Titles in This Set:
To Hold the Bridge (The Old Kingdom)
Clariel (The Old Kingdom)

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781471404481 9781471403866

Overview:
Delve into Garth Nix's meticulously built Old Kingdom with this two-book bundle, pairing a taut novella with a pivotal prequel that expands a beloved fantasy universe. To Hold the Bridge (The Old Kingdom) invites readers into Charter Magic and a high-stakes duel, delivering Nix’s signature crisp plotting, precise world rules, and a sense of danger that hums beneath every page. Clariel, a gripping prequel set long before Sabriel, follows a sixteen-year-old fighter against constraint as she navigates Belisaere, a city of stone, secrets, and political currents that foreshadow the series’ darker history. This paperback set is ideal for new readers eager to enter a fully realized world or for longtime fans who want a concise, gift-ready pairing that deepens their connection to the Old Kingdom. With accessible prose and a compact reading experience, the two-book bundle is perfect for commutes, bedside reading, or a thoughtful fantasy gift that travels well and lingers long after the last page.

What Makes This Collection Special:
This pairing crystallizes why the Old Kingdom series resonates: a seamless blend of brisk storytelling, inventive magic, and morally layered choices. To Hold the Bridge tightens the magic-system logic around a perilous confrontation, while Clariel offers a character-driven portal into the world’s history and complexities. Together they form a coherent reading arc—one that invites fresh readers to sample the tone and stakes without committing to the entire saga, while rewarding seasoned fans with richer context. The set also highlights Nix’s gift for pairing intimate, personal drama with epic-scale worldbuilding, all in a durable, portable paperback format that makes late-night reading or travel easy and enjoyable. This is a collectable, gift-ready introduction to a masterful fantasy universe that rewards repeat reads.

Books Included in This Collection:
To Hold the Bridge (The Old Kingdom)
To Hold the Bridge is a tightly wound novella that showcases Garth Nix’s deft handling of Charter Magic and the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a deadly duel. The story tightens tension with every page, offering a crisp, suspenseful entry point into the Old Kingdom while hinting at the broader political and magical systems readers will recognize in the longer novels. It’s perfect for fans who enjoy fast-paced fantasy that still rewards careful reading and world-building details.

Clariel (The Old Kingdom)
Clariel plunges readers into Belisaere long before Sabriel’s era, following a fierce, stubborn sixteen-year-old determined to carve out her own destiny. The book stands out for its darker tone and intimate focus on personal agency in a city charged with power and peril. This prequel deepens the mythology and offers a fresh perspective on the series’ foundational rules, while delivering strong character work, political intrigue, and the same elegant prose that fans expect from Nix. A must for anyone wanting a richer sense of the Old Kingdom’s origins.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This bundle is ideal for readers aged mid-teens and up who love high fantasy with tightly woven magic systems, brisk pacing, and morally nuanced choices. It suits fans ofSabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen who want a compact, two-book gateway or a thoughtful gift for book clubs, teens, or adults exploring classic contemporary fantasy. Teachers and homeschooling families will appreciate the accessible length paired with deep world-building for discussion, while collectors and BookTok enthusiasts will value the collectible pairing and the way it frames the broader series arc.

Key Benefits:

• Two essential Old Kingdom tales in one affordable paperback bundle
• Clear access point into a beloved fantasy universe with a strong continuous thread
• Compact, travel-friendly format that’s perfect for commutes or holidays
• Distinctive blend of brisk storytelling and rich world-building
• Gift-ready with durable paperbacks and cohesive design
• Ideal for book clubs and discussion around magic systems and character choices

About the Author:
Garth Nix is an award-winning Australian fantasy author celebrated for crafting immersive worlds that blend edge-of-your-seat storytelling with intricate magical systems. Best known for The Old Kingdom series (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen) as well as acclaimed standalone and series works, Nix’s writing is marked by precise plotting, memorable protagonists, and a willingness to push genre boundaries. His books appeal to readers who enjoy intelligent fantasy with moral complexity, atmospheric settings, and fast-moving plots. This two-book bundle showcases his ability to thread accessible YA-friendly prose with deeper mythological stakes, making it an ideal starter point for newcomers and a rewarding closer for seasoned fans.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning this pair offers a purposeful entry into the Old Kingdom’s rich tapestry while delivering immediate, satisfying reading experiences. The contrast between a taut novella and a character-driven prequel creates a rounded exposure to Nix’s magic, tone, and world rules. The set is a thoughtful gift for fantasy lovers and a practical addition to any bookshelf, providing a cohesive reading journey that’s easy to dip into and revisit. It’s premium enough for gifting, compact enough for easy display, and perfectly paced for binge-reading sessions.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.