Sabriel--Solid fantasy, but the characters don't seem really well developed. Just hints and glimpses of a clearly fully developed fantasy world. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Lirael-- Much better volume. I am caught by it immediately, even though it doesn't seem to have much to do with the first volume, at first blush. The two main characters develop naturally and expertly, especially the title character. But the way the world is opened up slowly, so we understand more of the magic and the history in fits and starts throughout the volume is brilliant. Marvelous second volume. It bugs me that it doesn't end, but at least I have the third volume to pick up right away. And so I have.