A review by jazzypizzaz
Sabriel by Garth Nix
3.0
I haven't read high fantasy in quite some time, and this was a enjoyable reintroduction.
The world-building and magic system were especially well-done-- highly original, consistent, and just enough to whet the appetite to learn more in the next book. I appreciated that the descriptions (of setting and exposition) succinctly depicted what the reader needed to know to move the plot forward, but did not bog down the pace at any point (a too common occurence in fantasy novels). Overall, a nice balance between simplicity, orignality, and cohesion.
The characters themselves served as adequately realized to move through the richly imagined world and carry out the plot, but did not themselves jump off the page. I would have appreciated deeper characterization, generally-- character development doesn't drive the story, but also doesn't detract from it. I did quite like Mogget however, and he was a joy in any scene he appeared with a lazy sardonic quip.
I'm excited to continue the story, but am not compelled to begin immediately.
The world-building and magic system were especially well-done-- highly original, consistent, and just enough to whet the appetite to learn more in the next book. I appreciated that the descriptions (of setting and exposition) succinctly depicted what the reader needed to know to move the plot forward, but did not bog down the pace at any point (a too common occurence in fantasy novels). Overall, a nice balance between simplicity, orignality, and cohesion.
The characters themselves served as adequately realized to move through the richly imagined world and carry out the plot, but did not themselves jump off the page. I would have appreciated deeper characterization, generally-- character development doesn't drive the story, but also doesn't detract from it. I did quite like Mogget however, and he was a joy in any scene he appeared with a lazy sardonic quip.
I'm excited to continue the story, but am not compelled to begin immediately.