From the Publisher
Between striking characters-from the heroic if not entirely competent young Abhorsen-in-Waiting, Belatiel, to the enigmatic, catlike Mogget-and Nix’s brilliantly complex magic system, this superb tale is exactly the book fans of the series have been awaiting.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Clariel is a deeply sympathetic character faced with complicated choices, the consequences of which are frighteningly uncertain as she is pulled between the wild Free Magic and the disciplined Charter. A bittersweet story.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Nix pens a compelling character in Clariel while his skill in rendering both politics and magic is strong. This excellent work can be enjoyed independently of the other Old Kingdom novels, but will certainly draw readers to those works.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Nix’s tale provides a complete experience unto itself. But his focus on this strong character whose overriding passion is to go her own way provides a hugely satisfying background to the other Abhorsen books. A suspenseful prequel to the much-loved Abhorsen books, showcasing the independent Clariel.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“Beautifully written, magnificently imagined, and wholly original, Clariel is Garth Nix’s finest work yet.” — Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
“The old magic returns in this sterling prequel to one of YA’s classic series.” — Scott Westerfeld, New York Times bestselling author of the Uglies series and Afterworlds
“A brilliant return to the Old Kingdom—one of the most exciting and original magical worlds ever devised.” — Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona
“A thunderstorm of a tale, bitter and brutal but dazzling in its ferocity.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Fans will treasure this long-awaited opportunity to return to a much-loved world, built with as much originality and richness as ever.” — Horn Book Magazine
“Nix fans will surely rejoice at this sharp, gripping prequel to his beloved fantasy trilogy of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. The beauty of a prequel is that it will not only present unknown scenarios even to the most intense devotees but also pave a path for new fans to dive into the existing trilogy. “ — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for SABRIEL: “Sabriel is a winner, a fantasy that reads like realism. Here is a world with the same solidity and four dimensional authority as our own, created with invention, clarity, and intelligence. I congratulate Garth Nix. And I look forward to reading his next piece of work.” — Philip Pullman
Praise for LIRAEL: “What makes Lirael a delight is the magic that Nix brings to his story and to his characters.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Riveting.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for ABHORSEN: “Breathtaking, bittersweet, and utterly unforgettable.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Booklist (starred review)
Clariel is a deeply sympathetic character faced with complicated choices, the consequences of which are frighteningly uncertain as she is pulled between the wild Free Magic and the disciplined Charter. A bittersweet story.
Alison Goodman
A brilliant return to the Old Kingdom—one of the most exciting and original magical worlds ever devised.
Horn Book Magazine
Fans will treasure this long-awaited opportunity to return to a much-loved world, built with as much originality and richness as ever.
Scott Westerfeld
The old magic returns in this sterling prequel to one of YA’s classic series.
Shelf Awareness (starred review)
Nix’s tale provides a complete experience unto itself. But his focus on this strong character whose overriding passion is to go her own way provides a hugely satisfying background to the other Abhorsen books. A suspenseful prequel to the much-loved Abhorsen books, showcasing the independent Clariel.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Nix fans will surely rejoice at this sharp, gripping prequel to his beloved fantasy trilogy of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. The beauty of a prequel is that it will not only present unknown scenarios even to the most intense devotees but also pave a path for new fans to dive into the existing trilogy. “
Holly Black
Beautifully written, magnificently imagined, and wholly original, Clariel is Garth Nix’s finest work yet.
Booklist (starred review)
Clariel is a deeply sympathetic character faced with complicated choices, the consequences of which are frighteningly uncertain as she is pulled between the wild Free Magic and the disciplined Charter. A bittersweet story.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Nix fans will surely rejoice at this sharp, gripping prequel to his beloved fantasy trilogy of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. The beauty of a prequel is that it will not only present unknown scenarios even to the most intense devotees but also pave a path for new fans to dive into the existing trilogy. “
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Nix fans will surely rejoice at this sharp, gripping prequel to his beloved fantasy trilogy of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. The beauty of a prequel is that it will not only present unknown scenarios even to the most intense devotees but also pave a path for new fans to dive into the existing trilogy. “
Philip Pullman
Praise for SABRIEL:“Sabriel is a winner, a fantasy that reads like realism. Here is a world with the same solidity and four dimensional authority as our own, created with invention, clarity, and intelligence. I congratulate Garth Nix. And I look forward to reading his next piece of work.
OCTOBER 2014 - AudioFile
Graeme Malcolm isn’t the obvious choice to narrate a fantasy about a teenaged girl, but his sonorous voice complements the seriousness of the main character, Clariel, as she grapples with duty, desire, and a murky moral landscape. Clariel’s parents have moved her to the city to attend finishing school, but all she wants to do is run back to her beloved forest and live alone. Malcolm creates character voices that help listeners follow the story as Clariel becomes involved in a plot to overthrow the king and is tempted by dangerous Free Magic creatures. Malcolm paces his performance to heighten the tension as Clariel’s situation grows more complicated. This prequel will satisfy fans as well as those new to Nix’s Old Kingdom series. A.F. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
