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Sabriel: The Abhorsen Trilogy, Book 1

(2005, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Garth Nix)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Necromancer's teen daughter fights the dead.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Sabriel is a strong and determined heroine.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Fantasy violence, some rather gruesome: stabbings, beheadings, swordplay, throat-slitting, magical explosions, many injuries and deaths.

  • Sex:

    A couple of kisses, Sabriel hears a couple in the next room of an inn having sex. Sabriel sees a statue with a clearly circumcised penis, and the statue later comes to life.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Sabriel drinks wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Sabriel: The Abhorsen Trilogy, Book 1

Parents need to know that this is a dark, grim fantasy in which death is a prominent topic. Since there are obvious religious implications in any story dealing with the afterlife, those who will be offended if the author's imaginative creation conflicts with their beliefs probably should stay away. Also, there is a scene in which Sabriel hears a couple having sex, a surprising, unnecessary scene that pointlessly raises the recommended reading age.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the author's unique vision of magic and death, and their relationship. Much is also ambiguous, such as the dual nature of Mogget, which can prompt debate.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    savetheworld21
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    an incredible book!

    I read this book when I was in fourth grade...so 9 or 10? But this series is truly great and it's basically what made me love books.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    veve202020
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Radar1017
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Awesome!!!

    One of the best books I have read except for a unneeded sex scene where Sabriel hears a couple in the hotel room next door. other than that, the content of the book was great. Rock on Garth Nix!!!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Ebola
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    One of the better books I've read so far.

    I absolutely adore this book. It's very individual, magic has boundaries, it's surprisingly believable for being so fantastic. Nix is wonderful when it comes to writing.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    MasterGamer
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WITH A BRAIN!!

    This fantastic book blew me away with adventure and action. Any sap with half the sense of a pine needle will read the sequels, but not Across the Wall. Rock on Sabriel!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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