Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Sabriel

Thanks

So I read the whole book at work last night... I'll still be around to discuss when you finally start, Narilka :)

I found the first 20% a bit dry... I thought it got better once the cat was introduced... was also the first character that made it obvious Tim Curry was the narrator...

Before I started, I thought Sabriel was male, between the ambiguous cover art, and the male narrator choice... I was disabused of that, pretty quick... wasn't a bad thing...

Abhorsen: (view spoiler)[I thought his part of the story was a bit rushed... after spending 60-75% of the story trying to save him, he was pretty much a source of infodumps and a quick re-death... (hide spoiler)]

Ending: (view spoiler)[Surprised how much resolved... kinda expected the Bad Guy angle to be dragged out for the whole trilogy... I wonder what comes next... (hide spoiler)]

When are we reading the other books? ;)

On looking at the series more, I think the US publishers calling it the Abhorsen trilogy is a misnomer... looks more like a series of loosely connected stories... I prefer the UK/AUS name of Old Kingdom, now that I know there are 3 different MCs across 5 books...

Also, Nix has taken awhile to add to the series, I see... Release dates: 1995, 2001, 2004, 2014, 2016

Yeah, Sabriel reads fine as a stand alone. Everything is pretty tied up at the end. The books were originally written as a trilogy, Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. Nix went back 10 years later and wrote more. Book 4 is kind of/not quite a prequel as it's set several hundred years before Sabriel. Then book 5 picks up again after book 3. I love the original trilogy and have read them three times now. Books 4 and 5 I do not plan to reread, though I'm glad I have read the whole series once.

I normally listen to books when I drive or while cooking. I'm off tomorrow for MLK day and plan to bake all afternoon so will start then instead of on my Tuesday commute as I originally estimated.

We can read the remaining books whenever! I own them all. The trilogy is narrated by Curry though books 4 & 5 have different voice actors. I did 4 and 5 the traditional way so couldn't say if the acting is as good or not.

This is a possible for me. Already own the book.

I started this morning. I love Tim Curry's voice.

I took a look at his audible library... it's basically this series, Leminy Snicket, and some classics/randoms...

Yeah, I wish he was more prolific. I listened to his narration of Journey to the Center of the Earth. He definitely enhances the story!

I've tried this twice and both times I've gotten stuck about 25% in. I think it;s because I was listening to the audio and when I read audio I need to really pay attention to understand what's going on so I can only do it during certain times like in the bath when I can concentrate 100%. I wont get round to it this time round but I hope some time later this year or next year to get to it for sure.

I absolutely loved Curry's narration. I thought the narration of the prequel (read by Graeme Malcolm) was pretty good. But I absolutely could not finish listening to Goldenhand due to the narrator (Heather Wilds), and ended up returning the audiobook and actually reading it.

The original trilogy is one of my favorites. I've re-listened multiple times. I agree though that Lirael and Abhorsen are more like a duology, while Goldenhand is kind of a follow-up with the same characters, and Sabriel and Clariel read as a standalones.

I'm at about 50% through. I'm so glad we decided to do this, I needed a good audio after my last one!

I have about 4.5 hours go to so I should finish up Weds or Thursday depending. Iain, did you want to move to book 2 soon or wait? I know you have a million other buddy reads :)

It's been so great being back with Sabriel, Touchstone and Moggit. I love learning about the Old Kingdom right along with Sabriel. I'd forgotten (view spoiler)[that no one can share information about the evil they're fighting. That's one hell of a spell! (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "I have about 4.5 hours go to so I should finish up Weds or Thursday depending. Iain, did you want to move to book 2 soon or wait? I know you have a million other buddy reads :)

It's been so great ..."

I'd like to continue sooner than later... and the books are pretty short... so I can continue whenever works for you, I think...

Narilka wrote: "I have about 4.5 hours go to so I should finish up Weds or Thursday depending. Iain, did you want to move to book 2 soon or wait? I know you have a million other buddy reads :)

It's been so great ..."

I feel like spells like that (view spoiler)[are what keep books/series from being 50 pages... if people could just reveal everything, then go fix it, there wouldn't be much of a book :) (hide spoiler)]

It’s starting to look like I may not get time for this. If I do, ill come back. Or else Ill catch up with you on the next book.

Book 9 of Wheel of Time and the new Worm BR are being instigators!

Timelord Iain (Eeyawn) wrote: "Narilka wrote: "I have about 4.5 hours go to so I should finish up Weds or Thursday depending. Iain, did you want to move to book 2 soon or wait? I know you have a million other buddy reads :)

It'..."

True :)

I finished. Once that finale starts I couldn't stop the book :D

@Iain re:Abhorsen: (view spoiler)[Yeah, it's too bad his part is so short. But he does give his life so they can escape. (hide spoiler)]

About the ending - yep, it's nicely wrapped up but plenty to go ;) Let me know when you want to start book 2 - I'm good for any day now. Want to just use this thread for the whole series?

Sounds good to me... my plate is just a bit full at the moment, with the BRs I'm in the middle of and the ones about to start...

No problem! Let me know when you free up.

I just started this. Up to Ch 5... This is one morbit young adult book! Wow! It has this cold and spooky 😱 feel to it, but I guess this is exactly what the author was going for. This is my first book by this author and for now I really like the style of writing. I already love Sabriele. The magic system seems very connected with life and death forces, very different from the usual magic stories...

The book lightens up a bit, soon, Choko... just wait for the 2 other characters to show up...

I love that evil 🐈!!! And I like Touchstone too. I am up to Ch. 22 and it is a very nice, interesting read. I have no idea why I had never read this author before. I am really enjoying his storytelling.

So glad you're enjoying it Choko :)

Also I can neither confirm nor deny that I may have started Lirael.

I just finished this one and it was very pleasant. I would like to see what happens in the other books of the series:)

Seriously, I started book 2 yesterday lol I think I'm around 3 or 4 chapters in. It's plenty easy to catch up or get ahead since my audio listening will be nonexistent this weekend. If you have time to continue, post away here :) This is a re-re-read for me and I remember the story well enough.

Ok, I will 😉!

I missed these comments... I'll start Lirael after I finish my current book...

I just wrapped up Lirael so it's fresh in my mind. Comment away :)

I started this before I left work, this morning, and was basically like: why did I wait so long?

I have a serious problem where I have too many BRs on my plate, and the occasional reading tangent when I get mired in books I'm not enjoying as much as I like... that suddenly things just start falling through the cracks...

Not too much to talk about so far... Lirael just broke the glass floor in the library... not really sure where the story is going, yet...

After reading this I think I would be perfectly happy living in the Clayr's library :) It up there with Rivendell as my top fantasy location to move to.

Between this, Strange the Dreamer, and the Invisible Library series, I've read quite a few good books lately, revolving around libraries and librarians... could add in Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians, too, but I'm not sure if that counts...

I will be starting Lirael tomorrow... Am I too late to the party?

Not too late at all.

Thanks 😊! I didn't want to miss it...

Don't have the opportunity to re-read these right now, but as a favorite series from my youth, it's interesting to see what y'all think.

Although I didn't think of it in such terms back then, the worldbuilding and the magic system of the bells was so unique. I loved the concept of the river of death as well.

I'm about 1/3 of the way in, I think... (view spoiler)[still don't have much to say, but I reached the scene where the necromancer placed a binding on the friend of the prince / Abhorsen's son... so I'm worried about that... and I'm questioning the motives of the Disreputable Dog... (hide spoiler)]

I am only up to Ch 6 and I love Lirael! She is sooooo pathetic, kind of a depressed child, but I understand why. I love she chose to go to the library ❤️😀💙!

The world building is not excessive, but it is just enough! I love the storytelling style!

Lirael is definitely a more angsty character than Sabriel!

Just finished part 1... What is the dog up to? I am not sure of whom side it is on... Makes me nervous 😳

Iain (view spoiler)[what do you think of Sammeth? (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "Iain [spoilers removed]"

I was mostly confused about the timeline... I thought they said Touchstone had been king for 8 years, but Sameth sounds older than 8... has it been 14-18 years?

18 years ..

I want to shake Sameth and tell him to stop it! He behaves like a petulant brat , especially on his birthday... Somehow Lirael having some angst is much easier to take than Sam's...

I am not sure I like Sam at all... 😣

My only context so far is the battle... I paused and switched to Afterworlds at work last nght... will switch back soon...

Moget is back!!! I feel better now and hope for the young princeling has returned 😋

Lol!! Yeah Sam irritated the heck out of me in this book. Choko (view spoiler)[I think it’s because Lirael situation is sad, alone amongst a huge family and never fitting in yet still wanting to contribute, where Sam is a spoiled brat with no excuses. Both are pretty believable too. (hide spoiler)]

I couldn’t help myself. I started book 3 on my drive to work 😁 I listen plenty slow, you guys can easily catch up.