Lirael, Daughter of the Clayr


Author: Garth Nix

Publisher: New York: Harper Collins 2001
ISBN-978-0060278236
pages: 487
Author's website - check out some of the links that are on this page.


Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Lirael, the Clayr without the Sight, discovers her life is destined for something much greater. Prince Sameth discovers that his Kingdom is in real danger. Their stories will keep you spellbound with anticipation.

Summary:
Lirael hopes and prays that this birthday will bring her the Sight. She is one of the oldest apprentices and thinks that ending her life might be a better solution then going another year without the Sight. However, she is given a job in the library and discovers that she contains very strong magical powers including the ability to conjure up The Disreputable Dog who becomes her best friend and companion. There she learns many things about how to handle magical beings and picks up some tools that will aid her in her future. When the Clayr’s show her the “vision” they have of her in the future she leave her home to follow her destiny. Off in another part of the Old Kingdom, Prince Sameth is trying to get home from school when he and his classmates are attacked by The Dead. Although Sameth makes it home alive he has serious doubts about his ability to follow in his mother’s footsteps as Abhorsen. Struggling to find the strength to do what is expected of him he sets off the help his friend who seems to be headed for trouble. Lirael and Sameth’s paths cross and together they support each other with encouragement and commit to helping each other defeat the coming evil.

Evaluation: Although this is the second book in a trilogy, it picks up many years after the first book and is easy to follow and enjoy without having read the first one. This book won several awards including YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults. This story is full a exciting magical events and a compelling story with a cliffhanger that inspires one to start the next book immediately.

Series: Old Kingdom Trilogy, book 2

Abhorsen


Author: Garth Nix

Publisher: New York: Harper Collins 2003
ISBN-978-0060278250
pages: 304
Author's website - check out some of the links that are on this page.

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Media Type: book

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation:
Lirael and Sameth set off with their companions, the Disreputable Dog and Mogget, the magical cat to defeat the takeover of death and restore power of the Old Kingdom to Sameth’s parents. They must not let the ancient spirit of the Destroyer become whole again or life will be over for all.

Summary: Now that Lirael has discovered she is actually the Abhorsen-in-Waiting and Sameth is off the hook they form a partnership and prepare for their journey to rescue Sam’s unsuspecting friend Nick. Taken over by the powerful necromancer Hedge, Nick has lost control of his free will and is blindly acting as a bridge between the living world and the dead world. As Sam and Lirael work their way through all the obstacles the encounter they gain confidence and courage for the final showdown.

Evaluation: This book picks up right where we left off at the end of Lirael and concludes the trilogy with a hard traveled journey to defeat evil and death, and restore the world to the living. An exciting gripping conclusion with all the right components of suspense and magic with a strong leading woman.

Series: Old Kingdom Trilogy, book 3

About Me

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I grew up outside of Boston, went to college in western MA and lived in NYC dancing for several years before getting my teaching credentials and unintentionally moving to Santa Cruz CA. Married and divorced with two kids almost grown, a daughter in college and a son in high school, I am thrilled to be a librarian now, something that I should have done years ago. I love the applications of technology and realize that I have been interested in that since my first computer class back in 1986 - a new requirement for teaching degrees. Finally I can combine my love of curriculum, educational resources, working with adults and children, and technology applications.

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