Customer Reviews
Mogget to save the day? 
2008-08-25
Like the first 2 books in the Abhorsen trilogy this book was excellent. It starts off a bit tragic. However, this is just the beginning of the adventure. In this book you will see Lirael become a mighty Abhorsen. She is a very powerful main character and very likeable. Sameth comes into his own, even his annoying sister is likeable. The Disreputable Dog is her usual mysterious and loveable self. This book is a page turner and the need to get to the end is immense. Mogget will suprise you towards the end. Without revealing the ending, this book has a happy ending but also a very sad ending. This is a must read and defiantly a keeper.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too 2008-06-13
If LIRAEL lacked in action compared to its predecessor, SABRIEL, ABHORSEN makes up for that by functioning as an extended climax of events from the previous book, focused around the need to find and defeat the necromancer Hedge to stop him from reawakening an old and malevolent power known simply as the Destroyer. The story picks up directly after the end of the previous book, with Lirael, Sameth, Mogget, and the Disreputable Dog in a race against time to stop Sam's school friend, Nicholas Sayre, from going through with his plans to reconnect two large metal hemispheres, which when connected will release the Destroyer. This power, also known as Orannis, was first bound when the Charter was created and is inimical to all forms of life.
ABHORSEN really feels like it ought to have been part of the end of LIRAEL, not only because the latter book is a continuation of the former in terms of plot. It might be possible for a reader to understand LIRAEL having not read SABRIEL, but ABHORSEN does not stand alone in this way. Rather, the characters, plot, and worldbuilding knowledge from the prior book is assumed by the author in this book. This isn't much of a problem, though, because Nix's writing still takes the reader on marvelous adventures. I just wouldn't advise trying to read this trilogy out of order. In fact, even reading this review without knowing the background of the series is probably difficult.
I also felt that some portions of the story moved along too quickly; I would have liked to see a mix of action and introspection, with more character development. However, in comparison to LIRAEL, whose action took place over a period of four years, the major events in ABHORSEN take place over less than a month of time. I recommend reading ABHORSEN directly after finishing LIRAEL for maximum effectiveness.
My biggest problem with this book was that it ended! While the primary concerns of the trilogy were nicely concluded, there were many new storylines and new questions posed that might have been nonessential, but that I still wanted answered--mostly because I don't think Nix is done with these characters, and I want to see more of them! I've got my fingers crossed that Nix will decide to write more short stories in this universe (the short story collection ACROSS THE WALL contains one story set in Ancelstierre), if not more novels. I'd be willing to read anything he'll write!
Reviewed by: Candace Cunard
A satisfying conclusion 
2008-01-05
Good direct continuation from the second book (Lirael) in the series. We go all the way through the Precincts and Gates of the land of the dead this time. Nice resolution of who the Disreputable Dog and Mogget really are. If I have any complaints, I think it's that the final conflict is handled with a bit too much ease by our young and inexperienced heroine in the Ninth Precinct. Still, a satisfying book.
Great conclusion 2007-04-08
I gave "Sabriel" and "Lirael" positive reviews at a four-star level. This one closes out the series in a way that deserves that fifth star. There's nothing surprising in terms of the characters heading toward ever more difficult challenges - most of which seem completely insurmountable. You know you're going to get that, and you know the characters are largely going to find the ways to prevail.
What's great about this is that Nix's characters find surprising answers to the things challenging them. As the novel heads towards it conclusion many different threads are tied together into a satisfying, surprising and emotionally involving conclusion. I enjoyed it right up the end, and I recommend it to all readers of quality fantasy. Be sure to start with the earlier novels, though. It would be a shame to start at the end, especially as so much of what makes this one special are things first begun in "Sabriel" and "Lirael".
Clean Fantasy 2007-01-31
I realize that this book is geared towards young readers, but as an adult, I also found the story interesting and well written. While I would like to discuss some of the unique aspects of the book that captured my attention and imagination, I will refrain so as not to spoil it for somebody else.
Although this is written for young readers, it is a good train or plane book for adults as well.
Abhorson 2006-10-27
Before she went to join Sam and Mogget downstairs, Lirael paused for a moment to look at herself in the tall silver mirror that hung on the wall of her room. The image that faced her bore little resemblance to the Second Assistant Librarian of the Clayr. She saw a warlike and grim young woman, dark hair bound back with a silver cord rather than hanging free to disguise her face. She no longer wore her librarian's waistcoat, and she had a long Nehima at her side rather than a library-issue dagger. but she had kept her library whistle, tucking it into the small pouch at her belt. Though she was many, many leagues from any help the whistle might summon, she felt the need to cling to some small part of her past and her identity.
She had become an Abhorsen, Lirael thought, at least on the outside.
Wonderful Book 2006-08-14
I just finished the Abhorsen. What a wonderful read. The book picks right up from where Lirael left off. We find Lirael, Sam, the Disreputable Dog, and Mogget off on their quest to stop the Destroyer and all that stand with It. I went through the book wondering if Lirael would be able to handle being the Abhorsen in waiting, what the role of Wallmaker, for Sam, would be, who really was the Disreputable Dog and which side is Mogget really on? It was very fast paced and I could hardly put it down. Sad to see it end though.
Something deadly this way comes 2006-08-01
Picking right up from the end of book two, we rejoin Lirael and Sameth at Abhorsen's house, with the cast of "Night of the Living Dead" hanging around outside getting ready to crash the party. Lirael has finally admitted to herself that she's the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, and Sameth isn't arguing. Mogget the cat and the Disreputable Dog are still along for the ride.
The adversaries they face in this final showdown are the most dangerous ever - Chlorr of the Mask, Hedge the Necromancer, oodles of crumbly dead hands and the most powerful enemy of all - a Destroyer so deadly that he had to be split in two, encased in two silver hemispheres, sealed in by seven magical bonds, and buried under the earth, and he still hasn't gotten the hint that he's not wanted.
Using Sam's friend Nicholas as a puppet, the Destroyer, through Hedge, has organized the construction of a lightning farm across the border, thereby generating enough power for all Hell to break loose again.
Using her gift of 20/20 hindsight, Lirael knows how the Destroyer's plan was ruined the last time he acted up, but since this required the assistance of the Seven Bright Shiners at the time, she has to send in the substitute team for the final innings. A little help from unexpected quarters helps to improve the odds, but it's still touch and go until the fat lady sings.
A fast paced and thoroughly enthralling grand finale to one of the most imaginative fantasy series this side of the Old Kingdom.
Amanda Richards, July 31, 2006
The Abhorsen Trilogy 2006-07-31
I bought the first two books for a light hearted holiday read. I ended my holiday reading them night and day. I was hooked to the magic of Garth Nix.Sabriel is a story about an eighteen- year-old girl trying to rescue her father. Along the way she must fight the evil Dead. Lirael is set almost twenty years later. Lirael is an outcast, she must fight to capture her destiny and save her world. She is helped in this quest by Sabriel's son Sam. Abhorsen is the finale to this trilogy, where all must unite to save the Old Kingdom.
To replace a Title 2006-07-06
Garth Nix is a talented writer and spinner of tales.
