too long.
Plot: 4⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
*Some Spoilers*
I do find the plot interesting, though I wonder at the initial plan to trap a Free Magic creature using two children. I did like following Clariel and watching her sanity slip away as she craves more and more Free Magic. As a backstory for Chlorr of the Mask, it served its purpose, creating an interesting backdrop in an already well-established world. I wonder what might have been gained if the attention was split or focused more on Bel, and how that might have helped the pacing and the characters.
World 5⭐️/5
Here’s the thing: the Old Kingdom and the world in which it resides is fascinating, well-developed, and always interesting.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of The Old Kingdom
- Fans of Garth Nix
Content Warnings?
Gaslighting, Emotional Abuse, Murder, Death, Death of Parent, Animal Death, Animal Cruelty
Post-Reading Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
It’s always a good adventure into The Old Kingdom.
Final Rating: 4⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
qrschulte's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
addie's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
bluejay21's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Kidnapping, and Grief
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Confinement, Blood, and Grief