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A review by ssjonoyoung
Above the Veil by Garth Nix
4.0
This picks up with the quest of the Keystones with the Freefolk in tow. Crow Tal's old adversary makes a reappearance as the Shadows grow stronger.
Whilst this book mostly serves to set up the last two it does it with an incredible amount of action and character development. I think most importantly in this Tal really begins to change his ways. It's in the little things when he doesn't always admonish the Underfolk or treat them poorly. He grows and works with Crow to reclimb the Red Tower where the Keystone lies.
The Freefolk were a cool movement if a little extreme. Though incredibly short on numbers it is undeniable that they were skilled in fighting and courage. Crow was particularly interesting because he is clearly untrusting and slightly villainous in how he treats Tal yet I really enjoyed him. Tal and Crow's sections in the latter half were so much fun. The Red Tower presents a challenge but both of them are constantly trying to slightly one up one another, that's the feeling you get anyway. The whole section with the recovery of the Red Keystone and Tal's Veil were brilliant and intense though the Tal's Veil scene was a little adorable. Of course Crow betrays him in the end but Tal kinda knew it was coming and then Tal almost kills everyone brilliant.
Milla on the other hand after meeting the Freefolk heads on her way back to the Icecarl with Odris. After a sadly violent interaction with the Shield Maidens, a moment I feel spelling out she shall not become one, she tells the Crones everything. After the deadwalking thingy bit that was creepy as hell. But the Crones are fair to her and appoint her War Chief because the threat of the Veil's collapse is too much. It is a risk they cannot take even the Icecarl. And the epilogue has the Icecarl marching on the Castle. And Tal is trapped and it's all pretty hopeless for everyone else.
Odris and Adras were of course brilliant with Adras's thick-headedness becoming especially memorable as he thinks he can fight his way through just about anything. Odris is clever and rather nicely is beginning to care for Milla which is sweet because Milla doesn't expect it like Tal does. The relationship of the Spiritshadows and their counterparts is really marked by their different upbringing. Tal expect Adras to be there whilst Milla would rather she didn't but clearly they care for one another. Then you have the growing amount of light magic and the complications of Sunstones and the Keystones. It's so incredibly fleshed out and the way it's been built is perfect. Tal's own limited knowledge plays a great factor in how we learn because the Lectorium has clearly failed him.
The next book really poses a threat because the free Spiritshadows are all around and that is a threat that none should take lightly. Sushin is plotting still to take the Keystones and presumably destroy the Veil though Tal thinks it's already weakened which would probably be correct. Bizarrely this book mostly takes place in a single day, the Day of Ascension, where the Empress is in Aenir. I hope we get to meet her. Like seriously looking forward to the next one because I have a feeling it's gonna be stunning.
Whilst this book mostly serves to set up the last two it does it with an incredible amount of action and character development. I think most importantly in this Tal really begins to change his ways. It's in the little things when he doesn't always admonish the Underfolk or treat them poorly. He grows and works with Crow to reclimb the Red Tower where the Keystone lies.
The Freefolk were a cool movement if a little extreme. Though incredibly short on numbers it is undeniable that they were skilled in fighting and courage. Crow was particularly interesting because he is clearly untrusting and slightly villainous in how he treats Tal yet I really enjoyed him. Tal and Crow's sections in the latter half were so much fun. The Red Tower presents a challenge but both of them are constantly trying to slightly one up one another, that's the feeling you get anyway. The whole section with the recovery of the Red Keystone and Tal's Veil were brilliant and intense though the Tal's Veil scene was a little adorable. Of course Crow betrays him in the end but Tal kinda knew it was coming and then Tal almost kills everyone brilliant.
Milla on the other hand after meeting the Freefolk heads on her way back to the Icecarl with Odris. After a sadly violent interaction with the Shield Maidens, a moment I feel spelling out she shall not become one, she tells the Crones everything. After the deadwalking thingy bit that was creepy as hell. But the Crones are fair to her and appoint her War Chief because the threat of the Veil's collapse is too much. It is a risk they cannot take even the Icecarl. And the epilogue has the Icecarl marching on the Castle. And Tal is trapped and it's all pretty hopeless for everyone else.
Odris and Adras were of course brilliant with Adras's thick-headedness becoming especially memorable as he thinks he can fight his way through just about anything. Odris is clever and rather nicely is beginning to care for Milla which is sweet because Milla doesn't expect it like Tal does. The relationship of the Spiritshadows and their counterparts is really marked by their different upbringing. Tal expect Adras to be there whilst Milla would rather she didn't but clearly they care for one another. Then you have the growing amount of light magic and the complications of Sunstones and the Keystones. It's so incredibly fleshed out and the way it's been built is perfect. Tal's own limited knowledge plays a great factor in how we learn because the Lectorium has clearly failed him.
The next book really poses a threat because the free Spiritshadows are all around and that is a threat that none should take lightly. Sushin is plotting still to take the Keystones and presumably destroy the Veil though Tal thinks it's already weakened which would probably be correct. Bizarrely this book mostly takes place in a single day, the Day of Ascension, where the Empress is in Aenir. I hope we get to meet her. Like seriously looking forward to the next one because I have a feeling it's gonna be stunning.