The Old Kingdom Series

The Old Kingdom series takes place in a world divided by an ancient wall - to the south lies Ancelstierre with its early 20th century technology, while to the north lies the Old Kingdom where magic rules and the dead refuse to stay dead. The story centers on characters who serve as Abhorsens, necromancers tasked with protecting the realm by forcing the dead back into Death using magical bells and Charter Magic. Magic in this world operates through the Charter, an ancient system of marks and spells that maintains order and binds supernatural forces. Those who wield Charter Magic must contend with Free Magic creatures and the Dead who seek to enter the realm of the living, leading to encounters across both the physical world and the river of Death. The series explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between magic and technology across a border where two drastically different worlds meet. Through its unique magic system and parallel worlds, it examines how individuals navigate inheritance, power, and the weight of responsibility.

Readers praise the unique magic system involving Charter marks and bells, with many highlighting how it differs from standard fantasy tropes. The worldbuilding between the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre receives frequent mentions in reviews. Liked: - Complex female protagonists - Dark, gothic atmosphere - Detailed necromancy lore - Strong audiobook narration by Tim Curry - Consistent internal magic rules Disliked: - Pacing issues in middle sections - Some find the writing style dry - Romance subplots feel underdeveloped - Later books in series seen as weaker - Young protagonist age can limit appeal for adult readers Ratings: Goodreads: - Sabriel (Book 1): 4.2/5 (184,000+ ratings) - Lirael (Book 2): 4.3/5 (108,000+ ratings) - Abhorsen (Book 3): 4.3/5 (95,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Series average: 4.6/5 (2,000+ reviews) - Multiple readers note rereading the series multiple times since its publication

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden A young woman in medieval Russia discovers her power to see and interact with household spirits while dark forces threaten her world.

The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud A young magician's apprentice summons an ancient djinni in an alternate London where magic controls politics and power.

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman A librarian spy travels between parallel worlds to collect important books while navigating political intrigue between dragons, fae, and humans.

The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst A world where spirits control natural forces requires specially trained queens to keep the balance between human survival and spirit destruction.

The Curse Workers by Holly Black In a world where magic is worked through touch, a young curse worker navigates criminal families and government control while hiding his own abilities.

🔮 The Old Kingdom's iconic bells of necromancy were inspired by traditional church bell-ringing, which Garth Nix learned about during his time in England. 📚 Before becoming a full-time writer, Garth Nix worked as a book publicist, literary agent, and in the Australian Army Reserve. ⚔️ The Charter Magic system in the series was partially influenced by the author's interest in computer programming, with its precise rules and symbols working like a magical code. 🏰 The Wall dividing Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom represents the border between Tasmania and mainland Australia, where Nix spent parts of his childhood. 📖 "Sabriel," the first book in the series, was rejected by several publishers before being accepted in 1995. It has now sold over 1 million copies worldwide.