The Old Kingdom Three-Book Box Set: Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen

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I am an adoring fan of the Trilogy that is Sabriel, Lireal and Abhorsen. I can read these books over and over and never tire of walking in the Old Kingdom. I recommend this book to any who love a great fantasy. Magic, the Living Dead and Love that can stand up to the Death itself. I give it two thumbs way, way up!

this is a great trilogy, not to mention at a great price. for anyone who is into a more "easily digested" fantasy - i definately reccomend this book. a more adult fantasy makes it more interesting, easier to read not to mention all 3 books in 1. what a great buy!!!

Reviewed by Rachael Stein (age 15) for Reader Views (1/09) In the ancient and mystical world of the Old Kingdom, evil constantly breeds despite valiant attempts to destroy it forever. But evil in the Old Kingdom is no ordinary evil; it is often the work of Free Magic creatures or necromancers raising the Dead to wreak havoc. Fortunately, there is some protection against the Dead such as sunlight, running water, and the Abhorsen, whose duty is to make sure the Dead stay dead. But the struggle between life and death seems to be an everlasting one with a bleak outcome, especially when chaos reigns. "The Abhorsen Chronicles," composed of the three novels "Sabriel," "Lirael," and "Abhorsen" as well as the short story "Nicolas Sayre and the Creature in the Case," tells the awesomely fantastical tale of this heart-stopping and dangerous battle spanning all time. In this world, virtually no one can be trusted and evil will stop at nothing to succeed. Though dauntingly thick, "The Abhorsen Chronicles" is an attention-consuming and intensely satisfying read. I am wary to provide any real plot summary besides basic background for two reasons: there is too much to be given away and no summary can do this exciting tale justice. "The Abhorsen Chronicles" has all any eager reader could want including nonstop action and suspense, an entire new world filled with originality and magic, and even hits of romance. The plot simply flows from the pages and from tale to next tale so effortlessly, leaving the reader hungry for more and likely to lose track of time as I did several times. As with all stories set in unfamiliar fantasy worlds, some of the language and wording was a bit confusing and took a bit to get used to, and a glossary of terms would've been helpful. Despite that small setback, though, I cannot deny that the incredible takes Nix has woven in "The Abhorsen Chronicles" are truly epic. The most important part of this novel was definitely the well-woven plot, but I was pleased to see that the characters weren't neglected in the process. All the main characters, even the evil ones, connect with the reader in some way, especially Sabriel and Lirael. Superb characterization as well as the outstanding plot really helped bring all the characters to life and made them virtually leap of the pages. "The Abhorsen Chronicles" will be popular among fans of magical and `otherworldy' tales such as the classics "Lord of the Rings" and "Narnia" and modern "Harry Potter" and "Eragon." As incredible as it is convenient, "The Abhorsen Chronicles" by Garth Nix is most definitely worth anyone's time and investment.

Necromancers are usually the bad guys in fantasy. When you can control dead bodies, it's a given that people might not like you. But Garth Nix turned that little trope on its head with "The Abhorsen Chronicles," three interconnected fantasies about a family of necromancers who lay the dead -- and forces of evil -- to rest. His richly-realized world, elaborate magicks and brilliantly detailed writing give this wry, horrific high-fantasy a special quality that few other fantasy books have. Each of the three books about the Abhorsens is definitely a deserving classic. "Sabriel" is the story of a teenage girl living happily at a girl's school, while her necromancer father (the Abhorsen) roams around putting the dead to rest. All that changes when a sending brings her father's sword and bells, meaning that he is dead or incapacitated. So Sabriel takes on her father's duties, accompanied by a Free Magic cat and a mysterious young prince, and battles the specter of a horrible evil creature that is reaching out from death to snare her. "Lirael" takes us to the cold citadel of the Clayr, a race of seers to whom the Sight is everything. Young Lirael is depressed because she doesn't have the gift of Sight yet, even though everybody else her age does. But things take a sinister turn when she sets a horrifying, bloodthirsty creature loose, and must work -- with the help of the mysterious Disreputable Dog -- to get rid of it. But what Lirael doesn't know is that the outside world is in danger too, from a sinister new enemy -- and her destiny may take her out of the Clayr glacier, to where Sabriel's family is struggling to keep their kingdom safe. "Abhorsen" brings the series to an explosive conclusion. Lirael and her nephew Sameth -- along with "cat" Mogget and the Disreputable Dog -- are in danger from the invading Dead, and the Destroyer Orannis has escaped from his prison and is being assisted by an evil necromancer and the Dead called Chlorr -- and an unfortunate pal of Sameth's, who was mistaken for the young prince and his now be bespelled. Now Lirael must face her true destiny -- not as a Clayr, but as the future Abhorsen. And it also has the short story "The Creature in the Case," in which a worn-out Nicholas Sayre is sent to a country house for a weekend party, only to fall afoul of a Free Magic creature and a madman who is determined to bring "her" back to life... with Nick's magic-infused blood. Garth Nix had only written a couple of books, one of which was an "X-Files" novelization, when the first Abhorsen book burst onto the fantasy scene. Now he's one of the most respected, prolific and well-liked fantasy writers in years -- and his tales of the Old Kingdom are undoubtedly his best work -- they are a perfect example of dark fantasy, with its grotesque dead zombies that occasionally lurch out to attack the heroes, magical bells, and shadowy beasties that can (sometimes) be restrained. Nix's invented world is a seamless blend of the modern