Map of the Old Kingdom
However, the part that I found most interesting are the bells. The Abhorsen family uses the bells that are named after the seven bright shiners that established the old kingdom to amplify their powers. Each bell has specific powers. I thought this was a really cool idea for the series and I love it when they use the bells in action. The Abhorsens use the dangerous Free-Magic of a necromancer and the less dangerous magic of the Charter so the dead can't come back to life. Lirael in the third book describes the bells, saying, "The smallest was Ranna. Sleeper, some called it, its voice a sweet lullaby calling those who heard it into slumber. The second bell was Mosrael, the Waker. Liral touched it ever so lightly, for Mosrael balanced Life with Death. Wielded properly, it would bring the Dead back into Life and send the wielder from Life into Death. Kibeth was the third bell, the Walker. It granted freedom of movement to the Dead, or it could be used to make them walk where the wielder chose. Yet it could also turn on a bell ringer and make her march, usually somewhere she would not wish to go. The fourth bell was called Dyrim, the Speaker. This was the most musical bell, according to The Book of the Dead, and one of the most difficult to use as well. Dyrim could return the power of speech to long-silent Dead. It could also reveal secrets, or even allow the reading of minds. It had darker powers, too, favorite by necromancers, for Dyrim could still a speaking tongue forever. Belgaer was the name of the fifth bell. The Thinker. Belgaer could mend the erosion of mind that often occurred in Death, resorting the thoughts and memories of the Dead. It could also erase those thoughts, in Life as well as in Death, and in necromancers' hands had been used to splinter the minds of enemies. Sometimes it splintered the minds of the necromancer, for the Belgaer liked the sound of its own voice and would try to steal the chance to sing of its own accord. The six bell Saraneth, also known as Binder. Saraneth was the favorite bell of all Abhorsens. Large and trustworthy, it was powerful and true. Saraneth was used to dominate and bind the Dead, to make them obey the wishes and directions of the wielder. Lirael was reluctant to touch the seventh bell, but she felt it would not be diplomatic to ignore the most powerful of all bells, though it was cold and frightening to her touch. Astarael, the Sorrowful. The bell that sent all who heard it into Death." (Abhorsen pg. 32-33).
As you can see, Nix puts a lot of time into his ideas and developing them. The series is written well and that's why I like it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading adventure or fantasy books.
