Week 39 Review: Lirael

From Goodreads:

In this riveting sequel to Sabriel, master of fantasy and globally bestselling author Garth Nix returns to the fantastic world of the Old Kingdom.

Who is Lirael? And what is her destiny?

Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Abandoned by her mother, ignorant of her father's identity, Lirael resembles no one else in her large extended family living in the Clayr's Glacier. She doesn't even have the Sight — the ability to see into the present and possible futures — that is the very birthright of the Clayr.

Nonetheless, it is Lirael in whose hands the fate of the Old Kingdom lies. She must undertake a desperate mission under the growing shadow of an ancient evil — one that opposes the Royal Family, blocks the Sight of the Clay; and threatens to break the very boundary between Life and Death itself.

With only her faithful companion, the Disreputable Dog, to help her, Lirael must find the courage to seek her own hidden destiny.

My Review:
Oh, it was so great to read this book, to be in this world again! It was a little weird to have Sabriel be a mom, to be this power figure, but it was a quick and easy adjustment to follow Lirael! And finding how she fit into this world was quite a great story to read!

Getting to know Lireal was so fantastic, she's a Daughter of the Clayr-but she's the oldest without the Sight, and that leaves her very isolated. I loved her story, with the Disreputable Dog, and being the library assistant of levels 3 and 2, and I loved all that we learned of this world! I'm so excited to read more! 

It was a bit jarring to then have Sam's perspective as well, but he is an important figure in this world, his dad is King Touchstone, and his mom is the Abhorsen Sabriel, and Sam is the Abhorsen in Waiting. But he doesn't want the position. But oh, the moment that Lireal and Sma's story's came together, that was such a great moment! 

I will say, that I found Lirael's parentage-and the scene that revealed it-to be a bit icky. I mean, they do talk about the fact that he's old enough to be her father, he has a kid that's not much younger than her, and they're doing this to conceive a child that she's seen the world needing. And Lireal sees this. So that was a bit awkward to read. 

In a way, this book very much has middle book syndrome-there's not a big action scene, the battle, while intense, was very quick. But the first book focused on the previous generation, and a different threat, and this book is setting things up to go down in book 3, and I'm so excited for Abhorsen! 

This was such a great book, and I need to read more of this series! 

Author: Garth Nix
Series: Abhorsen #2, The Old Kingdom #2
Read: September 27th, 2021
Source: Own
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Book an a WTC Book! 
Publisher: Harper Collins
Published: April 21st 2001

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars