After the Dragons
Cover of Sabriel

Fantasy · Young adult

Sabriel

by Garth Nix

4.1 out of 5, from 674 ratings from Hardcover readers

Raised at a boarding school beside a country without magic, a young woman receives her missing father's sword and bells. She must cross into the Old Kingdom, where the dead do not stay dead, to find him.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
1995
Pace
Medium
Length
Medium
Pages
396
Format
Book 1 of 6 in The Old Kingdom
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Read this if you like fantasy with real chills, a capable teenage heroine and an unusual take on necromancy.

Skip this if you prefer your magic bright and friendly, as the dead and the bells here are properly eerie.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Death
  • Violence

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Death of parent

Quick answers about Sabriel

What is Sabriel about?
Raised at a boarding school beside a country without magic, a young woman receives her missing father's sword and bells. She must cross into the Old Kingdom, where the dead do not stay dead, to find him.
Who should read Sabriel?
Read it if you like fantasy with real chills, a capable teenage heroine and an unusual take on necromancy. Skip it if you prefer your magic bright and friendly, as the dead and the bells here are properly eerie.
How long and how fast is Sabriel?
It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 396 pages, first published in 1995.
Does Sabriel have content warnings?
Content we flag: Death, Violence.
Can I borrow Sabriel for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Sabriel; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after Sabriel?
Readers who liked it often move on to A Wizard of Earthsea, Coraline, Ninth House.

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