Rating: 
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Sabriel blew me away. It is one of the best fantasies I have ever read. The plot is engaging and keeps you interested to the end. The characters are realistic and develop throughout the book. The occasional comic relief does not skew the plot. I rate this book above Potter, and believe it may take its place amoung the classics. Mr. Nix has created an intricate and nuanceful masterpiece--A world so carefully thought out it is like that of Tolkien. The plot: Sabriel, a young woman of eighteen, discovers that her father, the necromancer Abhorsen, is trapped in the world between life and death and cannot reach her. He is only able to send her the news and his tools of necromancy: a sword and magical bells. Sabriel sets out to find him, but she soon realizes that she needs do more than just rescue her father. This book is a winner. Do not hesitate for one second. Even if you are not a huge fantasy fan and definately if you are, READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Wow.
Review: Just as great as Pullman's The Golden Compass (Which I must have read like a million times in a row [Along with the sequel The Subtle Knife, which was well-written too] - I love that whole daemon idea, it's stunning and thought-provoking)! I'm a big sci-fi/fantasy fan, and this book must be my fav fantasy. I just love that blend of early 20th century technology and magic. And the whole idea of death as a river with "gates" and "precincts" - Just fabulous! And Sabriel - The coolest female heroine (Mogget was my second fav character); oh, and the necromancy bells and the unique aspects of magic in the book were just WOW. The slightly elevated style of writing was also wow, it kept me HOOKED! I just can't say enough! It was incredible. Keep on writing, Mr. Nix! (I'm 17)
Rating:
Summary: Charter Magic, Greater Dead, and magic bells!
Review: A delightful series that will keep you in action from the first page to the last. (And first book to the last book) I felt like I was watching some type of movie when reading it. The world is in danger as evil nacromancers use their own bell powers to bring back the Greater Dead (those who do not pass the 'official' gate). It's up to the Abhorsen's job to see that these nacromancers are to be stopped and the Dead to return to the "river" in peace. Thus, the Abhorsen destined to do so would be Sabriel. Along the way, she meets up with unusual friends and vicious foes as the fight against the enemy isn't that easy as simply waving a bell.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid YA Fantasy
Review: Though I've long since passed the "appropriate" age to read young adult fantasy books, I try to read all of the ones that have come out since I entered aduldhood. I found out about Sabriel on amazon -- it was listed on many people's favorites lists. What a find! I finished the book in one sitting, completely entranced. Mr. Nix's imagination shines in the pages of Sabriel. While the basis of the plot is farly standard -- young orphan-like girl has adventures, finds strength she didn't know she had, experiences love -- it's the details that really stand out. The story of the Abhorsen, in particular, is fascinating. I don't, however, give the book 5 stars because it left a few loose ends here and there, and could have used a tad more editing. It's a fun read, though, recommended for anyone who enjoys Robin McKinley, Lloyd Alexander, Philip Pullman, and C.S. Lewis.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Imagery
Review: I first read Sabriel when I was 12 and I remember loving it enough to read it again. When Lireal (the sequel) came out, I read Sabriel again (age 17 now). The novel was still the fresh, exciting, and enthralling book I first read five years ago!Garth Nix is simply masterful in creating the world Sabriel lives in - a seemingly modern, timeless country complete with cars and ordinary people right next to an old-world, magic-filled country filled with monsters, undead, and villages. You actually believe that these places can exist! Nix's many details and background information don't overwhelm the main story of Sabriel's hero's journey, either. I wish this book could be made into a movie, a la Lord of the Rings. Although Nix is not on the same scale as Tolkien, the details and story are still perfect for the silver screen. The whole time I was reading this novel, I imagined the beautiful imagery in the style of Japanese fantasy video game images (leaning towards Square's style) and the stark realism of movies. Did that make sense...? Just read it! If you don't, you're really missing out.
Rating:
Summary: SABRIEL
Review: "There, between gusts of snow, she saw a figure leaping from step to step; impossible leaps, that ate up the distance between them with horrible appetite...Sabriel cried out when she saw it, and felt the Dead spirit within...It was a Mordicant that hunted her." -Sabriel, Chapter VI Sabriel is one of the best books in the world, as are the other two in the series (Lireal and Abhorsen). I have read it at least twenty times and I never get tired of it! It's spine tingling and suspenseful all the way through, even when you know what's going to happen. I will keep this book to the day I die.
Rating:
Summary: A Creatively Written Fantasy
Review: The book Sabriel is quite a page-turner. The main heroin, Sabriel, is almost at an adult age and is forced to leave everything she is used to and loves including the school, which has been a home to her for most of her life. She receives a message that something horrible happened and her father is in trouble, so she must travel to another kingdom to save him. Without even knowing, she takes on even a greater burden of taking over her father's necromantic workings and being sucked into a war between the living and the dead, which has been going on for centuries. Along the way a Free Magic spirit inside a cat's body and a man who was trapped accompany her. They both know of the terrible past and what started the war but are permitted to speak of it. With their help she manages to find her father and takes on the greatest dead of all.
In this adventure story, the author, Garth Nix, creates a magical world with part as our own and parts fantasy. He created a bright and creative setting, which make the story so interesting to read. The characters are quite creative too. Although the stories behind the characters were great, I think Nix could have told us more about them and let us to get to know them a little better by adding some more details about their personality. The author did succeed in creating a plot with such twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the last page.
At to the audience, I think 7th grade and older students who like fantasy and adventure, would enjoy this book because the vocabulary might be to strong for younger children. Also the younger readers might be too frightened by the story line, which includes death and dead beings, described in detail. In case you are wondering, this book is part of a series. The sequel is called Lireal.
Rating: 
Summary: Thrown into a confusing world
Review: I was anticipating this book, had waited for weeks to clear my reading calendar. Now that I've struggled through it, I have mixed feelings. On its face, Sabriel seems heavy on character, light on story. Later I'll explain why that's not necessarily true. It also requires a tremendous investment into "Old Kingdom" world elements. I read this very carefully, and I'm still baffled by terms such as charter magic, charter stones, charter mages, the charter, mordicants, free magic and on and on. Garth Nix has created a vast world, but in my opinion, has failed to convince the reader of the world's solidity. Sabriel's plight is fascinating, but Nix never allows her to breathe and reflect on what's happening to her. What does she realize about being an abhornsen, other than you get banged around a lot and visit death frequently? Why is she head over heels for Touchstone after being with him for a few weeks? What has she connected with in terms of her history? All of this is extremely murky. Good ideas, but it would have benefitted from more editing, more clarity, and deeper explorations of Sabriel. In the end it's just a series of fights at various locations.
Rating:
Summary: Sabriel: One of the best heroines of all time
Review: This excellent book focuses around its title character, Sabriel, a young woman, almost an adult. She has spent her life in boarding school in Ancelstierre where there is only magic near the border, while her father risked his life in The Old Kingdom, the place where magic is everywhere. Sabriel's father is the Abhorsen, the person who puts the dead raised by Necromancers back into death, a risky job, one that comes to a person through blood right. Now Sabriel's father is in trouble, and only she can save him using the power that lies within her blood. She must travel into the Old Kingdom, and most probably even death, using the 7 bells of the Abhorsen and a Charter Magic sword, given to her by her father now that she must save him, unravelling other mysteries as she goes. With the help of a dangerous free magic spirit, kept tame by the collar that binds him to Sabriel's family, and a young man Touchstone, who she saves from his wooden resting place, Sabriel must face all kinds of danger to save her father, the only parent she has ever known. But will she make it in time, or will it be too late to save her father? Sabriel is a brilliant book, a real page turner that leaves you running for the sequel when you've finished. Garth Nix writes a tale that excites, and surprises, and you find yourself falling into Sabriel's world with scenes so well described you can almost see them playing before your eyes. A great book for anyone with a love for tales of adventure, and anyone who loves a good heroine. This is a new book that I've added to my all time favorites.
Rating:
Summary: WOAH
Review: Sabriel really interested me. It was the first book in awhile that I just couldn't set down! The characters are all wonderful, but my favorite would have to be Moggot. His sarcastic and humerous ways lighten up the book a lot and gave me a good laugh. I love this book!
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