Writer. Reader. Reviewer.

Lirael is the second book of the Old Kingdom series. It is set around 20 years after the events of Sabriel. 

This was a difficult book for me to read when it was published. I had just read Sabriel and looked up when the sequel was released. 

This book at the time dealt with issues that I had not ever come across in a book before and something that was not really a conscious thought in my day-to-day life. It made me anxious and uncomfortable in equal measure at 11 years old and it is only recently, when I reread it, that I can acknowledge that it hit a little close to home and that was why I felt uncomfortable. I can read Lirael now with that gut punched feeling because I am passed those feelings now. 

In some ways I was Lirael, I really identified with her character. I only really felt comfortable in a library. I often felt alone and like an outcast. I did not really click with many groups in my high school. I had friends from different “cliques” but spent most of my time in a library and reading. Even now, I have “friends,” but I spend most of my free time reading. I am an introvert and I like that. I like the fact I can spend the day reading, getting lost in another world. I do not have to force myself to be someone I am not, and I am proud of that. 

I should point out that the book is narrated in two perspectives: Lirael and Sam. 

Lirael is a young girl who feels alone. She feels like an outcast amongst her family. She is different and ashamed of that fact. She is Clayr with no Sight – the one identifier of being a Clayr. Everything revolves around the Sight with the Clayr, from adulthood – gaining the Sight mean that you are no longer a child, to status depending on the strength of the gift. Lirael does not have this connection. She is an orphan who looks different to the others; she is pale with dark hair and eyes whilst the others are bright eyed and blond.  

Lirael is assigned to the library, an archive of ancient magic and knowledge that requires warrior-mage librarians to explore and protect. This is where Lirael begins to shine, discovering a prodigious talent for charter magic, the magical system of the Old Kingdom series and exploring the depths of the library – for both good and ill. 

It is on these explorations that she uncovers monsters she has to defeat and allies; like the Disreputable Dog who becomes as to a familiar to her; slowly healing Lirael with love and friendship. The Dog is hilarious and a great counter to Lirael. It is also through these explorations that Lirael discovers new powers, clues about herself and her bloodline. 

When the Clayr finally have a vision and it points to Lirael having to leave their home on a journey; it is in some ways a final nail in the coffin for Lirael but it is this journey that she discovers who she is, that she has more family, and she is important. Lirael still struggles with her self-worth throughout this book. I like that her emotions and feelings are not pushed aside for the sake of the story. 

However, Sam is also an intriguing character, the son of Sabriel who struggles to live up to the expectations being the Abhorsen’s son. Sam is expected to be the new Abhorsen but he does not want to; he fears the dead and struggles with the teachings of a necromancer. He prefers to create and is an able artificer. Like his mother, he has spent time in Ancelstierre and made friends from the country; this lays the foundation of the storyline for this book. When Sam is attacked by an enemy of the Abhorsen, he barely escapes alive and it is this attack that spurs the slow uncovering of the enemies plans and when Sam wants to save his friend, who was injured in the attack and who has now become an integral part the enemy’s plan, he runs away from home to rescue said friend. However, Sam is young and make mistakes along the way – committing some crimes and suffering the consequences, which I was a nice touch and help Sam’s character grow and he is eventually joined by Mogget; who is still a sarcastic git and his one-liners to Sam always give me a chuckle.  

By the latter end of the book they join Lirael and the Dog and both journeys merge into one.  

I do prefer Lirael cover Sam but the contrast between the two is interesting and as secrets are learn so does the relationship evolve between them, with Lirael discovering who she is and who she is to become – as Garth Nix say; “Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker.” 

One thing that I find with Garth Nix is that he adds to his world-building with each consecutive book. There is always something new and he adds depth and richness to the Old Kingdom series with Lirael; introducing new enemies and allies; exploring the creation of the Charter and even adding history to old characters; like Mogget and Sabriel, that are in this book. 

I also recently listened to the audible book and with Sabriel, found Tim Curry to be an amazing narrator and bring more richness to a story that I have reread dozens of times. I am glad a bought the audio book and even happier to have listen to Tim Curry voice act the various parts. 

I would recommend this book to friends and have done so and give it a rating of 5/5.