mpaulwhite's review against another edition
5.0
One the best and most imaginative magic systems in fantasy.
amyjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this quite a lot, and I am glad to have finished the Old Kingdom books (mostly, I have not read the short stories or the book about Sabriel's father). This felt like a really good, solid conclusion to all the parts of the story that came before, and I hope Sabriel, Lirael, and the rest of their family get a few years of peace and quiet and rest. And it was nice to see that Mogget is still Moggeting, even though he's been released from his service to the Abhorsen.
Also, before this I had thought one could probably skip Clariel in a reading of the series, but I think having read it makes the end of this one more powerful.
I do really miss Tim Curry as narrator of these books, though I did like Heather Wilds. She did a great job with everyone's voices.
Also, before this I had thought one could probably skip Clariel in a reading of the series, but I think having read it makes the end of this one more powerful.
I do really miss Tim Curry as narrator of these books, though I did like Heather Wilds. She did a great job with everyone's voices.
daffodill37's review against another edition
3.0
(Audio)
I'm still enjoying this world but this book felt kind of short to me. I felt like there could have been more exploration of the characters in this book. Ferin got better and better as the book went on and I'd like to see more of her.
Is this where I end the series? Maybe. Maybe I'll continue in the future. While I enjoyed this book, it was just overall lackluster.
I'm still enjoying this world but this book felt kind of short to me. I felt like there could have been more exploration of the characters in this book. Ferin got better and better as the book went on and I'd like to see more of her.
Is this where I end the series? Maybe. Maybe I'll continue in the future. While I enjoyed this book, it was just overall lackluster.
frenchkey's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A wonderful return to the Old Kingdom and an intriguing expansion on the previously seen world. There is plenty to enjoy about this book. It is pacy and exciting and you are rooting for the characters all the way through. My one complaint is that Nix persists in setting up romance between characters who have just met. It is not believable and they often feel more like friends, or even strangers.
boydskiboo's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
geldauran's review against another edition
4.0
A few minor complaints : I think the pacing missed the mark here. With the exception of Sabriel, none of the abhorsen books have a traditional pace/plot, but I still think this one would have been better off spending the larger chunk of the book on the end.
The ending felt rather anticlimactic, but it still tied up a lot of loose ends from Lirael/Abhorsen/Clariel, so I was happy.
Despite having a main POV character from the far north, and despite some of the book taking place North of the Bridge, there wasn't enough world building to satisfy me. What we got was enticing little snippets, but not the exploration that I feel I've been waiting a decade+ for.
The entire book was also aggressively pushing happy endings on all fronts. After feeling bothered by this, I wondered why I was so bothered by this, and have now decided that damn it- I like happy endings.
Overall, I was very happy to return to this book world. There were many small details that really satisfied me. I liked Ferin and Young Laska. Sabriel and Touchstone were charming as ever. It felt like a.... conclusion to the series in a lot of ways, which made me sad. But yeah, a solid effort all around.
The ending felt rather anticlimactic, but it still tied up a lot of loose ends from Lirael/Abhorsen/Clariel, so I was happy.
Despite having a main POV character from the far north, and despite some of the book taking place North of the Bridge, there wasn't enough world building to satisfy me. What we got was enticing little snippets, but not the exploration that I feel I've been waiting a decade+ for.
The entire book was also aggressively pushing happy endings on all fronts. After feeling bothered by this, I wondered why I was so bothered by this, and have now decided that damn it- I like happy endings.
Overall, I was very happy to return to this book world. There were many small details that really satisfied me. I liked Ferin and Young Laska. Sabriel and Touchstone were charming as ever. It felt like a.... conclusion to the series in a lot of ways, which made me sad. But yeah, a solid effort all around.
book_consumer's review
adventurous
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25