"Abhorsen" is the final novel in Garth Nix's award-winning Abhorsen trilogy. The first book is "Sabriel," and the second in the series is "Lirael." This third novel follows closely on the heels of the second, picking up immediately where "Lirael" left off. Though the first book stands on its own, the second and third in the series should really be read in conjunction with one another, as together they do combine to make one complete story time-line.

"Abhorsen" is the continuation of the quest of Lirael. Though new to her inherited roles as as the Abhorsen-in-Waiting and as a Rembrancer, she is able to deftly walk the veil between life and death. As with many science fiction and fantasy tales, she and her cohorts, Prince Sameth, the Disreputable Dog, and the sometimes dangerous Free Magic cat Mogget, must strive to save the world from impending doom. In this case, they must stop the Destroyer Orannis, along with his necromancer, Dead, and Free Magic minions, before all life is swept from the face of the planet.

"In a very unsettling way, it reminded her of the river of Death. But she did not feel they were in Death, and apart from the growing cold and the peripheral view of the river, all her senses told her that she was firmly in Life, though in a very strange tunnel, far underground."

Nix's descriptions of the land of death are consistent throughout the series, creating a realm of magical realism that is believable and interesting, particularly as the final gateway is faced. He manages to create characters that draw in the reader. This skill holds true even for peripheral characters. I found myself wishing to learn more about each person, while discovering enough to identify with each in some way and be personally invested in their outcome.

The trilogy is deftly wrapped up with "Abhorsen," yet I still found myself wishing that the adventures could continue. I look forward to reading more of Garth Nix's young adult fantasy novels in the future.

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.

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

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.

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".