jjohnson265's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Animal death
mads_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent and Slavery
kell_xavi's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.0
A strong conclusion of Lirael’s storyline in the world of the Old Kingdom. The previous book ended on an opening, and I borrowed this one from the library at once to finish the tale. The characterization of Lirael, Sam, and their animal companions makes for an entertaining and deeply felt adventure in the war against power and destruction. Nix writes of Nick, Hedge, and the hemispheres in an exciting, suspenseful way that carries gravity and a real sense of the world that brings them about.
I do have a few minor critiques, the first being that even with all the new, fascinating information about the creation of the charter and the ancient powers that preceded and contributed to it, I'm not satisfied with the role of Death and the dead in the Old Kingdom, and magic's closeness to the dead. The prevalence of death makes sense to the plot around the Abhorsen, but less so when thinking about the interplay of magics in the broader universe.
I am always hesitant to read fantasy world with a monarchy in place, and the blood lines of the charter give the monarchy a legitimacy here that I disagree with politically. I also disagree with the pro-military sentiments and other subtle indications of a British nationalist perspective even when it isn't stated as such. Lastly, Sam's character-building in this book and the last are effected by antagonism with his family, and the way that Sabriel and Touchstone's parenting is written felt a bit odd, the harm created by their absence unresolved, leaving Ellemere's humourously meddlesome presence as a sort of (misogynistic) foil to Sam's unguided masculine adventurous spirit.
I do have a few minor critiques, the first being that even with all the new, fascinating information about the creation of the charter and the ancient powers that preceded and contributed to it, I'm not satisfied with the role of Death and the dead in the Old Kingdom, and magic's closeness to the dead. The prevalence of death makes sense to the plot around the Abhorsen, but less so when thinking about the interplay of magics in the broader universe.
I am always hesitant to read fantasy world with a monarchy in place, and the blood lines of the charter give the monarchy a legitimacy here that I disagree with politically. I also disagree with the pro-military sentiments and other subtle indications of a British nationalist perspective even when it isn't stated as such. Lastly, Sam's character-building in this book and the last are effected by antagonism with his family, and the way that Sabriel and Touchstone's parenting is written felt a bit odd, the harm created by their absence unresolved, leaving Ellemere's humourously meddlesome presence as a sort of (misogynistic) foil to Sam's unguided masculine adventurous spirit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, and Xenophobia
kanadrallegria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
Disreputable Dog
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and War
Minor: Gun violence, Animal death, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
thoughtsontomes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
After rereading this series for the first time since high school, I still maintain my opinion that Sabriel is the best book in the series but I do love the animal companions in this series as well as the world. I just find the characters outside of the Abhorsons and the animals to be a bit lacking, particularly the boys. I wish we had had more time with Sabriel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Possessionsamanthalh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Slavery
rriverr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.5
i ADORED this book so much that i rated a book for the first time on this app 😭 however the cast is. not diverse. and i’m questioning the description of the clayr as dark-skinned and blond….seems strange to me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Death of parent, and Grief
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
2020: This book was so full of action scenes and so little development of the characters I loved from the first two books. There was also only five pages of resolution after the climax. This book is considerably shorter than the second book, so I wonder why we couldn’t have had a better wrap up with the characters who just survived a huge trauma. I still love the world and characters, but this book’s plot took over everything else, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Animal death
Minor: Vomit
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