I figured since I referenced this trilogy in my last article, that I should write a review of it. So, here goes!
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
As you can tell by the title, this is a set of three books: Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen. There is a fourth book called, "Across the Wall", but it is a collection of short stories, most of which have nothing to do with the trilogy, so that's all I'm going to say about it.
The trilogy is in the fantasy genre (as I'm sure you've guessed since I'm writing a review of it). One continent is separated by a wall. The land south of the Wall is called Ancelstierre where people drive in cars, and trains, speak on the telephone and enjoy the uses of electricity. The land north of the Wall, however, is called the Old Kingdom and there, technology does not work. Instead, magic rules. Unfortunately, this means that necromancers can (and do) raise the dead and all kinds of evil creatures roam. The Old Kingdom is falling apart since the death of the Royal Family 200 years ago and the fall of the Regency at the beginning of the books. There is one person whose job it is to keep the dead in their land, the Abhorsen.
Sabriel
The Abhorsen is Sabriel's father. She has been raised in Ancelstierre in a prep school for girls located not far from the Wall. She learns grammar, math, sword fighting and, even though it is not on the school curriculum list, magic. Shortly before she is to leave school, her father sends her a message from the land of death -- he sends her the bells that necromancers use to control the dead, and his sword. This means he is either dead or trapped in death. She sets off in an attempt to find his body and save his life. During her journey, she is tracked by evil, frees a man trapped in wood, and fights a great evil. I won't tell you the rest because I'm hoping you'll read it for yourself.
Lirael
Begins some years after Sabriel. Lirael is one of the Clayr -- a race of people in the Old Kingdom who are known for being able to see the future. Lirael's mother disappeared when she was 5 and she never knew who her father was. She does not look like any of the Clayr and she does not have the Sight which would make her a proper Clayr. While waiting to gain the Sight, she begins working in the Clayr's library and becomes a powerful Charter Mage and Rememberancer. She also brings out the Disreputable Dog (or Disreputable Bitch) whose origin is unknown, but whose loyalty is fierce. Together, they must leave their Glacier home and attempt to help prevent a great evil from arising. The book also follows the Stories of Sabriel and Touchstone (the man previously made of wood) and their children. (sorry, had to give that away) as they also attempt to defeat the same evil.
Abhorsen
No time has passed since the last book. In fact, think of this book as the end of the previous book. This also means that I can't tell you practically anything about it without giving the ending away. Let's just say if you read the first two, you'll read the last one. You won't be able to help yourself.
It's a great trilogy, combining the modern world and the world of magic. It's not just about magic, but includes political struggles in Ancelstierre as well. There are love stories, battle scenes, loss, grief, magic, and flying dogs. (Well, only one flying dog, but still) The strong female characters are not amazing only because they are women. Sometimes the author makes a big deal of having a female hero, but these books simply take it as a matter of course. No one says, "No! A woman Abhorsen? Can she do the job?" They do question her age a bit at first -- she's only 17, but they get over that by the end.
This was one of the most addicting trilogies I've read. It was one of those times that I started the first book, and within four days I was done with the entire trilogy because I couldn't put it down. I know I'm a bookworm and all, but when a book sucks me in like that, I know it's good.
It's also appropriate for a younger audience. It does deal with death, but in a way that is comforting to me at least. Teens will love this trilogy, as will adults. I would recommend it for one and all!