Abhorsen-Garth Nix

	Title: Abhorsen Author: Garth Nix Genre: Fantasy Pages: 358 Publication: Eos,2003 Source: Bought Rating:

The Ninth was strong
and fought with might,
But lone Orannis
was put out of the light,
Broken in two
and buried under hill,
Forever to lie there, wishing us ill. So says the song. But Orannis, the Destroyer, is no longer buried under hill. It has been freed from its subterranean prison and now seeks to escape the silver hemispheres, the final barrier to the unleashing of its terrible powers.

Only Lirael, newly come into her inheritance as the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, has any chance of stopping the Destroyer. She and her companions -- Sam, the Disreputable Dog, and Mogget -- have to take that chance. For the Destroyer is the enemy of all Life, and it must be stopped, though Lirael does not know how.

To make matters worse, Sam's best friend, Nick, is helping the Destroyer, as are the necromancer Hedge and the Greater Dead Chlorr, and there has been no word from the Abhorsen Sabriel or King Touchstone.

Everything depends upon Lirael. A heavy, perhaps even impossible burden for a young woman who just days ago was merely a Second Assistant Librarian. With only a vision from the Clayr to guide her, and the rather mixed help of her companions, Lirael must search in both Life and Death for some means to defeat the Destroyer.

Before it is too late. . .

Disclaimer: Abhorsen is the second part of the story started in Lirael. This review will contain spoilers, though I will try to keep them to a minimum. I suggest you take a look at Lirael’s review,here.

Abhorsen is the exciting conclusion to Lirael. The action starts off instantly as we focus on Sabriel and Touchstone in Ancelstierre. As they fight their political battle, it no longer becomes just a political confrontation, but a deadly one as well. Then the action swings back to Lirael and Prince Sameth as they continue their journey to the Lightning Trap. In this second part of the story, there is a lot more focus on Nick and his predicament, which really showcases the forces Lirael is facing from another view point.

Abhorsen is a great ending. Not only does Nix answer questions that have been rising throughout Lirael and Abhorsen, but he also answers questions that I had from Sabriel. I found this to be extremely satisfying as well as enlightening. The Disreputable Dog, unlike Mogget in Sabriel, is free to discuss the Charter, particularly its Beginning. So the reader gets to really delve into the creation of this magic system that is so pervasive to life in the Old Kingdom and understand its root. It also explains the connection between Free Magic and Charter Magic, as well as the presence of Free Magic creatures.

All in all, Abhorsen is a fantastic book and a fantastic ending to Lirael. If you enjoyed Sabriel you will most certainly enjoy Lirael and Abhorsen. I highly recommend the whole Abhorsen series!