Monday, February 7, 2022

Terciel and Elinor

Since discovering the book, Sabriel, (originally published in 2005) many years ago I have also read the other books in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. Terciel and Elinor, the sixth book in series, tells how Sabriel's parents, Terciel and Elinor, met.

Terciel, the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, is receiving training from Tizanael, his great aunt and the current Abhorsen. They live in the Old Kingdom and use powerful necromancy, including the bells, to ensure that the Dead do not return to this world. Meanwhile Elinor lives on the other side of the Wall and although she is aware that she has some unusual powers she is unaware that the mark on her forehead is a chartre mark and that she she has family connections to the Old Kingdom, especially to the Clayr who have special powers of their own.

Terciel and Elinor meet when Elinor's home is attacked by an enemy from the Old Kingdom which has crossed the wall into Ancelstierre followed by Terciel and Tizanael who hope to defeat it. Elinor learns the power of her charter mark and becomes determined to learn more, eventually arriving in the Old Kingdom where she joins forces to work with Terciel and Tizanael to help defeat the evil power threatening the kingdom.

Terciel and Elinor is a prequel well worth reading by those who have enjoyed the other books in the Old Kingdom series.

No comments: