Fearing it will escape the Charter mark that seals it within his flesh and bones, Lirael seeks help for Nick at her childhood home, the Clayr’s Glacier.īut even as Lirael and Nick return to the Clayr, a young woman named Ferin from the distant North braves the elements and many enemies in a desperate attempt to deliver a message to Lirael from her long-dead mother, Arielle. But Nicholas is deeply tainted with Free Magic. When Lirael finds Nicholas Sayre lying unconscious after being attacked by a hideous Free Magic creature, she uses her powers to save him. Lirael lost one of her hands in the binding of Orannis, but now she has a new hand, one of gilded steel and Charter Magic. She’s also a Remembrancer, wielder of the Dark Mirror.

She is the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, with Dead creatures to battle and Free Magic entities to bind. Lirael is no longer a shy Second Assistant Librarian. I’m excited to see that, although I have to admit that I also really like the bells on the front of the proof copy. The British cover art is still yet to be released, although I would expect that it will be something similar to Clariel, which in itself was similar to the original trilogy covers – solid colours with blazing Charter marks on the front. Plus, I didn’t absolutely adore Clariel, so maybe that can go some way to supporting my theory. So while I admit bias, I think that my bias is backed up by Nix’s skill. But I also like to think that the reason why Garth Nix is my absolute fave is because he’s a phenomenally talented writer, capable of building a world which is utterly immersive, while still managing to paint a story which is true to life and believable. I make no secret of the fact that Garth Nix is my favourite author, and furthermore that the Old Kingdom is my favourite series, so it’s to be expected that my reaction to this would be largely composed of excited flailing.

Goodreads sabriel