This series knows what it's doing.
I wasn’t sold on the premise going in — a time jump of nearly 20 years and a new main character felt like a risk. But I ended up loving it completely. Lirael, the Disreputable Dog, Sam, and Ellimere are all wonderful, and the relationship between Lirael and the Disreputable Dog mirrors Sabriel and Mogget in such a compelling way — same dynamic, different register, clearly intentional. This series knows what it’s doing.
The Disreputable Dog might be my favorite literary Familiar. Bonus: audiobook is read by Tim Curry!
Vibes
- magic
- classic fantasy
- talking beasts
- a time jump of nearly 20 years
Favorite quotes
“As per usual, trouble comes in several directions at once.”
“Hear, hear,” said the Dog, raising her head. “It’s always better to be doing, Prince. Besides, you don’t smell like a coward, so you can’t be one.”
Would recommend to
Same audience as the rest of the series — young adults and adults who enjoy magic and classic fantasy with Familiars and other talking beasts.