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Special feature: This PerfectBound e-book contains How I Write, notes on his craft by Garth Nix. Ever since she was a tiny child, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the random power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won't stay dead. But now her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing, and to find him Sabriel must cross back into the world. Though her journey begins alone, she soon finds companions: Mogget, whose seemingly harmless feline form hides a powerful-and perhaps malevolent-spirit, and Touchstone, a younger Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories. With threats on all sides and only each other to trust, the three must travel deep into the Old Kingdom, toward a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death-and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own hidden destiny. A tale of dark secrets, deep love, and dangerous magic, Sabriel introduces Garth Nix an exceptional new talent. Since childhood, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who refuse to stay dead. But now her father, the Mage Abhorson, is missing, and Sabriel must cross into that world to find him. With Mogget, whose feline form hides a powerful, perhaps malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage, Sabriel travels deep into the Old Kingdom. There she confronts an evil that threatens much more than her life-and comes face to face with her own hidden destiny... Garth Nixb s first young adult novel, Sabriel was recently nominated for the Aurealis Award for Excellence in Science Fiction in Australia.
When her father, the Abhorsen, vanishes into the dangerous Old Kingdom, Sabriel must leave the safety of her boarding school to rescue him from the encroaching forces of the Dead. Sabriel operates within a world divided by a wall, separating the mundane reality of Ancelstierre from the chaotic, magic-infused Old Kingdom. Her objective is to locate her father, a task that forces her to master the necromantic bells of her lineage while navigating a landscape where the dead refuse to remain buried. She is joined by a mysterious spirit bound in feline form and a rescued Charter Mage, both of whom provide necessary, if occasionally untrustworthy, assistance. The narrative follows a linear progression, tracking their physical movement through increasingly hostile territories as Sabriel confronts the limitations of her own power.
Readers frequently highlight the unique magic system, particularly the use of bells to control the dead, as a standout element of the world-building. Discussion often centers on the stark contrast between the industrial, non-magical world and the high-fantasy setting of the Old Kingdom. Critics often note the pacing is deliberate, allowing for a gradual reveal of the protagonist's capabilities and the history of her lineage. The balance between the dark, often grim atmosphere and the growth of the central characters remains a frequent point of praise among those who follow the series. Many readers appreciate the lack of conventional tropes, noting that the protagonist's development is tied directly to the heavy responsibilities of her office.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
1900-01-01
ISBN-10:
0060005475
ISBN-13:
9780060005474
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