I don't like saying it but I was expecting much more from this book. After all the waiting for the fourth Abhorsen book I wanted it to be really great and I thought it fell short. 
 As much as I wanted to connect with Clariel throughout the book I just couldn't seem to do it. I felt for her in that she was forced by her parents to move and give up the life she had always known and loved but she also seemed so self centered that I didn't really empathize. She didn't even give her new life a try or even just fake it and play along until she had an out. From day one she had decided any chance she could get she was leaving regardless of what was going on. I understand that she was still a teenager but it just made her seem like a spoiled brat. Also unlike the other books in the series I found that the plot wasn't as engaging. It just wasn't very interesting. We didn't really get to know any of the characters other than Clariel and a little of Bel. What I learned about Bel I liked. I think if there was more depth to the characters it would have been able to hold my attention better. Also we didn't get to really delve into much of the magic or the whole Abhorsen aspect which is what this world is all about. We barely even heard about the Abhorsen. 
 I was disappointed. I was hoping for a great adventure with magic and walks into death. I don't think this book was enough for me. It seemed more like a novella or a short story. It was underdeveloped and not as well crafted as the others in the series. I hope that Nix gets back in the swing of things with the next book.