A review by icarly
Abhorsen Classic Edition by Garth Nix
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
I absolutely loved this book! The pacing was absolutely perfect and this series is quickly becoming a new favorite. It would be excellent if made into a tv series (I’m looking at you, Netflix).
Overall, it was a fairly quickly read and I would find myself disappointed that I “didn’t read enough”, only to find I had read 30-40 pages in a half hour (which, for me, is fast).
They were so wrong in revealing that the Disreputable Dog was Kibeth the whole time, but it was also SO clever that I can’t be mad! I was trying to figure out who the seventh person would be (since I figured it wouldn’t be two of the Clayr, regardless of whether or not they were twins), and I had already figured it wasn’t the Disreputable Dog and assumed that she had been evil in the past.
Thus, the reveal was just as emotional for me as it was for Lirael. Brilliant writing, truly.
Also? I felt incredibly bad for Nick the whole time and I sincerely hope that he doesn’t have anything bad happen to him in the next book because that would be unfortunate.
Sam wasn’t my favorite character because I think he’s a little plain, but I was happy that he officially earned his place as a Wallmaker because he deserves to feel like he belongs (just like Lirael).
I was a little disappointed with how quickly Lirael defeated Hedge and I so badly wish that Sabriel and Lirael could have had more of a reunion. Truly I was waiting 1.5 books for their reunion and it was a little underwhelming. I hope that in Goldenhand we’re given more insight into their relationship.
I also hope that Lirael sort of is adopted by Sabriel and Touchstone (even though they’re her sister and brother-in-law, and she’s nineteen), but I can see that happening because she’s the Abhorsen-in-Waiting.
Oh, and obviously - my favorite character was Lirael <3 She genuinely is written so well and I just relate to her a lot somehow? I really don’t know how to describe it but it makes sense, just trust me.
Overall, it was a fairly quickly read and I would find myself disappointed that I “didn’t read enough”, only to find I had read 30-40 pages in a half hour (which, for me, is fast).
Spoiler
They were so wrong in revealing that the Disreputable Dog was Kibeth the whole time, but it was also SO clever that I can’t be mad! I was trying to figure out who the seventh person would be (since I figured it wouldn’t be two of the Clayr, regardless of whether or not they were twins), and I had already figured it wasn’t the Disreputable Dog and assumed that she had been evil in the past.
Thus, the reveal was just as emotional for me as it was for Lirael. Brilliant writing, truly.
Also? I felt incredibly bad for Nick the whole time and I sincerely hope that he doesn’t have anything bad happen to him in the next book because that would be unfortunate.
Sam wasn’t my favorite character because I think he’s a little plain, but I was happy that he officially earned his place as a Wallmaker because he deserves to feel like he belongs (just like Lirael).
I was a little disappointed with how quickly Lirael defeated Hedge and I so badly wish that Sabriel and Lirael could have had more of a reunion. Truly I was waiting 1.5 books for their reunion and it was a little underwhelming. I hope that in Goldenhand we’re given more insight into their relationship.
I also hope that Lirael sort of is adopted by Sabriel and Touchstone (even though they’re her sister and brother-in-law, and she’s nineteen), but I can see that happening because she’s the Abhorsen-in-Waiting.
Oh, and obviously - my favorite character was Lirael <3 She genuinely is written so well and I just relate to her a lot somehow? I really don’t know how to describe it but it makes sense, just trust me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death, Gore, and Vomit