Review: Lirael (Old Kingdom Book 2)

Introduction

Garth Nix’s Lirael, the second book in the Old Kingdom series, expands upon the eerie and magical world introduced in Sabriel. First published in 2001, Lirael shifts focus from the original protagonist, Sabriel, to a new heroine—Lirael, a young daughter of the Clayr who struggles with feelings of isolation and self-doubt. Unlike Sabriel, which was largely a standalone story, Lirael is the first half of a duology that continues in Abhorsen.

The novel introduces deeper lore surrounding the Old Kingdom, particularly the Clayr, a group of seers who can glimpse the future. Lirael, however, is an anomaly among them, as she lacks the ability to See. Her journey of self-discovery, along with that of Prince Sameth—Sabriel’s son—forms the emotional and narrative core of the book. With its intricate world-building, compelling character development, and an ever-present sense of foreboding, Lirael stands as a rich and engrossing sequel that deepens the stakes of the Old Kingdom saga.

評論：《萊瑞爾》（舊王國系列第二冊）

引言

加思·尼克斯（Garth Nix）的《萊瑞爾》（Lirael）是舊王國系列的第二部作品，進一步拓展了《薩布莉兒》（Sabriel）中所建立的詭譎而充滿魔法的世界。該書於 2001 年首次出版，故事的焦點從前作的女主角薩布莉兒轉向一位全新的主角——萊瑞爾（Lirael），她是克萊爾族（Clayr）的一名少女，卻因無法擁有族人天生的預知能力而飽受孤獨與自我懷疑的困擾。

與《薩布莉兒》不同，《萊瑞爾》並非獨立故事，而是與續作《阿波森》（Abhorsen）構成一個完整的上下篇雙部曲。

本書進一步揭開舊王國的神秘面紗，特別是與克萊爾族有關的傳說與歷史。克萊爾族是一群擁有預見未來能力的女性，然而，萊瑞爾卻是其中的異類，因為她始終無法「看見」未來。她的自我探索旅程，與另一位核心角色——薩布莉兒的兒子薩梅斯王子（Prince Sameth）——的成長故事交織在一起，成為本書的情感與敘事核心。

憑藉細膩的世界觀、引人入勝的角色發展，以及持續蔓延的黑暗威脅，《萊瑞爾》是一部豐富而扣人心弦的續作，進一步加深了舊王國系列的故事格局與危機感。

Plot Overview

The novel is set nearly 14 years after the events of Sabriel. Lirael, a daughter of the Clayr, has grown up in their glacier stronghold, longing for the ability to See the future, like her peers. Feeling like an outcast, she finds solace in books and becomes a librarian in the Great Library of the Clayr—a vast, mysterious place filled with forgotten knowledge and ancient dangers. While working there, she discovers her talent for Charter Magic and befriends the enigmatic, shape-shifting magical creature known as the Disreputable Dog.

Meanwhile, Prince Sameth, heir to the Abhorsen’s title, struggles with his fear of Death and his role as Sabriel’s successor. After a harrowing encounter with a necromancer, he becomes reluctant to embrace his destiny. As the kingdom faces increasing threats from the Dead, Sameth’s personal insecurities put him at odds with his responsibilities, leading to a parallel journey of self-discovery alongside Lirael’s.

The novel’s climax sees Lirael uncovering shocking truths about her heritage, realizing that she is not meant to be a Clayr, but something far different—and perhaps even more powerful. As dark forces gather, Lirael and Sameth’s paths begin to converge, setting the stage for the next book, Abhorsen.

劇情概要

本書的故事發生在《薩布莉兒》事件的近 14 年後。萊瑞爾（Lirael）是克萊爾族（Clayr）的一員，她從小在克萊爾族的冰川要塞中成長，渴望能夠像族人一樣擁有預知未來的能力。然而，年復一年，她遲遲無法「看見」，這讓她感到格格不入，並深陷孤獨與自我懷疑之中。為了逃避這種疏離感，她將自己埋首於書籍之中，並在克萊爾族的大圖書館擔任圖書管理員。這座圖書館是一個龐大而神秘的場所，藏有被遺忘的知識與危險的古老秘密。在這裡，萊瑞爾發現了自己在規範魔法（Charter Magic）方面的天賦，並與一個神秘而具變形能力的魔法生物——「放蕩不羈的狗」（Disreputable Dog）成為朋友。

與此同時，阿波森王位繼承人薩梅斯王子（Prince Sameth）正面臨著自己的掙扎。他原本被視為母親薩布莉兒的繼任者，肩負著成為舊王國守護者的使命。然而，在一次與死靈法師的恐怖遭遇後，他對死亡界（Death）產生了極大的恐懼，並開始抗拒自己的命運。隨著舊王國面臨來自亡靈的威脅日益加劇，薩梅斯的恐懼和不安使他無法承擔起應有的責任，這使他踏上了一條與萊瑞爾相似的自我探索之旅。

故事的高潮部分，萊瑞爾發現了關於自己血統的驚人真相——她的命運並非成為克萊爾族的一員，而是完全不同，甚至可能更加強大。隨著黑暗勢力逐漸集結，萊瑞爾和薩梅斯的道路開始交會，為下一部小說《阿波森》（Abhorsen）的劇情發展奠定了基礎。

Themes

Identity and Belonging

One of Lirael’s most profound themes is identity and the search for belonging. Lirael feels like an outsider among the Clayr, constantly questioning her worth. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, where she ultimately discovers that her destiny lies beyond what she initially desired. Similarly, Sameth struggles with the pressure of expectations, fearing that he is unfit for the role his parents have set for him.

Destiny vs. Free Will

Both Lirael and Sameth grapple with their perceived destinies. While others have defined their paths for them—Lirael as a Clayr, Sameth as the next Abhorsen—they must learn to carve out their own roles in the world. Their struggles highlight the tension between predetermined fate and the power of choice.

The Power of Knowledge

The novel heavily emphasizes the importance of knowledge, particularly through the Great Library of the Clayr. Lirael’s exploration of forgotten histories, ancient magics, and lost artifacts highlights the theme that knowledge, even more than magic, can be the key to survival. The Disreputable Dog, acting as both a guide and a mystery, represents the importance of asking questions and seeking truth beyond the surface.

Courage and Fear

While Sabriel was about duty, Lirael is largely about fear and overcoming it. Lirael fears she will never fit in, while Sameth fears his own weaknesses and the weight of his family’s legacy. Their growth throughout the novel centers on learning to face their fears rather than running from them.

主題探討

身份認同與歸屬感

《萊瑞爾》最深刻的主題之一是「身份認同」與「尋找歸屬感」。萊瑞爾在克萊爾族中感到格格不入，因為她遲遲無法獲得族人視為天賦的「視界之力」（Sight）。她不斷質疑自己的價值，渴望成為與族人相同的人。然而，她的旅程最終讓她發現，自己的命運遠超過她原本所期望的歸屬。同樣地，薩梅斯王子也面臨來自父母與社會的巨大壓力，被期待成為下一任阿波森（Abhorsen），但他內心深處卻懷疑自己是否真的適合這個角色。

命運與自由意志

萊瑞爾與薩梅斯都在與「命運」進行抗衡。他們的身份似乎早已被決定——萊瑞爾應該成為克萊爾族的一員，薩梅斯則應繼承母親薩布莉兒的職責。然而，在這趟旅程中，他們逐漸意識到，真正的成長來自於自己選擇的道路，而非他人為他們安排的未來。小說藉由兩位主角的掙扎，展現了「宿命與選擇」之間的張力，強調個人有能力打破外界對命運的預設，並找到屬於自己的位置。

知識的力量

本書強調「知識」的重要性，特別是在克萊爾族的大圖書館中，這一點尤為明顯。萊瑞爾的探索不僅僅是魔法的學習，更是對被遺忘的歷史、古老的魔法以及失落的神器的發掘。小說表達了一個核心觀點：在危險與未知面前，知識往往比魔法更關鍵，因為它能帶來真正的理解與突破。此外，放蕩不羈的狗不僅是萊瑞爾的嚮導，也象徵著探索未知與追求真相的重要性——它鼓勵萊瑞爾不斷提問，不滿足於表面答案，而是深入挖掘世界的本質。

勇氣與恐懼

如果說《薩布莉兒》的主題是「責任」，那麼《萊瑞爾》則是「恐懼」與「克服恐懼」。萊瑞爾害怕自己永遠無法適應克萊爾族的生活，薩梅斯則害怕自己的弱點會讓家族失望。他們的成長旅程圍繞著如何直面恐懼，而非逃避或被它吞噬。這種內在的掙扎使兩位主角更加人性化，也讓讀者更能與他們的經歷產生共鳴。

Character Analysis

Lirael

Lirael is an incredibly relatable protagonist—intelligent, introverted, and longing for a place where she truly belongs. Unlike Sabriel, who was confident and duty-driven, Lirael begins as an uncertain and isolated young woman. Her arc is a beautifully written journey of self-discovery, as she learns that she is not meant to follow the path of the Clayr, but rather something entirely different. Her bond with the Disreputable Dog is a highlight of the novel, adding warmth and humor to her otherwise lonely life.

Prince Sameth

As Sabriel and Touchstone’s son, Sameth carries the weight of his parents’ expectations, yet he struggles with crippling self-doubt and fear. His trauma following a confrontation with a necromancer leaves him deeply shaken, making him hesitant to embrace his destiny as the next Abhorsen. His arc is compelling because it subverts the trope of the heroic prince—rather than immediately rising to the occasion, he grapples with insecurity and the pressure of legacy.

The Disreputable Dog

Mysterious, wise, and full of personality, the Disreputable Dog is one of the most beloved characters in the Old Kingdom series. Serving as Lirael’s guide and protector, she offers cryptic but insightful advice, much like Mogget did for Sabriel. However, unlike Mogget, the Dog is genuinely kind and caring, creating a touching contrast. Her true nature remains unknown for much of the novel, adding to her intrigue.

Mogget

Mogget, the sardonic, magical white cat from Sabriel, makes a return in Lirael. Though still bound to serve the Abhorsen, he retains his signature sarcasm and ambiguous morality. His interactions with Sameth are often amusing, but he also serves as a reminder of the darker forces at play.

Hedge

The novel’s main antagonist, Hedge, is a powerful necromancer serving an even greater evil. While his role is more of a looming threat in Lirael, his sinister presence adds tension, setting the stage for the larger conflict in Abhorsen.

角色分析

萊瑞爾（Lirael）

萊瑞爾是一位極具共鳴的主角——聰明、內向，渴望找到真正屬於自己的位置。與自信且肩負使命感的薩布莉兒不同，萊瑞爾一開始是一位缺乏自信、孤獨且對未來感到迷茫的少女。她的成長弧線極具感染力，透過一場自我探索的旅程，她逐漸發現自己的命運並不屬於克萊爾族，而是完全不同的方向。她與放蕩不羈的狗之間的羈絆更是本書的一大亮點，這段關係為她原本孤寂的生活增添了溫暖與幽默。

薩梅斯王子（Prince Sameth）

作為薩布莉兒與觸石王（Touchstone）的兒子，薩梅斯承受著父母的期待與重擔，然而，他卻深陷自我懷疑與恐懼之中。與死靈法師的一次交戰讓他飽受創傷，使他對自己的能力產生動搖，並對繼承阿波森之位產生極大的抗拒。他的成長故事之所以引人入勝，正是因為它顛覆了傳統「英雄王子」的刻板印象——他並未立即迎接挑戰，而是必須先與自己的不安、恐懼和家族的壓力抗衡。

放蕩不羈的狗（The Disreputable Dog）

神秘、睿智，且個性鮮明的放蕩不羈的狗是整個《舊王國》系列中最受歡迎的角色之一。作為萊瑞爾的嚮導與守護者，她經常給出看似模糊但極具深意的建議，這點與《薩布莉兒》中的莫格特頗為相似。然而，相較於莫格特，放蕩不羈的狗更具親和力，且對萊瑞爾懷有真正的關心與愛護，這種強烈的對比讓她的形象更加鮮活。她的真實身份在本書的大部分篇幅中仍是一個謎，進一步增添了這個角色的神秘感與吸引力。

莫格特（Mogget）

這隻具有強大魔法的毒舌白貓在《萊瑞爾》中再度登場。雖然他仍然受魔法束縛，必須效忠阿波森家族，但他依舊保留了特有的諷刺與玩世不恭的態度。莫格特與薩梅斯之間的互動往往充滿幽默，但在這些輕鬆的交流之下，他仍然是一個象徵著黑暗與未知力量的存在，提醒著讀者與角色們，真正的威脅仍然潛伏在暗處。

赫奇（Hedge）

作為本書的主要反派，赫奇是一名強大的死靈法師，效忠於一個更為邪惡的存在。在《萊瑞爾》中，他的角色更多是作為一種潛伏的威脅，為整個故事營造出濃厚的緊張感，並為續作《阿波森》中的更大衝突埋下伏筆。

Style and World-Building

Garth Nix’s prose in Lirael is lush, atmospheric, and immersive. He masterfully contrasts the stark, icy world of the Clayr’s Glacier with the decaying, haunted landscapes of the Old Kingdom. His descriptions of the Great Library, filled with ancient secrets, hidden dangers, and forgotten magic, make it one of the novel’s most captivating settings.

The magic system remains one of the Old Kingdom series’ strongest aspects. Charter Magic, Free Magic, and the necromantic powers of the Abhorsens are explored in greater depth, particularly with the introduction of the Dark Mirror—a tool that allows Lirael to peer into Death.

Unlike Sabriel, which was more action-driven, Lirael is a slower, more introspective novel, focusing heavily on character development and world-building. Some readers may find its pacing more deliberate, but the payoff is a deeply emotional and rewarding story.

風格與世界觀構築

加思·尼克斯在《萊瑞爾》中的文筆細膩而富有氛圍感，營造出極具沉浸感的閱讀體驗。他巧妙地對比了克萊爾族冰冷而孤寂的冰川世界與舊王國那衰敗、幽暗、瀰漫著死亡氣息的荒原景象，使這兩個截然不同的世界更加鮮明立體。其中，克萊爾族的偉大圖書館更是全書最引人入勝的場景之一，它充滿了古老的秘密、隱藏的危機與被遺忘的魔法，使讀者彷彿置身於一座充滿未知與神秘的迷宮之中。

本書延續了《舊王國》系列最具特色的魔法體系，並進一步拓展了對契印魔法（Charter Magic）、自由魔法（Free Magic）以及阿波森家族獨特死靈術的探索。特別是「黑暗之鏡」（Dark Mirror）的引入，使萊瑞爾能夠窺視死亡之境，進一步深化了小說對死亡世界的描寫與探討。

與以動作戲為主的《薩布莉兒》相比，《萊瑞爾》是一部節奏較為緩慢、側重角色內心成長與世界觀構築的小說。這種更加內省的敘事方式可能會讓某些讀者覺得情節推進較為緩慢，但其最終帶來的情感共鳴與劇情鋪陳卻是極為豐富而深刻的，讓整個故事更具感染力與沉浸感。

Conclusion

Lirael is a rich and engrossing sequel that expands the Old Kingdom in new and exciting ways. While it introduces a more introspective and character-driven story than its predecessor, it remains just as compelling, thanks to its intriguing magic system, atmospheric world-building, and deeply relatable protagonists.

Though it ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the final installment, Abhorsen, Lirael stands as a powerful tale of identity, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace one’s true path. For fans of Sabriel, this novel adds depth and complexity to the Old Kingdom, making it an essential and unforgettable continuation of the series.

結論

《萊瑞爾》是一部內容豐富且引人入勝的續作，以全新的方式拓展了舊王國的世界觀。雖然相較於前作《薩布莉兒》，本書更加內省，側重於角色發展，但它依然極具吸引力，憑藉其獨特而迷人的魔法體系、充滿氛圍感的世界構築以及極具共鳴的主角群，使讀者沉浸其中。

儘管小說以懸念式的結局收尾，為最終章《阿波森》埋下伏筆，但《萊瑞爾》本身仍是一部強而有力的作品，講述了關於身份認同、自我探索與勇於接受真正命運的動人故事。對於喜愛《薩布莉兒》的讀者來說，本書進一步深化了舊王國的世界觀，使其成為不可錯過且令人難忘的系列續作。

Final Verdict 

A must-read for fantasy lovers who enjoy deep character development, immersive world-building, and a touch of dark magic.

最終評價

對於喜愛深度角色塑造、沉浸式世界觀構築以及帶有黑暗魔法元素的奇幻小說愛好者來說，《萊瑞爾》絕對是必讀之作。