When her father fails to return from the land of the dead, Sabriel must cross the wall into the Old Kingdom to confront an ancient, malevolent force. Sabriel, a student at a boarding school in Ancelstierre, discovers her father, the Abhorsen, is trapped beyond the veil of death. Armed with his bells and sword, she enters a realm where magic and the undead collide with the rigid laws of her home country. She faces necromantic entities and the corruption of the Charter, navigating a world where the boundary between life and death is thin. The narrative follows her progression from a sheltered student to a practitioner of necromancy tasked with restoring balance to the Old Kingdom.

Readers frequently highlight the unique magic system as a standout feature of the narrative. Discussion often centers on the atmospheric world-building, which effectively contrasts the industrial setting of Ancelstierre with the magical, dangerous Old Kingdom. Critics often note the pacing is brisk, balancing character development with the immediate urgency of the protagonist's quest. The inclusion of a sentient companion provides a necessary levity to the otherwise somber tone of the story. Many readers appreciate the clear, logical rules governing the necromancy, which prevents the magic from feeling arbitrary or overly convenient.