Thursday, August 25, 2016

More Double Reviews: Sabriel & The Song Of Achilles

I originally was not going to re-review Sabriel, which I have already read and reviewed two years ago. But then I was like, "Wait, I need this to level up my Pokemon because why not." Also I can do two reviews in one post, how about that.

Sabriel by Garth Nix
The Old Kingdom #1
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Release Date: September 1st, 2014
Source: The Book Depository
Date Read: 8/14/16 to 8/17/16
396 pages
Rating: 


Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old Kingdom to find him.

With Sabriel, the first installment in the Abhorsen series, Garth Nix exploded onto the fantasy scene as a rising star, in a novel that takes readers to a world where the line between the living and the dead isn't always clear—and sometimes disappears altogether.

Like two years ago, I was again, blown away by Sabriel. So much so that I keep wondering why I haven't finished the series yet. With Goldenhand coming out in October, I'm determined to get through Lirael (again), and then Abhorsen (the one I actually haven't read, oops).

There's something magical about rereading. Whether it's knowing and anticipating what will happen, or simply seeing the characters again, either way I don't do it often, and I regret not having the time to. I was brought back to the world of the Abhorsen, one who, unlike a necromancer, makes sure the dead stay dead. I was reintroduced to Mogget, my favorite (and I will assume the original) non-cat. And the romance between Touchstone and Sabriel, which I do have to admit, happened a little out of nowhere. If I were to recreate it, it would be something like "And he truly noticed her as a woman rather than the Abhorsen", and then BAM they both like each other.

Still, this book holds a place in my heart. And I'm glad I got to reread it for this readathon.


The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: March 6th, 2012
Source: Amazon
Date Read: 8/17/16 to 8/21/16
369 pages
Rating: 

The legend begins...

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. “The best of all the Greeks”—strong, beautiful, and the child of a goddess—Achilles is everything the shamed Patroclus is not. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions. Their bond deepens as they grow into young men and become skilled in the arts of war and medicine—much to the displeasure and the fury of Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.


This book. THIS BOOK. I've been wanting to read it for ages, and now that I have read it, I am broken.

This is one of those books where it hurts to read because you know what's going to come next, thanks to well, history. It's obvious from the synopsis that this is a story about Patroclus and Achilles, and the Trojan War. I've watched the movie, learned about it in history classes, yet still I was completely unprepared for how not okay I would feel.

It's pretty heartbreaking to see your favorite characters grow up, knowing that there is some fate in store for them. If you're an avid fan of Greek history and mythology, then definitely add this to your TBR. Because it was everything I wanted and more.

Comments (10)

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HOLY SHIT THE SONG OF ACHILLES WAS THE BEST DAMN HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK I'VE EVER READ. Like it's so beautifully written and then the ending was so heartbeaking, like u said. I really want to get into more of Madeline MIller's work. I really liked how she focused on Patrocilles, a name we don't hear too often in the history boooks where Achilles is known to be a hero and all.
1 reply · active 457 weeks ago
HAHAHAHA YES I'M GLAD! And exactly we never hear his name at all, and I pretty much forgot about him until I picked up this book! I also need to look into more of her work, because this is the first time I have heard of her!
I still have yet to read Sabriel, or anything by Garth Nix for that matter! Clearly, I'm missing out. The romance sounds a bit random but if it is done well after the introduction I'm game. It's awesome when a reread can still make you feel ALL the emotions :) As for the second book, I've seen it around a lot but I didn't know what it was about until now. I'm definitely interested! You're right that it's tough when you know what happened due to history though, you can't help but hope it changes xD
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1 reply · active 457 weeks ago
Hahah I did feel like the romance was random, but I think it is handled better later on in the series (with new characters though). You SHOULD be interested hahahah. And yeah, that's kind of my thought on all historical fiction books. But well what can you do?
So Val. Will Shannon like The Song of Achilles? I mean, I am going to go ahead and add it to my TBR but like... level with me. Like okay, I am NOT an avid fan of mythology, but I quite like history? I don;t know, you can make my life choices, okay. Ditto Sabriel. I always avoided it, but that's mostly because I couldn't pronounce any of the stuff in the synopsis, you see.
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1 reply · active 457 weeks ago
YES SHANNON WILL LIKE IT. Wait. Ugh if you're not a fan I'm not sure, I mean it is pretty subtle when it comes to the actual mythology. But the gods and goddesses are technically real in this book.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU AVOIDED IT. I'm sure there are PLENTY of things you couldn't pronounce in synopses THAT YOU HAVE READ.
I think I would love both of these, and need to bump them up on my TBR ASAP. Great review(s)!
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Great reviews for two very good books. I am a massive fan of the Abhorsen series and clearly remembering Sabriel when I was younger and loving and feeling exactly the same way when I read it again last year. I've read the entire series and am so excited for Goldenhand coming out although I might have to wait for the paperback so my books match!

As for Song of Achilles, it's a book I went into blind and absolutely loved. Isn't it just a fantastic read? The writing is wonderful and the characters were wonderful and I was crying by the end because I was not prepared for the end even though I knew it was coming.
I need to read Achilles!! I have that one on my TBR list. I absolutely adore Greek Mythology so I really want to read it. Now that I have read your review, I am even more excited to read it.
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I love the Abhorsen series! I still haven't read the Clariel prequel book that came out recently. I did the audiobooks for the other three that were narrated by Tim Curry and were amazing, but he didn't do it for that one, so I'm going to have to actually read that one. I just can't imagine this story not told in his narration.
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