worldwas_hers_forthe_reading's review against another edition
3.0
"I am a necromancer, but not of the common kind. Where others of the art raise the dead, I lay them back to rest. And those that will not rest, I bind- or try to. I am Abhorsen..."
spicy_koala's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
ugoglen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
fragolarossa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
cmrams's review against another edition
4.0
I haven’t read fantasy or YA in a little while but a friend recommended Sabriel to me so I borrowed her copy.
I enjoyed reading something with a little bit of magic in it again. I liked the mix of “old world” and slightly modern world with the allusion to a near World War I era. I also liked the slightly dark and creepy vibe without too much grotesqueness. The scene when Mogget’s collar is removed was great. I wanted more of Mogget’s story.
I did feel sometimes that we were missing out on things. We learn a lot about the semi-death world Abhorsen crosses into but I felt like a lot of other information about the world and even some characters was just briefly passed over. The ending felt rushed to me. I didn’t feel any closure to the story. Kerrigor isn’t really vanquished; what happens with the super powered cat-villains? And the main character dies at the end? But doesn’t die? Maybe it wouldn’t bother me if there was another Sabriel story, but it appears the other books in the series move on to other characters?
I still enjoyed reading it, it moved quickly. While I felt sometimes like I was missing out on details or a solid culmination I didn’t mind not spending chapters on describing the school or the countryside and whatnot.
I enjoyed reading something with a little bit of magic in it again. I liked the mix of “old world” and slightly modern world with the allusion to a near World War I era. I also liked the slightly dark and creepy vibe without too much grotesqueness. The scene when Mogget’s collar is removed was great. I wanted more of Mogget’s story.
I did feel sometimes that we were missing out on things. We learn a lot about the semi-death world Abhorsen crosses into but I felt like a lot of other information about the world and even some characters was just briefly passed over. The ending felt rushed to me. I didn’t feel any closure to the story. Kerrigor isn’t really vanquished; what happens with the super powered cat-villains? And the main character dies at the end? But doesn’t die? Maybe it wouldn’t bother me if there was another Sabriel story, but it appears the other books in the series move on to other characters?
I still enjoyed reading it, it moved quickly. While I felt sometimes like I was missing out on details or a solid culmination I didn’t mind not spending chapters on describing the school or the countryside and whatnot.
sybyll's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting development of the character Sabriel and cool world building that came to an end too quickly for me. Excited to read the rest of the series.
kitann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.0
piperashley21's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. Growing up, one of my friends was obsessed with this book, and I know it was a popular fantasy book for it’s time. However, this book didn’t age well.
For some reason Sabriel who is the main character just felt like she was written by a man to me? She was very one-dimensional and something about how she was written was not appealing. She didn’t feel like the strong, independent female lead she had the potential to be. Her “love interest” was also under-developed and felt like it was added in as an afterthought.
Also, I may be too “Type A” for my own good, but if there is magic, I would like to know the rules/history please. The “charter magic” used in this book was never fully explained, much to my chagrin. So I felt like I was missing out on key plot details during dramatic scenes involving charger magic.
Had I read this book when I was younger, I would have liked how “dark” it was, I’m sure. Currently, I’m grateful that fantasy has evolved more.
2.5 stars
For some reason Sabriel who is the main character just felt like she was written by a man to me? She was very one-dimensional and something about how she was written was not appealing. She didn’t feel like the strong, independent female lead she had the potential to be. Her “love interest” was also under-developed and felt like it was added in as an afterthought.
Also, I may be too “Type A” for my own good, but if there is magic, I would like to know the rules/history please. The “charter magic” used in this book was never fully explained, much to my chagrin. So I felt like I was missing out on key plot details during dramatic scenes involving charger magic.
Had I read this book when I was younger, I would have liked how “dark” it was, I’m sure. Currently, I’m grateful that fantasy has evolved more.
2.5 stars
bentheoverlordsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a reread of one of the books that got me into reading, and it was just as magical as it was the first time I read it.
neko_cam's review against another edition
2.0
I quite like the trappings of Necromancy, with the bandolier of bells, as well as the geography of Death. There wasn't much else that stood out for me, however. Granted that it's a YA novel, but the story still felt rather by-rote.
I won't be continuing the series.
I won't be continuing the series.