Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

A Reread Review with a very slight spoiler

Searching for Dragons is a very good sequel to Dealing with Dragons. I personally enjoyed the world-building of The Enchanted Forest and her King. I also enjoyed the visiting of Fairy Tale tropes and the bending of them. Overall, it was a fun time.

I very much love how sarcastic Mendanbar is. When paired with Telemain, Mendanbar reminded me of a science educator. One who is able to take the more complicated language and translate it into something a lay-person can understand. I feel like Mendanbar and Cimorene's relationship is well-constructed. They feel like they just fit together, even before any hint of romance happened. That's as it should be, I think. Being friends before turning to romance seems to work out the best.

I definitely feel the wizard's plot here was more involved than their plot in Dealing with Dragons. I would be interested to know how they got ahold of Kazul, exactly. Probably for the best we didn't see that bit as I doubt it would have either worked well or lived up to expectations. Zemenar just didn't count on everyone being rather more sensible than I guess people usually are in these situations. That's actually what I really like about Searching for Dragons; people actually talk to each other rather than just throwing accusations around, sight unseen.

I quite like that witches, wizards, and magicians are all separate things, rather than different word for different genders of magic user. I very much enjoyed the introduction of Telemain as the more scientific approach to magic. It's nice to have someone around to explain what's actually going on with the magic as opposed to being like "it just works." I also thought The Enchanted Forest basically working on string-theory was fun. Kind of like ley line stuff, only on a smaller scale.

Anyway, Searching for Dragons was a fun romp. Definitely a good sequel. Could maybe stand on it's own if it had to, but definitely builds on what came before it.

Favorite Line

"I'm just as curious as you are, Telemain, but I never heard that a spirit of scientific inquiry precluded taking intelligent precautions." - Morwen

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Spoiler Free Reread Review

Dealing with Dragons had been one of my favorite books since the first time I read it as a kid. It was more than likely my first introduction to the “Fractured Fairy Tale” sub-genre. I remember feeling so smart when I realized Cimorene’s aunt was Sleeping Beauty. I am very happy to say that Dealing with Dragons holds up. It’s got a very nice pace, enjoyable characters, world-building that’s not heavy-handed nor too light. I love it so, so much.

Cimorene is probably my favorite princess character ever. She’s no-nonsense, determined, curious, clever, and unafraid of work. I guess she technically falls into the “not like other girls” category, given that all the other princesses are apparently blonde, blue eyed, and waifish. This is not a problem for me as Cimorene doesn’t exude that “not like other girls” aura… if that makes sense.

Morwen, though not featured heavily in this book, is witchy life goals. I would like nothing more than to live in a secluded house with a ton of cats… and internet, which does not exist in that world so… whatever. I really like Morwen.

I like the way the world-building is done, first through the narration and then through Cimorene learning while doing her Dragon Princess duties. I’m definitely in love with the entire way the fairy tale world is fleshed out. All the fairies, dragons, giants, etc. existing and coexisting somehow. Chef’s kiss. Actually quite glad none of it is overly delved into, because I also have a feeling there’s a very real dark side to all this… but Dealing with Dragons isn’t that kind of book.

I’ve largely run out of things to say about Dealing with Dragons. I feel like it’s a really good book that stands the test of time. Prefect for the younger generations and still enjoyable for rereading as an adult. 

Favorite Lines

"I didn't ask what you'd said about it," the frog snapped. "I asked what you're going to do. Nine times out of ten, talking is a way of avoiding doing things."

"No soapsuds! It's demeaning." - Zemenar

"It certainly does," the escort dragon said. "It said all, and I meant all. If I'd meant 'all the humans,' I'd have said 'all the humans,' or maybe 'some of you' or 'you over there' or 'all you non-dragons' or --" - Frax

Goldenhand by Garth Nix

I am definitely not as enamored with Goldenhand as I was with the rest of the Abhorsen/Old Kingdom series. It was good, but it wasn’t fantastic. The pacing was quick, for the most part, but also not in a detrimental way. The characters were as lovely and vibrant as ever. Goldenhand was just missing something, for me, that would have elevated it.

Kind of in love with Mistress Finney. Might be a little silly, but I like the added dimension to message hawks. This is a very small part of the story, but I always love me some world-building so… yeah.

Not a fan of romance, really, but Nick and Lirael being awkward and ridiculous around each other amuses me. I’m not sure how I feel about another quick romance… or two, actually, but I am glad there was no will-they-won’t-they dithering for too terribly long. About a day, I think, maybe?

I feel like Ferin’s chapters detailing her battle/running-thing on the shale ridge took forever due to Nix needing to line Ferin’s actions up to Lirael’s. It did feel a little weird that Ferin’s speaking style seemed to change between that adventure and when she’s talking to Sam later. Somehow gone from perfectly eloquent to having some sort of ESL-like cadence. I’m not doing a good job of explaining, so I’ll just reiterate that it felt weird.

Overall, I’m perfectly happy with Goldenhand. Happy, not over-joyed. I’m glad Lirael got some closure with the Clayr. I’m glad Clariel gets a better ending. However, I do feel like all my emotions were spent at the end of Abhorsen, so there’s that.

A Feast for Starving Stone by Beth Cato

A Feast for Starving Stone was alright. There was slightly more world-building, mostly on what exactly the gods were capable of. Mostly it was a run-around, Solenn and Ada running from one battle to the next. Rather chaotic, in all honesty. I wasn’t as enamored with the story this time around.

More books in series need a “previously on” chapter that you can read if you need a refresher and skip if you don’t. A+ for including this, Beth Cato. Love it.

I really, really feel like Solenn has been knee-capped by Queen Abonde’s refusal to allow even the knowledge of the Coteries’ existence to come out. How the fuck is Solenn supposed to actually make any sort of headway if she’s not allowed to explain why she wants the things she wants to the humans? “You have six months to get some shit done, but you’re not allowed to tell anyone except your guards that they’re eating sentient creatures. Oh, and by the way, even touching our dead bodies is offensive.” Like, what? Abdone eventually apologies for this nonsense, but I’m still annoyed about it.

I really liked the kraken stuff. It makes complete sense that a creature so divorced from land animals would have a completely different way of looking at the world. It was neat.

I don’t really have much else to say. A Feast for Starving Stone was just alright.

Favorite Lines

"The Gods are like people, really. Just more powerful," - Adamantine Garland

"Ignorance in search of enlightenment has no need of apology," - Captain Emt

     "I killed man because of cheese once," Claudette mused.

     "Only once?" Ada murmured as they continued through the village. The rain had stopped.

     "I'm only counting deaths, not maimings."

     "An important clarification." - Caludette & Adamantine Garland  

The Creature in the Case by Garth Nix

Nick attempts some cloak-and-dagger stuff and ends up in a long chase. Very fast-paced. Not really much else to it.

Ah, a Department Thirteen, eh? No relation to a similar Warehouse, of course… Nah, D13 really seems more CIA-ish than Warehouse-ish.

Basically just an enjoyable little romp.

In Slightly Other News

I finally got my confetti! Currently upping my goal to 110.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

Abhorsen is, without a doubt, a very good and fitting end to the trilogy… though the story goes on. Abhorsen is filled with more world-building, character growth, and… well… adventure is the only word that’s coming to mind. The pace is excellent. I devoured Abhorsen in approximately a day, if that tells you anything. It was very good. I cried. Usually the mark of a very good story.

The ABSOLUTE IRONY of Chlorr of the Mask being the one to besiege Abhorsen’s House. Spoiler if you haven’t read Clariel, but Chlorr is Clariel. And if you’ve read Clariel you understand the irony. It’s pretty delectable, honestly.

I actually enjoy Sam in this book. He doesn’t spend his time worrying or sunk into his previous depression, which is good. He’s actually shown to be more clever than he was before, so that was also good.

Lirael is ever growing, learning to be the Abhorsen-In-Waiting and actual Abhorsen. It’s pretty cool to “watch.” I especially enjoyed her few mostly-solo missions, especially the one at the end.

I am very satisfied with this ending. It was the ending of the Abhorsen/Old Kingdom series for a while. Like I said in the beginning, I cried. Several times, in fact. I’m ever a sucker for teams coming together and/or military people saying “fuck it” to the rules because they gotta do the right thing. Got both of those here. I’m still highly satisfied. But now I’m off to The Creature in the Case… well, a shower and some other things, but that’s what’s next.

A Slight Annoyance

My Goodreads reading goal was set to 80 books. Abhorsen is book 80. However!!!!

The Goodreads App glitched and did not give me the "Yay! You did it!" Plaque thingy with the confetti. I am very, very annoyed about this. 😑😡

So now I've set my goal to 81 and will hopefully get the dang confetti when I log my next book.

Lirael by Garth Nix

Lirael is largely a book of self-discovery. Lirael and Sam are figuring themselves out and being nudged along by destiny at the same time. I will warn that Lirael is quite dark. There are suicidal thoughts, dangerous creatures, and hordes of zombies.

Not gonna lie, the Clayr’s Library sounds amazing and terrifying. Like a cross between The Library (from The Librarians) and Warehouse 13. I think it ultimately does a good job showcasing what magic in this world can DO when applied in ways the characters don’t generally. Personally, I really want to explore it myself.

The Disreputable Dog is interesting. Lirael speaks her into existence, basically. She displays Mogget-like shapeshifting abilities, though is apparently much more of the Charter than Mogget ever was. She’s also a fun character, on top of all her mysteries. When she and Mogget get together, things get more interesting. I will note that The Dog seems to be able to talk more about the old school lore of the Old Kingdom a lot more freely than Mogget ever could, which is, ya know, thought-provoking.

I had completely forgotten about what’s essentially the prologue to Sam and Nick’s adventure. Geeez is it brutal.

I like that there’s a bit of explanation as to why The Book of the Dead can only be randomly remembered. Good to know someone’s looking out for the mental health of the Abhorsens. No one even thinks Sam might need some therapy after his experience. Nah, just “he needs to be busy” apparently and that will fix everything. Sabriel, Touchstone, and Ellemere are all too busy to even ask Sam what’s going on with him. News flash: Sam is not okay.

I really feel like Lirael suffers from not focusing just on Lirael. Not that I don’t like Sam, but his story is just kind of “whatever.” I’m much more invested in Lirael. I do completely understand that Sam is necessary for the story to progress, but I’m just not that into him as a character.

I did enjoy Lirael. It is definitely a stepping-stone to a larger story that needed to be broken up over two books. However, I feel that Lirael is really more about Lirael herself figuring out where she belongs. Lirael also delves more into the lore of the Old Kingdom, which I love. Definitely a good read.

My 2018 Review

Favorite Lines

"Would you believe that no less than a colonel and two captains were here yesterday, wanting me to sign the Official Secrets Act and a declaration that I wouldn't ever speak or write of the recent odd events near the Perimeter? The forgot sign language, so I expect I shall inform a deaf journalist when I get back." - Nicholas Sayre

"So you think someone went to all the trouble to make you a crypt a thousand years ago on the off chance you might turn up one day, walk in, and have a convenient heart attack." - Disreputable Dog

"You go first," retorted the Dog. "My nose still hurts from your stupid relatives' blazing doormen." - Disreputable Dog

Sabriel by Garth Nix

I frigging love Sabriel. From first to last, Sabriel picks you up and sweeps you along a wonderful adventure. Garth Nix is very, very good a building and keeping tension as well as building some really memorable moments in between. I think of Sabriel and am immediately transported to Holehallow, the Reservoir, and Wyverly College at the end.

My only really big gripe: WTF is up with Sabriel’s weird belt buckle on the cover? What is the point of the face? Who is that supposed to be? Why is that the most prominent feature? Why is it so important to be on the spine? Pretty sure it’s not important at all in the book.

It’s interesting to see how the Abhorsen mythology has changed from this first book to the later and prequel books. Abhorsen is described as a necromancer, only the opposite, and apparently not well known as The Abhorsen was earlier in the timeline… assuming you read it chronologically.

I really like this iteration of Magical World Butting Up Against “Real World.” There’s a nice kind of blend that happens for a bit, without much bleed-through. I do kind of wonder if the Old Kingdom or Ancelstierre would have encroached more on each other had The Wall not been built. And which one would “win” ultimately… or if they’d just kind of mix or something. This is a little bit explained, but only a little bit.

I know Mogget is ultimately an “evil” creature, but boy is he entertaining. Reminds me of Spike from Buffy, if Spike were a cat. Oh, and he gets high off catbalm for a hot minute there. I think this is the first time I’ve ever encountered a cat companion getting high “on screen.” I’m not even sure that he is evil, exactly, just really, really intent on getting revenge on the Abhorsens for binding him… maybe.

I do still feel like the Sabriel/Touchstone romance is rushed. I’d forgotten they spent at least a week together at sea on the way to Belisare, but… still feels rushed and kind of blah, to be honest.

Anyway, Sabriel is pretty awesome. I highly recommend checking it out for yourself.

My 2017 Review - it's short

Favorite Lines

"Fear and realization of ignorance were strong medicines against stupid pride." - Narration

"Feeling like a shambling, blanket-shrouded excuse for a human being," - Just a vibe

Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix

The first thing to know and remember about Terciel & Elinor is that they both survive this. That's a given as this is a prequel to Sabriel, Terciel and Elinor are Sabriel's parents, and this is set at their first meeting. All that said, the amount of tension Garth Nix manages to bring here is actually impressive. Despite knowing Terciel and Elinor were going to survive, I was still very much engaged and sucked in by the story to the point where the plot armor wasn't a thought in my head. I feel like that's pretty impressive for a prequel.

A note on the cover: I don't feel like Mogget needs to be there... especially as he spends very little time in this book actually in cat form... or called Mogget. I thought that was interesting, actually. The naming thing. I don't think I'd been aware Mogget had gone by anything but Mogget, though it does make sense in retrospect.

I thought Elinor's upbringing was interesting. I kind of knew from reading the "later" books that Ancelstierre had a kind of weird relationship with the Old Kingdom, but I'm not sure it really sunk in until now. I feel it makes complete sense that Elinor's mother would decide to so completely turn her back on the Old Kingdom's customs and such. Feels very in line with the upper class British-y society Elinor's mother would have been born into at this point in Ancelstierre's history. I liked both Ham and Mrs. Watkins. It's pretty easy to see where Elinor got her spunk, even if her Old Kingdom-Charter Mage stuff was suppressed.

Elinor herself was a breath of fresh air. I like that she's optimistic, but also realistic. She works with what she's got, takes what had to be a crazy overwhelming discovery pretty well actually, and actually deals with her trauma. Or I assume she dealt with her trauma. She definitely cried over the deaths of her family and I assume did some sort of therapy while recovering from that mess while still in the hospital. It felt like she dealt with it "off-screen." I liked how she was able to integrate herself into Wyverley College pretty readily. It seems like she got on with the general vibe of the school, which was nice. I feel like Wyverley is a bit more fleshed out here, or at least feels a lot more homey than when Sabriel attends later.

Terciel, conversely, doesn't feel like his personality was super fleshed out. I feel like he got the more casual end of the "I grew up with a militaristic mentor/parent" spectrum. He definitely feels like a more casual person than Tizanael, who definitely has an iron grip on pretty much anything she had to have her hands on. That said, Terciel doesn't feel flat, either, which is good.

I definitely feel like the romance between Terciel and Elinor was just kind of... there. They were both attracted to each other, but didn't have actual time to build a relationship in this book. Honestly, I thought it was a good amount of romance for the story Terciel & Elinor was telling.

My last big note concerns Tizanael's plan in the second half of the book. It really felt batshit crazy to me. They were supposed to just walk into the magic fog, hope Kerrigor was out in the open enough to lasso, and drag him into Death. Uhm... great? Good thing Nix's Big Bads don't tend to hole up in castles with lots of guards around. This section was actually pretty good, I thought, but that plan had me questioning Tizanael's sanity.

I didn't really have many expectations for what Terciel & Elinor was going to be, but I was pleasantly surprised it was as good as it turned out being. I'm not a fan of romance stuff, in general, so the large lack of that in a book that could have been just that was nice. Another good prequel entry in the Old Kingdom/Abhorsen series that definitely enriches what came before/after, depending on your reading order.

A Thousand Recipes for Revenge by Beth Cato

A Thousand Recipes for Revenge was nothing like I thought it might be (not that I had a super concrete idea or anything). First of all, the magic system is nothing I’ve ever seen before. Really interesting and made more interesting by events during the story. Ada and Solenn are fun characters. I connected more with Solenn than Ada, but that doesn’t take anything away from Ada’s character.

I feel like it’s somewhat hard to talk about a good chunk of this book without spoiling things. However, the second half contains a good amount of action that was fairly well done, I thought. There’s also a fair few surprises that are both fun and not-so-great for our protagonists.

I was expecting Aveyron to turn into a wolf. Which I suppose is a bit of a spoiler, but… yeah. There’s a point where Aveyron is transforming and it’s not to a wolf. Surprise!

Honestly, I really enjoyed A Thousand Recipes for Revenge. All the characters, not just Ada and Solenn, were rich and fully formed. I really want to know more about the mythology of this universe. This small taste was a lot of fun. Here’s hoping Solenn ultimately succeeds at the thing she’s attempting. 

Favorite Lines

"As my father says, some people are burned at the stake, others do the burning, and far more watch." - Aveyron Silvacane de Camarga

"The creature would have been adorable if not for its stabby nature." - Solenn's narration

"After all, what is a white lie but truth decomposed?" - Aveyron Silvacane de Camarga

Clariel by Garth Nix

So, having semi-recently reread Sabriel, I do have to say there is a jump in quality, as far as Nix’s writing goes. I feel much more connected to the Abhorsen world after reading Clariel. Clariel was really good. I pretty much blew through it in two sittings (with a bit at the beginning and middle that were work days). I was drawn in by the story and the characters.

Clariel’s ACE!! I wasn’t expecting that kind of representation, but I’m glad it’s there. Not that Clariel’s sexuality had much to do with anything plot-wise. Clariel is really quite focused on returning to the forest, even as she’s pulled in more political directions. Her reluctance and flat-out refusal to go that way is very relatable. Clariel is ultimately an introvert and I feel her struggle so hard.

Speaking of which, the politics were well done, but also yawn. I had no real interest in them and didn’t feel like the stakes as far as the Kingdom went were actually, well, stake-y. The politics were there to create an obstacle and then goal for Clariel.

Mogget’s inclusion in the plot was fun. Love that not-exactly-a-cat. I would say more, but… spoilers. So no. On other side characters: I quite enjoyed Kargren and Bel. I want Charter classes with Kargren. He feels like he would have been a much more fun teacher than he got to be. Bel was really obviously what he ended up being… and a pretty good friend to Clariel. I didn’t really enjoy the friend-zoning he decided to do to himself, but… *sigh* Yeah.

I think Clariel was good as both a prequel and an Old Kingdom intro… which, if you’re reading in chronological order, please avoid the Author’s Note at the end.

Favorite Lines

"The most important thing is to be true to yourself, however you feel, and not try to feel or behave differently because you think you should, or someone has told you how you must feel. But do think about it. Unexamined feelings lead to all kinds of trouble." - Lemmin

"I am a great believer that anything not expressly forbidden is explicitly allowed." - Mogget

"Reasons can always be found to bind a slave." - Mogget

To Hold the Bridge by Garth Nix

Just a reminder: I don't really enjoy anthologies, so I don't usually read the entire book, only what's relevant to whatever series I'm reading at the time. This time, I really only meant to read the first story... but vampires happened.

My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read two stories from this anthology.

"To Hold the Bridge": I enjoyed this one. Felt like the beginning to a much longer story. I think I would have enjoyed getting more from Morghan. I was so engrossed, the ending felt abrupt, though it wasn't, exactly.

"Vampire Weather": Interesting take on vampires and a sort of Amish-y hold-out branch of society in a world that apparently vaccinates against vampires. The characters were rather bland, though.