Lirael by Garth Nix
Title: Lirael
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 
The second book in the Abhorsen trilogy is called Lirael, and is not really a sequel to Sabriel, even though one might at first think so. It is set in the same world, with the same surroundings, but revolves around Lirael instead of Sabriel. Lirael is a daughter of the Clayr, the glacier-dwelling people who can see pieces of the future. Lirael, however, is not blessed with the Sight, and as such feels like an outsider. With time she comes to obtain a job as a librarian in the library of the Clayr, a place that holds many secrets, both great and terrible. To combat her loneliness, Lirael learns how to make a dog sending - not a real dog, but a dog woven of magic. During the making of the dog, Lirael is aided by a dog statue found in the depths of the library, and something happens during the weaving of the dog, something that makes the dog something more than simply a sending.
Eventually the Clayr with the Sight see Lirael on a mission, a mission that will make or break the world that they know. Intent on fulfilling her destiny, Lirael and the Disreputable Dog sets out to do their best to save the world. Along the way they encounter Sameth, son of Sabriel and a somewhat reluctant Abhorsen-in-waiting to boot, and good old still-as-snarky Mogget, whose mission crosses and overlaps that of Lirael. A new force of evil is rising, one greater than Kerrigor of Sabriel’s earlier adventure. An evil from the beginning of the Charter…
If I thought that Nix couldn’t possibly write a book better than or equal to Sabriel, he proved me wrong with Lirael. This book delves even deeper into the magic of the Old Kingdom, and not just Charter Magic, but Free Magic as well, and paints a rather detailed picture of how magic affects the Old Kingdom and those who are adept in magic themselves.
The main character, Lirael, is one you can easily identify with as well. Haven’t we all been through those awkward teenage years where we felt like we didn’t belong anywhere? Where we considered the option that maybe, just maybe I was adopted, or at least my little brother was? At first Lirael seems like your ordinary run of the mill emo teenager wanting to kill herself, but she really does grow on you as she herself grows in character. Now, I’m a sucker for stories like these - lonely girl who doesn’t fit in with her supposed family goes on quest and finds her true destiny, which opens up a whole new world to her. In Lirael’s case, this is the world of Death, as she takes up the panflute (similar to the bells, but lesser in power) and takes up her place as a Remembrancer.
As with Sabriel, my favourite part of Lirael is the animal companion. The Disreputable Dog provides many chuckles throughout the book, and sparks (and claws!) fly when the Dog and Mogget finally meet (again). Oh Mogget, I love you. Don’t let the Dog get you down, we all know you’re the best, even though the Dog’s bark holds powers untold.
Garth Nix, I embrace you. Your Abhorsen trilogy has gotten its rightful place way up on my list of beloved books, right up there with Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
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