Lirael

The necromancer’s command struck at Lirael like a blow, and she felt her knees unlock, her legs beginning to crumple. Hedge already had her in his power, the deep commanding tone of Saraneth still ringing in her ears, echoing inside her head, a sound she couldn’t dislodge from her mind. He came still closer, the sword raised above his head, and she knew that it would soon fall upon her unprotected neck.Dark forces are abroad once more in the Old Kingdom. Lirael, solitary daughter of the Clayr, and Sameth, the reluctant Abhorsen-in-Waiting, both seek the same man who may hold the key to an ancient evil stirring in the West. But the Dead cannot be laid to rest until the strange secret linking the fate of Lirael and Sameth is revealed. Set in the same dark, magical world as Garth Nix’s award-winning Sabriel, this is a spellbinding tale of discovery, destiny and danger, from an exceptional fantasy talent.’Nix’s vivid characterisation, logical consistency of plot lines and literary backfilling reaffirms his position as Australia’s top fantasy author.’ Colin Steele, Canberra Times