Abhorsen
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Abhorsen is a fantasy novel by Garth Nix, first published in 2003. It is the third and final in his Old Kingdom series, following Sabriel and Lirael. (It is in fact the second part of the story begun in Lirael, which turned out to be longer than the author had expected.) It features the Abhorsen-in-Waiting Lirael, and Prince Sameth, the descendant of the Wallmakers.
The novel begins at Abhorsen's House, which is besieged by the Dead (the author's term for zombie- and ghost-like spirits raised from Death by necromancers) led by Chlorr of the Mask, who is in turn under the control of Hedge the Necromancer, who serves The Destroyer (Orannis). Lirael and Sameth must escape the House. They do so successfully, but lose Mogget, the sometimes-helpful servant of the Abhorsen. As Lirael and Sameth journey through the Old Kingdom they learn more about Orannis and its plans to destroy all life.