It has already been said, and I am going to agree, that Clariel is the weakest of the Old Kingdom books. I think that has to do with just how great Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen are as novels. What held my interest was the promise of the origin story of Chlorr of the Mask, a minor antagonist from Lirael and Abhorsen, but it did not deliver a complete origin story so I am more disappointed with it than I think I would have been going into the series cold.
Clariel is not particularly likable as a textbook adolescent. We meet her as she is moved from the forest of Estwael that she loves to the capital city of Belisaere where she is expected to attend classes to increase her marriageability. When taught Charter magic, she has no interest and so we miss something that was fun about Sabriel and Lirael in the other books. Nix replaces it with Clariel's education in berserk, an affliction that causes her to go into a fury (like Touchstone from the first trilogy), which was interesting but did not have as much lore attached to it.
I admit I didn't like it because it did not meet my high expectations and that doesn't mean it's not a good read anyway. But as a fan of the series, I didn't like it. That being said, I still plan to read more Old Kingdom books as they come. I think I'll wish for a book about Belatiel or Maderael/Ader after he finishes the Adventures of Nicholas Sayre and Lirael (what I'm calling it until the title is released). I think it is unlikely we'll get a book about Mogget/Yrael given that part of the fun is his mystery.
Visit Garth Nix's website for more information about the author and how to purchase his books.
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