Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories by Garth Nix

[snugglekitty]

I enjoyed this anthology very much. I feel it shows some of the breadth of Nix's skills. I like that not all of the stories were fantasy or had similar settings. The title bugs me, though, since the Abhorsen wasn't in the title story, only the Abhorsen-in-waiting, and her only for a minute. (Note: if you have not read the Old Kingdom series, you should read that first - it happens after the events of Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen. For that reason, I'm not convinced it's a good introduction to Nix.) My favorite stories were "Over the Wall," "Hope Chest" (which I had read in the Firebirds anthology a few years ago), and "The Lightning Bringer." The two fantasy parody pieces in the book were hysterically funny. I'd give it three stars out of five.

Comments

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

I find most of Nix's stuff to be okay -- reasonably competent, but not knock-your-socks-off good -- but I thought the Abhorsen trilogy was absolutely fabulous. I love who the Disreputable Dog turned out to be! I found the circle at the end to be quite moving, and god knows I've read a bazillion fantasy novels, so it takes a lot to get to me.

It seems like most of the best new works are YA these days.