Rating: Summary: Solid follow-up Review: Life is tough if you're a Garth Nix protagonist. The author cuts right to the chase in the second book of the Seventh Tower series, "Castle," by picking up where "The Fall" left off. Things get darker and tenser, and the mystery becomes even more twisted.Tal's family is being mysteriously victimized, and will become outcasts unless he can get into the mystical land of Aenir. But now he's captive of the Icecarls, and is the grudging ally of the tough wannabe-shieldmaiden Milla. After meeting with the ancient Mother Crone, Tal agrees to help sneak Milla in, so they can both find Sunstones -- he for his family, she for her people. But they have more trouble. After getting inside and consulting with Uncle Ebbitt, he tells them that they must find the Codex in Aenir. Then things take a hideous turn: The two kids are captured. Tal is imprisoned in the Pit -- and discovers something about his father's fate. And Milla is trapped with the half-shadow-half-man monster Fashnek, in the Hall of Nightmares... Though "Castle" is not as strong as "Fall," it's a darker, weirder story that adds to the mystery. Why does Sushin hate Tal and his family so much? What is happening to the Sunstones, if they're dying and becoming useless? And who was the mysterious Longface, a Chosen taken in by the Icecarls -- what was he terrified of? Nix's talent for fantastical horror is also more evident here, in the hideous Fashnek, who has an insectile shadow-claw over part of his body. While "Fall" was pretty much pure fantasy, "Castle" has the darker, more macabre bits -- probably even more as the series progresses. And his talent for creating familiar but alien cultures now extends to the Icecarls as well as the Chosen. Tal was a well-rounded character to start with, and he doesn't disappoint in this book. Milla gets a bit more depth, and shows some liking for Tal and Uncle Ebbitt. She softens a little bit, while being no less tough. Uncle Ebbit is likably quirky, but more serious, and the Mother Crone is an intriguing old wisewoman. The second part of the "Seventh Tower" series is a little darker than the first book, and a little more of what fans expect from Nix. And he knows when to stop, just to make them dash eagerly for "Aenir."
Rating: Summary: The Seventh Tower Series' Castle (Book 2) Review: Tal Graile-Rerem has embarked on his quest to get home and to get many Sunstones for the clan of the Far-Raiders. And they sent help of the worst kind. In a word, Milla. The Icecarl girl hates Tal, so much to the point of wanting to kill him! But she is fiercely loyal to her clan, and she and Tal have a bond between them. When they are going to the Castle through the air pipes which lead to the Underfolk levels, they find a Sunstone on a skeleton. A powerful Sunstone, too. A little way up, though, they encounter bad air. They both black out. What will happen to Tal and Milla? Read the second book of this compelling series to find out! I liked this book a lot more than I liked the first, because this one had a little more action. It still plodded along a bit at the beginning, but then it turned into a spellbinder! Things got darker and tenser as Nix picked up the story and turned it into a twisted mystery of sorts. This was definately a good read! I'd recommend this book to young people and adults ages 10 and up. I hope that you enjoy the secong book of the 7th Tower series, 'Castle'!
Rating: Summary: Nix is good again Review: The Castle is a good book for those who like fantasy novels. In my belief the system of magic is the most realistic I have seen in any of the fantasy novels. Garth Nix weaves a great story and leaves you begging for more. I am really looking forward to reading Aenir and all of his other books.
Rating: Summary: An amazing sequel to an amazing book. Review: The Seventh Tower #2, Castle , is set with an exciting plot that is sure to keep eyesy glued. Continued from a breathtaking ending of Book One, Tal and Milla struggle to the Castle. Tal still needs a Sunstone for his mother , and Milla needs a Sunstone for her family. For Milla, an Icecarl warrior, Tal is person she must trust in order for her to survive. For Tal, a Chosen, he knows that he must forge an alliance with Milla, but she is far stronger and violent then Tal. The two are different, but they must learn to trust one another no matter what. But it looks as if there are other people out for Tal and Milla. Who are these conspirers, and why are they doing what they are doing ?
Rating: Summary: A work of art. Review: The story begins after the shield maidens rescue Tal and Milla. Once Milla is heald they set off with a map carved by someone who came from the castle years ago. They use the map and nearly get themselves killed by going over a hudge abyss and climbing through the pipes in the castle. All their troubles result in them getting caught. The people of the castle however live in ignorance of the outside world though and they think that only they and the underfolk exist and that the underfolk exit to serve them. So when Milla is discovered she is thought to be a rebel underfolk who has formed the world of Icecarls in her imagination and she is sent to the hall af nightmares. A place that has driven many people before her into insanity. Tal is sent to prison and he discovers ther something about his father's disaperence (which is what got him into all the trouble in the first place.)The book ends on a cliff hanger again and leaves you wanting more. I was so impatient that I picked up 'Aenir' instantly and continued reading as if I hadn't even changed books.
Rating: Summary: Castle Review: This book follows Garth nix's The fall. This book is as good as the first one. And it also tells you more about the charachters. It also contains friend ship. Something that the first one did not have. I can't wait for the next one to come out, and I hope its bigger.
Rating: Summary: Great Review: This book was perfect, exept for a couple of mistakes, For example, in the first book it said that merwin horns stopped glowing when they were dead, but in this book Milla's merwin horn sword glows.
Rating: Summary: Better than before Review: This second book was even better than the first one in the series. How is that possible? It is because it reveals places such as the nightmare room. Now what is the nightmare room? Well, it is as it's named, it is where you're living inside your nightmares. Yep, that is very horrible. Yet, there happened to be one person who had put up with it all and survived! Buy it and read it to see what happened!!
Rating: Summary: Your hands won't let go of it! Review: With a thrilling conclusion to a thrilling book, Garth Nix's Castle is extraordinary. Not even the slightest detail is left out for every step Tal and Milla take is included in this fiction fantasy. Danger lurks around every chapter, from the victory of the one-eyed Merwin, to the deadly Hall of Nightmares, to The Pit, and then to the not so welcoming way into Aenir. Time runs out too quickly. Well, just as quickly as you whiz through the book. It feels like your hands won't let it go before you have read it to the very end. All I can hope for now is that Garth Nix writes more than only six 'The Seventh Tower' books.
Rating: Summary: Excellent follow-up... Review: With the introductions over, Castle is much faster paced than it's predecesar, yet wastes little time on development of the main characters. This changes in later installments though, and the action is definitely welcome. Tal and Milla have at last made it to the underlevels of Tal's home, Castle, as they continue their search for sunstones which hold the key to each of their individual difficulties. While not as fascinating as some others in this series, it's definitely a good book, and needed to understand anything that comes next. Good for anyone over the age of ten or so.
|