Clariel

I had a very hard time sympathizing with Clariel - who wanted independence from her family and obligations but never quite got herself around to thinking about how to do it. And who repeatedly, obviously, did not give a shit what was happening in the rest of the world as long as she got her happy ending. I found her very frustrating and the book's plot was somewhat unsatisfying. Kind of a bummer. I'll have a go at Goldenhand later but if it doesn't grab me either, I'll just treasure the time I had with the first three books and be OK with that.

As you read this series you get to experience the author improving his skills. This series started out with very basic good guys vs bad guys stuff but with every book there was a little more nuance thrown in with this one having the most nuanced and interesting lead character of them all. I slowed down reading this book because I didn't want it to end. But this was a good thing. I had previously plowed through the other ones very quickly. It is such a sad ending because of what you know is going to happen from the previous book because this one takes place several hundred years in the past. I think there are just a couple more books to go. I am looking forward to them.

It's always fantastic when an author comes back to a series and the book feels like he never left it. Fantastic book that really helps a reader understand just how someone in the world of the Abhorsen might be seduced by Free Magic.

Good.