Book 4: Garth Nix's "Lirael"

Second in the "Abhorsen" trilogy, a new main character develops. This book takes place over several years (but just jumps through time, you don't have to read that much, though it is a very long book), following the young Clayr, Lirael. Lirael never developed the Sight which is basically seeing what will happen. She doesn't look the same as the others and for a moment it seems like this is going to be a whiny "I don't know who I am book!" but with some magic, a new job, and a certain disregard for the rules, it forms into a book that deserves to be on the same shelf as "Sabriel."


There also happens to be a switch in main characters, to Sabriel and Touchstone's son, Prince Sameth, otherwise known as Sam. And no, I will not tell you why and how he is a prince because that would completely ruin "Sabriel" for you. Sam gets himself in trouble like any other 17 year-old boy. Except his trouble is a bit more dangerous than graffiti or downloading porn and finding a virus instead. More like the dead and a certain pissy necromancer trying to kill him sort of way. 


Anyway, the story eventually settles and stops randomly jumping cross-country when, shocker, Lirael and the disreputable dog leave the Clayr's Glacier. Yes they live in a glacier, and are fricken nuts.


Personally, I think this book would have hit home more if I were younger, in high school, and wondering who the hell I was still. However, it is still powerful, and just as badass as "Sabriel." And as Lirael hint: works in the library, I connect with her for her love of books. 


As the story unfolds, we learn both who Lirael truly is and how she came to be. Equally as thrilling and full of magic, amazing imagery, and a bunch of dead things wandering around, as "Sabriel" was and longer. The villains are more devious and the plot is deeper. I may be giving too many of these out but five out of five stars. 


One more book in this series dear readers, enjoy.