Goldenhand, by Garth Nix

The fifth visit to the Old Kingdom sees Abhorsen-in-waiting Lirael growing into her powers. The first half of the story alternates between Lirael tentatively discovering her soul mate and the journey of Firin, a messenger from the north with difficult news for Lirael, Sabriel and the Clayr. Once again they must risk everything to do battle with death. Nix creates a well-realised world of competing magics – the orderly and structured Charter magic and the wild free magic. The two magics somehow come together in the person of Nicholas Sayre, which will prove important to Lirael in many ways. An edge of darkness pervades the story, with necromancers and monstrous creatures manipulating innocents and wreaking havoc. Who could fail to enjoy visiting a world where women take the lead but men are equal and librarians are champions?