Beyond the Hanging Wall

From Publishers Weekly In this stand-alone high fantasy set in the same universe as her Wayfarer Redemption series (Enchanter, etc.), Australian Douglass fashions a promising milieu of elemental Gnostic magic within a rugged coastal setting. Unfortunately, stock characters wending their way down standard plot-lines to a foregone conclusion obscure her world-building. Garth Baxtor, an apprentice healer who's inherited an extra helping of ''the Touch'' (the ability to feel-and, to some degree, alleviate-his patients' pain), journeys to the Veins, a complex of underground mines. While tending condemned workers in the shafts, Garth happens upon prisoner 859, whom Garth's Touch reveals to be Prince Maximilian, the missing heir to the throne of Escator. Later, in the Land of Dreams, Garth has a conversation with the ancient heraldic beast of Escator, the droll monster Manteceros, who agrees to confirm the identity of the true king if Garth can rescue prisoner 859 from the Veins and have him challenge the vile pretender, King Cavos. In an overly complicated finale Manteceros administers a moral test of worthiness to the two kingly claimants. Maximilian's near-instantaneous transformation after 17 years' hard labor from broken-minded wretch to dashing, lighthearted prince strains credibility, while a spate of hand-waving mystical exposition at book's end does more to confuse than resolve the story. Still, the atmosphere of maritime magic is diverting, and, for fans of the author's Redemption books, this may be enough. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Fourteen-year-old Garth and his father are healers gifted with ''the Touch.'' Because the physicians of Escator are required to spend three weeks each year ministering to the prisoners confined in the dank, underground mine called the Veins, Garth's father brings his son, still an apprentice, along when he goes to fulfill his obligation. Using his own powers to heal, Garth senses the king's mark on a prisoner and suspects that beneath layers of dirt lies the young prince who disappeared 17 years ago and had been presumed dead. Aided by a marsh witch, a mythical creature, an order of monks, and his own courage, Garth sets out to rescue the prince and restore him to his kingdom. Australian Douglass' latest American release is packed with sympathetic characters and heroic challenges. Lacking the violence and sex of Douglass' Hades Daughter [BKL Ja 1 & 15 03], this is a rousing fantasy for all ages. Candace Smith Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

praise For The Wayfarer Redemption Series

starman

douglass Brings To The Fore Her World-building Abilities And Storytelling Expertise In This Satisfying Conclusion To A Fantasy Epic. - Library Journal

a Superior Adventure Fantasy Right To The Last. - booklist

enchanter

douglass Consistently Demonstrates A Consistently High Standard Of Storytelling In The Epic Fantasy Tradition. -library Journal

the Wayfarer Redemption

those Who Love A Good Epic Fantasy Novel...will Rejoice. -kliatt

[a] Fast-paced Tale Packed With Action And Intrigue, Mysticism And Romance. I Recommend This Series To Lovers Of Epic Fantasy. -juliet Marillier

epic Storytelling On Par With Terry Goodkind And Robert Jordan. -library Journal

publishers Weekly

in This Stand-alone High Fantasy Set In The Same Universe As Her Wayfarer Redemption Series (enchanter, Etc.), Australian Douglass Fashions A Promising Milieu Of Elemental Gnostic Magic Within A Rugged Coastal Setting. Unfortunately, Stock Characters Wending Their Way Down Standard Plot-lines To A Foregone Conclusion Obscure Her World-building. Garth Baxtor, An Apprentice Healer Who's Inherited An Extra Helping Of The Touch (the Ability To Feel-and, To Some Degree, Alleviate-his Patients' Pain), Journeys To The Veins, A Complex Of Underground Mines. While Tending Condemned Workers In The Shafts, Garth Happens Upon Prisoner 859, Whom Garth's Touch Reveals To Be Prince Maximilian, The Missing Heir To The Throne Of Escator. Later, In The Land Of Dreams, Garth Has A Conversation With The Ancient Heraldic Beast Of Escator, The Droll Monster Manteceros, Who Agrees To Confirm The Identity Of The True King If Garth Can Rescue Prisoner 859 From The Veins And Have Him Challenge The Vile Pretender, King Cavos. In An Overly Complicated Finale Manteceros Administers A Moral Test Of Worthiness To The Two Kingly Claimants. Maximilian's Near-instantaneous Transformation After 17 Years' Hard Labor From Broken-minded Wretch To Dashing, Lighthearted Prince Strains Credibility, While A Spate Of Hand-waving Mystical Exposition At Book's End Does More To Confuse Than Resolve The Story. Still, The Atmosphere Of Maritime Magic Is Diverting, And, For Fans Of The Author's Redemption Books, This May Be Enough. (july 21) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

A missing prince...A mythical creature...An age-old mysteryLike his physician father, sixteen-year-old Garth Baxtor is gifted with the Touch. By laying his hands upon his patients, Garth can sense the illness that dwells within and promote healing. But illness is not all he can sense, as he learns when he accompanies his father to the underground mines known as the Veins to minister to the criminals condemned to labor there, beyond the hanging wall. Applying his hands to the wound of one prisoner known only as Lot No. 859, Garth is stunned to discover that the man is no common criminal....With the help of Ravenna, a witch from the marshes, and a mythical creature from the land of dreams, Garth sets out to solve a centuries-old mystery--a mystery that will pit one king against another and shake the Kingdom of Escator to its foundations. Like his physician father, sixteen-year-old Garth Baxtor is gifted with the Touch. By laying his hands upon his patients, Garth can sense the illness that dwells within and promote healing. But illness is not all he can sense, as he learns when he accompanies his father to the underground mines known as the Veins to minister to the criminals condemned to labor there, beyond the hanging wall. Applying his hands to the wound of one prisoner known only as Lot No. 859, Garth is stunned to discover that the man is no common criminal ... --Provided by publisher Sixteen-year-old Garth Baxtor is gifted with the Touch. Applying his hands to the wound of a prisoner, Garth is stunned to discover that the man is no common criminal. With the help of a witch from the marshes, Garth sets out to solve a centuries-old mystery that will pit one king against another and shake the Kingdom of Escator to its foundations Accompanying his physician father on his annual journey to the Escator prison mines, fourteen-year-old apprentice Garth Baxtor works to develop his ability to diagnose others by touching them and discovers a horrifying secret when working with a prisoner. Reprint.