Review: Sabriel (Old Kingdom Book 1)

Introduction

Garth Nix’s Sabriel, the first book in the Old Kingdom series, is a captivating fantasy novel that masterfully blends elements of dark magic, adventure, and coming-of-age storytelling. Originally published in 1995, the novel introduces readers to a richly detailed world divided between the magic-filled Old Kingdom and the industrialized Ancelstierre. The story follows Sabriel, a young woman who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her father, the Abhorsen, a powerful necromancer dedicated to keeping the dead from returning to life.

With its unique system of necromantic magic, compelling protagonist, and eerie yet immersive world-building, Sabriel stands out as a modern classic in young adult fantasy literature. This review will explore the novel’s plot, themes, character development, and narrative style to highlight why Sabriel remains a beloved and influential work.

評論：《薩布里埃爾》（舊王國系列第一部）

導言

加思・尼克斯（Garth Nix）所著的《薩布里埃爾》（Sabriel）是舊王國（Old Kingdom）系列的首部作品，這是一部極具吸引力的奇幻小說，巧妙地融合了黑暗魔法、冒險與成長等元素。該書於1995年首次出版，帶領讀者進入一個細緻入微的世界，這個世界分為兩個截然不同的國度：充滿魔法與亡靈的舊王國（Old Kingdom）與工業化的安塞爾斯鐵爾（Ancelstierre）。

故事的主角薩布里埃爾是一名年輕女子，當她的父親——強大的死靈法師阿博森（Abhorsen）神秘失蹤後，她不得不踏上一場危機四伏的旅程，前往舊王國尋找並拯救他。阿博森不同於一般的死靈法師，他的職責是防止亡者重返現世，維持生與死之間的秩序。

憑藉獨特的亡靈魔法系統、極具魅力的女主角以及陰森卻引人入勝的世界觀，《薩布里埃爾》成為現代青少年奇幻文學中的經典之作。本篇評論將深入探討小說的劇情、主題、角色發展及敘事風格，分析《薩布里埃爾》為何能夠持續受到讀者的喜愛，並在奇幻文學界佔據重要地位。

Plot Overview

Sabriel, raised in the safety of a boarding school in Ancelstierre, has always known she is different. As the daughter of the Abhorsen, she has inherited his ability to wield Charter Magic and command the bells of necromancy, which are used to guide the dead back to where they belong. However, her life changes abruptly when she receives a message from beyond the grave—her father is trapped in Death, and it is up to her to take up his mantle and rescue him.

Leaving behind the relative safety of her school, Sabriel crosses the Wall into the Old Kingdom, a land where Free Magic and the undead roam freely. Along the way, she is joined by two unusual companions: Mogget, a mysterious and sarcastic talking cat who is bound by powerful magic, and Touchstone, a young man who was once a royal guard but has been trapped in an enchanted sleep for centuries.

As she journeys deeper into the Old Kingdom, Sabriel must confront powerful undead forces, including the sinister necromancer Kerrigor, who seeks to dominate both the realm of the living and the dead. Throughout the novel, she struggles with her newfound responsibilities, her father’s absence, and the weight of her destiny. The story builds to a dramatic climax as Sabriel faces Kerrigor in a final confrontation that will determine the fate of both the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre.

劇情概述

自幼在安塞爾斯鐵爾（Ancelstierre）的一所寄宿學校中長大，薩布里埃爾一直知道自己與其他學生不同。身為阿博森（Abhorsen）的女兒，她繼承了父親的力量，能夠運用契印魔法（Charter Magic），並操縱死靈法術之鈴（Bells of Necromancy），這些鈴鐺的力量能夠指引亡者回歸應屬的死亡領域。然而，她平靜的生活在某一天被徹底打破——她收到了一則來自死亡領域的訊息，得知她的父親被困在死亡國度（Death）之中，而拯救他的責任，落在了她的肩上。

迫不得已拋下學校的安全庇護，薩布里埃爾勇敢地穿越界牆（Wall），進入充滿自由魔法（Free Magic）與亡靈怪物的舊王國（Old Kingdom）。在這片危機四伏的土地上，她遇到了兩位神秘且強大的夥伴：莫格特（Mogget），一隻被強大魔法束縛的會說話的貓，他既機智又充滿諷刺；以及塔奇斯通（Touchstone），一名曾是皇室護衛的年輕男子，但卻因詛咒沉睡了數個世紀。

在深入舊王國的旅程中，薩布里埃爾不僅要與強大的亡靈勢力戰鬥，還必須對抗她的宿敵——死靈法師科瑞戈爾（Kerrigor）。這位邪惡的死靈術士企圖掌控生者與死者的領域，讓舊王國與安塞爾斯鐵爾陷入黑暗之中。隨著旅程推進，薩布里埃爾逐漸意識到自己肩負的重任，並開始接受阿博森的傳承。故事最終迎來高潮，她與科瑞戈爾展開決戰，這場戰鬥的勝負將決定舊王國與安塞爾斯鐵爾的命運。

Themes

Life, Death, and the Nature of Power

One of the central themes of Sabriel is the balance between life and death. Unlike traditional fantasy necromancers who raise the dead for evil purposes, the Abhorsens are tasked with ensuring that the dead remain in their proper place. Sabriel’s journey is not only a physical quest but also a philosophical one as she grapples with the responsibility of wielding life-and-death powers.

Coming of Age and Self-Discovery

Sabriel’s story is a quintessential coming-of-age tale. At the beginning of the novel, she is still somewhat sheltered, having spent most of her life in the structured environment of her boarding school. However, as she steps into the Old Kingdom, she is forced to make difficult decisions, take responsibility for herself and others, and fully embrace her identity as the next Abhorsen. Her journey mirrors the struggles of growing up, facing fears, and stepping into adulthood.

Duty and Sacrifice

Throughout the novel, Sabriel’s path is defined by duty. Unlike many fantasy protagonists who choose adventure, Sabriel’s journey is thrust upon her, and she must rise to the occasion despite her fears and uncertainties. She repeatedly makes sacrifices to protect others, a theme that underscores the novel’s moral complexity.

The Clash Between Magic and Modernity

The contrast between Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom reflects a broader theme of magic versus modernity. While Ancelstierre is a land of science and rationality, the Old Kingdom is governed by ancient magic, supernatural creatures, and forces beyond human understanding. This duality adds an intriguing layer to the novel, as Sabriel must navigate between these two very different worlds.

主題分析

生命、死亡與權力的本質

《薩布里埃爾》最核心的主題之一便是生命與死亡之間的平衡。與傳統奇幻小說中的死靈法師不同，阿博森家族（Abhorsen）並非利用死靈法術來復活亡者或操控黑暗力量，而是負責確保亡者安息，不讓亡靈逾越界限，侵擾生者世界。薩布里埃爾的旅程不僅是一場實質上的探索，更是一場哲學層面的思辨，她在旅途中逐漸理解並承擔起這份維繫生命與死亡秩序的責任。她必須學習如何運用她的死靈魔法，不僅僅是作為武器，更是作為維持世界平衡的工具。

成長與自我發現

薩布里埃爾的故事是一則典型的成長寓言（coming-of-age tale）。小說開篇時，她仍然受到寄宿學校的保護，對外界的風險與挑戰缺乏真正的認識。然而，當她踏入舊王國後，便不得不做出艱難的選擇，為自己與他人負責，並最終接受自己作為新一代阿博森的身份。她的旅程象徵著成長的掙扎——學會克服恐懼、勇敢面對未知，並接受自己在世界中的角色。這種轉變與現實中青少年進入成人世界的歷程十分相似，使得薩布里埃爾的角色變得格外有共鳴。

責任與犧牲

薩布里埃爾的旅程始終由「責任」所驅動。與許多奇幻小說中的主角不同，她並非主動選擇冒險，而是因命運的安排被迫接受這份重擔。儘管她並未準備好承擔父親的職責，但她仍毅然前行，對抗恐懼與不確定性，並在一次次的困境中作出巨大犧牲，以保護無辜的人。這種道德層面的複雜性使小說的情感張力更加深厚，也讓薩布里埃爾成為一名真正的英雄。

魔法與現代世界的衝突

小說中的兩個世界——安塞爾斯鐵爾與舊王國，形成了一種強烈的對比，象徵著魔法與現代文明的碰撞。安塞爾斯鐵爾是一個崇尚科學與理性的國度，擁有類似於我們現實世界的技術與社會結構；而舊王國則充滿著古老的魔法、超自然生物與神秘的力量。這種二元對立（duality）使得小說更具深度，也增添了一層額外的敘事張力。薩布里埃爾必須在這兩個截然不同的世界中穿梭，學會如何平衡魔法與現實，並適應它們各自的規則。這一主題也能映射到現實世界——**科技與傳統如何共存？理性與神秘是否能夠調和？**這些問題不僅僅是小說中的衝突，也同樣適用於我們的現代社會。

Character Analysis

Sabriel

Sabriel is a strong, intelligent, and determined protagonist who quickly becomes one of the most memorable heroines in fantasy literature. Unlike many traditional fantasy heroes, she is not driven by a desire for power or glory but by love and duty. She is compassionate yet resolute, and her growth throughout the novel—from a student to a formidable Abhorsen—is both believable and compelling.

Mogget

Mogget, the enigmatic talking cat, serves as both comic relief and a source of deep mystery within the story. Though bound by magic to aid the Abhorsens, Mogget possesses a darker, more unpredictable nature, hinting at secrets beyond Sabriel’s understanding. His sarcastic wit and ambiguous loyalties make him a fascinating character, and his presence adds depth to the novel’s world-building.

Touchstone

Touchstone is a former royal guard whose tragic past is slowly revealed throughout the novel. Initially, he serves as Sabriel’s protector and companion, but as the story unfolds, his connection to the Old Kingdom’s history becomes crucial to the plot. His relationship with Sabriel is subtle and understated, adding emotional depth to the novel without overshadowing its primary themes.

Kerrigor

As the novel’s main antagonist, Kerrigor is a chilling embodiment of unchecked power and corruption. Once a prince of the Old Kingdom, he turned to Free Magic and necromancy, becoming an undead force of destruction. His presence looms over the entire story, and his confrontation with Sabriel serves as a powerful climax to the novel’s central conflict.

角色分析

薩布里埃爾（Sabriel）

薩布里埃爾是一位堅強、聰慧且意志堅定的主角，她的形象迅速成為奇幻文學中最令人難忘的女英雄之一。與許多傳統的奇幻英雄不同，她並非出於對權力或榮耀的渴望而踏上旅途，而是因為對親情的愛與對責任的承擔。她富有同情心，卻又堅定果敢，在面對死亡、黑暗魔法與未知危險時始終保持冷靜與決心。她從一名寄宿學校的學生成長為強大的阿博森，這段歷程既合乎情理，又極具說服力，使她的角色變得更加立體且富有感染力。

莫格特（Mogget）

莫格特這隻神秘的會說話的白貓，在故事中既是喜劇元素，也是推動情節發展的關鍵角色。他受到魔法束縛，必須協助阿博森家族，但他的本質卻並非完全忠誠。他的真實身份與來歷充滿謎團，而他既不完全善良，也不完全邪惡，這種模糊的立場讓他成為小說中最引人入勝的角色之一。他那充滿諷刺與嘲弄的機智對話，為嚴肅的故事氛圍增添了一絲幽默，而他的內心掙扎與不確定性則讓整個故事更加豐富、耐人尋味。

塔奇斯通（Touchstone）

塔奇斯通原本是舊王國的一名王家護衛，但他的身世與過去的悲劇隨著故事的發展逐漸揭曉。他最初是薩布里埃爾的戰友與護衛，但隨著情節推進，他的角色變得更加重要，與舊王國的歷史緊密相連。他的悲劇背景與內心掙扎使他成為一個複雜而有深度的角色，而他與薩布里埃爾之間的關係雖然低調，但仍然增添了小說的情感層次，且不會搶走故事的核心焦點。

克里戈爾（Kerrigor）

作為本書的主要反派，克里戈爾是一個權力與腐敗的終極象徵。他曾是舊王國的王子，但因為對自由魔法與死靈術的渴望，他最終墮落成為不死的黑暗勢力，成為整個舊王國的災難。他的影響遍布整個故事，即使他並未直接出現，他的邪惡力量與陰謀仍然主導著小說的核心衝突。他與薩布里埃爾的最終對決，既是關於生死存亡的較量，也是關於責任、犧牲與個人成長的象徵性戰鬥，為小說帶來了一個震撼且令人滿意的高潮。

Style and World-Building

Garth Nix’s writing in Sabriel is both elegant and atmospheric. His descriptions of the Old Kingdom’s eerie landscapes, shadowy ruins, and spectral Dead create a hauntingly immersive setting. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, blending fast-paced action sequences with moments of introspection and world-building.

One of Sabriel’s greatest strengths is its magic system, particularly the use of necromantic bells to control the dead. Each bell has a distinct power, from binding spirits to banishing them back into Death, and their use adds a fascinating and unique element to the story. Unlike typical fantasy magic, which often focuses on elemental forces, Nix’s system is more structured and ritualistic, giving the Old Kingdom a distinctive identity within the genre.

The contrast between Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom further enriches the story. While Ancelstierre resembles early 20th-century England, with its military schools and skepticism of magic, the Old Kingdom is a realm steeped in ancient power and mystery. This interplay between two vastly different worlds adds complexity and intrigue to the novel’s setting.

風格與世界觀構築

加思・尼克斯（Garth Nix）在《薩布里埃爾》中的寫作風格優雅而富有氛圍感，他以細膩的筆觸描繪出舊王國那令人毛骨悚然的景觀，從詭異的荒野、陰森的廢墟到遊蕩的亡靈，都營造出了一種令人沉浸其中的幽冥氛圍。他的描寫方式不僅塑造出一個極具特色的奇幻世界，還成功地讓讀者感受到其中的詭譎與壓迫感。

小說的節奏掌控得當，動作場面緊湊刺激，而角色內心的思考與世界觀的鋪陳也有足夠的篇幅，使整體敘事保持平衡。尼克斯的敘事手法不僅專注於角色的心理成長，還通過精細的背景設定讓整個舊王國栩栩如生，使讀者能夠深刻感受到這個世界的歷史與深度。

獨特的魔法系統

《薩布里埃爾》最令人印象深刻的特色之一，便是它獨特的死靈魔法系統，特別是死靈鈴（Necromantic Bells）的運用。在舊王國，這些鈴鐺是阿博森對抗亡靈與自由魔法的重要工具，每一個鈴鐺都擁有獨特的力量，從束縛靈魂到將其驅逐回死亡的領域，每一種鈴音都能發揮不同的效果。這種魔法體系不同於典型的奇幻魔法，並非圍繞著火、水、風、土等元素，而是帶有一種儀式感與結構性，使舊王國的魔法更顯神秘且具有標誌性。這種魔法機制不僅讓故事更具獨特性，也讓讀者對薩布里埃爾在戰鬥中使用鈴鐺的場面充滿期待。

魔法與現代性的對比

舊王國與安塞爾提爾（Ancelstierre）之間的鮮明對比，進一步豐富了整個故事的層次。安塞爾提爾的設定類似於20世紀初的英國，擁有軍事學校、現代軍隊以及對魔法的懷疑，是一個理性與科技占主導的世界；而與之相對的舊王國，則是一個充滿古老魔法、亡靈威脅與神秘力量的國度，完全遵循另一套規則。這種兩個世界的碰撞，不僅讓故事更具深度，也增添了許多有趣的文化衝突與世界觀的探索，使得《薩布里埃爾》的世界更加獨特且引人入勝。

Conclusion

Sabriel is a masterful fantasy novel that delivers a perfect blend of adventure, mystery, and emotional depth. Garth Nix crafts a compelling protagonist, a hauntingly beautiful world, and a unique magic system that sets this book apart from traditional fantasy stories. Its exploration of life, death, duty, and self-discovery ensures that it remains a timeless and thought-provoking read.

With its strong female lead, intricate world-building, and darkly atmospheric storytelling, Sabriel is a must-read for fans of fantasy, particularly those who enjoy stories with strong heroines, unique magic systems, and richly developed settings. Whether you are a newcomer to the Old Kingdom or revisiting it years later, Sabriel remains an unforgettable journey into a world where death is not the end—but merely another beginning.

結論

《薩布里埃爾》是一部傑出的奇幻小說，巧妙地融合了冒險、懸疑與深刻的情感描寫。加思・尼克斯（Garth Nix）成功塑造了一位引人入勝的女主角，構築了一個既詭譎又壯麗的世界，並設計了一個獨樹一幟的魔法系統，使本書從傳統的奇幻作品中脫穎而出。書中對於生與死、責任與自我發現的探討，讓這部小說不僅是一場精彩的冒險，也是一次深具啟發性的閱讀體驗，使其成為經得起時間考驗的經典之作。

憑藉著堅強的女性主角、錯綜複雜的世界觀與充滿黑暗氛圍的敘事風格，《薩布里埃爾》絕對是奇幻愛好者不可錯過的一本書，特別適合喜歡強大女英雄、獨特魔法體系與精心打造的世界的讀者。無論你是初次踏入舊王國，還是多年後重溫這部作品，《薩布里埃爾》始終是一場令人難以忘懷的旅程，帶領讀者進入一個死亡並非終結，而是另一種開始的神秘世界。