An explosive prologue sets the stage for Nix's riveting continuation of the story begun in Sabriel
and Lirael. While newcomers might find the intricate plotting and the rituals of the Charter Magic off-putting at first, Nix rewards their efforts. Returning characters Lirael, former Second Assistant Librarian of the Clayr and now an Abhorsen-in-Waiting (the Abhorsen's "birthright and charge [is] to maintain the borders of Life and Death"), and her nephew, Prince Sameth, along with Disreputable Dog and the mysterious white cat, Mogget, are ensorcelled in the Abhorsen House by a Dead creature, Chlorr of the Mask, who is in league with the evil necromancer Hedge. They break out to try and rescue Sam's old friend, Nicholas Sayre, who has been tricked by Hedge into digging up Orannis, the Destroyer; if Hedge's plan succeeds, the evil now contained by two separate hemispheres will join and annihilate all life. The grotesque imagery of the Death realm provides a haunting note, which Nix offsets by the brightness of the main characters' quest to defeat the Destroyer. At once an allegory regarding war and peace and a testament to friendship, this thought-provoking fantasy also resolves the true identities of the popular Dog and Mogget characters—and suggests that Nix may still have more tricks up his sleeve. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)
Details
Reviewed on: 11/25/2002
Genre: Children's
Analog Audio Cassette - 978-0-8072-0561-7
Analog Audio Cassette - 978-0-8072-0560-0
Downloadable Audio - 1 pages - 978-0-7393-6082-8
Hardcover - 395 pages - 978-0-00-713734-3
Library Binding - 368 pages - 978-0-06-027826-7
Mass Market Paperbound - 518 pages - 978-0-06-052873-7
Open Ebook - 528 pages - 978-0-06-053276-5
Other - 457 pages - 978-1-4714-0402-3
Other - 1 pages - 978-1-74176-957-9
Other - 528 pages - 978-0-06-118725-4
Other - 528 pages - 978-0-06-197510-3
Paperback - 368 pages - 978-0-06-147433-0
Paperback - 384 pages - 978-0-06-231557-1
Paperback - 340 pages - 978-0-06-059498-5
Peanut Press/Palm Reader - 528 pages - 978-0-06-053277-2
Prebound-Glued - 518 pages - 978-0-7569-3180-3
Prebound-Sewn - 528 pages - 978-0-613-83572-5
Prebound-Sewn - 978-0-606-29720-2
