[Alucard]

Has anyone read this Author? Just the other day I was at the library and picked up his sci-fi stand-alone "Shade's Children," and I must say, upon reading it, I'm very impressed. The best sci-fi novel I've come across since Ender's Game.

So, after a little research, I see he has written some fantasy as well . . . Sabriel and it's sequel, Lirael. Has anyone here read these? Are they worth picking up? To be honest, I'm going to get ahold of some copies regardless, because if Shade's Children is any indication, I think I'll enjoy them. But some opinions would be welcome.

[Hobbit]

Interesting that this one's just come up, Alucard, as I've just received a copy of Sabriel (due out in the UK Sept. 2002) to review.

It's a Young Adult novel - looks very good at first glance. Garth Nix is quite well known I understand in his native Australia, where Sabriel has been out since 1995. (Perhaps some of our Southern Hemisphere forumites may have actually read it already!)

It won the Aurealis Awards for Best Fantasy Novel and Best YA Novel in 1995/96.

Lloyd Alexander, Philip Pullman and Robin Hobb rate him highly.

Actually quite looking forward to reading this next. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hobbit

[e-Morgana]

No help from this Southern Hemisphere-ite I'm afraid. Never heard of the guy. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

I'll have a look in the library next time I'm there.

[Killer Chicken]

Yea, I read Sabriel a couple of months ago. It was pretty good. There was a really interesting and unique magic system. The plot was decent, a pretty good read, nothing profound, but original and fun. I say give it a try!

[Eventine]

I've just started reading his latest offering, Mister Monday.
Once again the YA mould makes for easy reading, yet he still makes an interesting storyline. I'm only 3 chapters in and I'm just about hooked...

[Rob B]

I'm in the midst of The Abhorsen trilogy, just starting Lirael today and very much enjoying them.

I like how death is presented as something to respect, and fear moreso if the laws of death are broken. The man can write. Sabriel was very good, if a bit abrupt. I feel Nix could have added about 20 pages of more depth to the story, but that, I guess, is where the follow-up novels come into play.

[Khallandra]

I love Nix! I've read all of the Old Kingdom trilogy (you get to find out Touchstone's name in Abhorsen!) And the new series "Keys to the Kingdom" is brilliant too starting with "Mister Monday" it is really neat plus I love Dusk! Not going to spoil a thing but a friend lent me the first book and I was hooked so I passed them on to my mother who loved them too - so really for all ages :) As I'm 20 and I didn't find them juvienielle at all :)

[Eventine]

I finished up Mister Monday last night.

My summary:
It was a nice, tight, well written novel. It's works well as first book in a series - finishing up most of its own plotlines quite well whilst leaving room for the sequels. The use of language is quite good, and Nix often throws in words that would definitely test the vocabulary of the target YA audience (and myself sometimes).

I must say I'm really enjoying the current generation of YA writers - they are a great alternative to big fat fantasy.

[Khallandra]

Yeah I'm quite liking this "YA" stuff it's nice for a light read if you don't want to get overly bogged down in a monsterous book. I'm hanging out for Grim Tuesday now :)

[Bear]

I've really enjoyed everything I've read of Nix. I plan on getting Mister Monday soon.