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A review by ssjonoyoung
Aenir by Garth Nix
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.