Abhorsen

by Garth Nix

{ 2003 | HarperCollins | 518 pgs }

One of my fascinations with fantasy literature is the variety of interpretations of how magic works.

— Time out. That was maybe one of the nerdiest sentences I have ever written.

Anyway, at the risk of sounding ridiculous, I do think it’s interesting how different authors conceptualize the existence and use of magic. And Nix has a very unique approach (at least among the fantasy books I’ve read). Abhorsen is the third in a trilogy, the first two books being Sabriel and Lirael. It’s been a while since I read either, and I don’t think Nix did an adequate job of getting the reader up to speed. True, some of that may be my fault, for not remembering the plot in much detail. But I do feel that the author should give his readers a little something to go on.

I do remember that I loved Lirael. I thought it was phenomenal. Abhorsen, in my opinion, is inferior. Much like the Hunger Games trilogy, the second book builds on the first beautifully, but the third leaves something to be desired. Of course, Abhorsen completes the story, so if you’re interested in tying up the loose ends of Lirael, then you’ll definitely need to read the entire trilogy – but for now, I’d suggest you enjoy the first two books.

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P.S. After I read Sabriel, I suddenly realized that an old friend had recommended the series to me (as simply “the Abhorsen trilogy”) many years ago. I really do appreciate the recommendation.

The Hidden Gallery

by Maryrose Wood

{ 2011 | Balzer + Bray | 320 pgs }

As the second book in Wood’s The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, The Hidden Gallery provides a few more answers about those incorrigible children. There’s still plenty of mystery, but I felt that the plot here had much more direction than did the first book. Writing: good. Illustrations: good. Read the first, read the second. Then wait for the third to come out!

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The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

Book I: The Mysterious Howling
by Maryrose Wood

{ 2010 | Balzer + Bray | 272 pgs }

This children’s book satisfactorily answers the question, What would happen if I combined Lemony Snicket and P. L. Travers? (Oh, come on. P. L. Travers wrote the Mary Poppins books.) I first picked it up because I heard it had phenomenal illustrations by Jon Klassen. And then I had to pick up the second book – it’s a series! – because the first was so enjoyable. And the third – well, it hasn’t been written yet.

Our main character, Penelope Lumley, is a recent graduate of Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, and has been offered a position as governess at Ashton Place. If you weren’t sold by the time you read “Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females,” maybe this isn’t the book for you. But I loved it. The writing style falls somewhere between intriguing and flippant – is there a word for that? It’s very Lemony Snicket, only more fun. It isn’t quite so sinister (yet).

I’m always a little hesitant to start reading a new series of books, particularly one still in progress. The Mysterious Howling leaves a lot of loose ends and doesn’t necessarily work on its own. I feel almost like none of the questions raised during the book were answered, and there was no real closure – the best you get is a sort of “Miss Lumley resolved to face the uncertain future with optimism.” Which, really, doesn’t mean much, and seems like a way of ending the book without a real ending.

That being said, the second book, The Hidden Gallery, was published this year, so you can at least read the first two books of the series. I don’t mean to suggest that you avoid the series until it’s complete – but be aware that these are not self-contained stories by any means.

Buy The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place on Amazon