How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Sabriel sighed quietly, thinking of how easily seven people could be alive in one instant, and then, despite everything they could do, despite their last hope, they could be dead in just another. Once again, she felt the temptation of the necromancer, to take the cards nature had dealt, to reshuffle and deal again. (4.21)
Even though Sabriel has learned a lot about death, she still finds it really hard to think about. And there's that issue of temptation again. Do you think the temptation is something Sabriel can get used to over time, or will it always be a problem for any Abhorsen?
Quote #5
She felt ill, nauseous, and took several deep breaths. She had forgotten that for all her familiarity with death and the dead, she had never seen or heard anyone actually die. The aftermath she had learned to deal with… but not the event. (4.24)
Sabriel's learned so much about mortality, in theory, but death becomes completely different when it happens in front of her for the first time. This quote also ties in with the theme of growing up—a milestone experience for Sabriel.
Quote #6
Sabriel, eyes closed now, felt the boundary between Life and Death appear. On her back, she felt the wind, now curiously warm, and the moonlight, bright and hot like sunshine. On her face, she felt the ultimate cold and, opening her eyes, saw the grey light of Death. (5.33)
Here's a description of what it's actually like to walk into Death in Sabriel's world. Think of how cold it must be, if Sabriel left her body standing outside in the snow at night, and Death makes that setting feel warm in comparison. What do you think about Garth Nix's physical description of the realm of Death?