Title: Clariel (Abhorsen #4)

Author: Garth Nix

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Published: October 14, 2014

The book takes place six hundred years before the rest of the series. Clariel had just moved to the capital from the borders of the country and all she wanted to do was go back. Her parents had other plans for her future. Then a Free Magic creature arrived and Clariel became her possibility of escape.

I really really loved Sabriel. It is one of my favorite books. I am unsure if I would have liked Clariel more if I hadn’t read the first one or if it really was the book. Maybe it has just been too long since I have read the rest of the series.

My biggest problem with the book was only one of the characters was actually willing to step up and do what they needed to do. The king decided ruling the country was too much work, so he stopped. The princess who was supposed to rule after the king disappeared. The Abhorsen was more worried about the next hunt than his duties. The next Abhorsen took after her father and didn’t care about anything beyond hunting. Clariel, the main character, only wanted to go back to her beloved forest. They all had really important things they should be doing and none of them would even attempt to try. The only character who stepped up and did what needed to be done was Bel. I became frustrated especially when Clariel was upset with the king for not ruling. I really wanted someone to point out how hypocritical she was being. No one ever did.

I find this world fascinating and really look forward to being a part of it during the time it takes me to read. The words used make beautiful pictures whether we are in the normal world, the Old Kingdom, or death. Each of the environments described are rich and they make the series worth reading.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.