| abstract
| - Prologue: Hedge, a necromancer and Free magic sorcerer observes another investigating a phenomenon known as the "Lightning trap". The other sorcerer, Chlorr, is tricked into servitude of the unknown power that lies beneath the hill. Part one (fourteen years after the restoration): On her fourteenth birthday, a Clayr named Lirael wakes up and finds that she still does not have the Sight. This sets her apart from her cousins and friends, all of whom have Awakened and can See. Lirael decides to commit suicide, and climbs to the top of Starmount. Before she can jump from the Paperwing hangar, Sabriel and Touchstone land in a Paperwing and are greeted by the Nine Day Watch. After a brief discussion, the Royals leave and Lirael is discovered. Among the Watch are Sanar and Ryelle, who advise her that she should take up a permanent job in the glacier to take her mind off not having the Sight. She decides to work in the library. Curious to explore the mysterious library, she researches Charter magic and unlocks doors to which she would not otherwise have access. On one occasion, she discovers a small statue of a dog, and simultaneously accidentally unleashes a Stilken, from which she only just escapes. Inspired by the dog statue, she decides to create a sending, but somehow triggers the statue's transformation into the Disreputable Dog, a creature that seems be of both the Charter and Free magic. Together they defeat the Stilken. Part two (four years later): Prince Sameth and his school cricket team are ambushed by Hedge. Nicholas Sayre is mistakenly selected to be the host of the evil under the hill by Hedge, and the schoolboys only narrowly survive. After Sameth returns to the Old Kingdom, his mother and father are constantly in demand around the Kingdom, and Sameth is expected to begin reading the Book of the Dead in preparation for becoming the Abhorsen-in-waiting. However, he is terrified by the prospect, preferring to spend his time making Charter-spelled gadgets. When he discovers that Nicholas plans to visit him, he sets off to escape his sister's constant nagging. In the wilderness, he fortuitously meets up with Mogget, the Abhorsen's bound servant. They soon realise they are being followed by the Dead. Meanwhile, Lirael, still Sightless and working in the library, discovers a special path and room set up for her thousands of years ago by the Clayr. In the room are a mirror, some panpipes and a book, identifying Lirael as a Rembrancer. The Clayr send Lirael on a journey down the Ratterlin River on the boat Finder and give her a very old and powerful sword. Eventually, Lirael and the Dog meet Sam and Mogget and they two duos join forces. When they reach Abhorsen's House, the Charter sendings present surcoats to Lirael and Sam with unexpected implications. Mogget and the Dog reveal that they had already suspected that Lirael is in actuality the Abhorsen-in-waiting and Sam is a Wallmaker. Lirael is revealed to be Sabriel's half-sister. The book ends with Nicholas and Hedge excavating the Lightning Trap, when smoke pours from Nicholas's mouth and The Destroyer speaks through him.
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