Sabriel by Garth Nix

Many people have, no doubt, already discovered this wonderful series. But I’m new to reading Garth Nix, so I was thrilled to find out about this great fantasy novel. Nix’s book is filled with all the elements of classic high fantasy, yet the story is also original and hauntingly real.

Though Sabriel grew up in the relatively modern-day land of Ancelstierre, she was born north of the Wall in the magical Old Kingdom. Her father is a necromancer there, making sure that the spirits of the dead stay dead – and don’t come back to plague the living. When Sabriel receives word that her father is missing, she sets out to find him. Along the way, she must pass through the Old Kingdom - a magical world full of danger, mystery, and long buried grudges.

I have not read high fantasy in a while, and Sabriel was a welcome return to my favorite genre. The book, in my opinion, did have one slow part - namely, the few chapters when Sabriel is traveling alone, before her interesting traveling companions show up. That bit aside, this story is one I’d recommend to any fan of high fantasy who has not yet discovered Garth Nix.