Narrated by Tim Curry! That was fun!

I read this book years and years ago, estimating around 2002? And it was unlike anything I had ever read! For this reason it's always stuck out in my mind and I decided to re-read in 2018.

There is a bit of timing issues and the writing isn't always perfect (the "love" is super weak, plus happening to stumble across Touchstone was just a huge coincidence that was 100% plot device) but the concepts and details are amazing and really give this story a strong tone and sense of place.
I am completely in love with the idea of this magic (almost religion) called the Charter and how it's part of everything and is always "accessible" in that the characters "bring forth" and "reach into" the flow of magic and cast spells and magic using 'marks', which I always pictured as rune symbols. And these marks can be strengthened or changed based on music and movement! It was a totally new idea to me that also somehow made absolute perfect sense.
I love the descriptions of Death as a place.

Sabriel is also pretty bad ass, she is always determined and brave and pushing to do what is right, even when she knows she is missing key information and is exhausted.
Some reviews say they were really bored/the book was soooo lonnnng, and while I agree that there are slower moments I never really felt that way. In fact I was frustrated that the timing seemed weird, that other than the 5ish days at sea that are skimmed over in a few paragraphs the bulk of the action once Touchstone and Sabriel are together happens boom boom boom, with hardly a break to eat or sleep.