A review by francis_deer
Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen by Garth Nix
4.0
Unfortunately, I had picked up clues to Clariel's identity by fannish osmosis so I came spoiled to this book. Now I don't normally mind spoilers, but in this case, would have liked to know if it would have changed my connection to the main character. As it was, I was always wary of what would come next.
Even though, I came to like Clariel more than I expected. In some ways, she has a lot in common with Lirael or Sameth: She has a dream she pursues against all the odd, i.e. becoming a Borderer in the Great Forest. Of course, Lirael's dream of gaining the Sight is exchanged against a new path that is a better match for her. Sameth, on the other hand, does not have to follow a path that is wrong for him but ultimately gains the chance to become a wall-maker, an inventor and a builder of things. Clariel does not get such a happy fate.
I found it interesting that her downfall was not so much caused by her own actions, but by various other people shirking their duties or making unwise decisions. Clariel is not that easy to love - she comes across as quite distant - but at least she tries to act and her actions are not self-serving. She also has a sense of duty; if not she would have run away from home a long time ago. So yes, I came to like her a lot and enjoyed the wistful ending of the novel.
There was one decision in the book that I did not understand:
"Clariel" is mostly written from Clariel's PoV, and I wish that (with the exception of the prologue) we had stayed fully in her mind and not switched away from her viewpoint. E.g. when Clariel's mother is murdered, we see this scene outside Clariel's PoV; Clariel is no longer even in the room. Later, however, there is speculation on the question if Clariel's mother is alive or dead and this topic pops up repeatedly with Clariel always stating that she's sure her mother is dead. Which always rubbed me the wrong way, because how could she be that certain?
Personally, I think the story would have been more powerful and clear if the author had chosen one of two options:
a) Clariel is not present when her mother is killed. She wonders if she's alive, and one of her later motivations is that she wants to find her mother and rescue her.
b) Clariel witnesses her mother's death and plans revenge.
Apart from that, there was a lot I enjoyed:
- Having an asexual main character for once.
- Looking back 600 years into the past of the Old Kingdom and seeing all the differences
- The idea that not all Abhorsens want to do the job, but may be scared of death, never mind their bloodline
- All the tiny details that connect us to the world we know, e.g. the Redwood table in the Abhorsen's house
- Mogget: I loved his shady part in this book. :-)
Even though, I came to like Clariel more than I expected. In some ways, she has a lot in common with Lirael or Sameth: She has a dream she pursues against all the odd, i.e. becoming a Borderer in the Great Forest. Of course, Lirael's dream of gaining the Sight is exchanged against a new path that is a better match for her. Sameth, on the other hand, does not have to follow a path that is wrong for him but ultimately gains the chance to become a wall-maker, an inventor and a builder of things. Clariel does not get such a happy fate.
I found it interesting that her downfall was not so much caused by her own actions, but by various other people shirking their duties or making unwise decisions. Clariel is not that easy to love - she comes across as quite distant - but at least she tries to act and her actions are not self-serving. She also has a sense of duty; if not she would have run away from home a long time ago. So yes, I came to like her a lot and enjoyed the wistful ending of the novel.
There was one decision in the book that I did not understand:
"Clariel" is mostly written from Clariel's PoV, and I wish that (with the exception of the prologue) we had stayed fully in her mind and not switched away from her viewpoint. E.g. when Clariel's mother is murdered, we see this scene outside Clariel's PoV; Clariel is no longer even in the room. Later, however, there is speculation on the question if Clariel's mother is alive or dead and this topic pops up repeatedly with Clariel always stating that she's sure her mother is dead. Which always rubbed me the wrong way, because how could she be that certain?
Personally, I think the story would have been more powerful and clear if the author had chosen one of two options:
a) Clariel is not present when her mother is killed. She wonders if she's alive, and one of her later motivations is that she wants to find her mother and rescue her.
b) Clariel witnesses her mother's death and plans revenge.
Apart from that, there was a lot I enjoyed:
- Having an asexual main character for once.
- Looking back 600 years into the past of the Old Kingdom and seeing all the differences
- The idea that not all Abhorsens want to do the job, but may be scared of death, never mind their bloodline
- All the tiny details that connect us to the world we know, e.g. the Redwood table in the Abhorsen's house
- Mogget: I loved his shady part in this book. :-)