The Old Kingdom Series - Garth Nix

4 1/2 STARS

In 4^th grade, my school’s librarian told me this series was too much for me. I blatantly refused and took out the first book – Sabriel – while she was out for lunch. I was wrong. She was right. I couldn’t muddle my way through it, no matter how badly I wanted to read it. In 5^th grade, I took it out again. I read the whole series – 3 books – in a matter of a couple of months. It only took so long because I actually had to do school work during the waking hours I spent not reading. I shall discuss my reading habits in another post, at another time.

Point is, when I find a good book, I don’t like to put it down. Why? Usually because the story keeps me there. Sabriel is one of those books. Lirael, and then Abhorsen, follow it, both of which are just as enticing. Rumor has it a fourth is going to join the series – Clariel – and is to be released during 2013. These books are, again, not for the light of heart. This is another series that can be enjoyed by anyone, as long as you’re old enough to understand.

Sabriel is set in two neighboring countries: Ancelstierre – to the South and the equivalent of 20^th century England – and the Old Kingdom – to the North where all the magic and dangerous spirits are. These spirits can be anything from undead corpses – Dead Hands – to Free Magic elementals. Although, the Ancelstierre government denies any claims of that, the people don’t believe it any way. Only those who live near the border truly know the truth.

Necromancers roam the Old Kingdom living in Death using Dead Hands to do their bidding – like evil zombie minions. To keep the balance, there is a sorcerer with the title of Abhorsen, who is essentially a Necromancer him/herself. The Abhorsen does not raise the dead, no. Instead, they are to put the living-dead to rest. A Necromancer’s primary tools are a set of bells, which control the Dead in various ways.

When a young Sabriel is studying in a school at Ancelistierre, her father – the current Abhorsen – succumbs to the new evil that is rising in the Old Kingdom. He sends her his bells and a sword, passing the legacy on to her. Sabriel, unprepared, must learn her father’s trade and return to the Old Kingdom to prevent evil from returning.

If only the Dead would stop trying to kill her while she tries.

It’s a new way of looking at Necromancy! Garth Nix takes something traditional and makes it completely original. It is really well written! Sabriel does drag a bit, but it’s necessary and completely forgivable, with the fast-paced nature the book has. I would talk about Sabriel a bit more… But, to continue, I’d risk spoilers for Lirael and Abhorsen.

I can't explain! I’m terrible with spoilers! If I mention one thing, I have to explain another, and next thing I know, BAM, there’s the whole book/series. And I don’t want to do that! Especially not with a series as good as this!! I’m eagerly awaiting Clariel and, now that I’m writing about these books, feel the need to reread this series. Sabriel was such a fun character to follow! And so was Mogget! But, you’ll meet him once you read Sabriel. ^-^

Happy Reading!

-- Isabel