Garth Nix

"I believe a fantasy novel should be like an iceberg. You can see some of it all the time, but you know there is much more, lurking dark and mysterious beneath the surface."

Garth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, Australia. A full-time writer since 2001, he previously worked as a literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller, and as a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve.

Garth’s books include the award-winning young adult fantasy novels Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen; the dystopian novel Shade’s Children; the space opera A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic, Newt’s Emerald.

His fantasy novels for children include The Ragwitch; the six books of The Seventh Tower sequence; The Keys to the Kingdom series; and the Troubletwisters series and Spirit Animals: Blood Ties (co-written with Sean Williams). Garth’s next book, Clariel, is a prequel to the Old Kingdom trilogy, to be released in October 2014.

More than five million copies of his books have been sold around the world, his books have appeared on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, The Guardian and The Australian, and his work has been translated into 40 languages.

He lives in a Sydney beach suburb with his wife and two children.

What genres does Garth Nix write?

Garth Nix is best known for fantasy in many forms, including young adult and children’s fantasy, epic/Old Kingdom fantasy, dystopian fiction, space opera, and occasional fantasy-tinged romance.

What are his major series and notable standalone books?

Major series include the Old Kingdom (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Clariel, Goldenhand), Keys to the Kingdom (Mister Monday through Lord Sunday), The Seventh Tower, and the Troubletwisters books (co-written with Sean Williams). Notable standalones include Shade's Children, A Confusion of Princes, Newt's Emerald, Frogkisser!, Angel Mage, and The Ragwitch.

What is the recommended reading order for the Old Kingdom books?

A common approach is to read the original trilogy first: Sabriel (Book 1), Lirael (Book 2), Abhorsen (Book 3), then read Clariel (a prequel, listed as Book 4) and Goldenhand (Book 5).

If I'm new to Garth Nix, where should I start?

For a signature introduction try Sabriel. Younger readers can start with the Keys to the Kingdom series or The Seventh Tower. If you prefer standalones, Shade's Children (dystopian) or A Confusion of Princes (space opera) showcase different sides of his work.

Has Garth Nix received notable recognition or awards?

Yes. He is described as an award-winning author; his books have sold millions of copies, appeared on major bestseller lists such as The New York Times and Publishers Weekly, and have been translated into many languages.