Sabriel by garth nix epub

This book definitely stands up to my memory. What I am so glad about is that I forgot many of the plot twists, so it was like reading it again for the first time. There are some very chilling moments in the book and the villain is really really bad. I love the story of a young woman coming into her own and realizing wha Reread completed on September 17th via Audiobook. I love the story of a young woman coming into her own and realizing what she is capable of.

I do wish that more of the book showed Sabriel interacting with her father, however. I think there are some really important themes about family legacy and coming out of the shadow of one's parents and the expectations that go along with that. Sometimes it's not about running away from it, but embracing it and making it your own. The magic was interesting and the world-building was intricate in how magic was integrated into every aspect of the story.

The storyline shows the consequences of when the magic goes bad as well and the corruption that can result when a magic wielder is evil. I'm not a big zombie fan, but it was well done in this book. Zombies just creep me out and it's so visceral to me and frightening to think about undead humans wandering around getting into mischief, even if they aren't explicitly trying to eat brains. However, I did like how the necromancer trope is turned around with the concept of the Abhorsen.

The narrator was good, and he definitely made the villain's part very scary. I am so glad my library had this on audiobook. I believe that they have the other two books, which I plan to integrate into my reading.

I would still give it five stars, even though I wish Sabriel had more moments with her father. I recommend this book. This book makes me want to devour more books, and I'm glad that I am getting to the point where I can actually read and be immersed in a book again after what feels like way too long. It threw me for a loop at first, how the prologue was very medieval pre-Industrial , and the first chapter was modernesque.

I was thinking, are they immortal or something? But further reading clears that up. The Charter concept. The magic system is based on sketching out these symbols that have a magical power behind them. They can also be whistled or sung, if bells are not available.

There were moments that held me breathless, my stomach tight with dread. I like the manner in which Nix incorporates zombies. Zombies are not a favorite horror element of mine. But this type of zombie is scary, because the emphasis is on the dark spiritual if you will aspects. The ability of dark Charter mages to command spirits to come back from the realms of the Dead, binding them in service.

Dark stuff. The loss of free will is a big sticking point with me. Nix succeeds in unnerving me in a deeper way, and doesn't focus on the gory, squeamish aspects of zombies that repel rather than cause the fear response. I like a more natural, simplistic form of prose when I'm reading. That is what has kept me from starting some of the magic fantasy sagas, thus far. Mogget is a spirit in the form of a cat.

He could not be more feline in personality. I love this scene: Mogget had no time for such introspection, mourning or pangs of responsibility. He left her watching, blank-eyed, for no more than minute, before padding forward and delicately inserting his claws in Sabriel's slippered foot. That's exactly what one of my cats would do to get my attention. So far, I'm enjoying this read. I didn't even turn on my computer and get on Goodreads last night. I just read my book.

And I turned off the tv to better concentrate. That's it for now I loved it. It was intense, it was moving, it was written in a manner that allowed the story to flow, but with a richness of detail that made it visually stunning as I read. The magic was fascinating. Intricate, but written so that the reader doesn't feel clueless. I absolutely loved Sabriel. She's a strong girl.

She went through such a harrowing experience. I mean, there are some truly dark moments in this story. Her father must have been so proud of her.

I know I was. Although the book doesn't really show Sabriel with her father, the present Abhorsen a person who sends the restless dead back where they belong , all that much, I loved the relationship between the two.

A rich father-daughter relationship always appeals in a story, and I think readers of a similar mind will enjoy this part of the book. For many years, I didn't read fantasy. I am sad about that, and resolved to make up for lost time. Urban fantasy and paranormal romance rekindled my childhood love of this genre.

This book has truly lit me on fire to read more fantasy. I was drawn to the heroism, but also the ambiguity of this world, where the power of magic has the power to corrupt those who are not strong of mind and spirit. I'm drawn to a story where the heroine is on a journey that tests her spirit, and she comes out of it a stronger, wiser person.

Sabriel definitely fits the bill for that kind of story. Although Sabriel is the major focus of this story, I felt that Mogget and Touchstone were strong characters that added to the texture of this story. The light romantic elements between Sabriel and Touchstone were more than welcome. Sabriel was a vivid, captivating, often scary introduction to the Abhorsen series, and my first read by Garth Nix. It will not be my last.

View all 21 comments. Sabriel was probably the oldest numbering wise fantasy sitting on my Goodreads shelf. When I first came across it, I was in one of those weird periods where I only liked to read about female protagonists We ended up buddy reading it last week and we shared the same opinion basically. Both of us have Sabriel was probably the oldest numbering wise fantasy sitting on my Goodreads shelf.

But it had lots of potential. I was ready to love it. I understand why many who grew up reading Sabriel enjoyed it because it is for its time but now? Not so much anymore. This genre has evolved very much since This book tells the story of Sabriel, the daughter of Abhorson.

Her father sent her their necromancing kit basically meaning he was either dead or between life and death. Sabriel then leaves schools hoping to her father. What follows is her adventure as the new Abhorson turns out this is a title against one of the evil greater dead. This was a nice book that can be read as a standalone because Lirael, the sequel, is a story about different characters. Which I will read. One day. Okay now to the story itself, my main was the whole Charter thing was underdeveloped.

It was almost like a religion. We discovered more about the world and the Old Kingdom thankfully in the second part of the book but I wanted more understanding about the magic and how it works.

Some background about Charter Mages or anything. The romance was very abrupt and there was no buildup whatsoever beyond a few passing words. Also, Touchstone? What the heck is this name? But I found myself getting distracted all the time and making little to no progress. I wanted to love Sabriel so much that I feel bad about writing these things. I really wish I read this one when I first came across it but I also believe great books should be enjoyed regardless of how old you are when you read them.

The characters were likable and Sabriel was nice to read about. Yes we should sign a petition for the damn half star. View all 14 comments. Despite this, Sabriel kept my attention and there was plenty of magic and world building to hook me in! He returns the dead to their resting place, sends creatures that should be dead into death and generally protects the living from the dead!

When her father goes missing Sabriel must leave her boarding school, travel over the wall into the Old Kingdom and face all sorts of enemies mainly dead or half dead or bodies taken over by dead spirits- you get the idea.

It was a fantastic and creative system. The other characters were great - Mogget the talking yet mysterious cat and Touchstone - the poor chap who has been trapped for years and has just been rescued. It had a decent idea, however, as I kept reading I continuously kept thinking about events in my life or my plans for the next day.

My mind kept drifting off because I was purely so bored. Have you ever read a book where endless things are happening after another, but you feel as if barely anything is occurring, because the action is always so similar to the previous ones that ensued in the book and it feels overused?

The plot essentially went like this: Something bad happens Sabriel defeats it Something bad happens Sabriel escapes Something bad happens Sabriel escapes Something bad happens Sabriel Defeats it Anyway, I thought the concept for the story was intriguing at first.

The story is set in two fictional countries. To the south lies Ancelstierre where technology and society is comparable to the 20th century England, and to the north lies the Old Kingdom where magic and spirits wander the land. In the Old Kingdom there is always a sorcerer with the title Abhorsen who puts the dead spirits to rest. The dead are raised by Necromancers or black magicians, who roam the Old Kingdom.

Basically an Abhorsen is a Necromancer themselves, only they do the opposite. Sabriel is an Abhorsen who lives in Ancelstierre and her dad lives in the Old Kingdom. However, quarter way through the book: Sabriel was a likable female character, so I have to give the male author some applause for writing believable female character. On the other hand, I felt no connection with Sabriel since her emotions where rarely expressed, instead there was a massive amount of description about many other things that caused me to yawn endlessly.

Her love interest is - well, not interesting. He was flat and dull. I feel an obligation to like fantasy books that have original concepts, considering fantasy is one of my favourite genres. Oh well, I still praise the idea of the story very much and I think that solely earns 3 stars, but I didn't find it to be an entertaining or engaging read for it to earn anymore than that. View all 13 comments. Five Great Charters knit the land Together linked, hand in hand One in the people who wear the crown Two in the folk who keep the Dead down Three and Five became stone and mortar Four sees all in frozen water.

I first read Sabriel as a preteen, and while I know I loved it — I must have, as I asked my parents to buy me the second book in the series, too — I never continued the series, nor did I remember any of the details whatsoever. Had I gotten an extra pages of pure, unadulterated world-building, I believe this would have been a 4-star read for me, if not better.

That said, the setup we do get is magnificent: the act of necromancy is portrayed in such a fascinating and risky way, and the Dead themselves are downright creepy. Death and what came after death was no great mystery to Sabriel. I think this was definitely just a sign of inexperienced writing, because even by the end of the book, I was able to connect with her more solidly, and I hear that this particular writing issue is one that is resolved in the other books in this series.

Even without feeling like Sabriel is a three-dimensional, complex character, I still soundly enjoyed who she had the potential to be. I think the biggest reason her lack of development frustrated me was simply because, with better writing, I could have seen Sabriel becoming one of my absolute favorite heroines and, in fact, I do remember adoring her as a child.

I have not taught you as well as I should — let this be my final lesson. You can find this review and more on my blog , or you can follow me on twitter , bookstagram , or facebook! Shelves: readandloved. Possibly one of the greatest fantasy adventures of our times, Garth Nix's first novel is a lush, magical, dark-witty adventure about a young woman's battle with the hideous Dead.

The story starts with a flashback in which a special necromancer named Abhorsen saves his baby daughter Sabriel from a creature called Kerrigor, in the spiritual river of death. Many years later, at an English-esque boarding school, Sabriel must take up her father's magical sword and bells and try to find out what has ha Possibly one of the greatest fantasy adventures of our times, Garth Nix's first novel is a lush, magical, dark-witty adventure about a young woman's battle with the hideous Dead.

Many years later, at an English-esque boarding school, Sabriel must take up her father's magical sword and bells and try to find out what has happened to him.

To do so, she must leave her relatively high-tech home for the Old Kingdom, where magic rules and evil things are stalking her. They must try to defeat the evil Kerrigor, who wants to blast the Charter which keeps all things from descending into evil. Sabriel is the best fantasy hero I've read about since Lord of the Rings. Too many fantasy heroines are either damsels or warrior women--Sabriel is neither.

She acts and thinks precisely like a young woman in her position. Strong, intriguing, and no slack with a sword in a bad situation, she is a wonderful role model. Touchstone is a darling, but Mogget really is unique.

Is he evil? Or some peculiar mix? This ancient spirit forced to live as a cat is enslaved to the Abhorsen family for the good of everyone we get a glimpse of how dangerous he is. It's populated by animated ghouls, ghastly Mordicants, the almost-human sendings, Charter ghosts, the inhabitants of the river of Death, where only Abhorsens go, and so on His writing style is lush and hypnotic--you can actually see the events unfolding in front of your eyes, in this wintry but inviting world.

Years before I was aware of the online bookish community, the YA genre was one I was never exposed to. I read primarily classics, fantasies, and thrillers for lighter relief.

One day my auntie deposited a stack of books next to me and ordered to read them all. Some of the titles included were The Hunger Games series, the Divergent series, and the first two or three books in the Abhorsen series. There were others, that I have now forgotten, but these three series are ones I can vividly recall rea Years before I was aware of the online bookish community, the YA genre was one I was never exposed to.

There were others, that I have now forgotten, but these three series are ones I can vividly recall reading and returning to page one to reread again immediately after finishing them. I was hooked on the YA drug. Despite some older fantasy series, penned in the same time as this one, not standing the test of age for me, I was delighted to find that returning to this series brought me the same amount of joy as it had previously.

Nix has constructed a fantasy world that echoes the one found in A Game of Thrones, despite perhaps a simpler version more easily accessible for younger readers.

His protagonist, Sabriel, is one both fiercely independent and woefully vulnerable. The interaction between the two made her a character I immediately rooted for and empathised with. I look forward to continuing on and discovering what more delights this series has to offer me.

View all 5 comments. Sabriel is a captivating and original tale of destiny. I picked up this book because Brandon Sanderson recommended it in his review for Goldenhand, the 5th book in the Abhorsen series. He termed this as "one of the fundamental experiences that helped me shape my philosophy on magic systems and worldbuilding. And I am glad that I didn't. As Sabriel is a captivating and original tale of destiny.

As a novel categorised as young adult fantasy, Sabriel is a well-crafted tale with all the necessary elements which make fantasy so enjoyable, be it for the intended target audience or more mature readers.

First of all, the Prologue hooked me right from the start. It quickly establishes the notion that the titular character, Sabriel, is going to be someone special together with a glimpse of this world's magic. The narrative then jumps ahead eighteen years where Sabriel was now in the final semester of her college studies when she discovered that her father, the Abhorsen, is in mortal danger and decided immediately to head into the Old Kingdom to rescue him.

Now, let's appreciate the worldbuilding a bit. The Old Kingdom is separated from the modern world by a Wall, which keeps the Dead who wouldn't stay dead away from Ancelstierre. The modern world, Ancelstierre, is akin to our early twentieth century where there is electricity, motor vehicles and tanks, guns and ammunition.

And the magic of the Old Kingdom - both in the form of Free Magic and the Charter - gets weaker the farther away one is from the Wall which demarcates the boundary between both lands. What is unusual is how the Old Kingdom appears as a completely different world. Step through the gate in the Wall, and one experiences a time and reality warp of sorts, where for one moment one is in sunny and warm Ancelstierre and then the next, in a cold and wintry landscape.

Even the stars are several degrees off in the night sky, and time passes asynchronously to Ancelstierre. Its name, the Old Kingdom, also alludes to the fact that with the existence of magic, modern technology had not taken hold in this land as it did just over the Wall. I won't go into much detail and hence spoil the fun but I will mention that the two magic systems - Free Magic and the Charter - are somewhat anathema to each other.

The exposition of these two branches of magic is deftly woven into the storytelling, which avoided the dreaded info-dump. There is an aspect of music in the magic of necromancy i. Great worldbuilding and cool magic systems alone do not make a great fantasy book. Characters are the mortar to the bricks of good, solid storytelling.

Sabriel is a great protagonist who acts her age, has her doubts, is not infallible and just feels authentic. In other words, she is not perfect, and the author does not try to make her so.

Although she is quite special in her own right, the narrative does not focus on trying to hammer that fact into the reader's brains. Sabriel Without having much knowledge and experience required to survive the Old Kingdom in her quest to rescue her father, she has to rely on the assistance of an aloof cat, Mogget, and a young Charter Mage, Touchstone. There is always something about animal characters, whether they are capable of speech or not and this one does, that elevates the reading experience for me.

In short, Mogget is superb. If I have to pick an issue with this novel, it is the romance which felt like it came out of nowhere. Fortunately, this only appeared in small doses closer towards the end, where the book concluded most satisfactorily with an exciting page-turning climax. For a fantasy book written before the new millennium, I take the view that it reads just as well if not better than some of its present peers - YA or otherwise.

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