What do you think?
Rate this book
Beyond the Hanging Wall
Like his physician father, Garth Baxtor is gifted with The Touch. By laying his hands upon a person, Garth can sense what dwells within: pain, illness, joy, or sorrow. It is through the application of The Touch that the gifted minister helps the sick of Escator by diagnosing ills and promoting healing.
By decree of the royal treasury, for a period of three weeks each year, physicians of Escator - in lieu of taxes - are required to attend to the needs of the criminals who labor endlessly in the Veins, the labyrinth of mines carved deep into the earth and from which they harvest the gloam-a priceless commodity upon which the fortunes of Escator depend.
It is during one such period of mandatory service that Joseph Baxtor decides his son is old enough to accompany him to the Veins as his apprentice. Garth is delighted. It's a chance to escape the dull and dreary surroundings of his quiet village for the delights of the capital city of Ruen. Joseph has been ordered to attend King Cavor himself. Garth will actually meet the king in person!
As he discovers all too soon, however, the task at hand is a grim one. Descending into the mines for the first time, Garth could hardly be less prepared for what he encounters: thousands of men laboring like animals in dreadful conditions deep below the earth's surface.
Applying his hands to the wound of one prisoner known only as Lot No. 859, Garth is stunned by what he discovers. This man is no common criminal. But then, who is he? Could it be? After all these years?
Prince Maximillian?
The answer to the riddle will involve Garth in a harrowing journey out of the Veins and into the Land of Dreams as he tries to resolve the question of the identity of Lot No 859. In the process, Garth will solve a centuries-old mystery-a mystery that will pit one king against another and shake the Kingdom of Escator to its foundations.
By decree of the royal treasury, for a period of three weeks each year, physicians of Escator - in lieu of taxes - are required to attend to the needs of the criminals who labor endlessly in the Veins, the labyrinth of mines carved deep into the earth and from which they harvest the gloam-a priceless commodity upon which the fortunes of Escator depend.
It is during one such period of mandatory service that Joseph Baxtor decides his son is old enough to accompany him to the Veins as his apprentice. Garth is delighted. It's a chance to escape the dull and dreary surroundings of his quiet village for the delights of the capital city of Ruen. Joseph has been ordered to attend King Cavor himself. Garth will actually meet the king in person!
As he discovers all too soon, however, the task at hand is a grim one. Descending into the mines for the first time, Garth could hardly be less prepared for what he encounters: thousands of men laboring like animals in dreadful conditions deep below the earth's surface.
Applying his hands to the wound of one prisoner known only as Lot No. 859, Garth is stunned by what he discovers. This man is no common criminal. But then, who is he? Could it be? After all these years?
Prince Maximillian?
The answer to the riddle will involve Garth in a harrowing journey out of the Veins and into the Land of Dreams as he tries to resolve the question of the identity of Lot No 859. In the process, Garth will solve a centuries-old mystery-a mystery that will pit one king against another and shake the Kingdom of Escator to its foundations.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published December 18, 1997
14 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Sara Douglass
65 books1,029 followersDouglass was born in Penola, South Australia. She attended Annesley College, in Wayville, a suburb of Adelaide. She studied for her BA while working as a Registered Nurse, and later completed her PhD in early modern English History. She became a lecturer in medieval history at La Trobe University, Bendigo. While there she completed her first novel, BattleAxe, which launched her as a popular fantasy author in Australia, and later as an international success.
Until the mid-2000s, Douglass hosted a bulletin board on her website, with the aim of encouraging creative thinking and constructive criticism of others' work. She maintained an online blog about the restoration project of her house and garden entitled Notes from Nonsuch in Tasmania.
In 2008, Douglass was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent treatment, but in late 2010 the cancer returned. She died on 27 September 2011, aged 54.
She also wrote under her real name Sara Warneke.
Until the mid-2000s, Douglass hosted a bulletin board on her website, with the aim of encouraging creative thinking and constructive criticism of others' work. She maintained an online blog about the restoration project of her house and garden entitled Notes from Nonsuch in Tasmania.
In 2008, Douglass was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent treatment, but in late 2010 the cancer returned. She died on 27 September 2011, aged 54.
She also wrote under her real name Sara Warneke.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 27, 2018
2018 took me into the fantasy genre, and I am a junkie now ! For a better or worse I started searching out older books-this one popped up when I needed an Australian Author .
This story could be classified as an old time Fairy-Tale, or even a Fable. It has a mysterious "witch" a missing prince, a kindly doctor and his handsome son, a King who is questionable, but most important believable world where there is some magic, but that's not the focus.
I fell in love with Sara Douglass -She writes beautiful prose when it's called for and down and dirty nastiness when that is what is called for. I will be reading more of her, sooner rather than later.
This story could be classified as an old time Fairy-Tale, or even a Fable. It has a mysterious "witch" a missing prince, a kindly doctor and his handsome son, a King who is questionable, but most important believable world where there is some magic, but that's not the focus.
I fell in love with Sara Douglass -She writes beautiful prose when it's called for and down and dirty nastiness when that is what is called for. I will be reading more of her, sooner rather than later.
May 31, 2008
An interesting story about a lost prince. The plot was engaging and kept me reading, but the writing had me wondering if this was Douglass' first book. The point of view is all wacky, often shifting from character to character more than once on one page. The characters and their relationships felt only mildly developed and, unlike other books by Douglass, I found myself lacking a wild attachment to any one of them. Still, it's a must read if you plan to read the Darkglass Mountain series.
January 27, 2014
Great book....something different.
October 19, 2019
I'd give it 3.5 stars really. It didn't pick up and catch my attention until the last 30 pages. I continued reading it only because it was highly recommended to read the Dark Glass Mountain series. That it all ties in with The Wayfarer Redemption series. I really hope Threshold is a little more attention grabbing.
February 15, 2015
Apparently, I'm going to read these books, that are actually part of a long series, in no particular order. I wonder what I would have thought of some characters in this novel if I didn't know what happened to them or what becomes of them in the future.
This novel felt much more cohesive to me than the Darkglass Mountain series and I think I understand now why others have mentioned reading the previous novels first. It's not that you can't understand Darkglass... It's almost as if you are missing the essence of the characters and story by not having witnessed the past through their eyes.
This novel felt much more cohesive to me than the Darkglass Mountain series and I think I understand now why others have mentioned reading the previous novels first. It's not that you can't understand Darkglass... It's almost as if you are missing the essence of the characters and story by not having witnessed the past through their eyes.
October 18, 2019
Sometimes I believe I'm a sucker for a good cover. I would venture to say that a lot of us get wrapped up in this concept where what we see on top surely must carry over to the three hundred and fifty pages underneath. However, in this case what I saw on the cover didn't quite live up to the story that I read over the previous week.
Beyond the Hanging Wall is the story of two doctors, a father and a son gifted with the "Touch" who make their way to the yearly occupation of treating those within the Veins. There for three weeks they treat the prisoners who have been doomed to work their lives away in the pursuit of gloam, the most valuable export in the realm.
We learn that harvesting gloam is a death sentence, one given to the worst criminals of the land. Garth, the doctor's apprentice and son makes his way to Section 205 in the Veins and sees a man known only as Lot No. 859. But Lot 859 is something special and once Garth realizes who he is, his world is forever changed and the Kingdom of Escator will never be the same.
The story starts out simply enough and has a cast of enjoyable characters that remind me of a Hallmark made for television movie. That does not make it horrible or anything but it does make for a story where the twist is revealed way too early and we already know how it is going to turn out. Everything is so predictable and while the characters are interesting, none of them really grow with the exception of Garth.
What also brings it down is that the "dark" elements of the book aren't really dark at all. You have a couple of witches, a mysterious entity known as the Manteceros and the foulest beings above and below ground but I fully expect them to be singing show tunes by the very end. Okay, that was a little harsh but despite the good writing, it was not meaty enough for me to enjoy.
In the end, this fairy tale is just that. It's a story that despite its numerous pages can be condensed down into a single night or reading to your son or daughter as a feel good story with a wonderful message. It is far from a bad book, but it's not very good either. It is too predictable and I just wanted more. Oh, I guess I didn't know about that. Enjoy.
Beyond the Hanging Wall is the story of two doctors, a father and a son gifted with the "Touch" who make their way to the yearly occupation of treating those within the Veins. There for three weeks they treat the prisoners who have been doomed to work their lives away in the pursuit of gloam, the most valuable export in the realm.
We learn that harvesting gloam is a death sentence, one given to the worst criminals of the land. Garth, the doctor's apprentice and son makes his way to Section 205 in the Veins and sees a man known only as Lot No. 859. But Lot 859 is something special and once Garth realizes who he is, his world is forever changed and the Kingdom of Escator will never be the same.
The story starts out simply enough and has a cast of enjoyable characters that remind me of a Hallmark made for television movie. That does not make it horrible or anything but it does make for a story where the twist is revealed way too early and we already know how it is going to turn out. Everything is so predictable and while the characters are interesting, none of them really grow with the exception of Garth.
What also brings it down is that the "dark" elements of the book aren't really dark at all. You have a couple of witches, a mysterious entity known as the Manteceros and the foulest beings above and below ground but I fully expect them to be singing show tunes by the very end. Okay, that was a little harsh but despite the good writing, it was not meaty enough for me to enjoy.
In the end, this fairy tale is just that. It's a story that despite its numerous pages can be condensed down into a single night or reading to your son or daughter as a feel good story with a wonderful message. It is far from a bad book, but it's not very good either. It is too predictable and I just wanted more. Oh, I guess I didn't know about that. Enjoy.
May 14, 2018
Light-weight YA fantasy, pleasant but unchallenging and highly predictable, except for the final twist at the end. As other reviewers have mentioned, the shifts in point-of-view were irritating, as was the recurring emphasis on rescuing the "true king". The prince needed to be rescued and the criminals who threw him down the mines deserved to be brought to justice for their treasonous actions, but I have no patience with the idea that bloodlines somehow give a person authority. So the nature of the test for the "true king" was a nice surprise.
July 14, 2019
5 Stars
Beyond the Hanging Wall by Sara Douglas has an epic ‘fairytale’ feel to it. It has fantasy, a ‘witch’, a ‘missing’ prince, a dodgy king, a kind doctor and his handsome son, danger, drama, magic, intrigue, a little mystery, and an incredible world in which the story is set.
Sara Douglass at her best!
Happy Reading!
Beyond the Hanging Wall by Sara Douglas has an epic ‘fairytale’ feel to it. It has fantasy, a ‘witch’, a ‘missing’ prince, a dodgy king, a kind doctor and his handsome son, danger, drama, magic, intrigue, a little mystery, and an incredible world in which the story is set.
Sara Douglass at her best!
Happy Reading!
April 1, 2021
I finally read this standalone book by a favourite author. Transported right back into her world makes me want to reread some of her other books. Nonstop action and adventure, realistic characters and a little magic, this book dares one to dream.
2021 reading challenge- a book with elements of magic
2021 reading challenge- a book with elements of magic
January 11, 2025
Immer und immer wird wird ein kleiner Spannungsbogen erzeugt der es einem schwer macht das Buch zur Seite zu legen.
Hier und da sind etwas komische Handlungssprünge die im ersten Moment nicht zu passen scheinen, dann aber aufgeklärt werden.
Alles in allem hat es mir sehr viel Spaß gemacht, der Reise von Maximilian zu folgen.
Hier und da sind etwas komische Handlungssprünge die im ersten Moment nicht zu passen scheinen, dann aber aufgeklärt werden.
Alles in allem hat es mir sehr viel Spaß gemacht, der Reise von Maximilian zu folgen.
October 4, 2018
Reallly love her work
July 31, 2020
This book is amazing!!
December 24, 2020
eh. it was junk food
January 13, 2021
Brilliant!
Great character development, enthralling story lines and unpredictable but satisfying endings!
Great character development, enthralling story lines and unpredictable but satisfying endings!
Want to read
July 17, 20222P
did-not-finish-or-start
May 8, 2023DNS 5/8/23 no longer interested
June 12, 2023
Relatively enjoyable. Not a favorite and definitely not a reread but for the price I got it for (free) it was pretty good.
September 28, 2024
It's a fine story and I get that it's more targeted towards a younger crowd but it's a bit predictable.
June 29, 2025
How have I not read Sarah Douglas before?
Loved it.
Now I need to read more of her work....here I go again!
Loved it.
Now I need to read more of her work....here I go again!
October 19, 2016
Spellbinding. This is a book I had a hard time putting down. All of Sarah Douglass' books are like this, I'm on the 4th book of her first series (6). I found myself thinking about this book during the day, at work, wherever; couldn't stop thinking about it, could hardly wait to be home to continue reading.
April 18, 2020
I enjoyed being in this world but the intricate details of high fantasy so predominant in the other works were replaced by a fairytale like fantasy that just didn't hit the full bench mark for me.
August 10, 2016
Garth Baxtor, a apprentice physician to his father Joseph, is like his father possessed of The Touch – the ability to ease pain and discomfort in addition to promoting healing by laying hands on the patient. When Joseph’s yearly summons to tend to the prisoners working in the mines arrives, Garth is finally deemed old enough and experienced enough to accompany him. Garth soon discovers that the Veins, as the mines are called, are the most dismal and appalling place imaginable. Imagine his surprise and horror when, while treating prisoner #859, he senses the Manteceros royal tattoo beneath scar tissue on the prisoner’s arm – when everyone in Escator knows that seventeen years ago the crown prince met his death in a tragic hunting accident.
Beyond the Hanging Wall is a pleasant if simplistic and predictable read. There isn't a lot of suspense, but it was still a decent diversion. It’s easy to understand why it’s considered young adult by some, although in my library it’s shelved with adult fantasy.
Beyond the Hanging Wall is a pleasant if simplistic and predictable read. There isn't a lot of suspense, but it was still a decent diversion. It’s easy to understand why it’s considered young adult by some, although in my library it’s shelved with adult fantasy.
December 6, 2014
I liked the beginning of this book, then lost some faith and wondered if I truly wished to finish it. I preservered, and I was glad I did so. We follow the adventures of Garth Baxtor, son of a famous physician. Both Garth and his father are giften with the Touch for healing. While on mandatory service in the mines of Escator, Garth discovers that the prince, long thought murdered, is a prisoner toiling underground. Garth must figure out what is going on and, with help, come up with a scheme to free the prince.
The biggest criticism I have of this book is that I doubt it passes the Bechdel test. While the swamp women are portrayed as strong female characters, the daughter is, nonetheless, the only female character who truly gets a role in this book. And she is a potential love interest for Garth and the Prince (although she ends up with neither in the end). The entirety of her role is helping the men-folk.
The biggest criticism I have of this book is that I doubt it passes the Bechdel test. While the swamp women are portrayed as strong female characters, the daughter is, nonetheless, the only female character who truly gets a role in this book. And she is a potential love interest for Garth and the Prince (although she ends up with neither in the end). The entirety of her role is helping the men-folk.
June 28, 2016
This is the story of a prince stripped of his rightful place, of an apprentice physician with a powerful touch, a mysterious marsh girl, and the strange forces which unite them.
It's very safe. Like a lot of more modern series (such as A Song of Ice and Fire) after the first chapter or two, you know pretty much exactly what's going to happen.
Douglass' writing seemed rushed as well. There was a lot of changing of perspective (from character to character) and even a point where we went back in time to an earlier scene - but all done rather clumsily so you had to re-read it a couple of times to make sense of the change.
Having said all that, I intend to read the Darkglass Mountain trilogy (which this is a prequel to). Despite Beyond the Hanging Wall only getting two stars, I have high hopes for the series proper.
It's very safe. Like a lot of more modern series (such as A Song of Ice and Fire) after the first chapter or two, you know pretty much exactly what's going to happen.
Douglass' writing seemed rushed as well. There was a lot of changing of perspective (from character to character) and even a point where we went back in time to an earlier scene - but all done rather clumsily so you had to re-read it a couple of times to make sense of the change.
Having said all that, I intend to read the Darkglass Mountain trilogy (which this is a prequel to). Despite Beyond the Hanging Wall only getting two stars, I have high hopes for the series proper.
September 15, 2008
I thought it was pretty awesome. The plot flowed really well, and took off after the first couple of chapters. Most of the chapters ended with good hooks that kept you reading. Coupled with many short chapters, and the book really had that late night "just one more chapter" feel to it.
The only odd thing about the book was her shifting of POV. From one paragraph to the next she would shift the POV, often several times in a row between several different characters. Many times just for that one paragraph. As I've never encountered such shifting before, it was a little jarring at first. Once I got used to it, however, it wasn't a problem at all.
The only odd thing about the book was her shifting of POV. From one paragraph to the next she would shift the POV, often several times in a row between several different characters. Many times just for that one paragraph. As I've never encountered such shifting before, it was a little jarring at first. Once I got used to it, however, it wasn't a problem at all.
March 9, 2013
Wow. The ending to this caught me completely off guard. It seems like your average (well, better-than-average, but fairly standard-to-the-genre) fantasy book, plot is rolling along nicely and you feel like you know exactly how it's going to end, with the bad guy vanquished despite stacked odds against the good guy, and I'm not saying that's how it ends or that's not how it ends (not gonna dabble in spoilers here, READ IT! PLEASE), but my God, the way it concludes is beautiful. It tugs at the corners of your eyes and lifts your heart up high. Loved it. I enjoyed Douglass' Axis trilogy, and the sequel trilogy, but this is far and away my favorite of hers now.
August 28, 2008
My main interest in this book was learning the background of characters who appear in The Serpent Bride. It isn't necessary to read this before The Serpent Bride but it develops the depth of characters that must complete with The Wayfarer Redemption characters who are so strong in Sara Douglass' latest book.
I enjoyed this story but found it to be a simple read. I think Sara Douglass' greatest strengths are her mythology and characters. The characters in this book were likeable, but not compelling or complex. The mythology was similarly interesting but not magical.
I enjoyed this story but found it to be a simple read. I think Sara Douglass' greatest strengths are her mythology and characters. The characters in this book were likeable, but not compelling or complex. The mythology was similarly interesting but not magical.
February 3, 2009
I really love Sara Douglass' work and after reading the first two installments of the Darkglass Mountain I wanted to read this one to see a bit of King Maximillion's background & history. It was a very easy & quick read that was enjoyable. Although it is a bit lacking in character development when compared to her other books. It definitely wasn't a bad read, just doesn't show off her talents as a writer as well as her other books.
September 1, 2013
I started the Serpent Bride and decided I needed to get the second in the series before leaving the library--yeah, I'm hooked. When I went to the shelf to get it, I saw this one...I read the dust jacket and realized it was a prequel. THANK GOODNESS. I am not far enough into the Serpent Bride to know if I will discover the depth of Maximillian's character there, but reading this one first did that. Now I foresee a night without sleep as I wade back into The Serpent Bride.
January 1, 2014
Women fantasy writers have a different style. This one is no different. I found it amusing that the characters acknowledged the series of "coincidences" for the plot line to be fulfilled. It still didn't erase the feeling that the author was giving her brain a rest in order to hurry her main idea along. A good story that could have been so much better with a little more text to fill out characters and plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews