Hey Jared,

This book is one trippy ride. But in amongst the layers of crazy there’s an internal logic that manages to pull it altogether. It’s a feat of extreme skill and a slightly unhinged imaginative mind…..so, perfectly Garth Nix.

Title: Mister Monday
Series: The Keys of the Kingdom; Book 1
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Magic (sorta)
Synopsis: Arthur Penhaligon’s first days at his new school don’t go too well, particularly when a fiendish Mister Monday appears, gives Arthur a magical clock hand, and then orders his gang of dog-faced goons to chase Arthur around and get it back. But when the confused and curious boy discovers that a mysterious virus is spreading through town, he decides to enter an otherworldly house to stop it. After meeting Suzy Blue and the first part of “the Will” (a frog-looking entity that knows everything about the House), Arthur learns that he’s been selected as Rightful Heir to the House and must get the other part of the clock hand in order to defeat Monday. That means getting past Monday’s henchmen and journeying to the Dayroom itself. Thankfully, Arthur is up to the challenge, but as he finds out, his fight seems to be only one-seventh over.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for youth, 8-12yrs.

Continue reading “The Keys to the Kingdom – Book 1: Mister Monday – By Garth Nix” →

Hey Jared,

I’m finally finished! If I attempt anything like this again, I think I’m going to try and finish it quicker. A big series, like Animorphs, can be done slower but for 6 books this too a little too long.

Title: The Violet Keystone
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 6
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Tal and Milla are only one step away from death. Evil is only one step away from triumph. An old war is made new again. The ultimate power is up for grabs.
As shadows rage, ancient spells return, illusion reigns and corruption threatens. The search for hope is the bravest quest. The Seventh Tower is the key to it all.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower – Book 6: The Violet Keystone – By Garth Nix” →

How’s it going, Jared?

Almost finished with this series, and I’ve got high hopes to finish it this month because I’ve got something planned for next month. Ya, that’s pretty ominous but hopefully you approve.

Title: Into Battle
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 5
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The Dark World is in danger, for the Veil is vulnerable. War is soon to come. On one side are Tal and the Underfolk rebels, struggling valiantly for freedom. On another side are Milla and the Icecarls, preparing to assualt the Castle in order to preserve their world. And on a third side lies the most sinister force of all–a force of evil that has only now chosen to reveal itself–a force of such power that it could unleash the ultimate destruction.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower Series – Book 5: Into Battle – By Garth Nix” →

Jared,

It was disturbingly difficult getting a hold of this book. The only one in the series not in the library system! Never-the-less, I have prevailed.

Title: Above the Veil
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 4
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The Underfolk are restless. For a long time, they have kept quiet, occupying the lower levels of the Castle. But now they are going to be heard… Tal and Milla are no longer alone in their quest for the truth about their world. They have been joined by Crow, a rebel Underfolk, and his band of conspirators. They know many secrets about the Castle–and are on the verge of uncovering the greatest secret of all. The darkness is growing deeper. The shadows are growing stronger. And Tal and Milla are in greater danger than ever before.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower – Book 4: Above the Veil – By Garth Nix” →

Hi Jared,

With this book I’m now halfway through the series. Something that always bugged me was that the series is called “Seventh Tower” but there are only six books……Maybe it’s just my OCD flaring up.

Title: Aenir
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 3
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The dream world Aenir is not a safe place. One wrong step can lead to danger, entrapment…or death. Tal and Milla must fight their way through this shifting landscape. They are searching for the Codex, a magical object that will decide the fate of their worlds. Many creatures stand in their way–from the cloud-flesh Storm Shepherds to a swarm of venomous Waspwyrms to a horrifying figure named Hazror. Tal and Milla cannot leave Aenir without the Codex. But finding it might endanger them more than they’ve ever dreamed…
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower Series – Book 3: Aenir – By Garth Nix” →

Jared,

Every time I read this series I think back to the first time we read it. How we totally returned the books and they disappeared but the library said we hadn’t returned them. As time has gone on I’m fairly certain that someone stole them or the librarians purposefully hid them so we’d have to pay to replace them. That library was seriously shady.

Title: Castle
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 2
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Tal survived his fall off the Red Tower. He even managed to survive his time on the Ice with the Icecarls. Now he just needs to find a way back into the castle. The stakes? His brother is missing, just like his father, his sister is being cared for by malevolent cousins and his mother is on the verge of death. No pressure.
Recommendation: A great chapter book for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower Series – Book 2: Castle – By Garth Nix” →

Hello Jared,

You may remember this series as the one in which the library claimed we never returned it…..but we did. We know we did.

Title: The Fall
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 1
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Tal has lived all his life in the Castle. When his father goes missing it’s up to him to take care of his ailing mother and younger brother and sister. In a world blanketed in darkness, he never realized there was a world beyond the walls of his home.
Recommendation: A great chapter book for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower Series – Book 1: The Fall – By Garth Nix” →