A review by kylelorey
Doctor Crake Crosses the Wall, by Garth Nix
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.
———————————————————————————
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.