Tal lives in the Dark World, high in a mountaintop castle, isolated in darkness. He does not think to question the status quo. And then one day he ...
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Feb 08, 2012
Angélica
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This is one of my favourite book series. It is also one of my (nearly) complete series. The concept of a world without the sun is very interesting and refreshing. The main characters act as they, in their established backgrounds/societies, should. They also have very good character development. Though a little dark for a children's/middle grade book series, the vocabulary used and the qualities of the characters are still appropriate. The pace of the book is quite fast and usually end in cliffha
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Feb 14, 2012
Ruthie
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I have been a fan of Garth Nix ever since I read the Abhorsen books, and while I have enjoyed the other books he's written, I have to admit that none of them have the same spark as the Abhorsen books. At least, not for me. I haven't read all of his books yet, but I'm working my way through them steadily!
The Fall introduces us to a young boy named Tal, on the verge of graduating to the next phase of his life, but things go horribly wrong. His Dad is missing, presumed dead, and with him More...
The Fall introduces us to a young boy named Tal, on the verge of graduating to the next phase of his life, but things go horribly wrong. His Dad is missing, presumed dead, and with him More...
Jan 21, 2012
S.A.
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Garth Nix creates amazing worlds in his fantasies, and the first book in the Seventh Tower series is no exception. I teetered between giving this three and four stars because I felt some of the fantastical elements were rather rushed. He throws out brief two sentence descriptions of all these unknown beasts, and they seem to be there purely to identify what the form a shadowguard assumed rather than truly adding to the story, and since none of the animals have familiar names, it's hard to keep t
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Sep 20, 2011
Christopher
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Garth Nix introduces the reader to a world shrouded in darkness, where shadows live and light is all-powerful. Will-power alone can break apart light, revealing a rainbow of colors both powerful and complex, each with their own unique properties. With the magical powers of sunstones and the servile companionship of shadows, the Chosen rule the castle and supposedly the world. However, not all are meant to rule. Even among the Chosen there is a hierarchy. It is one that uses a mask of nobility to
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Jul 07, 2011
Sarah
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It’s hard for me to judge this book since it represents my first foray back into YA fiction in nearly six months. After tackling “classic” novels and stories which were nearly 600 pages long, this 195 page book caught me off guard. I’ve settled into feeling I have at least a hundred pages for character development and plot introduction, not to mention room to spare for details. But with YA fiction, you don’t have that luxury. Teens have short attention spans. So all of a sudden, I was dropped in
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Jan 11, 2011
Ithlilian
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The Fall is a very interesting children's book and is pretty unique. Unfortunately, it's extremely short and not much really happens in book one of this series. The magic system in The Fall is based on light. The hierarchy within the society is basically the visible light spectrum, and I applaud Garth Nix for coming up with it. The main character, Tal, is on a mission to find a sunstone to save his family. It's not an outrageous plot, and in the grand scheme of things it's pretty believable. Tal
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May 17, 2010
Jennifer
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Let me start off by saying that I really enjoy series by Garth Nix. I always find it refreshing to read his books because his ideas and the fantasy worlds that he builds, are always extremely creative, much more so than many young adult and children's fantasy adventure series that now glut up the market due to the massive success of Harry Potter. Garth Nix's fantasy novels also always contain at least a hint of "darkness," I suppose I would say, some sort of complexity or abstract i
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Apr 29, 2010
T e s n i
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I was interested in reading this because I'm a HUGE fan of the Old Kingdom Trilogy. They're probably some of the best books I've ever read. So when the Seventh Tower was released in the UK I was excited and voted for it at a book club I go to. Compared to two other books shortlisted for What We'll Read Next, The Fall won. I sat down in a quiet corner with it ready to be as wowed as I was by Sabriel.
Alas, it was, in four words: Not The Old Kingdom. In five, Definitely Not the Old Kingd More...
Alas, it was, in four words: Not The Old Kingdom. In five, Definitely Not the Old Kingd More...
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Jan 09, 2010
Donna
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I. Am. So. Lost. I’ve never read a book and come out this disoriented before. Holy crap. Right from the beginning you’re shoved into this world with weird names being thrown at you, many without any kind of explanation so you’re left to try and figure out just what this something’s supposed to look like but you have no idea because it could rightly be anything. That . . . was a huge turn off for me. Immediately I’m supposed to know what all of this stuff is, what’s going on, why it’s so importan
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Nov 15, 2010
Anthony
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The Fall
by Garth Nix
I like this book because of its actions and adventures. I love reading books full of actions because it is easier to vision it in my head than books without details that helps the readers vision its plot. I also find it interesting because of its setting and its dimensional world. Though it has a sun, it is much more than that; the characters has magical powers from a mysterious stone called the sunstones.
It is fascinating because of its mysterio More...
by Garth Nix
I like this book because of its actions and adventures. I love reading books full of actions because it is easier to vision it in my head than books without details that helps the readers vision its plot. I also find it interesting because of its setting and its dimensional world. Though it has a sun, it is much more than that; the characters has magical powers from a mysterious stone called the sunstones.
It is fascinating because of its mysterio More...
Sep 28, 2009
Kristopher
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This is only the second middle grade fantasy I've read this year after Ember, so it's odd that both feature kids who've grown up in man-made, slowly crumbling environments, cut off from the outside world. And plots even revolve around sources of artificial sunlight. But the enthusiasm I had for the interesting setup soured when I realized (about halfway through) that the book was going to be nothing BUT setup.
I understand leaving a few loose plot threads as a jumping off point for More...
I understand leaving a few loose plot threads as a jumping off point for More...
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Jul 20, 2011
Dani
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Tal, a 13 year old boy, Is a chosen, he lives in a world where each chosen has a shadowguard who will be replaced with a more powerful one to a trip to Aenir a spirit world.But he needs a primary sunstone for that, and the only one his family had got lost as his father disappeared, Tal tries to get one in every way he can, because with his mother sick he is the only one able to take care of his family, he will have to face terrible dangers to get a sun stone and this will lead him to a strange
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Jul 30, 2011
Dana
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In this first book of The Seventh Tower series, we meet 13 year old Tal, one of the Chosen, who is educated in how to use the sunstones in a world that is enshrouded in darkness. Tal's father has mysteriously disappeared, his mother is gravely ill, and he must obtain a new Primary Sunstone in order to care for his family. Having failed in his attempts to gain a Primary Sunstone by asking his relatives, who scorn him, and entering in an Achievement contest, only to be thwarted by the Shadowmast
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Aug 10, 2010
Keith
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I really enjoyed the Seventh Tower Series. The story is about Tal, a boy whose father is missing and whose mother is deathly ill. Tal is coming of age and is supposed to go to Aenir with all of the other children coming of age to bind with a Spirit Shadow (an animal who lives there that will assist and protect him the rest of his life). If he doesn’t do it he will be banished from the Chosen ones to be one of the Underfolk, a servant, for the rest of his days. When his father disappeared he
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Sep 25, 2009
Renaldo
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Coming in at the first book of the seventh tower series, this book will take you another land filled with icemen, wizards, and war beasts! As Tal tries desperately to obtain a sunstone, His Great uncle Ebitt snaps up an idea that changed his mind and his life. But the brilliant idea of stealing a sunstone, quickly turned bad. For as Tal climbed the red tower, he lost his grip, slipped, and fell into a desolate Iceland. And you will be surprised when one of Tal’s greatest enemies More...
Aug 15, 2010
Parcoast
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Since I have become a full-blown Garth Nix fan, I looked for his other titles, and found The Sevent Tower series. This first installment surprised me in a couple of ways. First, it is significantly shorter than the books (and series) I am used to reading. I guess that I am stepping down a reading level or two, since I would put this one within the reach of 3rd-6th graders. A bit young for my tastes. The other surprising thing is that even though it is short, and for a younger crowd, I still
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Aug 09, 2009
Elana
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This book had some pretty interesting ideas and plot points, but now that I've finished it, The Fall just kinda makes me feel stupid. As if Garth Nix came up with a really good idea but he didn't want to make the story too complex in the fear that his readers wouldn't be smart enough to understand what was happening.. It was recommended to me as a YA novel but what I found was more of a sheltered, almost nieve, book.
The creatures were different, the story-line was somewhat More...
The creatures were different, the story-line was somewhat More...
Jan 06, 2009
Angela
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While I have little desire to continue reading the series, I can see the appeal in these quintisential fantasy adventures. Nix creates an entertaining otherworld filled with strange names, fairy tale-like characters, and a very young hero. My favorite part of the book was when they played a tactical fantasy game called BEASTMASTER. They used cards to create beasts, which is typical of the D&D world, but then those beasts came alive and engaged in a death-match. Highly entertaining and a good in
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Apr 06, 2011
Brittany
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Tal lives in a world of darkness that is covered by a veil. Tal doesn't know what is up beyond the veil, but he knows that is where valuable sunstones are grown. Unfortunatly for Tal, his father disapeared on a mission and he had the family's valuable sunstone with him. Tal's family must have a sunstone or he cannot advance in their order and his sick mother will not be able to get better. Unfortunatly there are only a few ways to get a sunstone and Tal must try them all while meeting surpri
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Jan 02, 2012
Erin
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The only reason I am sticking with the Seventh Tower series is because I like the works of Garth Nix. This first book, The Fall, is way too fast paced for me. There is little character development or establishment of solid plot elements. Action propels the story along, keeping the reader in the dark. However, it is a fun read and I am sure that patience with the writing style and tenacity to just keep reading the series will reward me in the end. The fantasy concepts are fun, but I think that Ni
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Sep 23, 2011
Jd
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The first in an excellent series for fantasy lovers of any age. Nix's writing can be deceptive - instead of relying on rhetorical tricks he simply delivers, with clarity and simplicity, substance in the form of multi-layered, believable and detailed societies, characters, cultures and worlds.
Readers may not like one of the main protagonists, Tal, at first, but (like an actual human) he develops over the course of the series, as does Milla (the other protagonist).
Far supe More...
Readers may not like one of the main protagonists, Tal, at first, but (like an actual human) he develops over the course of the series, as does Milla (the other protagonist).
Far supe More...
Aug 07, 2011
Alli
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Not sure I liked this enough to finish the series. Most of my critiques were actually more publishing format than anything wrong with the book itself. It was a little too short (I would prefer if more of the books were combined into 3 longer books) and the font was kind of big so I had to turn the pages a lot. Also we don't have this series at the library so I would have to track it down. Trying to find all 5 other books seems a bit daunting but the world is really different and interesting
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Jun 12, 2011
Colleen
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A charming tale, but sadly the characters seemed a little bit without depth.
I probably say this a lot but it really means a lot to me when reading a book to have a character I can feel like I know and can see grow and sympathise with.
I like to connect with a book and while this was an interesting start to the series, I felt that it ended too soon for me to really get into it.
Hopefully, the second book in the series will change my opinion on this but as it stands, this is just a More...
I probably say this a lot but it really means a lot to me when reading a book to have a character I can feel like I know and can see grow and sympathise with.
I like to connect with a book and while this was an interesting start to the series, I felt that it ended too soon for me to really get into it.
Hopefully, the second book in the series will change my opinion on this but as it stands, this is just a More...
Dec 05, 2011
Dayna
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This is the first book in Nix's The Seventh Tower series. Tal is one of the Chosen living in a castle lighted by Sunstones. When his father disappears with their primary Sunstone, Tal must find another one to save his family. After trying several different methods to gain a Sunstone by following the rules he decides in desperation to steal one. He climbs the tower, reaches for a Sunstone, and then falls into a strange world where his adventure really begins. Fans of Nix's work will enjoy this se
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Oct 22, 2011
Nikki
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First book for this readathon! I might be posting quite a lot of reviews over the next twenty-four hours, just as a heads up. If that bothers you, well, it's a one-off!
Anyway, The Fall was a very short, easy read to start off with. Like all of Garth Nix's books, it's very easy to get into. I'd say this is aimed at a younger age than the rest of his books -- it's quite simplistic in many ways -- but I enjoyed the world-building anyway. The characters are promising, though there isn't More...
Anyway, The Fall was a very short, easy read to start off with. Like all of Garth Nix's books, it's very easy to get into. I'd say this is aimed at a younger age than the rest of his books -- it's quite simplistic in many ways -- but I enjoyed the world-building anyway. The characters are promising, though there isn't More...
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Aug 22, 2010
Kez
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Garth Nix's The Fall is a fascinating start to what promises to be an interesting and refreshing series. The male/female dynamics are turned around with Tal, the young hero of the story the compassionate peaceful, and comparatively weak member of the party. Whilst Milla is the violent and agressive female who is confident and capable.
The fantasy world Garth Nix has created in The Seventh Tower is a brilliant one, full of mysteries and a rich history just waiting to unfold as well as More...
The fantasy world Garth Nix has created in The Seventh Tower is a brilliant one, full of mysteries and a rich history just waiting to unfold as well as More...
Jan 06, 2010
Rachel
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Welcome to the world of the Chosen. Tal is desperate, with only a little while until the Day of Ascension, when all Chosen his age will enter Aenir, the spirit world. Time is running out, and he needs a Sunstone. He is driven so far toward his goal that he climbs the Red Tower to steal one. But then, he falls, into the icy, dark unknown outside the Castle. Where can it all possibly lead? The Far Raiders of the Ice need his help though, and so he offers it in order to get home. But Shadowmaster S
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Apr 11, 2009
Lindsey
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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 h
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Jan 04, 2011
Osho
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+ Worldbuilding, fast action, compelling protagonist
- A little underwritten, shape of overall narrative not yet clear
This is the first of a 6-book series intended for younger readers. As such, the narrative seems a little thin from an adult perspective. However, Nix is able to evoke character, situation, and complexity even within these parameters, and without a condescending or cute tone. As usual, Nix’s worldbuilding is compelling, with a strong archetypal underto More...
- A little underwritten, shape of overall narrative not yet clear
This is the first of a 6-book series intended for younger readers. As such, the narrative seems a little thin from an adult perspective. However, Nix is able to evoke character, situation, and complexity even within these parameters, and without a condescending or cute tone. As usual, Nix’s worldbuilding is compelling, with a strong archetypal underto More...
Sep 30, 2008
Katy
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This book caught my eye because it is set in a world where light only comes from stones gathered from the other side of a "veil" draped over the sky which can only be reached by climbing to the top of this humungous tower in which they all live in this world of darkness. At the very beginning of the book, the boy "falls" from this tower -- the only world he has ever known. Does that conjure any gospel images for you guys?? Unfortunately, the symbolism didn't play out for m
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