A novel by GarthNix. Eligible for the 2003-4 OUSFGAward. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007137338/ "When the future is unclear, who holds the key to destiny? Sequel to the spellbinding, award-winning fantasy adventure, SABRIEL. Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Abandoned by her mother and ignorant of her father's identity, Lirael resembles no one else in her large, extended family living in the Clayr's Glacier. She doesn't even have the Sight -- the ability to See into the present and possible futures -- that is the very birthright of the Clayr. Nonetheless, it is Lirael in whose hands the fate of the Old Kingdom lies. she must undertake a desperate mission under the growing shadow of an ancient evil -- one that opposes the Royal Family, blocks the Sight of the Clayr, and threatens to break the very boundary between Life and Death itself. With only her faithful companion, the Disreputable Dog, to help her, Lirael must find the courage to seek her own hidden destiny. Garth Nix draws readers deeper into the magical landscape of the Old Kingdom and weaves a spellbinding tale of discovery, destiny and danger. -- TinyJo: Sabriel was quite a good read - enjoyable but not sparkling. With Lirael, he's really getting into his stride. Surprisingly for a book fronted by two characters who I constantly wanted to give a slap to and say "Pull yourself together!" I really enjoyed this one. Unlike Sabriel, it's not a standalone book but is really half of a pair with Abhorsen, which will presumably be eligible for next year's award. Being a childrens book, the prose is fairly simple and most readers will probably whip through this in an afternoon if they're prepared to have a slightly late dinner but it's good stuff, and worth finding the time for, I'd say.