Scan barcode
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: 4⭐️/5
In contrast to the other books in the series, I found Clariel lacking a bit something. The start of this novel is a bit lackluster, taking a while to get started. In contrast, the ending wrapped up a little quickly.
Characters: 3.75⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
*Some Spoilers*
Clariel, unlike Lirael, Sameth, and Sabriel, lacks a bit of depth. While the Clariel we see as the novel progresses does get deeper and more interesting, she never gets to a point where I believe her fully. For her motives, she’s relatively one-dimensional, searching for a way to escape the city without giving up her lifestyle. At nearly every interval we are reminded of this as a core of her being and, while I appreciate this motive, it makes her feel less real that she rarely thinks of anything else. I did enjoy Bel and the character shift we see in Mogget when left alone for too long.
Plot: 4⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
*Some Spoilers*
I do find the plot interesting, though I wonder at the initial plan to trap a Free Magic creature using two children. I did like following Clariel and watching her sanity slip away as she craves more and more Free Magic. As a backstory for Chlorr of the Mask, it served its purpose, creating an interesting backdrop in an already well-established world. I wonder what might have been gained if the attention was split or focused more on Bel, and how that might have helped the pacing and the characters.
World 5⭐️/5
Here’s the thing: the Old Kingdom and the world in which it resides is fascinating, well-developed, and always interesting.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of The Old Kingdom
- Fans of Garth Nix
Content Warnings?
Gaslighting, Emotional Abuse, Murder, Death, Death of Parent, Animal Death, Animal Cruelty
Post-Reading Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
It’s always a good adventure into The Old Kingdom.
Final Rating: 4⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
chaoticblue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
sapphicbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
qrschulte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was great but also so sad. Nix does such a great job at reminding you of how his world works without being annoying about it, which is very helpful when it’s been awhile since you’ve read the others. I was so angry about how Clariel’s parents seemed to not care about her at all, though they did eventually make up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
laylagrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
addie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
bluejay21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Grief, and Kidnapping
aylaravenstar's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Clariel was much harder to get through than the others in the Old Kingdom series, though overall I did enjoy it. The main character was hard to like, but it's a worthwhile read if you're planning on continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Blood, Confinement, and Grief
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nix's writing style has changed a lot since the final volume of the Abhorsen trilogy. I found him to be more verbose in Clariel and, specifically, to focus on detailing the settings in which his characters were moving (a not verbatim example: In the room there was a bed, next to which was a small table. There was a lamp on top of the table and a small, clay chamber pot under the table). Lots of extra words that didn't really add to the story. I found it rather distracting. Also, he gave many superfluous characters names, which were, again, extra details and extra words that had no value for the plot.
Clariel was an entertaining prequel to the Abhorsen trilogy (which is one of my favourite series of all time), but I am most excited for his upcoming books which continue Nick and Lirael's stories.
2022: I really appreciated the aromantic and asexual representation, but this world is a lot more jaded, corrupt and bleak than the world in the trilogy. Not an entirely enjoyable reading experience.
Clariel was an entertaining prequel to the Abhorsen trilogy (which is one of my favourite series of all time), but I am most excited for his upcoming books which continue Nick and Lirael's stories.
2022: I really appreciated the aromantic and asexual representation, but this world is a lot more jaded, corrupt and bleak than the world in the trilogy. Not an entirely enjoyable reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Murder
More...