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booksnorkel's review against another edition
5.0
The short novella that Nix has written for this short story collection makes me wish that he would come out with more books for the Abhorsen series. I know that later this year Clariel is due but if you think about how long it's been and how many individuals have been begging for more then it's really more of what's been taking you so long. I know writing is more involved than any of us readers think but again the novella just whipped up an appetite for more.
There are several short stories in this collection that I find myself skipping or skimming just to get to the others faster. Love love love the fantasy western at the end and would read more set in that world. I also loved his hansel and gretel that's one that I won't ever forget.
If you're a Garth Nix fan you can't really walk away from a small continuation of the Abhorsen set. For seventh grade on up and remember fans Clariel is coming soon!!!!!!!
There are several short stories in this collection that I find myself skipping or skimming just to get to the others faster. Love love love the fantasy western at the end and would read more set in that world. I also loved his hansel and gretel that's one that I won't ever forget.
If you're a Garth Nix fan you can't really walk away from a small continuation of the Abhorsen set. For seventh grade on up and remember fans Clariel is coming soon!!!!!!!
spicewitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
flighty's review against another edition
3.0
Better than his other set of Old Kingdom novella + short stories collection, which is strange because this was published longer ago. Maybe it's just that I don't like short stories that much, and the short stories in here were longer. It's okay, did not inspire much emotion in me one way or the other, but rounded up to 3 stars because it didn't make me angry. I probably did not need to read this before Goldenhand.
kerstin_la's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
saltypiratewench's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
The Old Kingdom series is one of my favorite of all times, so I got this book for The Creature in the Case short story that actually explains what is happening at the beginning of Goldenhand. That one was good, but the rest of the stories in this book were a bit "meh" imo.
mandyist's review against another edition
4.0
I have never been a fan of short stories but I had to read this collection by Garth Nix because it includes the final epilogue, if you will, of the Old Kingdom series.
The first story in the book is the novella ‘Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case’ which takes place about 6 months after the events of Abhorsen. I really enjoyed this story – it was brilliantly written and conceptualised and was a great conclusion to the Old Kingdom series. The best thing about it was that it finally answered the one question I had once I finished Abhorsen. I won’t spoil it for you but it was great.
This is a worthy collection because before each story is told, Garth Nix gives the story behind why he wrote that particular story. He is such an inspired, talented author and I really look forward to reading more of his work.
Across the Wall contains a good mix of fantasy and fictional short stories, including two Arthurian interpretations (even though Nix admits to not being a fan of Arthurian legend). Apart from the Nicholas Sayre novella, my favourite stories were ‘Charlie Rabbit’ and ‘Lightning Bringer’. Like Garth Nix, I too have a fascination for lightning and once watched as Stephen was very, very nearly struck by lightning.
The first story in the book is the novella ‘Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case’ which takes place about 6 months after the events of Abhorsen. I really enjoyed this story – it was brilliantly written and conceptualised and was a great conclusion to the Old Kingdom series. The best thing about it was that it finally answered the one question I had once I finished Abhorsen. I won’t spoil it for you but it was great.
This is a worthy collection because before each story is told, Garth Nix gives the story behind why he wrote that particular story. He is such an inspired, talented author and I really look forward to reading more of his work.
Across the Wall contains a good mix of fantasy and fictional short stories, including two Arthurian interpretations (even though Nix admits to not being a fan of Arthurian legend). Apart from the Nicholas Sayre novella, my favourite stories were ‘Charlie Rabbit’ and ‘Lightning Bringer’. Like Garth Nix, I too have a fascination for lightning and once watched as Stephen was very, very nearly struck by lightning.
drrawsonreads's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing special - just a short story about Nick, set a few months after the events in Abhorsen. A quick and entertaining read, but by no means essential to the series.
annamcc_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
teslanfields's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sophiethebookdragonneedstea's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75