Abhorsen is the third book in The Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix. It follows Sabriel and Lirael.

Plot:
Sabriel, the Disreputable Dog and Sameth have made it to the Abhorsen’s house, but they still have a way to go to reach the Red Lake where Nicholas is excavating something that reeks of free magic under the influence of the necromancer Hedge. Unfortunately, the house is surrounded by the Dead, controlled by Chlorr of the Mask. But even once they do make it out of there, a long and dangerous journey awaits them and they actually still don’t know what exactly Hedge is letting Nicholas dig up – they only know that it would have disastrous effects if he should succeed in his plan.

Abhorsen still is a completely satisfying ending to a wonderful trilogy. I could barely put it down and I was totally immersed in the story. Before I embarked on my re-read of the series, I was worried that it might not hold up to my memory of it, but I’m happy to say that it totally did.

Has there ever been anything better than the Disreputable Dog? I doubt it. And boy, how I cried about her at the end. Though Mogget does come a very close second, in any form. He’s such a fantastic character. Which I wouldn’t want you to take to mean that I didn’t like the human characters in this, because I do very much.

Even though I have to admit that poor Nicholas was so incredibly pitiful in this book that it was a little hard to stand. I just wanted him to be his warm and lively self and not this maltreated, abused mess that doesn’t know what’s what. But that it more a problem of liking Nick too much than of not liking him enough.

Admittedly, the budding romance between Nick and Lirael came a little out of nowhere and could have been either left for later or expanded on some more. But it wasn’t a complete catastrophe, either, just a little bug.

Generally I loved the character development both Sam and Lirael went through and the way the story was resolved – rarely have I read a more satisfying ending, both of the entire series and just of the book. It finished things and still left me craving more. Fortunately, more is about to come.

Summarizing: As close to perfection as you’re likely to get.