Abhorsen
 Garth Nix
 (Guest Reviewer - Colleen Helme)
 2003 HarperTrophy
  ISBN: 0060278269

Lirael, newly come into her inheritance as the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, is the only one with a chance to stop the Destroyer.

She & her companion--Sam, the Disreputable Dog have to take that chance, for the Destroyer is the enemy of all Life, & it must be stopped, though Lirael does not know how.

Guest reviewer Colleen Helme writes:

Abhorsen is the long-awaited conclusion to the series that began with Sabriel. It begins where Lirael left off with her & Sameth taking refuge in the Abhorsen's house.

They are trying to rescue Sameth's friend, Nicholas Sayre, from the evil necromancer, Hedge. Lirael knows she must try & save him & stop Hedge from digging up a long buried evil. She is accompanied by “the disreputable dog” who is full of charter magic & more than what she seems.

Sameth travels with Moggett, a cat destined to serve the Abhorsen, who is a being of free magic constrained only by the collar he wears. It is up to the four of them to save Nick & stop Hedge from unleashing the free magic power that could destroy them all. It is a race against time & even then they do not know if they have the ability or the magic needed to defeat the dark that is rising.

The tone of Abhorsen closely resembles that of Sabriel because of the seeming hopelessness of the characters to reach their goal. It all comes together nicely at the end & everything makes sense.

I liked the concept of “charter magic” & how it fits in the creation of their world. I would have liked more of a conclusion with a wrap-up between the characters. The book seemed to end too quickly. Otherwise, it was a great read & a wonderful closing to a fun fantasy series.

More from Garth Nix: Shade's Children; Books from The Seventh Tower Series: The Ragwitch; The Violet Keystone & more.
(04/20/03)

Colleen
2003©Colleen Helme
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I have been an avid reader “forever” & live in the Rocky Mountains with my husband & four children. In my spare time (when I'm not reading!) I do watercolor paintings, make music, & WRITE! My first fantasy novel, Child of the Flame, is being published this year by American Book Publishing.