Abhorsen (Abhorsen #3)

Picking up right where book #2’s cliffhangery ending left off, Garth Nix brings us the satisfying conclusion to his Abhorsen series.

As we learned in the last book, Lireal is now the newly minted Abhorsen in waiting. She is also Sam’s aunt, as it turns out. (Take THAT, possible romantic subplot!) And since Queen Sabriel and King Touchstone are nowhere to be found, it looks as though averting the end of the world must fall entirely to this ill-prepared duo and their furry familiars. As their plotlines were finally joined in the last book, we aren’t shown as much of what is going on elsewhere in the world. But readers are given occasional scenes from the POV of the semi-possessed Nick, and a bit from the king and queen.

The somewhat reluctant character growth we began to see in the last book is accelerated. Both Lireal and Sam are pushed into showing competence in their newly acquired skills, while discovering how their roles in this end game are actually complemented by the more innate abilities (which they had previously assumed useless.) There is also, thankfully, far less whining going on between the two of them.

I’m happy to report that Mogget is still, ever endearingly, Mogget.

"Remember I advised against this way," he instructed. "Wake me when whatever terrible thing is about to happen happens, or if it appears I might get wet.”

For those waiting with bated breath to learn the origin of both Mogget and The Disreputable Dog… you will not be disappointed. It may be as you already suspect (thanks to some adequate foreshadowing amid the worldbuilding of book #2), but that aspect will not be left unanswered.

Personally, I would have liked to see more on the reveal regarding Sam’s nature. It is concluded that his role is a “Builder”—an extension of the peoples who originally constructed the magical buffer wall between the Old Kingdom and the rest of the world. He has a part to play, to be sure… but that part often feels like a handy afterthought. And it isn’t really explained how he ended up as a Builder in the first place (though, comingling of the Clayr, Abhorsen, and Royal bloodlines is clearly something of a theme.)

Overall though, this was a solid read. And an above-par bookend (literally) to this medium-fantasy series.

I didnt read my advance copy of Garth Nixs Abhorsen right away, as I received it in the middle of the holiday season. I had too many things to do and presents to buy, but it burned constantly in the back of my mind.

I finally made time to read it in between Thanksgiving and Christmas and I couldnt have given a better present to myself. The Abhorsen is a fitting continuation of the series started with Sabriel and a very nice follow-up to Lirael. If youve read my previous reviews, you know how much I enjoyed those two books.

Ill even reiterate here one of my main points from those previous books: Garth Nix is, in my mind, one of the best YA fantasy authors out there today. He tries to break new ground, rather than treading the same old path, and it shows.

The Abhorsen continues the story begun in Lirael. While Sabriel was the first book in the series, the latter two really tell the story of Lirael, the half-sister of Sabriel, and Sameth, Sabriels son. The story picks up pretty much exactly where Lirael left off, which will leave newcomers to the story a little dumbfounded and confused. My best advice to them is to read the other booksthey wont regret it anyway!

Lirael and Sameth must complete an epic journey, face many dangers, and come up against their greatest fears. While that sounds very much like a lot of other fantasy novels out there, Garth Nixs expansive and believable world of dark magic and necromancy saves it from becoming just another hero story.

The intricate history of this world and the intertwined lives of the main characters will hold you spellbound, as if caught in the hold of Ranna, the sleep bringer and the smallest of the Abhorsens powerful bells.

Fans of epic fantasy will enjoy all of these books, but are well advised to begin at the beginning before picking up this latest entry. Fans of this series will be overjoyed by the latest entry and they will finally learn the truth behind the disreputable dog and find some joy in Moggets true form.