Lirael

Lirael is one of those books that has always stuck out in my mind throughout the years. When I came to re-read this series as an adult I could not remember much at all about the first book but Lirael was as clear to me as if I'd read it in the last couple years.

Lirael is set years past the end of Sabriel and focuses more on the younger generation. Lirael lives in the Clayr without the power of the Sight. She cannot progress within the Clayr until she gains the Sight, but that doesn't seem to be happening for her. Lirael in the beginning of the story is desperate to find her role within the Clayr, but she quickly learns to become independent as she gains her position in the Clayr's library. Its through this job in the library that she ~meets the Disreputable Dog (the best character in the series) and manages to learn more about the Charter and herself. Sameth, on the other hand, knows exactly who he is and who he is expected to be. The issue is that these two people aren't anything alike. As his parents are called away on important business, Prince Sameth must take up his mother's bells and become a necromancer proper.

This second novel gives a closer look at the magic and world of the Old Kingdom series. Lirael's chapters are incredibly interesting if you finished Sabriel wishing you understood more about the magic of the Charter. But its Lirael as a character who has always stood out to me. She felt so independent and strong throughout the book, even when she had no clue what the next step was or how to achieve it. I preferred Lirael as a character to Sabriel, partially as she loved books like I did but also because she went through a bigger change as a character.

This book also gives a bigger view to the non magical kingdom through Prince Sameth and his friends. Sameth goes to school in the non magical kingdom just as Sabriel did and therefore has a better knowledge of that country than his own. We also revisit old favourite characters such as Mog, and get to see them in brand new forms.

This book takes place decades down the road from Sabriel and I found it rather confusing how the female main character was related to the prior book. The male character was easier to place but still, I wasn't quite sure what he had to do with her story.

Both story lines move along nicely and the switching between the 2 was nicely done as well, none of the frequent doses of confusion for minutes at a time waiting for something to clear things up, found in other authors' books.

I like this and the prior book so well I picked up the next book in the series Abhorsen immediately.