[(Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories )] [Author: Garth Nix] [Aug-2006]

The collected short stories of Garth Nix, including a novella which follows on from the enthralling Old Kingdom fantasy adventures of Sabriel , Lirael and Abhorsen . Nicholas Sayre will do anything to get across the wall, back to the Old Kingdom. Thoughts of Lirael and Sam haunt his dreams. But here in Ancelstierre the charter is dormant, and before Nick can re-join his friends he must face one of the rarest and most dangerous of the Free Magic creatures: a creature that seems to draw power from Nicholas himself. 'Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case' opens this superb collection of short stories from Garth Nix, that range from classic fantasy to a gritty urban version of Hansel and Gretel, and an unusual take on the role of nature in matters of the heart. Across the Wall displays the depth and versatility that have made Garth Nix one of today's leading fantasy writers, and a New York Times bestseller. Garth Nix is the author of The Old Kingdom trilogy and the Keys to the Kingdom series 'The reader's absorption into the intrigue, magic and dazzling richness of the worlds and characters created by Nix is irresistible pleasure ' AUSTRALIAN REVIEW OF BOOKS Nicholas Sayre will do anything to get across the Wall, back to the Old Kingdom.Thoughts of Lirael and Sam haunt his dreams, and he has come to realize that his destiny lies there, along with all those he cares for. But here in Ancelstierre, far south of the Wall, the Charter is dormant, and among the obstacles Nick faces is one that is not entirely human, and which has a strange power that seems to come from Nicholas himself.With "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case," Garth Nix continues to explore the magical world of The Abhorsen Trilogy. In additional short stories that range from classic fantasy -- two widely different takes on the Merlin myth -- to a gritty urban version of Hansel and Gretel, to an unusual take on the role of nature in matters of love, and to a heartbreaking story of children and war, Garth Nix displays the range and versatility that have made him one of today's leading writers of fantasy for readers of all ages. I have explored Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom a little in my novels Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen, and in the process I have found out (for that's often what it feels like, even though I'm the one making it up) quite a lot about these lands, the people and creatures that inhabit them, and their stories. A collection of short stories that range from classic fantasy to a gritty urban version of Hansel and Gretel, and an unusual take on the role of nature in matters of the heart. Suggested level: secondary A collection of fantasy short stories plus a novella that is set in the world of the Abhorsen trilogy A collection of Garth Nix's short stories. These stories are sinister, humorous, and romantic.