moddey_dhoo's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
geldauran's review against another edition
4.0
Particular favorites include: To Hold the Bridge, A Handful of Ashes, Infestation, and Holly and Iron.
annamcc_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
charlibirb's review against another edition
2.0
I only read the story that had to do with the Sabriel world. This particular story was totally skippable. I didn't see how it really tied in in any meaningful way, and it was pretty boring. The story in Across the Wall made a lot more sense. Am I missing something?
milliebot_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
My motivation for reading this was the title story, To Hold The Bridge. I'm rereading the series but wanted to do it chronologically. This was a nice little story that gives some background to the lore of the world of the Abhorsen series. I don't think you need to read it to enjoy the main trilogy (or Clariel), but if you are a big fan of the world, then I think it's worth adding to the larger picture. What I would really love is an Old World shorts collection - I know there are a couple other shorts out there that aren't published in books, plus there's another story in Across the Wall; it would be nice to have them all in one volume.
Anyway, this is a decent collection. There were some stories I really loved, others that were fine, and a couple that I just didn't gel with, mostly for "being unable to properly visualize the world or understand the terms reasons." There were none that I deeply disliked, though I will say the sci-fi group of stories were the ones I connected with the least. For me, Nix's strong suit lays more towards fantasy.
Some faves:
Vampire Weather - an interesting look at modern vampires paired with a community who scorns technology and modernity
Old Friends - elder beings (gods, even?) living in our modern world, but waging a war across time; it was a little melancholy, but the ending gives hope
A Handful of Ashes - witches who must also work as servants in a magical boarding school (there are more schools for wizards than witches, so their opportunities are even more rare) discover a plot to bring back some old ways that could bring doom to the school; wow I really loved this and feel it could easily be a novella, if not a full-length novel. I was interested in the magic system and types of magic and I just want more!
Infestation - another twist on vampires, but with a dash of sci-fi; here's another one I'd love to read more of. I liked the main character and once he reveals what's going on with the vampires, I was interested in learning more about the history of how they came to be on Earth and this particular hunter's travels.
Holly and Iron - a gender-bent, extra-magical take on The Sword in the Stone; I appreciated how different types of magic were woven into this story and the main character's family
...Moondawn Daffodils Murder - a mini murder mystery case to be solved by the cousin of Sherlock Holmes and one "almost doctor" sidekick; this brings an occult twist to Sherlock's realm and I really wanted to know more about the cousin, Magnus. Again, I need more!
An Unwelcome Guest - a lighthearted, humorous look at Rapunzel where the witch isn't the villain; this was cute and creative and once again, I'd love to spend more time in this world.
A Sidekick of Mars - Snippets from the adventures of John Carter of Mars, but told by the unmentioned Lam Jones; I don't know jack about John Carter - I vaguely remember a movie preview and I don't plan to read the books. But honestly, I would read a whole book from Lam's perspective. I might have looked up the synopsis for the first book way back in the day and decided Carter wasn't someone I cared to read about and I feel like Lam confirmed that with his tale of their initial meeting. I liked the old west vibes and Lam's down to earth (LOL) perspective. I also appreciated how this tale ended.
Anyway, this is a decent collection. There were some stories I really loved, others that were fine, and a couple that I just didn't gel with, mostly for "being unable to properly visualize the world or understand the terms reasons." There were none that I deeply disliked, though I will say the sci-fi group of stories were the ones I connected with the least. For me, Nix's strong suit lays more towards fantasy.
Some faves:
Vampire Weather - an interesting look at modern vampires paired with a community who scorns technology and modernity
Old Friends - elder beings (gods, even?) living in our modern world, but waging a war across time; it was a little melancholy, but the ending gives hope
A Handful of Ashes - witches who must also work as servants in a magical boarding school (there are more schools for wizards than witches, so their opportunities are even more rare) discover a plot to bring back some old ways that could bring doom to the school; wow I really loved this and feel it could easily be a novella, if not a full-length novel. I was interested in the magic system and types of magic and I just want more!
Infestation - another twist on vampires, but with a dash of sci-fi; here's another one I'd love to read more of. I liked the main character and once he reveals what's going on with the vampires, I was interested in learning more about the history of how they came to be on Earth and this particular hunter's travels.
Holly and Iron - a gender-bent, extra-magical take on The Sword in the Stone; I appreciated how different types of magic were woven into this story and the main character's family
...Moondawn Daffodils Murder - a mini murder mystery case to be solved by the cousin of Sherlock Holmes and one "almost doctor" sidekick; this brings an occult twist to Sherlock's realm and I really wanted to know more about the cousin, Magnus. Again, I need more!
An Unwelcome Guest - a lighthearted, humorous look at Rapunzel where the witch isn't the villain; this was cute and creative and once again, I'd love to spend more time in this world.
A Sidekick of Mars - Snippets from the adventures of John Carter of Mars, but told by the unmentioned Lam Jones; I don't know jack about John Carter - I vaguely remember a movie preview and I don't plan to read the books. But honestly, I would read a whole book from Lam's perspective. I might have looked up the synopsis for the first book way back in the day and decided Carter wasn't someone I cared to read about and I feel like Lam confirmed that with his tale of their initial meeting. I liked the old west vibes and Lam's down to earth (LOL) perspective. I also appreciated how this tale ended.
marpesea's review against another edition
2.0
A mixed bag. I may try this one again when I'm more in the mood for short stories. Several of these had been printed previously in the anthologies.
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
My only complaint about this was that I wanted pretty much every story I read as a full series. Truly, the depth and wit and just sheer skill woven into each of these stories is absolutely stunning.
frostlywild17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
thymeslyp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love the title short story… just magic