加思·尼克斯生于1963年，是一位澳大利亚幻想小说作家，毕业于澳大利亚的堪培拉大学。1984年，加思·尼克斯发表了自己的处女作。随后，他移居悉尼，并曾担任一家重要跨国出版机构的高级编辑。1996年，加思·尼克斯创作了古国三部曲的开篇之作《萨布莉尔》，这部书囊括了澳大利亚最主要的幻想文学奖之一奥瑞丽斯奖的最佳奇幻小说奖和最佳青少年小说奖。古国三部曲的后两部小说《莉芮尔》和《阿布霍森》分别出版于2001年和2003年。加思·尼克斯最重要的作品还包括“第七高塔”以及“王国之匙”系列小说。目前，他和妻儿定居于悉尼。

<H3 ALIGN=CENTER>Who is Lirael?</H3>

Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Abandoned by her mother, ignorant of her father's identity, Lirael resembles no one else in her large extended family living in the Clayr's Glacier. She doesn't even have the Sight -- the ability to See into the present and possible futures -- that is the very birthright of the Clayr.</P>

Nonetheless, it is Lirael in whose hands the fate of the Old Kingdom lies. She must undertake a desperate mission under the growing shadow of an ancient evil -- one that opposes the Royal Family, blocks the Sight of the Clay; and threatens to break the very boundary between Life and Death itself. With only her faithful companion, the Disreputable Dog, to help her, Lirael must find the courage to seek her own hidden destiny.</P>

In this sequel to the critically acclaimed Sabriel, Garth Nix draws readers deeper into the magical landscape of the Old Kingdom and weaves a spellbinding tale of discovery, destiny, and danger.</P>