Sabriel
 Garth Nix
 (Guest Reviewer - Colleen Helme)
 1997 HarperTrophy
  ISBN: 0064471837

A fantasy set in a world where evil comes in the shape of the dead, & the Abhorsen, who has power to bind the dead, is the hero.

Guest Reviewer Colleen Helme writes:

Sabriel's world is divided into two kingdoms. On one side of the country is Ancelstierre, where there are cars & electricity. There is a wall separating it from The Old Kingdom, where magic rules & guns, cars, & electricity don't work. It is here that Sabriel is born with charter magic, the daughter of the Abhorsen who has the power of a necromancer.

Sabriel is in school in Ancelstierre when she receives a message from her father, the Abhorsen, that he is being held prisoner in death & needs her to help free him. The dead messenger brings the Abhorsen's sword & bells to Sabriel, & although she is not ready, she knows it is up to her to save her father. This means she must become the Abhorsen & return to the Old Kingdom. Even though it frightens her, she is determined to succeed.

Sabriel is full of adventure & courage. The dead that come back into life are definitely frightening, giving Sabriel plenty to do. As she learns more about herself & the role she must take, she does so without hesitation, showing real character.

Sabriel is a fast read, & keeps you involved to the end, without some of the mind-boggling details found in some fantasy novels. It is one of my favorite books & I highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read!

More from Garth Nix: Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr; Abhorsen; Shade's Children; Books from The Seventh Tower Series: The Ragwitch; The Violet Keystone.
(03/16/03)

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.