When her father, the Abhorsen, disappears into the realm of the dead, Sabriel must leave the safety of her boarding school to confront the necromantic forces threatening the Old Kingdom. Sabriel navigates the border between the mundane world and a land governed by Free Magic and the restless dead. Her objective is to locate her father and assume the mantle of the Abhorsen, a role that requires her to bind spirits using a set of seven bells. She faces opposition from ancient, malevolent entities that seek to breach the boundaries of life and death. The narrative follows a linear progression, detailing her transition from a student to a practitioner of dangerous, hereditary magic.

Readers frequently highlight the originality of the magic system, particularly the use of bells to control the dead. Discussion often centers on the stark, somber tone that distinguishes the work from more whimsical fantasy entries. Critics note the effective pacing, which balances the protagonist's internal development with the external stakes of her quest. The world-building is often praised for its logical consistency and the way it integrates the mechanics of death into the landscape. Many readers appreciate the absence of conventional tropes, noting that the narrative maintains a sense of peril throughout the entire arc.