roklobster's review against another edition
4.0
Short but worth reading. While well written, it's a rehash of things we already know. I crave more.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this story of an Ancelstierre doctor coming to the border, and learning about the Old Kingdom, the Wall, and Charter magic! Really great read!
kylelorey's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
This was a short story by Nix that takes place (presumably) after the events of “Goldenhand.” I read this because I got stuck in a relatively long uber ride without my book accessible, so I read this story (which can be found online). It was fun and I liked it a lot!
Despite the three-star rating in my typical rating system indicating significant flaws, there weren’t any. This was a super neat, fun little story. But given its short length and relative lack of plot, there’s a ceiling to how high it can be rated. It’s perfectly good as a supplementary bit of world-building (one which explores a bit of Ancelstierre and its denizens relationship toward the Old Kingdom), but it can’t be rated as highly as even a more complex short story could be, let alone a full novel.
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Guide to my Rating Scale, based on the Storygraph Rating:
* 5 Stars: This book was more or less flawless. One of the best things I’ve ever read.
* 4.75 through 4.25 Stars: This book had slight flaws, but I REALLY loved it. Marked as 4 stars on Goodreads.
* 4 Stars: This book had slight flaws, but I loved it.
* 3.75 through 3.25 Stars: This book had significant flaws, but I REALLY liked it. Marked as 3 stars on Goodreads.
* 3 Stars: This book had significant flaws, but I liked it just fine.
* 2.75 through 2.25 Stars: This book was extremely flawed, but I thought it had some merit. Marked as 2 stars on Goodreads.
* 2 Stars: This book was extremely flawed, but I didn’t actively dislike it. It was a waste of my time but not odious.
* 1.75 through 1.25 Stars: This book was irreparably flawed, and I actively disliked it. Marked as 1 star on Goodreads.
* 1 Star: This book was irreparably flawed. I actively hated this book and am worse off for having read it.
Despite the three-star rating in my typical rating system indicating significant flaws, there weren’t any. This was a super neat, fun little story. But given its short length and relative lack of plot, there’s a ceiling to how high it can be rated. It’s perfectly good as a supplementary bit of world-building (one which explores a bit of Ancelstierre and its denizens relationship toward the Old Kingdom), but it can’t be rated as highly as even a more complex short story could be, let alone a full novel.
———————————————————————————
Guide to my Rating Scale, based on the Storygraph Rating:
* 5 Stars: This book was more or less flawless. One of the best things I’ve ever read.
* 4.75 through 4.25 Stars: This book had slight flaws, but I REALLY loved it. Marked as 4 stars on Goodreads.
* 4 Stars: This book had slight flaws, but I loved it.
* 3.75 through 3.25 Stars: This book had significant flaws, but I REALLY liked it. Marked as 3 stars on Goodreads.
* 3 Stars: This book had significant flaws, but I liked it just fine.
* 2.75 through 2.25 Stars: This book was extremely flawed, but I thought it had some merit. Marked as 2 stars on Goodreads.
* 2 Stars: This book was extremely flawed, but I didn’t actively dislike it. It was a waste of my time but not odious.
* 1.75 through 1.25 Stars: This book was irreparably flawed, and I actively disliked it. Marked as 1 star on Goodreads.
* 1 Star: This book was irreparably flawed. I actively hated this book and am worse off for having read it.
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