What do you think?
Rate this book
Abhorsen
Doctor Crake Crosses the Wall
An Old Kingdom story. Can be read for free on the Old Kingdom website.
32 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2016
492 people want to read
About the author
Garth Nix
236 books15k followersGarth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, Australia, to the sound of the Salvation Army band outside playing 'Hail the Conquering Hero Comes' or possibly 'Roll Out the Barrel'. Garth left Melbourne at an early age for Canberra (the federal capital) and stayed there till he was nineteen, when he left to drive around the UK in a beat-up Austin with a boot full of books and a Silver-Reed typewriter.
Despite a wheel literally falling off the Austin, Garth survived to return to Australia and study at the University of Canberra. After finishing his degree in 1986 he worked in a bookshop, then as a book publicist, a publisher's sales representative, and editor. Along the way he was also a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve, serving in an Assault Pioneer platoon for four years. Garth left publishing to work as a public relations and marketing consultant from 1994-1997, till he became a full-time writer in 1998. He did that for a year before joining Curtis Brown Australia as a part-time literary agent in 1999. In January 2002 Garth went back to dedicated writer again, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors.
He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books.
Despite a wheel literally falling off the Austin, Garth survived to return to Australia and study at the University of Canberra. After finishing his degree in 1986 he worked in a bookshop, then as a book publicist, a publisher's sales representative, and editor. Along the way he was also a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve, serving in an Assault Pioneer platoon for four years. Garth left publishing to work as a public relations and marketing consultant from 1994-1997, till he became a full-time writer in 1998. He did that for a year before joining Curtis Brown Australia as a part-time literary agent in 1999. In January 2002 Garth went back to dedicated writer again, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors.
He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 18, 2020
A rather short story in the Abhorsen 'verse about a military doctor being sent to the Perimeter (the Wall). Crake has no idea what he will find there and will get an idea of it.
You will be left wanting to know more.
You will be left wanting to know more.
November 5, 2018
Ωραιότατη υπαινικτική νουβέλα, θα ξεκινούσα τη σειρά από αυτή.
August 2, 2024
An interesting little story... I wanted more!
It can be read for free online at http://oldkingdom.com.au/extras_docto...
It can be read for free online at http://oldkingdom.com.au/extras_docto...
May 15, 2018
An interesting story about someone beyond the Wall... 😊
January 14, 2018
Very cool bit of world building.
April 20, 2022
Really enjoyed this story of an Ancelstierre doctor coming to the border, and learning about the Old Kingdom, the Wall, and Charter magic! Really great read!
October 22, 2021
Storygraph rating: 3 stars
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.
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.
March 14, 2022
A pleasant short story about the first experience of a new recruit from the South when encountering the perimeter and Charter magic.
I would enjoy reading more about Dr Crake, and his experiences in the Old Kingdom, and remain hopeful that he features in a future book.
I would enjoy reading more about Dr Crake, and his experiences in the Old Kingdom, and remain hopeful that he features in a future book.
December 1, 2018
Read via the Old Kingdom website: http://oldkingdom.com.au/extras_docto...
Doctor John Julian Crake, fresh out of medical school and to the army, is assigned to the Wall and experiences the Perimeter for the first time. It's interesting to see the first-time experience of a person who is new to this world. I'd like very much to see a sequel where Crake can demonstrate the combination of . This is free Old Kingdom story that is worth reading.
Doctor John Julian Crake, fresh out of medical school and to the army, is assigned to the Wall and experiences the Perimeter for the first time. It's interesting to see the first-time experience of a person who is new to this world. I'd like very much to see a sequel where Crake can demonstrate the combination of . This is free Old Kingdom story that is worth reading.
December 13, 2018
Oh, Old Kingdom-Nix, how I love you. Even something so obviously a quick little thing you dashed off is so enjoyable as it builds on the charter and free magic you’ve created. Always a good time, even if dr. Crake’s conversion does seem kind of abrupt.
January 7, 2021
Nice little story that doesn't (at least currently) set anything up beyond the concept of the wall and magic. So nothing new if you have read the books. Still fun. Wouldn't mind seeing more of the protagonist.
July 4, 2017
Cool story from behind the border, a place where the magic prevents normal things like cars work properly. Cool.
February 26, 2018
A lovely look at this world from the outsider-POV of a Ancelstierran newly-minted medical doctor come to serve at the Wall.
December 13, 2018
Short but worth reading. While well written, it's a rehash of things we already know. I crave more.
August 26, 2020
A lovely little entry into the Old Kingdom series - nice to get another take on the Perimeter!
October 18, 2021
Nice, fun, and short story set in the Old Kingdom, presumably after things have returned to normal (or at least after the events of Abhorsen).
September 25, 2023
Short story: left an opening for a totally new approach to the world of the Abhorsen. Would have been interested in where this start led.
November 14, 2023
Well written, as always. Leaves me wanting more, more, more of the Old Kingdom.
August 10, 2024
There will never be enough stories on the Old Kingdom to satisfy me.
January 4, 2025
3.0/5
July 27, 2025
he crossed the shit out of that wall
April 5, 2022
A great little short of what happens when a non charter officer meets the magic of the Wall. Crake is an interesting character that I hope will come back later on. Short, sweet and also envelops the mind of the possibilities of magic when before it was lost.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews