Sabriel

In the Old Kingdom, the dead don't always stay dead—not when there are Necromancers about. It is the job of Sabriel's father, the Abhorsen, to return the undead to Death. But when he becomes trapped in Death himself, Sabriel must take up the battle against the dead and the great Necromancer who has raised them and imprisoned her father.

Nix has created a unique and darkly beautiful world in the Old Kingdom. The imagery of Death as an icy river, the different bells that ring the dead back to Death, the binding of Free Elementals—it really is pure magic. The story continues in Lirael and Abhorsen. Lirael is my favorite because the main character begins her journey as a librarian and her companion is known as the Disreputable Dog (two details near and dear to my heart).