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mcfade28's review
3.0
This series is not as good as Garth Nix's other works, but it's also aimed at a much younger audience, so perhaps that explains it. We see more from our two young heroes as they continue to try to recover a magical artifact. Similar to the last book, it felt like it just ended at an unnatural point.
firstorderpixie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
booksnorkel's review against another edition
4.0
In this book Milla and Tal go into the spirit world to find the Codex. A living book that knows all, they wish to use it to find out what is happening in the castle, and where Tal's brother is. Tal knows that the castle is no longer safe, and that for reasons unknown powerful Chosen have decided that he is an enemy that needs to be destroyed. While in this world the dangers are too many to count Milla and Tal accidentally manage to activate magic and because of this Tal has to save them at the cost of Milla's life dreams. They go their separate ways and both encounter deadly beings that have no love of Chosen or Icecarls. They have to work together to retrieve the Codex but can Milla forgive Tal for ruining her life?
ssjonoyoung's review
4.0
What a wild ride. Not only do we get a massive exploration of Aenir in all it's magic and glory we get an epic chase scene and fight scene to top it off. Just stunning, Garth Nix does an incredible job of weaving the character arcs with action and magic. There are few authors that can create such complex magic systems as the light one in this series and I'm kinda loving it.
Tal and Milla both have grown so much since the first book. Both have really become a product of who they are with. It's the nurture part of development that they've taken on each others traits and really work better together because of it. Though Milla is still an Icecarl at heart she is now willing to break the rules to help whilst Tal isn't afraid to get a little dirty. Which is good because his superiority issue is fascinating and the fact it has lessened is just a hallmark of how well the characters have grown. Not only that but we get to meet Odris and Adras the Storm Shepherds, properly as they become the Spiritshadows of our leads. And they were hilarious. Odris is the wiser of the two and Adras is the louder slightly thicker one. But he has good intentions as did Tal in freeing them both but it cost Milla her shadow. And that grudge burns through the book estranging them from each other until they have to free the Codex.
Which by the way was an awesome scene, it kind of reminds me of the Will mixed with the Atlas but its neither and it's not quite as cool as either. But it is useful and it's ability to use animals was so helpful when it came to find it. Darker moments peppered the journey with Tal meeting Hazror the creepy old Chosen and Milla and the lake. But more importantly we get some back round to the Veil and the Forgetting and Danir and Ramellan and it's so fascinating. Plus we get the first mention of the Keystones. Which clearly mean something because the last book is titled the Violet Keystone.
Small moment for extra heartbreak. Fucking Gref. I legit thought Garth Nix had killed a nine year old in a middle grade book. I was ready to riot and cry and just omg. That chapter was cruel. Worse though is that he had to be left behind in his poisoned or cursed state. Because Sushin. Who I hate more than anything. And he's now made out to be more than a Chosen which is worrying. But we have another book to look forward to for that.
Tal and Milla both have grown so much since the first book. Both have really become a product of who they are with. It's the nurture part of development that they've taken on each others traits and really work better together because of it. Though Milla is still an Icecarl at heart she is now willing to break the rules to help whilst Tal isn't afraid to get a little dirty. Which is good because his superiority issue is fascinating and the fact it has lessened is just a hallmark of how well the characters have grown. Not only that but we get to meet Odris and Adras the Storm Shepherds, properly as they become the Spiritshadows of our leads. And they were hilarious. Odris is the wiser of the two and Adras is the louder slightly thicker one. But he has good intentions as did Tal in freeing them both but it cost Milla her shadow. And that grudge burns through the book estranging them from each other until they have to free the Codex.
Which by the way was an awesome scene, it kind of reminds me of the Will mixed with the Atlas but its neither and it's not quite as cool as either. But it is useful and it's ability to use animals was so helpful when it came to find it. Darker moments peppered the journey with Tal meeting Hazror the creepy old Chosen and Milla and the lake. But more importantly we get some back round to the Veil and the Forgetting and Danir and Ramellan and it's so fascinating. Plus we get the first mention of the Keystones. Which clearly mean something because the last book is titled the Violet Keystone.
Small moment for extra heartbreak. Fucking Gref. I legit thought Garth Nix had killed a nine year old in a middle grade book. I was ready to riot and cry and just omg. That chapter was cruel. Worse though is that he had to be left behind in his poisoned or cursed state. Because Sushin. Who I hate more than anything. And he's now made out to be more than a Chosen which is worrying. But we have another book to look forward to for that.
constant_reader_19's review against another edition
4.0
This series is consistently good. There is lots to like…adventure, friendship, magic…and cliffhangers!
laellyra's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
imyerhero's review against another edition
4.0
This has been my favorite book in the series so far. Possibly because there were a lot more fantasy aspects. Possibly because we finally got past main character development and more into plot development. Possibly because it had some dang funny parts. Or possibly because I have a “thing” for third installment in a series being my favorites. “Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Horse and His Boy,” (if you go chronologically in the storyline), “Return of the King,” “Revenge of the Jedi,” Leviticus. Just kidding on that last one. But it is odd.
For the first time since they met, we don’t have to put up with Nix’s introspective look into Milla and Tal’s relationship. The two are split up soon after arriving in Aenir, and forced to deal with what they encounted in their own separate ways. And there is the Codex, which is possibly the coolest part of this story introduced as of yet. Nix’s imagination explodes onto the scene when he develops the creatures in Aenir. From talking little lizards (I pictured the Geico Gecko), to a house that lights on fire everyday burning everything inside but remaining untouched itself, to pieces of sod which smother/crush you to death like an anaconda. I was highly impressed. And partially because the seemingly superfluous scene of the Beastmaster game in the first book came into play here. The creatures Tal gave us great detail on now show up in Aenir, which allows Nix to throw the terms around and not worry about us being clueless as to what Tal or Milla is facing. I could throw in another rib at Paolini, but I gave up ripping him apart for Lent.
For the first time since they met, we don’t have to put up with Nix’s introspective look into Milla and Tal’s relationship. The two are split up soon after arriving in Aenir, and forced to deal with what they encounted in their own separate ways. And there is the Codex, which is possibly the coolest part of this story introduced as of yet. Nix’s imagination explodes onto the scene when he develops the creatures in Aenir. From talking little lizards (I pictured the Geico Gecko), to a house that lights on fire everyday burning everything inside but remaining untouched itself, to pieces of sod which smother/crush you to death like an anaconda. I was highly impressed. And partially because the seemingly superfluous scene of the Beastmaster game in the first book came into play here. The creatures Tal gave us great detail on now show up in Aenir, which allows Nix to throw the terms around and not worry about us being clueless as to what Tal or Milla is facing. I could throw in another rib at Paolini, but I gave up ripping him apart for Lent.
glowing_embers16's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series. It's gripping, adventurous fantasy at its finest.
benjfleck's review against another edition
4.0
Aenir: Or, Oddly Craving Sushi
Better than the two previous installments, Aenir is action-packed and quick paced. It is definitely just an another "episode" alongside the story, but for some reason, I felt more invested and intrigued, even though I still have no idea what anything is or what is happening or why.
The magic/world is still a bit fuzzy and unrealistic and a lot things don't add up, which takes me out of the story. The rules of the world aren't fully realized or explained, which is no bueno. Milla is awesome and badass, but poor Tal is quite dumb. Many times he jumps to ridiculously wrong conclusions, only to be corrected later. Plus, he consistently gets injured or impeded in some waits. Also, everytime I read the name "Sushin" I immediately crave sushi. Thanks, Garth!
I GUESS I HAVE TO READ THE NEXT ONE. Ugh. Let's hope it goes somewhere.
Better than the two previous installments, Aenir is action-packed and quick paced. It is definitely just an another "episode" alongside the story, but for some reason, I felt more invested and intrigued, even though I still have no idea what anything is or what is happening or why.
The magic/world is still a bit fuzzy and unrealistic and a lot things don't add up, which takes me out of the story. The rules of the world aren't fully realized or explained, which is no bueno. Milla is awesome and badass, but poor Tal is quite dumb. Many times he jumps to ridiculously wrong conclusions, only to be corrected later. Plus, he consistently gets injured or impeded in some waits. Also, everytime I read the name "Sushin" I immediately crave sushi. Thanks, Garth!
I GUESS I HAVE TO READ THE NEXT ONE. Ugh. Let's hope it goes somewhere.