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.

Goldenhand

Many years ago I read the first four books, Sabriel, Clariel, Lirael and Abhorsen, in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. Recently I came upon the latest title in the series, Goldenhand, and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this magical, and often dangerous, world.

Lirael now has the title Abhorsen-in-Waiting and is living at the palace at Belisaere with her half sister, Sabriel, the Abhorsen. Lirael mourns the death of her best friend the disreputable dog and carries of small model of the dog in her possessions.  When Sabrriel and her husband are on holiday Lirael is called to deal with a sinister magical sighting some distance away and while rectifying the situation she once again discovers a friend, Nicholas Saye, who has been injured and needs to be taken to safety. Meanwhile Ferin from a clan in the North arrives at Belisaere with an urgent message for Lirael. However as she is being pursued by dangerous beasts the guards will not allow her entry to the palace.

The reader then follows the story of Ferin as she attempts to avoid her pursuers and carry out her mission plus the story of Lirael's attempts to to find a safe haven for the injured Nicholas. Once Ferin's message is delivered it  is revealed that they are all in great danger and Lirael must travel into Death to finally dispatch The Witch with no Face who is threatening to destroy the kingdom.

A story with many twists and turns plus lots of powerful magic. It is also a story with characters questioning their past and hoping for a new future.

Clariel

In 1995, Sabriel, the first book in the Old Kingdom series, was written by the Australian author, Garth Nix. This was followed in 2001 by Lirael and in 2003 by Abhorsen. This trilogy of books take the reader into a wonderful work of fantasy, Charter Magic and Free Magic and the world of Abhorsens. In 2014 the fourth book in the series, Clariel, was published. This book is a prequel to the trilogy and is set 600 years before the story of Sabriel.

Clariel and her family move to Belisaere where she was to attend the Belisaere Select Academy though, in reality, all she wants to do is to return to the forest and live her own life. Soon after their arrival her mother tells Clariel that they are to meet the King who has withdrawn from society and is waiting for his daughter to return and become ruler. In a short time Clariel discovers that all is not well in Belisaere and that Kilp, the leader of the Gold Guild, plans to overthrow the King. At the Academy she meets Kargrin and Ader, powerful Charter Mages who recognise that Clariel has special powers which may help them save the kingdom.

What follows is a fast moving story of magic and intrigue, treachery and power struggles as Clariel strives to discover the extent of her powers, avenge the death of family members, rescue her aunt and return to the life she really wants to live. Those who enjoyed the first three Old Kingdom books will welcome this addition to the collection.

In the author's note, Garth Nix mentions that he is working on sequel to the original three books, continuing the story of Lirael. I suspect that, in the future, we may also learn more of Clariel and her story.