Australian fantasy author Garth Nix (well known for his novels Sabriel and Shade\'s Children, both ALA list picks) has joined with Lucasfilm to launch a six-book fantasy series about Tal\'s world, of which The Fall is the first installment. Packed with excitement and wonderfully weird creatures like the living sea of Selski and the hungry, one-horned Merwin, Nix\'s latest tale will enchant readers. Containing elements of The Golden Compass and the Harry Potter books, The Seventh Tower is an epic fantasy not to be missed. (Ages 11 to 14) --Jennifer Hubert

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Quite exciting and interesting story. Left me intrigued to find out what happens in the rest of the series.

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Enjoyed it, even though it seemed to be written for young adults.

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I actually gave The Fall two different star ratings. 3 Stars for anyone 13+ and 4 Stars for kids 9-12. I was a little bored by it; the book couldn't hold my attention. I'm also way outside the target. I think any 3rd to 6th grader would like this book.

Garth Nix has a trilogy that seems to be a YA series. I think I'll try the first of those because I really did enjoy his writing style.

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My son read this book, and he really enjoyed it.

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First book in a 6 book series, each running from 180 to 200+ pages. Scholastic 'certified' - says ages 9-12 but I'm pushing 60 and enjoyed all 6 books. I think 9 and up is just fine. Enjoyable read for both girls and boys...
NOTE: These books need to be read in sequence.

Major character is Tal (perhaps 12) who is about to start (unknown to him) the adventure of his life. His dad is missing (some say dead) along with the family's sunstone. Without a sunstone the family will lose their current social status within the "Chosen" community and be forced to become members of the Underfolk, who are servants to the Chosen. All live within the Castle in a world of darkness and for both the Chosen and Underfolk there
exist nothing else - save the spirit world that the Chosen visit on special occasions - Tal must find a sunstone - the adventure begins.

I give the complete series a 4.5 stars - Book one sets up the story line and world parameters so is a little slow to start - but quickly builds up speed and excitement leaving you with a literal cliffhanger waiting for the next book - fully enjoyable for anyone (girls and boys).

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Young Tal lives in the Castle of the Chosen. His world is always shrouded in darkness. For warmth and light the people rely upon magical sunstones. But not everyone has sunstones. Only the upper classes, the Chosen, have them and those who don't are forced into servitude.
Tal and his family used to have a sunstone. But one day Tal's father vanished and with him went the sunstone. Without the sunstone, Tal and his family will become members of the servant class known as Underfolk. Plus Tal's mother is ill and so it is vital that they acquire a sunstone. Tal tries his best to win one but fails. He feels his only choice is to try to steal one. But in the process he runs afoul of an evil spirit and is tossed out of the Castle and into the wild countryside beyond, a place he knows nothing about.
There he meets a warrior girl, Milla, who also has ambitions of her own. Together they undertake a journey back to the Castle, a journey which will test them and enlighten them and in which they just might find out what they are really made of.
First in the Seventh Tower series, this book is full of action and adventure and is sure to enthrall young readers (it's aimed at ages 9 and up) as they follow Tal and Milla in their struggle to survive and to accomplish their goals.

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A very good YA book, my daughter and I are reading the series together.
There are some parts that seem to skip over obvious things, makes you think "why did they do that?" or "they forgot about the ____" But it's still an enjoyable read.

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I got this book and read through it rather quickly. At times it was drier, and obviously geared more towards younger children (I'm 16) I've read most of Nix's other works and this is not his best.
Then again, I belive children would find it very engaging. A good read for children, not for teens or adults like many of Nix's other novels.

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Book one of the Seventh Tower series, by the author of the Keys to the Kingdom and Abhorsen.

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This book is asome for girls and boys that love fantasy. I read it when i was ten. Evrey on 10-12 should love this book!

Totally love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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