Over the weekend I finished reading the Abhorsen Trilogy (*Sabriel, Lirael, * and Abhorsen) by Garth Nix. Technically they’re considered young adult fantasy, but one thing I’ve learned is that there are YA fantasy/science fiction books that I like a lot more than some of the fantasy/science fiction written for adults.
I was thoroughly impressed with these books. I didn’t expect to get as sucked into the story as I did, but there it was, to the point that I stayed up way too late one night to finish the last one.
I did feel like Nix pushed the idea of family hard in Lirael and Abhorsen, to the point that I could have done without a little of it, but it didn’t distract me too much from the story.
I’m rather hoping that Nix will head into the story of Nicholas next, although I’ll survive if he doesn’t. I’d love to hear other’s impressions of these books.
Added bonus: I checked the readings for one of my summer classes and found that Sabriel is one of the books for that class (along with several other YA books I already own, including one by Tamora Pierce). That class won’t start for another two months though - so don’t worry that you’re doing homework for me or anything.
I’ve read the first two books, and liked them quite well. I never turn down a book because it’s “just” YA – and I’m 50! Good literature is good literature, whatever its target audience is.
I have all three books in that series, along with quite a few Tamora Pierce books. Pretty good books. Pierce is a bit lighter than Nix, but both my sister and I were addicted to her works for a while. If you liked Nix, you might want to try Diana Wynne Jones, if you haven’t already.
I was sure I read somewhere what Garth was working on next but the article I have sitting on my desk waiting to be sent to someone who is mentioned in the article beside the Nix article doesn’t say. Did that make sense? He’s certainly working on something because the Australian spec-fic community is currently thrilled to hear that he has signed a 6 figure contract with a major US publisher.
Cross-over with YA/adult fiction is a Big Trend in publishing at the moment and I think we will see more of it.
Maybe, considering the size of that advance, I should go and kick Mr P in the pants and tell him to get back to work and stop mucking around laying bricks in the BBQ area. Goddamn it, I could do things with an advance like that!
I haven’t read Abhorsen yet, but the first two were incredible. (Thought about changing my username to Sabriel for a while, actually.) We’ll learn more about Mogget and the Dog in the third one, right?
Juniper200, I thought about changing my username as well - only I wanted Lirael. Yes, you will learn more about Mogget and the dog.
literatelady, D.W.J. is another of my favorites - I have a copy of just about everything that’s in print. I’ve pretty much read all the 'standard" YA fantasy/sci-fi, with the exception of His Dark Materials. And I’m trying once again to get through that…but for some reason, those don’t draw me in as much.