by Garth Nix
First published 2003
Sixteen-year-old Clariel chafes against the confines of city life in Belisaere. Longing to roam the forests of her youth, she finds her independence slipping away as she's pulled into the plots and demands of those around her. When a Free Magic creature is discovered loose in the city, Clariel sees a chance to prove her worth and make her escape. But events quickly spiral out of control, and Clariel must question the motivations of everyone - including herself - to survive.
Genres: adventure, coming-of-age, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Belisaere
382 pages · Hardcover · HarperCollins