Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories

by Garth Nix

I absolutely loved the Abhorsen trilogy, so when I saw that there was another book linked to it; I started dancing in my computer chair! "Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories" is a compilation of short stories by Garth Nix. Some are more of the length of a novella, and some of them are only a couple of pages long. Only one of the stories is set in the world of the Abhorsen trilogy, but the rest made for interesting reading as well!

One thing I really liked about this book is that each story has an introduction to it where we get to hear from Garth Nix why the story was written, and some of his stories surrounding it. I guess I'm just a sucker for stories, because I like even the stories about stories!

"Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case," is the first story in this book and the one that's based in the world of the Abhorsen trilogy. I loved the fact that we got to find out more of what happened to Nick, because while he is redeemed at the end of the last book, we're left with no idea of where his life is going to go from there. The only thing that frustrated me about the story is he left me wanting even more as he hinted at a blooming romance...

There are twelve other stories in this book and they vary vastly in topic and style – which I liked. While there is a degree of his "flavor" to all of them, it's always fun to see an author who can apply his talents to a variety of subjects.

Many of these pieces (maybe all, I can't remember) have appeared before in different anthologies or other print mediums. One of them (Hansel's Eyes) I had actually read before! Two are based in Arthurian legend, one is based in Nix's homeland of Australia, and we even have a "choose your own adventure" type story in here! Readers of Nix new and old will love this anthology of his work.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

"Abhorsen" is the final book in the trilogy about the Old Kingdom by Garth Nix. There is one more book about the Old Kingdom, but it's a collection of shorter stories, and so it stands slightly separate from the first three books. I haven't read it yet (whereas this was my second time through the trilogy) and I really look forward to getting it from the library!

In Abhorsen we rejoin Lireal and Sam basically in the middle of the conflict. Ok, so they are actually at moment of reprieve when we rejoin them, but the previous book (Lirael) and this one could be read together pretty seamlessly.

Lirael is the newly discovered Abhorsen-in-waiting. That means that it's her duty to learn all she can and assist in making sure the dead stay where they belong, in the realm of the dead. She is also a Remembrencer, the first in a long, long time. As such she can go into death and view the past. That's how she discovered the truth about her parentage, and how she will learn the only way to stop the coming terror.

Sam, the Disreputable Dog, and Mogget are traveling with Lirael and doing everything they can to help. King Touchstone and the Abhorsen are over the wall in Ancielsterre, but they too will help when they can. The final confrontation is drawing near. We learn more about what it is Nick has been helping to uncover, and the truth is more horrible than any of them had imagined.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

"Sabriel" is the story of a young necromancer who sets out to save her father, who has been trapped in the realm of death. Now when you see the word "necromancer," don't start conjuring up the typical images and tales associated with that term. This book is not about some teenage girl soaked in dark magic who raises the dead to have them do her evil bidding. Or even to cause teenage mischief.

Sabriel is the last in a long line of Abhorsens. The Abhorsen is a title given to a necromancer who's job is to fight evil, and to make sure that those who should stay dead do so. Sabriel knows a little bit about this because her father was the last Abhorsen, but while he trained her as a necromancer in his infrequent visits to her school, he never really prepared her mentally to one day take his place.

Now the Abhorsen, Sabriel's father that is, is stuck in death. Sabriel doesn't know how he got stuck there, and she has very little clue as to the big picture either, but she sets out from her boarding school in Ancelstierre to set her father free. To do this she leaves her safe world, and in many ways her child hood, and travels into the Old Kingdom where magic reigns and evil walks.

Sabriel quickly realizes that there is a lot more going on than her father simply being trapped. She also finds herself being addressed by the title Abhorsen, something that both frightens her and catches her completely off guard. She makes some dubious alliances with a cat named Mogget and a young Charter Mage named Touchstone, and it will be up to them to hold the darkness at bay that is threatening to destroy what fragile peace and hope is left in the Old Kingdom, not to mention invading and destroying Ancelstierre.