What do you think?
Rate this book
The Seventh Tower #4
Above the Veil
Tal and Milla are no longer alone in their quest. They have been joined by the rebel Underfolk led by Crow, Tal's old foe. But now they must all work together to discover the secrets of the Castle and the Dark World they all inhabit before it is too late.
285 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2001
28 people are currently reading
2091 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 29, 2023
This was fun, even if I didn't understand all of it.
February 1, 2012
Above the Veil gets a little more exciting still than the other books, and continues some character development on Tal's part. Nix did pretty well in making him sympathetic but consistently still learning -- you want to give him a Gibbs Headslap (you'll know what I mean if you watch NCIS), but at the same time, you understand where he's coming from.
More interesting world building type stuff is going on in this book, too, and Nix's writing improves with each book.
More interesting world building type stuff is going on in this book, too, and Nix's writing improves with each book.
September 25, 2016
This picks up with the quest of the Keystones with the Freefolk in tow. Crow Tal's old adversary makes a reappearance as the Shadows grow stronger.
Whilst this book mostly serves to set up the last two it does it with an incredible amount of action and character development. I think most importantly in this Tal really begins to change his ways. It's in the little things when he doesn't always admonish the Underfolk or treat them poorly. He grows and works with Crow to reclimb the Red Tower where the Keystone lies.
The Freefolk were a cool movement if a little extreme. Though incredibly short on numbers it is undeniable that they were skilled in fighting and courage. Crow was particularly interesting because he is clearly untrusting and slightly villainous in how he treats Tal yet I really enjoyed him. Tal and Crow's sections in the latter half were so much fun. The Red Tower presents a challenge but both of them are constantly trying to slightly one up one another, that's the feeling you get anyway. The whole section with the recovery of the Red Keystone and Tal's Veil were brilliant and intense though the Tal's Veil scene was a little adorable. Of course Crow betrays him in the end but Tal kinda knew it was coming and then Tal almost kills everyone brilliant.
Milla on the other hand after meeting the Freefolk heads on her way back to the Icecarl with Odris. After a sadly violent interaction with the Shield Maidens, a moment I feel spelling out she shall not become one, she tells the Crones everything. After the deadwalking thingy bit that was creepy as hell. But the Crones are fair to her and appoint her War Chief because the threat of the Veil's collapse is too much. It is a risk they cannot take even the Icecarl. And the epilogue has the Icecarl marching on the Castle. And Tal is trapped and it's all pretty hopeless for everyone else.
Odris and Adras were of course brilliant with Adras's thick-headedness becoming especially memorable as he thinks he can fight his way through just about anything. Odris is clever and rather nicely is beginning to care for Milla which is sweet because Milla doesn't expect it like Tal does. The relationship of the Spiritshadows and their counterparts is really marked by their different upbringing. Tal expect Adras to be there whilst Milla would rather she didn't but clearly they care for one another. Then you have the growing amount of light magic and the complications of Sunstones and the Keystones. It's so incredibly fleshed out and the way it's been built is perfect. Tal's own limited knowledge plays a great factor in how we learn because the Lectorium has clearly failed him.
The next book really poses a threat because the free Spiritshadows are all around and that is a threat that none should take lightly. Sushin is plotting still to take the Keystones and presumably destroy the Veil though Tal thinks it's already weakened which would probably be correct. Bizarrely this book mostly takes place in a single day, the Day of Ascension, where the Empress is in Aenir. I hope we get to meet her. Like seriously looking forward to the next one because I have a feeling it's gonna be stunning.
Whilst this book mostly serves to set up the last two it does it with an incredible amount of action and character development. I think most importantly in this Tal really begins to change his ways. It's in the little things when he doesn't always admonish the Underfolk or treat them poorly. He grows and works with Crow to reclimb the Red Tower where the Keystone lies.
The Freefolk were a cool movement if a little extreme. Though incredibly short on numbers it is undeniable that they were skilled in fighting and courage. Crow was particularly interesting because he is clearly untrusting and slightly villainous in how he treats Tal yet I really enjoyed him. Tal and Crow's sections in the latter half were so much fun. The Red Tower presents a challenge but both of them are constantly trying to slightly one up one another, that's the feeling you get anyway. The whole section with the recovery of the Red Keystone and Tal's Veil were brilliant and intense though the Tal's Veil scene was a little adorable. Of course Crow betrays him in the end but Tal kinda knew it was coming and then Tal almost kills everyone brilliant.
Milla on the other hand after meeting the Freefolk heads on her way back to the Icecarl with Odris. After a sadly violent interaction with the Shield Maidens, a moment I feel spelling out she shall not become one, she tells the Crones everything. After the deadwalking thingy bit that was creepy as hell. But the Crones are fair to her and appoint her War Chief because the threat of the Veil's collapse is too much. It is a risk they cannot take even the Icecarl. And the epilogue has the Icecarl marching on the Castle. And Tal is trapped and it's all pretty hopeless for everyone else.
Odris and Adras were of course brilliant with Adras's thick-headedness becoming especially memorable as he thinks he can fight his way through just about anything. Odris is clever and rather nicely is beginning to care for Milla which is sweet because Milla doesn't expect it like Tal does. The relationship of the Spiritshadows and their counterparts is really marked by their different upbringing. Tal expect Adras to be there whilst Milla would rather she didn't but clearly they care for one another. Then you have the growing amount of light magic and the complications of Sunstones and the Keystones. It's so incredibly fleshed out and the way it's been built is perfect. Tal's own limited knowledge plays a great factor in how we learn because the Lectorium has clearly failed him.
The next book really poses a threat because the free Spiritshadows are all around and that is a threat that none should take lightly. Sushin is plotting still to take the Keystones and presumably destroy the Veil though Tal thinks it's already weakened which would probably be correct. Bizarrely this book mostly takes place in a single day, the Day of Ascension, where the Empress is in Aenir. I hope we get to meet her. Like seriously looking forward to the next one because I have a feeling it's gonna be stunning.
August 21, 2015
Book #3 of The Seventh Tower, AENIR, may have been the worst in the series, but I am happy to say that book #4, ABOVE THE VEIL, turned things around to become the best so far. Don't you just love underdog stories?
It did take a while for Garth Nix to gain my trust back, but once he had it, he was back in force. A faction of Underfolk rebels that call themselves Freefolk, serious consequences for the characters' actions, tidal pools of molten crystal, giant venomous water spiders... oh, yeah, baby, bring it on. The book really hit its stride once Milla returned to her Icecarl people to be judged--Will she take her own life honorably, be cast out of her clan, or be made to lead an attack on the Castle?
Another interesting aspect of this book is Crow, one of the Freefolk. Nix finally made a main character out of someone living the life of a slave, to show how the other half lives, and to rack up the protagonist Tal's emotional conflict.
My one complaint about this book would have to be concerning continuity. In earlier books, Nix established that Milla hated and wasn't very good at swimming, and that the Spiritshadows connected to Tal and Milla can only be awake or sleepy if Tal or Milla are themselves awake or asleep. But then in this book... Milla falls into water and suddenly she thinks "Good thing I'm a great swimmer," and the Spiritshadow Adras that's connected to Tal falls asleep while on the lookout... even though Tal himself is wide awake. Nothing takes a reader out of a story more than an author breaking the rules he established early on.
Anyways... almost done with this series. Can't wait to see how it ends!
It did take a while for Garth Nix to gain my trust back, but once he had it, he was back in force. A faction of Underfolk rebels that call themselves Freefolk, serious consequences for the characters' actions, tidal pools of molten crystal, giant venomous water spiders... oh, yeah, baby, bring it on. The book really hit its stride once Milla returned to her Icecarl people to be judged--Will she take her own life honorably, be cast out of her clan, or be made to lead an attack on the Castle?
Another interesting aspect of this book is Crow, one of the Freefolk. Nix finally made a main character out of someone living the life of a slave, to show how the other half lives, and to rack up the protagonist Tal's emotional conflict.
My one complaint about this book would have to be concerning continuity. In earlier books, Nix established that Milla hated and wasn't very good at swimming, and that the Spiritshadows connected to Tal and Milla can only be awake or sleepy if Tal or Milla are themselves awake or asleep. But then in this book... Milla falls into water and suddenly she thinks "Good thing I'm a great swimmer," and the Spiritshadow Adras that's connected to Tal falls asleep while on the lookout... even though Tal himself is wide awake. Nothing takes a reader out of a story more than an author breaking the rules he established early on.
Anyways... almost done with this series. Can't wait to see how it ends!
October 16, 2022
This book builds to the conflicts that will unfold in the last two of the series. Excited to see how it ends!
October 10, 2019
The book "Above The Veil" from the series The Seven Towers the forth book by Garth Nix is a fun and interesting read.It continues on with our two well now three because they meet a new person anyway Tal a lonley boy and Milla the icecarl find a friend Crow the freefolk they face through challenges in their way. If me my sister and my brother had to go through that lots of things would go wrong and Ill rather not think about what would happen.A inspirational quote I like is "Never be a caveroach" if you don't know what it means in the story they explain that it mean to never be mean or to never betray or think about yourself instead of others.I really recommend this book to people who love fantasy or if they like the series.
April 12, 2009
One of the elements of writing in this genre that Nix is particularly gifted at is creating original fantasies and worlds. This series is no exception. However, in comparison to some of his other works, especially The Abhorsen Trilogy, the exploration of this world and the characters within is weak at best. The story is interesting because Nix presents the audience with a new mythology, but he rushes through the plot, circumnavigating what could be some really amazing explorations of the world he’s created. As a result, it’s more difficult to imagine this parallel universe and its characters and creatures, and it doesn’t draw the reader in nearly as much as it could.
This series breaks one large story into several books, and since each of these is easily around the high 100s and low 200s in page length, Nix could have spent more time giving description, metaphors, and poetic/aesthetic language to flush this world out. This would make everything significantly more engaging for the readers, and ultimately, foster growth and interest in the books, the fantasy, the world, and the characters therein. Ultimately, there’s just nothing to bite into.
-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com
This series breaks one large story into several books, and since each of these is easily around the high 100s and low 200s in page length, Nix could have spent more time giving description, metaphors, and poetic/aesthetic language to flush this world out. This would make everything significantly more engaging for the readers, and ultimately, foster growth and interest in the books, the fantasy, the world, and the characters therein. Ultimately, there’s just nothing to bite into.
-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com
February 23, 2018
Tal of the Chosen and Milla of the Icecarls, during their time in Aenir, learn about a plot to take down the Veil - a magical barrier that separates the world into light and dark.
Upon their return, Tal’s great-uncle Ebbitt was nowhere to be found. They find a note from Ebbit with cryptic instructions on how to find him. As the all-knowing Codex was too bulky to transport discreetly, and as they were unaware that the Codex could change its size, they decide to leave it in the mausoleum while they go and search for Gref, Tal’s brother whose location was made known to them.
It was a trap, and they were unable to save Gref. During their escape, they run into band of rebel Underfolk who call themselves “Freefolk” (as opposed to the traditional Underfolk whom they refer to as “Fatalists”) and leads them to Tal’s great-uncle Ebbitt. It is then that Milla decides that she must return to her people and warn them of the plot to remove the Veil, while Tal seeks out his father and the other Guardians of the Keystones to ensure that the Veil does not fall.
Will they be able to thwart the plans to take down the Veil or are they too late?
While the writing style is good and the world new and exciting, there are somethings that I feel didn’t make sense (don’t get me started about Lallek and Korrek being the cousins of Tal’s mother, Graile, and then referencing them as [Tal's] cousins - his mom’s cousins are supposed to be his aunts). There are issues regarding the inconsistency with the spiritshadows/shadowguards. Understandably, there should be some kind of empathic connection between Chosen and spiritshadow/shadowguard… but making the spiritshadows fall asleep when Tal/Milla fall asleep or making them weak or tired when Tal/Milla are tired just seems like a lazy way of nerfing the Storm Shepherds which are supposed to be really powerful denizens of Aeniran. It’s also a weak way of creating tension. For one thing, if this were true, in the 1st book - The Fall - when Tal lost consciousness while falling off the tower, his spiritguard should’ve been unconscious as well and it shouldn’t have been able to glide him to safety miles and miles away from the castle. Then there was an incident in the 1st book where Ebbitt was supposedly asleep, but his spiritshadow was awake. Yes, it has been established that he was only pretending to sleep and he was playing a trick on his great-nephew, but then Tal could’ve said, “I know you’re just pretending!” as Ebbitt’s spiritshadow wouldn’t be able to maintain consciousness as he slept. And how come this doesn't happen to the antagonists? Oh well…
And as per the norm, the book ends in a cliffhanger.
Upon their return, Tal’s great-uncle Ebbitt was nowhere to be found. They find a note from Ebbit with cryptic instructions on how to find him. As the all-knowing Codex was too bulky to transport discreetly, and as they were unaware that the Codex could change its size, they decide to leave it in the mausoleum while they go and search for Gref, Tal’s brother whose location was made known to them.
It was a trap, and they were unable to save Gref. During their escape, they run into band of rebel Underfolk who call themselves “Freefolk” (as opposed to the traditional Underfolk whom they refer to as “Fatalists”) and leads them to Tal’s great-uncle Ebbitt. It is then that Milla decides that she must return to her people and warn them of the plot to remove the Veil, while Tal seeks out his father and the other Guardians of the Keystones to ensure that the Veil does not fall.
Will they be able to thwart the plans to take down the Veil or are they too late?
While the writing style is good and the world new and exciting, there are somethings that I feel didn’t make sense (don’t get me started about Lallek and Korrek being the cousins of Tal’s mother, Graile, and then referencing them as [Tal's] cousins - his mom’s cousins are supposed to be his aunts). There are issues regarding the inconsistency with the spiritshadows/shadowguards. Understandably, there should be some kind of empathic connection between Chosen and spiritshadow/shadowguard… but making the spiritshadows fall asleep when Tal/Milla fall asleep or making them weak or tired when Tal/Milla are tired just seems like a lazy way of nerfing the Storm Shepherds which are supposed to be really powerful denizens of Aeniran. It’s also a weak way of creating tension. For one thing, if this were true, in the 1st book - The Fall - when Tal lost consciousness while falling off the tower, his spiritguard should’ve been unconscious as well and it shouldn’t have been able to glide him to safety miles and miles away from the castle. Then there was an incident in the 1st book where Ebbitt was supposedly asleep, but his spiritshadow was awake. Yes, it has been established that he was only pretending to sleep and he was playing a trick on his great-nephew, but then Tal could’ve said, “I know you’re just pretending!” as Ebbitt’s spiritshadow wouldn’t be able to maintain consciousness as he slept. And how come this doesn't happen to the antagonists? Oh well…
And as per the norm, the book ends in a cliffhanger.
December 26, 2024
Tal and Milla thought their trials in the Hall of Nightmares and Aenir were were difficult, but they were just the tip of the tower. Now they must trust the Free Underfolk to help them navigate not only the bowels of the Castle but also to the highest reaches of the Red Tower, where the Red Keystone is located. For the Keystones in each Tower keep the veil intact and the shadows of Aenir from the Dark World, and the Keystones are failing. While Tal will go with the Freefolk Crow to the Tower, Milla must return to the Ice to inform the Crones and Icecarls of the coming danger of the Aeniran shadows.
Tal and Milla are starting to "get along" with their respective Spiritshadows Adras and Odris, with Tal anticipating where Adras might need direction on what to do, and Milla realizing, even if subconsciously, that she can trust Odris to help her on her journey, with Odris continuing to step up for Milla and even proactively look out for her. Their respective links are still being tested, of course, as there is still a lot of danger and learning curves for each of them in what is coming after them. Not to mention their second encounter with the Freefolk, and having to trust them to navigate them safely through the underbelly of the Castle.
If Tal thought what he learned in the Lectorium about his world was slightly lacking before, he is now realizing just how much it was lacking, and being outright hidden from him and all the Chosen. His entire understanding of his world is being overturned, and he is taking it quite well, and in stride. He has learned from the Icecarls that he doesn't know everything, so when confronted with the force and independence of the Freefolk, he wisely takes a "keep the mouth shut and listen" approach to learn how to act with them, and how he should be treating them. And then follows through, acting not as Tal from before the fall would, but as who he is becoming.
We started to get more from Milla's point of view in Aenir, and we get even more now that she has obtained a Sunstone for her clan and is heading back to the Ice and her fate as an Icecarl who has lost their shadow. She is still quite a strong character, and we get to see a few more glimpses of the emotions and feelings she hides so well from everyone, even herself.
The Dark World keeps deepening in its secrets and complexity, and I am all here for it!
Typos:
Something erupted from the water near here, and Milla almost struck at it before she realized it was Odris. - page 59 - "here" should be "her"
She was cut free from the chair, but told to say sitting there. - page 204 - "say" should be "stay"
Unless she told Milla, Milla wouldn't know if Lornir wasn't connecting with the other Crones, or speaking only for herself. - page 226 - "Lornir" should be "Malen" as it is Malen who is with Milla.
Tal and Milla are starting to "get along" with their respective Spiritshadows Adras and Odris, with Tal anticipating where Adras might need direction on what to do, and Milla realizing, even if subconsciously, that she can trust Odris to help her on her journey, with Odris continuing to step up for Milla and even proactively look out for her. Their respective links are still being tested, of course, as there is still a lot of danger and learning curves for each of them in what is coming after them. Not to mention their second encounter with the Freefolk, and having to trust them to navigate them safely through the underbelly of the Castle.
If Tal thought what he learned in the Lectorium about his world was slightly lacking before, he is now realizing just how much it was lacking, and being outright hidden from him and all the Chosen. His entire understanding of his world is being overturned, and he is taking it quite well, and in stride. He has learned from the Icecarls that he doesn't know everything, so when confronted with the force and independence of the Freefolk, he wisely takes a "keep the mouth shut and listen" approach to learn how to act with them, and how he should be treating them. And then follows through, acting not as Tal from before the fall would, but as who he is becoming.
We started to get more from Milla's point of view in Aenir, and we get even more now that she has obtained a Sunstone for her clan and is heading back to the Ice and her fate as an Icecarl who has lost their shadow. She is still quite a strong character, and we get to see a few more glimpses of the emotions and feelings she hides so well from everyone, even herself.
The Dark World keeps deepening in its secrets and complexity, and I am all here for it!
Typos:
Something erupted from the water near here, and Milla almost struck at it before she realized it was Odris. - page 59 - "here" should be "her"
She was cut free from the chair, but told to say sitting there. - page 204 - "say" should be "stay"
Unless she told Milla, Milla wouldn't know if Lornir wasn't connecting with the other Crones, or speaking only for herself. - page 226 - "Lornir" should be "Malen" as it is Malen who is with Milla.
January 30, 2019
The Underfolk/Freefolk plot actually managed to not feel stale and cliche, which was a concern of mine. There's been a lot of YA recently with that sort of "main kid is going to lead the oppressed masses to freedom once he (or she, usually) is forced from a sheltered life and learns their plight". But even though this does follow along that line, it doesn't fall into the really unbelievable cliches - the Freefolk aren't some huge underground resistance army, it's a couple of disabled adults and a few scrappy edgy teens; they don't immediately take Tal as their savior, in fact Crow doesn't even like Tal and may or may not want to kill him; Tal doesn't decide he's going to nobly save them either, he's struggling with his prejudices and other priorities.
I also really liked that he went back up the Red Tower and we did end up getting to learn more about what's up there. The intro to book 1 got me wondering and I'm glad we circled back.
Milla. Oh man, I really like where this story has gone with Milla. She does have that tough, strong female character thing going on, but the author doesn't make her perfect or drop her humanity at any point. She can be irascible and downright unpleasant, and even when she has her special main character moment, she knows she's largely stuck doing whatever the Crones tell her. And despite being given a special charge, she's still jealous of the girl who got to just be a Crone in training, because it would have been an easier path that brought glory to her clan. But I also /like/ Milla after traveling with her for so long. You really get the sense that she has a view of the world that her clan does not, and is more than just an Icecarl now, and I think that's really relatable. I'm anticipating some issues in the next book arising from that and her powerlessness.
I even like how Crow was written. I don't really like him, but it's framed correctly that he's kind of an asshole, even if he has good reason to be. But you never know what he's up to, and I think that oscillation between hating Chosen for screwing over his family and needing to trust Tal to some degree to get through their mission, was really well done.
Excited to get the final two!
I also really liked that he went back up the Red Tower and we did end up getting to learn more about what's up there. The intro to book 1 got me wondering and I'm glad we circled back.
Milla. Oh man, I really like where this story has gone with Milla. She does have that tough, strong female character thing going on, but the author doesn't make her perfect or drop her humanity at any point. She can be irascible and downright unpleasant, and even when she has her special main character moment, she knows she's largely stuck doing whatever the Crones tell her. And despite being given a special charge, she's still jealous of the girl who got to just be a Crone in training, because it would have been an easier path that brought glory to her clan. But I also /like/ Milla after traveling with her for so long. You really get the sense that she has a view of the world that her clan does not, and is more than just an Icecarl now, and I think that's really relatable. I'm anticipating some issues in the next book arising from that and her powerlessness.
I even like how Crow was written. I don't really like him, but it's framed correctly that he's kind of an asshole, even if he has good reason to be. But you never know what he's up to, and I think that oscillation between hating Chosen for screwing over his family and needing to trust Tal to some degree to get through their mission, was really well done.
Excited to get the final two!
March 26, 2018
It starts off by saying how chosen rarely go into the Lowest level of underfolk levels and underfolk are like servants for the chosen. They just came out of the veil and they had the magic slab which tells every spiritshaddow and who it belongs to. They needed that because first it was a very magical object that the chosen needed and Tal also needed it because he needed to figure out who stole his brother and he also asked it where his father was. And he finds out where they are and what he needs to do to help them escape.
There are many figurative devices in the seventh tower. First is an imagery "As they pushed open doors and ran down corridors, their shouts filled the air and their Spiritshadows flickered across every floor and wall."(1) Another is onomatopoeia " He boomed rather than spoke, and shadow-lightning crackled around his eyes and fingers."(5)Next is a simile:" Milla floated like a feather"(6) Another type of imagery: "Another superhot glob of crystal hurled through the air, landing even closer."(24)The last one is a metaphor:" I will be slain out of hand if anyone suspects you are a Spiritshadow--and I must take my warning to the Crones before I die."
I really liked this book because of how fun it is to read and how mysterious some characters are. There are also interesting things like the hall of nightmares. Or Aneir itself. You would have to put a lot of thought in fantasy because of how difficult it can be. The third book I think wasn't that good till garth nix came out with the seventh book because it didn't lead into anything it was just a cliff hanger that wasn't a very good cliff hanger. It ends on them finding the codex. Anything could've happened.
There are many figurative devices in the seventh tower. First is an imagery "As they pushed open doors and ran down corridors, their shouts filled the air and their Spiritshadows flickered across every floor and wall."(1) Another is onomatopoeia " He boomed rather than spoke, and shadow-lightning crackled around his eyes and fingers."(5)Next is a simile:" Milla floated like a feather"(6) Another type of imagery: "Another superhot glob of crystal hurled through the air, landing even closer."(24)The last one is a metaphor:" I will be slain out of hand if anyone suspects you are a Spiritshadow--and I must take my warning to the Crones before I die."
I really liked this book because of how fun it is to read and how mysterious some characters are. There are also interesting things like the hall of nightmares. Or Aneir itself. You would have to put a lot of thought in fantasy because of how difficult it can be. The third book I think wasn't that good till garth nix came out with the seventh book because it didn't lead into anything it was just a cliff hanger that wasn't a very good cliff hanger. It ends on them finding the codex. Anything could've happened.
December 21, 2018
Další díl opět nezklamal. Tahle série je prostě čtivá, svižná a hrozně mě baví. Četla jsem ji tak před deseti lety a nic moc si z ní nepamatuju, takže je pro mě skoro všechno nové. Všechna ta tajemství, která se postupně odhalují, jsou pro mě stejně atraktivní jako tenkrát. Není to sice nic nečekaného, většinu věcí jsem odhadla, ale stejně se nad tím dobře bavím.
Trochu mi vadilo, že se tu Tal a Milla rozdělili, protože kapitoly z pohledu Milly jsou trochu nuda. V podstatě sledujeme jen to, jak ji babizny soudí a tak dále. Talova linka je mnohem zábavnější. Do jeho kapitol jsem se vždycky začetla a pak se musela prokousat nudnější Millou, abych se dostala zase zpátky. To nemusím u žádných knih. Tady to sice mělo opodstatnění, ale stejně.
Nejvíc mě samozřejmě baví Adras s Odris. S těmi je hrozná sranda, hlavně když něco pokazí. Myslím, že si Tal s Millou lepší duchostíny vybrat nemohli.
Trochu mi vadilo, že se tu Tal a Milla rozdělili, protože kapitoly z pohledu Milly jsou trochu nuda. V podstatě sledujeme jen to, jak ji babizny soudí a tak dále. Talova linka je mnohem zábavnější. Do jeho kapitol jsem se vždycky začetla a pak se musela prokousat nudnější Millou, abych se dostala zase zpátky. To nemusím u žádných knih. Tady to sice mělo opodstatnění, ale stejně.
Nejvíc mě samozřejmě baví Adras s Odris. S těmi je hrozná sranda, hlavně když něco pokazí. Myslím, že si Tal s Millou lepší duchostíny vybrat nemohli.
May 15, 2019
I love how this series is structured, the strange little world Nix has made and most of the characters (Adras' stupidity is a little grating), but I can't help but feel it's being held back being written for children so young. You could milk a lot of pathos from Tal and Milla's twisted relationship, especially given what happens to Milla in this one. Watership Down was apparently appropriate for British children in the 70s, and while maybe American children couldn't handle things on that level, I feel they're getting sold a little short here. Maybe I'm asking too much, but the brief touches on their feelings and psychology are nice - "Tal, whom she half hated for what he had done, but who was as close to her as anyone had ever been, an alien brother who was neither predictable nor easily understood."
March 14, 2019
This is a story that takes me back to my youth. I remember when I had dreams after reading book six, feeling like I was in the world. Garth Nix builds a very captivating world, and I finished reading this series for the second or third time right after I graduated from university with a BA. In this world, there are two groups of humans. One group lives in a castle and there is a heirarchy of lower class citizens who don't have mastery over light and higher ranked people who have magical stones that allow them to wield different colors of light, and there is another group of humans that live out on the ice.
May 4, 2024
I really want to give the book a 2.5. The events in the book are interesting but again the writing sounds unlike the quality of Garth Nix's prose such as in the Abhorsen series. Strange actions don't make sense, such as when Tal grabs the arm of Crow. He finds he can't hold on, so he "lets go." In the next sentence, Tal's "grip is slipping." If he let go of Crow's arm, how can his grip slip? This is only one of many types of incongruity in the text.
August 25, 2022
3 stars: Average for the series
Good continuation of the series. Everything is being built up for the final books. I feel like the ending will abruptly end because of how Tal and Milla keep gaining new side missions at the end of each book which leads them one step closer to their main objective.
Tags: Clean, little to no violence
Good continuation of the series. Everything is being built up for the final books. I feel like the ending will abruptly end because of how Tal and Milla keep gaining new side missions at the end of each book which leads them one step closer to their main objective.
Tags: Clean, little to no violence
June 13, 2022
Finally a character I did not like in the book. I find negative characters a great story tool but Crow seems to be always selfishly evil and ready to stab peoples back. Kind of feels like he is being prepped for some grand sacrifice but right now he is a villain making me hate the story.
November 28, 2023
This series gets a little more exciting as the plot moves along. Our two main characters now feel like more fleshed out, real people, and I think the decision to split them up early in the novel and have them interact with other characters was a good one. Looking forward to the next one
March 11, 2025
Much better than the previous book, with a return to the more serious nature of the series. Tal has definitely grown on me, and has definitely grown in-universe too. I enjoyed his and Milla’s POVs equally this time.
I wonder if next book we’ll have three POVs!
I wonder if next book we’ll have three POVs!
July 3, 2017
Meh. Not a bad story, good elements but I struggled to connect with it as evidenced by the fact that it took me two years to read a 250 pg children's book.
September 12, 2017
This is a fun fantasy series. A hero for each gender.
January 3, 2019
I thought that it picked up and got much better as the series went along. It was a pretty good YA read.
April 7, 2021
Another absolutely fantastic book in the seventh tower series. Cannot wait to start book 5.
June 29, 2021
Really enjoying this series - the plot thickens and the action and intrigue is coming in hot!
January 14, 2023
He series is still going strong. Interesting plot twist at the end of this one.
August 17, 2023
Ugh, Tal is an elitist a hole.
September 8, 2023
In life everyone has their own agenda, the intrigue the back stabbing the utter lies. At least a warrior would attack you head on.
February 9, 2024
The smoothest read I ever had when I was a kid I hated reading till I read this series
April 25, 2024
I enjoyed it
October 11, 2024
Solid, lots of things happening in this one. Good read for children who like lots of action in their books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews