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The Seventh Tower #1-3
The Seventh Tower
Enter the world of The Seventh Tower...
A long time ago, darkness fell upon the Castle. A veil was created over the world, upholding the rule of magic. One war ended...and another silently began.
Tal has spent his whole life in the darkness. He knows nothing else of the world. Far below the Castle, there lives an Icecarl warrior named Milla. Her fate and Tal's are irreversibly linked. Together they will discover the secrets behind the veil -- and the forces desperately trying
to tear it apart.
From dream worlds to nightmare visions, brilliant magic to fierce combat, this is an epic story of darkness, light, and all the shadows in between.
A long time ago, darkness fell upon the Castle. A veil was created over the world, upholding the rule of magic. One war ended...and another silently began.
Tal has spent his whole life in the darkness. He knows nothing else of the world. Far below the Castle, there lives an Icecarl warrior named Milla. Her fate and Tal's are irreversibly linked. Together they will discover the secrets behind the veil -- and the forces desperately trying
to tear it apart.
From dream worlds to nightmare visions, brilliant magic to fierce combat, this is an epic story of darkness, light, and all the shadows in between.
649 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2001
37 people are currently reading
1114 people want to read
About the author
Garth Nix
236 books14.9k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 6, 2012
I've lost count of the amount of times I've read these books. I lost count around fifty. Garth Nix, from beginning to end I couldn't put these books down if i wanted to. I found myself absorbed in the flow of this book, in the world of Tal and Milla. In the thick plot and in the mystical world of AENIR, a magnificent read with an expertly wound plot and truly unforgettable characters.
This book is amazing, especially since it's written, to quote Tal's eccentric great uncle, "Back when frogs had legs"
This book is amazing, especially since it's written, to quote Tal's eccentric great uncle, "Back when frogs had legs"
March 7, 2013
I'm going to be truthful here, I don't actually remember everything about these books. I read them when I was a wee one. I'm sure you're wondering why on Earth I'd give it such a high ranking if I don't remember much about it. Well, I might not remember every detail about the books, but I do remember how much I enjoyed them and how I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what happened next.
I remember how excited I was after I read the ending and how mock-excited my parents were, because they knew they were going to have to listen to me talk about it for a week. I got older, and my memory faded a bit but I remember those feelings and though they may just be nostalgia on my part, the fact that it was able to stick with me enough to create those feelings counts enough for me.
I remember how excited I was after I read the ending and how mock-excited my parents were, because they knew they were going to have to listen to me talk about it for a week. I got older, and my memory faded a bit but I remember those feelings and though they may just be nostalgia on my part, the fact that it was able to stick with me enough to create those feelings counts enough for me.
October 11, 2011
i read this book in about a month. it was really long but it was one one of the best books i have ever read. it was very exciting and if you are into the whole fiction thing then this is a really good book.
January 22, 2020
*3.75 out of 5 Stars*
Though having read a story like this in other novels, this bind up of the first half of the series was very fun to read and it read super quick, despite this being 650 pages. My first taste of Garth Nix, and I now see why people revere him.
Though having read a story like this in other novels, this bind up of the first half of the series was very fun to read and it read super quick, despite this being 650 pages. My first taste of Garth Nix, and I now see why people revere him.
July 9, 2010
Absolutely best series I have read. Better than Harry Potter! So creative, so fun, action, every page you are holding your breath about what will happen. Girl and boy heroes who rock! Yay!
May 14, 2018
Another great series by Nix, it's not trying to be more adult than it is. I'm enjoying the first three books and will finish the series.
December 1, 2009
I got this book on sale fortunately. Its absolutely terrible. In a conversation that didn't happen to be about this book, but is totally relevant my sister said to me that I shouldn't judge books written for young audiences so harshly, that you don't have to be a good writer to write for kids. I absolutely and emphatically disagree. You should be a better writer to write for kids. You are part of their education. This book was the worst mimicry of every actually good sci fi and fantasy story ever written trying to tie all of their rules and ideas into a weak imitation, written with absolutely no plot or character development. Dear writers, directors, and story-tellers; if you want us to care about your character, you must earn that care by developing them. Thank you.
November 10, 2017
"The Seventh Tower," which brings together the first three books in his Seventh Tower series, lots of ice, lots of alien monsters, and the weird trips to magical realms. Tal is desperate, his father is mysteriously missing, and his mother is terribly ill. The only way he can keep his family from being demoted to Underfolk is by getting a primary Sunstone, and using it to claim a Spirit Shadow in the world of Aenir.
In my opinion this is a wonderful book to read because of the majestic world that takes place in a story which makes it a great adventure story to read. I would recommend this for people who like fantasies and adventures because Nix's great writing which has a strong pair of lead characters make it a fantastic to read and you won’t be really bored of the story.
In my opinion this is a wonderful book to read because of the majestic world that takes place in a story which makes it a great adventure story to read. I would recommend this for people who like fantasies and adventures because Nix's great writing which has a strong pair of lead characters make it a fantastic to read and you won’t be really bored of the story.
December 23, 2010
I read vols. 1-3 and really liked the story. Going to read 4-6. Like the way Garth Nix develops his characters...they change and behave as young adults while confronting adult problems and dealing with friendships and cultural differences. The society is solidly formed and the societal system quite complete. The creatures are also interesting.
January 13, 2008
The Seventh Tower series was just not up to Nix's normal standards. It was enjoyable, but you could tell he was constrained by the story concept that came from Henson.
November 11, 2017
Been holding onto this book for years so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
This is an omnibus edition containing the first three books of The Seventh Tower, a middle grade fantasy series by Garth Nix, commissioned by Lucasfilm's books department.
The worldbuilding did not disappoint, which is not surprising for Garth Nix. The characters got a little annoying, though. I was particularly disgusted that the main character had some pretty despicable first reactions when a companion got injured ("Maybe I should just leave her - maybe it would be better for me if she died") or when serious decisions needed to be made. Sometimes he develops the good grace to feel bad about it later, but so far he's pretty darn selfish. Hopefully this changes in the last half of the series.
The oddest thing that happened while reading this book: I'd started it a while ago, put it down and just picked it back up when I started reading Jedi Apprentice: Day of Reckoning. I went to check the number of pages in Day of Reckoning and realized I was looking at a sample chapter of something else; the names were familiar - and I saw that the sample chapter was from The Seventh Tower, Book 1, the very book I was currently reading. Out of allll the books I could have pulled off my bookshelf, and out of allll the titles that could have been sampled in the back of that book... kinda entertaining.
This is an omnibus edition containing the first three books of The Seventh Tower, a middle grade fantasy series by Garth Nix, commissioned by Lucasfilm's books department.
The worldbuilding did not disappoint, which is not surprising for Garth Nix. The characters got a little annoying, though. I was particularly disgusted that the main character had some pretty despicable first reactions when a companion got injured ("Maybe I should just leave her - maybe it would be better for me if she died") or when serious decisions needed to be made. Sometimes he develops the good grace to feel bad about it later, but so far he's pretty darn selfish. Hopefully this changes in the last half of the series.
The oddest thing that happened while reading this book: I'd started it a while ago, put it down and just picked it back up when I started reading Jedi Apprentice: Day of Reckoning. I went to check the number of pages in Day of Reckoning and realized I was looking at a sample chapter of something else; the names were familiar - and I saw that the sample chapter was from The Seventh Tower, Book 1, the very book I was currently reading. Out of allll the books I could have pulled off my bookshelf, and out of allll the titles that could have been sampled in the back of that book... kinda entertaining.
September 1, 2019
Two stars because it's harmless and has some interesting ideas. That being said I have rated other books two stars that I think are better than this one. This was a bit of a groaner to get through, as it has some problems.
I'm not a fan of the fact that each book can't stand on it's own due to it being one long novel split into six books. I also think it uses "action! things happening! wowie!" as a replacement of character development and interesting plot, making it feel as though important plot points are glossed over and zoomed past while simultaneously dragging the story out.
The main plot and the worlds are pretty interesting, but get dragged down by over-explanation of how the worlds work, restating how the worlds work, and way too many pages of action-based filler to get to any sort of satisfying conclusion of plot points. I can see why there are fans of this series, but I can't count myself among them.
I'm not a fan of the fact that each book can't stand on it's own due to it being one long novel split into six books. I also think it uses "action! things happening! wowie!" as a replacement of character development and interesting plot, making it feel as though important plot points are glossed over and zoomed past while simultaneously dragging the story out.
The main plot and the worlds are pretty interesting, but get dragged down by over-explanation of how the worlds work, restating how the worlds work, and way too many pages of action-based filler to get to any sort of satisfying conclusion of plot points. I can see why there are fans of this series, but I can't count myself among them.
September 30, 2022
I read this a long time ago when I was a kid, probably when it came out. I loved it as a child. I bought and devoured each one as fast as I possibly could. It’s what got me into Garth Nix.
That being said, with age the books do feel a little more YA than his other novels, but it didn’t really bother me. By the time we get to the third “book,” the series takes its excellent world-building to its peak where creatures, shadow and light collide into this brilliant show of imagination.
At times it can feel like the characters need to get a move on with their arcs and stop bickering, but the world itself always kept me engaged. Also, for as much as Milla tends to be the angry character, I appreciate how badass and fearless she is. “Aenir” was the chapter of this series that I remembered most vividly and it did not disappoint this time around.
That being said, with age the books do feel a little more YA than his other novels, but it didn’t really bother me. By the time we get to the third “book,” the series takes its excellent world-building to its peak where creatures, shadow and light collide into this brilliant show of imagination.
At times it can feel like the characters need to get a move on with their arcs and stop bickering, but the world itself always kept me engaged. Also, for as much as Milla tends to be the angry character, I appreciate how badass and fearless she is. “Aenir” was the chapter of this series that I remembered most vividly and it did not disappoint this time around.
April 19, 2019
I mostly wanted to read this because it was the first true fantasy series I started back in elementary school. I only remembered vague details and couldn't remember the ending (because it turns out I only read the first 3 books and never read the last 3), so I wanted to pick it up again. Found out I have a very shitty memory - I remembered the opening chapter and something that happens in the beginning of the third book but NOTHING about the actual plot!
All in all, it's an average fantasy series so far. There's a lot of very random perspective jumping that I find off-putting - for just a paragraph or two, the perspective will shift from the main character to another character, then shift back. In the third book, at least, full chapters designate perspective shifts.
All in all, it's an average fantasy series so far. There's a lot of very random perspective jumping that I find off-putting - for just a paragraph or two, the perspective will shift from the main character to another character, then shift back. In the third book, at least, full chapters designate perspective shifts.
October 16, 2017
Book 1: The Fall 3.5 stars
Book 2: Castle 4 stars
Book 3: Aenir 4 stars
Overall 4 stars.
A great -though not precisely original- story with some interesting world & magic concepts, all written in a language which could be easily read by a young audience. There was a lot of action happening and a good amount of excitement going around, though the 3rd book ended on a nice big cliffhanger and I haven't got the other books yet which is a little annoying.
I look forward to seeing where Tal & Milla will end up with their new spiritshadow friends and old enemies!
Book 2: Castle 4 stars
Book 3: Aenir 4 stars
Overall 4 stars.
A great -though not precisely original- story with some interesting world & magic concepts, all written in a language which could be easily read by a young audience. There was a lot of action happening and a good amount of excitement going around, though the 3rd book ended on a nice big cliffhanger and I haven't got the other books yet which is a little annoying.
I look forward to seeing where Tal & Milla will end up with their new spiritshadow friends and old enemies!
January 2, 2020
Great story with an interesting premise of a society that lives totally in darkness and the sun stones they need to create light to survive. It’s skewed more to a younger audience but I still really enjoyed the first three books of the series and I’d definitely seek out the rest to find the conclusion of the story.
February 26, 2018
This is a great book with an awesome premise and amazing execution. You feel like it’s all so familiar , yet so different.
March 8, 2018
Exciting to finally read something I picked up as a child
January 3, 2019
A children's book that is age appropriate, fast moving, and fun.
dnf
May 11, 2022Eh. Also, this was a juvenile book, and I just didn’t want to read it. Dnfed early on.
November 13, 2023
I read these books multiple times as a teen and want to go back and read them again!
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September 2, 2025Blast from the past, very nostalgic.
January 30, 2019
I remember reading this series when I was a kid, it was probably the first fantasy series I was introduced to. Rereading it as an adult I felt the same warmth that I had reading it as a child. While there are certain elements of it that my bother me now as an adult, overall I think the series is a good "soft" fantasy series to use and an introduction for those ages 8-12. I look forward to introducing The Seventh Tower to my son and daughter when they reach that age.
July 16, 2025
The beginning was really, really rough and I nearly DNF'd the book during the first chapter. Luckily, instead of DNF'ing I just steeled myself for what I thought would be a slog.... Turns out I needn't have prepared: I got totally enraptured. My only problem now is the series is out of print and I need to find books 4-7 or ideally the Volume 2 Omnibus. Used bookstore hunting I shall go.
April 28, 2015
The Veil blocks out all sunlight, locking the world in eternal winter. The only people are the Chosen in their Castle, and the Icecarls who roam the icy lands.
Such is the setting of Garth Nix's "The Seventh Tower," which brings together the first three books in his Seventh Tower series -- lots of ice, lots of alien monsters, and the odd trip into a magical otherworld. It's a less complicated story than his works for older readers, but Nix's exceptional writing and a strong pair of lead characters make it a fascinating read.
Tal is desperate -- his father is mysteriously missing, and his mother is terribly ill. The only way he can keep his family from being demoted to Underfolk is by getting a primary Sunstone, and using it to claim a Spiritshadow in the world of Aenir. But there seems to be a conspiracy against him, led by the malevolent Shadowmaster Sushin. Tal's only hope is to scale the Red Tower, and steal a Sunstone from the top.
But his bad luck continues: a monstrous shadow-creature knocks him completely off the Castle, and Tal ends up lost in a snowy wasteland. He's found by the Icecarls, who aren't particularly pleased by his presence -- but after he fixes one of the Sunstones on their ships, they reluctantly send him back. Unfortunately, they're sending him back with the fierce Milla, who is just fine with letting Tal die.
But though they manage to get back into the Castle, the two kids soon discover that they are in the midst of a hellish conspiracy that could kill them both -- or worse. And even when they manage to make their way into Aenir, Tal discovers that a mysterious force in the spirit-world needs his help.
This series is aimed at a slightly younger crowd than Garth Nix's other series, like the Keys to the Kingdom series or his classic Old Kingdom trilogy. But though his writing is slightly simpler here, he still brings to life a vibrant, glowing world of ice and snow, glowing stones and shadowy monsters, elegant castles and fur-encrusted warriors that hunt sea-dwelling hulks.
The first book is a bit slow-moving (despite the dramatic opening), mainly because Tal's attempts to get a Sunstone are a bit repetitive. But things really start picking up when Tal is captured by the Icecarls -- partly because after that, he has to deal with his enemies straight-on -- and Nix really has the chance to flesh out his world, with psychic Crones, land-whale Selski, serpentine glowing-horned Merwins and a half-shadow torturer. It's pretty wild.
The most disappointing part of the story? This is only the first half of the series.
Nix also conjures up two fairly likable heroes: Tal and Milla. Granted, they don't get along very well most of the time, but they complement each other well -- one is a desperate young boy who finds himself losing everything he believed in, while another is a fierce young warrior from a civilization that hates the Chosen's dependence on shadow-things. There are also some fun supporting characters, like the wickedly eccentric Ebbitt or the Storm Shepherds.
"The Seventh Tower" brings together the first three books of Garth Nix's light-and-shadow-filled series, which starts slow but quickly packs in adventure and strange supernatural stuff. Just be prepared to hunt down the next three books.
Such is the setting of Garth Nix's "The Seventh Tower," which brings together the first three books in his Seventh Tower series -- lots of ice, lots of alien monsters, and the odd trip into a magical otherworld. It's a less complicated story than his works for older readers, but Nix's exceptional writing and a strong pair of lead characters make it a fascinating read.
Tal is desperate -- his father is mysteriously missing, and his mother is terribly ill. The only way he can keep his family from being demoted to Underfolk is by getting a primary Sunstone, and using it to claim a Spiritshadow in the world of Aenir. But there seems to be a conspiracy against him, led by the malevolent Shadowmaster Sushin. Tal's only hope is to scale the Red Tower, and steal a Sunstone from the top.
But his bad luck continues: a monstrous shadow-creature knocks him completely off the Castle, and Tal ends up lost in a snowy wasteland. He's found by the Icecarls, who aren't particularly pleased by his presence -- but after he fixes one of the Sunstones on their ships, they reluctantly send him back. Unfortunately, they're sending him back with the fierce Milla, who is just fine with letting Tal die.
But though they manage to get back into the Castle, the two kids soon discover that they are in the midst of a hellish conspiracy that could kill them both -- or worse. And even when they manage to make their way into Aenir, Tal discovers that a mysterious force in the spirit-world needs his help.
This series is aimed at a slightly younger crowd than Garth Nix's other series, like the Keys to the Kingdom series or his classic Old Kingdom trilogy. But though his writing is slightly simpler here, he still brings to life a vibrant, glowing world of ice and snow, glowing stones and shadowy monsters, elegant castles and fur-encrusted warriors that hunt sea-dwelling hulks.
The first book is a bit slow-moving (despite the dramatic opening), mainly because Tal's attempts to get a Sunstone are a bit repetitive. But things really start picking up when Tal is captured by the Icecarls -- partly because after that, he has to deal with his enemies straight-on -- and Nix really has the chance to flesh out his world, with psychic Crones, land-whale Selski, serpentine glowing-horned Merwins and a half-shadow torturer. It's pretty wild.
The most disappointing part of the story? This is only the first half of the series.
Nix also conjures up two fairly likable heroes: Tal and Milla. Granted, they don't get along very well most of the time, but they complement each other well -- one is a desperate young boy who finds himself losing everything he believed in, while another is a fierce young warrior from a civilization that hates the Chosen's dependence on shadow-things. There are also some fun supporting characters, like the wickedly eccentric Ebbitt or the Storm Shepherds.
"The Seventh Tower" brings together the first three books of Garth Nix's light-and-shadow-filled series, which starts slow but quickly packs in adventure and strange supernatural stuff. Just be prepared to hunt down the next three books.
July 25, 2014
Well I finally finished this book. It took me a while because a) life and b) it didn't hold my interest very well. This book was recommended to me by my little brother. And while the story is original and contains unfamiliar ideas and creatures (which give the story an aura of mystery and intrigue) I have to say that it wasn't written very well. I understand that this is a series for children, but I also feel like children's authors have that much more of a responsibility to write well. The books children read influence their imagination and creativity, and yes, even their spelling and grammar to an extent. My problem with the way this story was written was mostly that it lacked detail, substance, history. This is just personal preference, but I like to know the "why" for everything in the story. Why are there spiritshadows and shadowguards? Why can't shadowguards grow stronger as their liege grows stronger. Why is there a Veil? (Is this supposed to be a realistic world?) Why are there levels/ranks? (What do the colors mean?) Why did someone steal the Codex? The questions go on and on. I just feel like Nix should have taken a little time to explain these things. I did enjoy these first three books and I do plan to read the rest, my interest is peaked. Hopefully my questions will be answered in the next few books.
March 23, 2013
Garth Nix shows his mastery in creating worlds once again, using a combination of magic and sun stones. The plot was slow to develop, but as always the characters were efficient, but not too efficient, knowledgeable, but definitely did not know everything, and actually had differences.One thing I love about Nix's books is his character if they can't do something, it's not because the author needed more fillers, it's because they literally can't, and are consistent in that. The plotline was excellent, and the narrative well written. In my opinion the world wasn't quite detailed enough, having only two different groups of people, and a simple icy landscape between them. Milla and the icecarls seemed to be content with doing nothing about the Chosen(that they knew about before Tal) until Tal shows up by one of their bone-ships. Milla seemed too static and stupid, choosing only to remain alive because the crones tell her to(Icecarl Logic), while Tal is smart, he doesn't seem particularly observant, something that could probably have added needed forshadowing.
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November 23, 2010The Seventh Tower
I just finished the book “The Seventh Tower.” This book is about a boy named Tal who has a ring that controls a shadow guardian. He currently only has the trainer shadow but is about to go through a ceremony where he will get his actual guardian that he picks himself. A evil person high up in the kingdom send his shadow guardian after him and he falls down into the ice people village full of people who hate the shadow casters and it goes on from them.
I really liked this book. It was really interesting. One reason it was interesting is because people control shadows. Another reason is because there’s a lot of conflict between the enemy and the two hero’s. It’s also good because two people that hate each other come together to complete a goal.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read. I would especially recommend it to people who like action books. I would also recommend it to people who like tragedy. Also there’s a little bit of romance.
I just finished the book “The Seventh Tower.” This book is about a boy named Tal who has a ring that controls a shadow guardian. He currently only has the trainer shadow but is about to go through a ceremony where he will get his actual guardian that he picks himself. A evil person high up in the kingdom send his shadow guardian after him and he falls down into the ice people village full of people who hate the shadow casters and it goes on from them.
I really liked this book. It was really interesting. One reason it was interesting is because people control shadows. Another reason is because there’s a lot of conflict between the enemy and the two hero’s. It’s also good because two people that hate each other come together to complete a goal.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read. I would especially recommend it to people who like action books. I would also recommend it to people who like tragedy. Also there’s a little bit of romance.
March 18, 2009
in these books tal a yound boy of the choosen has found out that his father is missing and his mother is very ill and he requires and powerful sunstone to get into the spirit world but so he sets off to try and win earn and eventuly steal one which in the process causes him to fall off the towers and go onto the ice where he is found by the icecarls who also need a sunstone so he is sent on a quest with a young icecarl named milla who does not like him at all but togerther the get back to the towers and each get a sun stone but tals unkown enemnies are after him so he goes to the spirit world to bind a spiritshadow to him when he returs from the spirit world his enemies are after him and he descover who they are and where his father is.(this is three differnt books in one so it counts for three)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews