Beyond the Hanging Wall

Rating:
Summary: The Wayfarer Redemption
Review: Even though I have read several hundred sci-fi and fantasy books, this is one of the few books I had problems with putting down!! Sara's writing has kept me with wanting more and searching for the next books in the series!

Rating:
Summary: A Contemporary Fairy Tale
Review: Beyond the Hanging Wall is an independent novel. In the kingdom of Escator, a vibrant and beloved young prince is lured away from a royal hunt and ambushed by a group of masked men. These men cannot kill the prince, for he is protected the royal tattoo on his arm, but they brand over the tattoo and haul the prince away to perpetual captivity.

In this novel, seventeen years later, Garth Baxter is an apprentice healer learning his trade from his father. When Joseph is called to serve his annual term as a healer within the Veins, Garth asks to go along with his father. First, however, the pair visit the king to treat the festering of his royal tattoo.

When they reach the deep mines of the Veins, Garth finds a man -- lot 859 -- far below who has a royal tattoo buried under the hideous scar on his arm. Recognizing that lot 859 must be Maximillian, the lost prince, Garth first tries to get the man to respond to his name, but has little success. After returning from the Veins, Garth spends the next few months trying to find out more about Prince Maximillian and the tattoo.

His questions brings him to the attention of others who join with him in the quest. Among these is a monk of the Order of the Persimius and a pair of marsh witches. Eventually they plot a rescue of the prince.

Some of the most poignant scenes occur deep within the mine. The stench of sulfur and the tang of saltwater overlay the odour of unwashed humanity. The ever present dust coats the skin and is drawn into the throat and lungs with each breath. Overhead is the hanging wall of the tunnels, holding back millions of tons of rock and dirt. Darkness oppresses the mind of many, but is a well-known friend to the prince.

In many respects, this story can be compared to those of Patricia McKillip. It reads like a fairy tale, with a sense of destiny driving the plot and sustaining a touch of the mythical throughout. The witches perform mist magic and the monks cloud men's minds with their arts. Then there is the heraldic beast of the royal tattoo, the Manteceros, who dwells within the Dream World. Definitely a fascinating fantasy.

Highly recommended for Douglass and McKillip fans and for anyone else who enjoys contemporary fairy tales.

Rating:
Summary: A Contemporary Fairy Tale
Review: Beyond the Hanging Wall is an independent novel. In the kingdom of Escator, a vibrant and beloved young prince is lured away from a royal hunt and ambushed by a group of masked men. These men cannot kill the prince, for he is protected the royal tattoo on his arm, but they brand over the tattoo and haul the prince away to perpetual captivity.

In this novel, seventeen years later, Garth Baxter is an apprentice healer learning his trade from his father. When Joseph is called to serve his annual term as a healer within the Veins, Garth asks to go along with his father. First, however, the pair visit the king to treat the festering of his royal tattoo.

When they reach the deep mines of the Veins, Garth finds a man -- lot 859 -- far below who has a royal tattoo buried under the hideous scar on his arm. Recognizing that lot 859 must be Maximillian, the lost prince, Garth first tries to get the man to respond to his name, but has little success. After returning from the Veins, Garth spends the next few months trying to find out more about Prince Maximillian and the tattoo.

His questions brings him to the attention of others who join with him in the quest. Among these is a monk of the Order of the Persimius and a pair of marsh witches. Eventually they plot a rescue of the prince.

Some of the most poignant scenes occur deep within the mine. The stench of sulfur and the tang of saltwater overlay the odour of unwashed humanity. The ever present dust coats the skin and is drawn into the throat and lungs with each breath. Overhead is the hanging wall of the tunnels, holding back millions of tons of rock and dirt. Darkness oppresses the mind of many, but is a well-known friend to the prince.

In many respects, this story can be compared to those of Patricia McKillip. It reads like a fairy tale, with a sense of destiny driving the plot and sustaining a touch of the mythical throughout. The witches perform mist magic and the monks cloud men's minds with their arts. Then there is the heraldic beast of the royal tattoo, the Manteceros, who dwells within the Dream World. Definitely a fascinating fantasy.

Highly recommended for Douglass and McKillip fans and for anyone else who enjoys contemporary fairy tales.

Rating:
Summary: Kind of a yawner
Review: I have enjoyed some of Douglass' books, but I found this one to be a disappointment. There was never any character development - the main character was the same at the end as he'd been at the beginning. There was never any suspense - the outcome was never in doubt for a second. For example, when proof of the prince's identity is needed, someone shows up within minutes (it felt like that short a time, at least), with the only object that could prove the prince's identify in his pocket.

While the book kept me busy for a couple hours it didn't have me riveted to my chair. I kept hoping that there'd be some real action, or some reason to actually care what happened next, but nothing ever really developed. I was sorry I'd spent money on it, as I doubt I'll read it again. Save your money and wait for the paperback if your library doesn't have this book on the shelf.

Rating:
Summary: Pure ambrosia
Review: In the kingdom of Escator, medical apprentice Garth Baxtor learns how to apply his gift of the healing touch and use of herbs under the tutelage of his father physician Joseph. Every year Joseph treks to the Veins to provide health care to the condemned prisoners working the mines instead of paying taxes. Garth accompanies his father on the trip.

Garth notices one of the incarcerated has the tattoo of the mythical Manteceros on his arm; a tattoo of this beast is restricted only to two people, the king and his heir. It does not take mush thinking to conclude that this prisoner has to be Prince Maximillian, who vanished almost a decade ago. Garth says nothing, but upon returning home, he quietly investigates the tattoo, the Manteceros, and a weird rhyme the prisoner recited. Joined by Ravenna of the marsh, and the regally faithful Abbott Vorstus, Garth knows the rightful monarch toils in the mine while an imposter rules Escador.

Though the story line flows in an obvious direction, fantasy readers will enjoy this delightful tale. The story line is loaded with action so the audience rarely has a moment to breathe. The champion trio seems genuine even as they step over the edge risking everything in a heroic effort to right a wrong. Sara Douglass provides a strong tale that displays why the Australian audience thinks she is one of the top fantasists writing in the past decade.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Pure ambrosia
Review: In the kingdom of Escator, medical apprentice Garth Baxtor learns how to apply his gift of the healing touch and use of herbs under the tutelage of his father physician Joseph. Every year Joseph treks to the Veins to provide health care to the condemned prisoners working the mines instead of paying taxes. Garth accompanies his father on the trip.

Garth notices one of the incarcerated has the tattoo of the mythical Manteceros on his arm; a tattoo of this beast is restricted only to two people, the king and his heir. It does not take mush thinking to conclude that this prisoner has to be Prince Maximillian, who vanished almost a decade ago. Garth says nothing, but upon returning home, he quietly investigates the tattoo, the Manteceros, and a weird rhyme the prisoner recited. Joined by Ravenna of the marsh, and the regally faithful Abbott Vorstus, Garth knows the rightful monarch toils in the mine while an imposter rules Escador.

Though the story line flows in an obvious direction, fantasy readers will enjoy this delightful tale. The story line is loaded with action so the audience rarely has a moment to breathe. The champion trio seems genuine even as they step over the edge risking everything in a heroic effort to right a wrong. Sara Douglass provides a strong tale that displays why the Australian audience thinks she is one of the top fantasists writing in the past decade.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: It's really a good book. This is the only book I have read from Sara Douglass so I may not know much about her style but this is definitely good. Must-read.

Rating:
Summary: A Young Hero finds a Lost Prince
Review: Like his healer father, Garth Baxtor is gifted with the Touch, he can feel sickness and encourage healing just by laying his hands on the afflicted. By royal decree the physicians of the of the industrial kingdom of Escator must tend to the criminals sentenced to endless labor in the Veins, the mines of Escator and, at fourteen, Garth is old enough to accompany his father on this mission.

He is excited by the prospect, but is not prepared for the thousands of men he sees enslaved in horrid conditions. And when he lays hands on the prisoner known as Lot No. 859, Garth discovers he is Prince Maximilian, the missing heir to the throne of Escator, and this is a secret that can throw the kingdom into rebellion.

I must say that I liked this book a whole heck of a lot better than I though I would when my younger brother insisted that I read it. Young Garth is a great protagonist in this story about a lost prince who is finally found. And Ms. Douglass really made me believe in her fantasy world. Super, just super writing. Praise can't get any higher than that.

Rating:
Summary: Should be categorized as YA
Review: This book was OK. Other people have pointed out the lack of character development and the obvious plot, along with the nice creation of a world and the atmosphere within it. I felt strongly that this book is most appropriate for Young Adults, and should be both marketed & shelved that way.

Rating:
Summary: Should be categorized as YA
Review: This book was OK. Other people have pointed out the lack of character development and the obvious plot, along with the nice creation of a world and the atmosphere within it. I felt strongly that this book is most appropriate for Young Adults, and should be both marketed & shelved that way.