Abhorsen

This is one of the most unrelentingly terrifying/suspenseful books I have ever read, and part of that is because it follows directly upon the ending of Lirael (they're really more like two volumes of the same novel), which while featuring horror and suspense elements, has a lot more pauses and exploration of the Old Kingdom world-building.

Much of the horror in Abhorsen, at least for me, is the powerlessness of the characters in so many ways, and even the specific paralyzation of one character, whose will is over-ridden so that they are literally unable to even think for themself, much less move or talk as they wish. There's also quite a lot of zombie-analogues, which frankly just trigger more of those same terrors in me, as that other show more character's powerlessness does.

The plot of Abhorsen involves Lirael and Sam finally reaching Red Lake and discovering exactly what lies there, then trying to do what they can to combat it. The thing is the Destroyer from the Beginning, and it threatens to annihilate the entire world, as its name suggests. It is very, very powerful and very, very old, and neither Lirael nor Sam are well-rested or very experienced. This makes for a very tense story.

This being a story about at least one necromancer, it's perhaps unsurprising to say that people die, but they do. There are even deaths of people grown close to over the series, some temporary and others not so much so.

Abhorsen is a very good book, though somewhat stressful to read - I suppose the depth of feeling I have for it, and the years of wariness I've had towards rereading it, is evidence for how richly written it is. It's probably going to be another few years before I attempt it again, if I do, because of how strongly I feel it. show less

"Wherever you walk, I will be there."

*sobs*

This third installment, the end of the main trilogy, was pretty darn good. There's something about Garth Nix's writing that just really does it for me. The subtle humor and wit, the syntax and sentence structure. It's all just so great. I love everything about it!

The world is the best fantasy world ever, in my not so humble opinion. It isn't overbearing, but it's intricate and unique and dark without being grimdark. Death is probably the coolest setting in any book ever, and you can fight me on that.

I loved the character arcs in this, especially Nick's. He didn't have much of a character in the previous book, but he really shone in this one, and his ending was just...*cries a little more* just show more perfect. I love how relatable all the characters are. I wish Sam had had a bit more to do in this, but as it is, I'm happy with how it all turned out.

"So I'll do that, and I'll do my best and if my best isn't good enough, at least I will have done everything I could, everything that is in me. I don't have to try to be someone else, someone I could never be."

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Lirael, the new Abhorsen-in-Waiting, and Prince Sameth of the Old Kingdom race to prevent the Destroyer from becoming unbound, a race that is tied to the fate of Sam's old school friend Nick, who is being used as the Destroyer's conduit. Helped by the Disreputable Dog and the bound Free Magic being Mogget (in the shape of a cat), but facing a terrifying necromancer, one of the Greater Dead and a multitude of the Lesser Dead, will Sameth and Lirael be on time to prevent the Destroyer from rising again?

Picking up the narrative thread seamlessly from the end of the previous volume, Lirael, the entire book is a frantic chase across the landscape of the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre, but the author still manages to fit in some character show more development and to make it believable. Titled Abhorsen, this is really Lirael Part II, as Lirael takes up the mantle she's been destined to wear. I felt very sorry for Nick, who is undergoing quite the ordeal but who really hasn't been given anything to do apart from increase the sense of urgency as his internal battle against the fragment of the Destroyer inside him looks more and more like one he can't win, and in which he will likely have to pay the ultimate price.

The reader learns a lot more about the mythology of the Old Kingdom, the Charter, the Seven and the Nine, while all the information builds up to a satisfying, if slightly drawn-out, climax, and I had no idea how the novel was going to end as more than one character's life hung in the balance. While the novel's ending can be seen as an ending to the trilogy, I'm glad that Garth Nix has picked up the story again in Goldenhand, as I'm not quite ready to part with the characters just yet; I've become fond of them, having watched them grow up and grow into their individual personalities and choose their paths through life. Fortunately, it's already lined up. show less

"Wherever you walk, I will be there."

*sobs*

This third installment, the end of the main trilogy, was pretty darn good. There's something about Garth Nix's writing that just really does it for me. The subtle humor and wit, the syntax and sentence structure. It's all just so great. I love everything about it!

The world is the best fantasy world ever, in my not so humble opinion. It isn't overbearing, but it's intricate and unique and dark without being grimdark. Death is probably the coolest setting in any book ever, and you can fight me on that.

I loved the character arcs in this, especially Nick's. He didn't have much of a character in the previous book, but he really shone in this one, and his ending was just...*cries a little more* just show more perfect. I love how relatable all the characters are. I wish Sam had had a bit more to do in this, but as it is, I'm happy with how it all turned out.

"So I'll do that, and I'll do my best and if my best isn't good enough, at least I will have done everything I could, everything that is in me. I don't have to try to be someone else, someone I could never be."

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Reread 8/17/24: That ending still gets me right in the feels. Such a great end to a fun series.

Reread 2/28/19. I love this series just as much on a reread as the first time. Original review from 2016 below.

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Lirael and Sammeth have escaped from Hedge the Necromancer and his Dead hands by taking sanctuary in Abhorsen's house. The time for rest is fleeting. Constantly reminded of the vision the Clayr had for her, Lirael knows they must leave for the Red Lake to rescue Nick before it's too late. However, there is a greater evil afoot, one that has not been seen in ages: The Destroyer is coming.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix is the third book in The Abhorsen trilogy. The story begins right where Lirael leaves off. Lirael and Sammeth show more are at Abhorsen's house, taking a short rest before setting out to rescue Nick, Sam's old friend from his school in Ancelstierre. Unknown to both Lerial and Sammeth, but quite well known to the reader, Nick has a shard of the Destroyer placed in him which allows him to be a "vessel" for the Destroyer. Nick finds himself forced to believe in the magic he considered to be pure fantasy and is leading a search for two great hemispheres buried deep in the earth as well as coming up with a means to rejoin them.

The book has many reveals, some of which were quite surprising. We are finally able to understand the full nature of Free Magic, what it is and where it came from, as well as a history of the Beginning, how the Charter came to be, what went into it's creation and just who, or what, the Destroyer is. All the puzzle pieces come together and missing information filled in for one spectacular, epic finale. All the reasons why everyone involved is involved as they are answered. The stakes for the future of both Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom have never been higher.

Each character clearly has an important role to play. We are finally shown why Sammeth was so scared of entering Death and why his role as Abhorsen-in-waiting didn't seem right for him. He is given a new path that has a direct and meaningful impact on what is to come. Both the Disreputable Dog and Mogget are vital characters, transcending their roles of magical companions in previous books to be every bit as important as their two legged counterparts. They both retain their sly wit and fun banter through to the end, which continues to be a joy to read. Lirael's character arc is quite profound. Gone is the somewhat timid librarian as she fully embraces the fact that she'll never be a "true" daughter of the Clary and never see the future. She gives herself fully quest the Clayr have set her on and, as a result, realizes she has a much different role than any other Clayr in history, making her unique. Lirael finds herself prepared to meet any challenge, able to go toe to toe the most fearsome of the Dead.

Again I listened to the audio book narrated by Tim Curry. Curry's voice acting is superb as always.

This is one fast paced, action packed book! The plot is tightly focused and the ending delivers quite a punch. The final battle has a beautiful, cinematic quality to it, one I would love to see on the big screen. It was a wholly satisfying end to the series.

I have greatly enjoyed The Abhorsen trilogy. This series is one I will reread in the future. show less

I agree with the previous review *except* (and it's a strong exception) for the "whiny, angsty teenagers" part. How funny to whine about the (alleged) whining of others! (Especially when those others are fictional characters!) This has come up a few times in reviews of this book and its prequel, and I find that saddening.
Lirael & Sam wouldn't be nearly as convincing if they were personally flawless & never struggled with a difficult emotion.
I'm sorry, but sadness, grief and loss are inescapable realities of life, and a person (especially a young person) going through them may not come across as perfectly composed and well-behaved (think about it: Lirael had no-one to talk to AT ALL! That means no social/emotional support of any kind). show more For anyone forced to go through these things, the last thing you need is some judgemental, emotionally constipated and underdeveloped onlooker who clearly has no idea about how to deal with these things themselves, hypocritically labelling you as "whiny & angsty". It's an understandable act of projection, because no-one wants to have to deal with such painful difficulties, but it also says a *lot* about our society & culture when even fictional characters can't be allowed some judgement-free space in which to work these things out. And if you have that much trouble dealing with this reality in fiction, good luck with real life! No wonder kids are binge-drinking. I can't blame them, when there's so little tolerance in our culture for the usual difficulties of being a young person.
Nix has bravely gone for emotional realism in fantasy fiction - an often unsuccessful writerly endeavour - and done it brilliantly. Bravo. show less

So I've gobbled up these three, worse than any Free Magic spirit you might encounter between the covers of this series! Loads of fun and very consistent throughout. This last, as is the case with many final books in a series, suffers a little from having to arrange the plot and then fit the characters into it on schedule. It works out pretty well in the end, and the primary focus, on Prince Sameth, the reluctant Abhorsen-in-Waiting is good, although it lacks the depth of Lirael's development in book 2. Happily a more confident Lirael is heavily featured here and it's a lot fun watching her discover just exactly who she is. Mogget, the fickle cat and Disreputable Dog are back and as winning as ever, right to the very last page! Highly show more recommended!! **** show less