Garth Nix published Sabriel, the first novel in his Abhorsen fantasy trilogy in 1995, ending with Abhorsen in 2003. Since then we fans had to subsist on a novella, Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case, published in Across the Wall in 2006. The series is rich in world building, excellent characters, unusual use of fantasy themes, and quality of the writing.
To Hold the Bridge – Title Story
Nix used the same world but completely new characters in the novella To Hold the Bridge, published with other short stories in 2015. We don’t see the royal family, Abhorsen or Clayrs. The main character, Morghan, is a destitute orphan, bright, ambitious, tough and hard working. He is handicapped with a bum arm but learned math, reading and some Charter magic by trading his work to an innkeeper in exchange for lessons. The innkeeper was formerly a royal guard and thus educated and a minor Charter mage.
Morghan is taken on as an cadet in the Bridge Company, a firm that is building a great bridge that will increase trade and travel in the northern part of the Old Kingdom. The company personnel combine engineering and magic and must be able to defend themselves against the semi-wild tribes people and Wild Magic practitioners.
Morghan worries about his future with the company, knowing he has nowhere else to go, and works hard for the Bridgemistress and his fellow engineers. As often with Nix’s characters Morghan discovers unknown strength and character as he earns his place in the world.
This story was excellent. It felt like a prequel to something else set in the same world but perhaps featuring regular Old Kingdom citizens. My quibble with the novella was I wanted a map and there was none. The newer E versions of the original Abhorsen include maps which I referred to a couple of times.
Other Stories in the Collection
A Handful of Ashes was my favorite. It too featured young ladies coming of age, growing into their character and strength while defeating evil.
Infestation was an unusual twist on the vampire novel. I was glad that these vamps were just plain icky, no glittering sparkling sexpots here!
An Unwelcome Guest was a funny take off on the Rapunzel story.
The other stories varied and I read two of them before. Iron and Holly is a twist on the Saxon vs. Norman fight, and has been published elsewhere as was Old Friends.
This was categorized as YA fiction, mostly because several characters were 18 or so, just beginning their life’s path. I’ve felt the Abhorsen books should have been categorized as adult fiction, although older teens will enjoy them too, and believe To Hold the Bridge also will appeal to adults.
Overall I recommend this collection of short stories and longer novellas. Like all anthologies you may not like each story but will certainly enjoy some and likely find one or two that resonate in your heart.
4 Stars
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