Fall [Turtleback]

Garth Nix (Author)

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606188894
• ISBN-13: 978-0606188890
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,954,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Garth Nix has worked as a bookseller, book sales representative, publicist, editor, marketing consultant and literary agent. He also spent five years as a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve. A full-time writer since 2001, more than five million copies of his books have been sold around the world and his work has been translated into 38 languages. Garth's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, Publishers Weekly (US), The Bookseller(UK), The Australian and The Sunday Times (UK). He lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, June 12, 2000

By 

David Wilson (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Fall (Seventh Tower #1) (Paperback)

The Seventh Tower by Garth Nix has a refreshing new portrayal of characters that is not typically seen in books for this age group. The book is not beholden to the stereotypes of male strength and violence and female compassion, as one typically finds. Rather, both genders portray a complete range of personalities; from the compassionate male hero to the violent girl (Milla) that wants to kill Tal but resists out of loyalty to her clan and because she gave her word to her clan's (female) leader. The story line itself is interesting and shows no inconsistencies that leave the reader wondering if the book was ever edited. This the first book in a total of six in the series. My only complaint is that this book is not a complete story in and of itself as are the Harry Potter books or Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series. It leaves the reader hanging at the end with no idea of when part two will be written. But that is a minor complaint and inspite of that I highly recommend it. In todays world it's important that boys have compassionate male heros and understand that females can be just as violent as males. Likewise, girls have to understand that boys aren't weak just because they aren't physical and that girls can be strong both physically and mentally. Of course, the book also has it's share of underhanded people (both male and female) along with the snobs, the cheats, the genius teetering on the edge of insanity and plenty of fantasy creatures to round it out. In short, as far as the characters go, the book is an accurate portrayal of life. And the story is a wonderful fantasy.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winning story by a consistently great writer, July 3, 2006

By 

Erik1988 "beingawriter dot wordpress dot com" (Folsom, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Fall (Seventh Tower #1) (Paperback)

Rating System:

1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten

2 star = poor; a total waste of time

3 star = good; worth the effort

4 star = very good; what writing should be

5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

THE CONTENT:

This is a story for ages 8 - 12, though as an adult reading it with my kids I'm enjoying the series too. Nix's Abhorsen trilogy is for teens and his Keys to the Kingdom series is also for ages 8-12.

THE STORY:

Tal is in a bind. His father has been missing. His mother is ill. And his family doesn't have a strong Sunstone to elevate their position and provision. It falls to Tal to provide for his mother and little brother by seeking out a sunstone. But there are forces in his way that stop him from achieving these goals. It doesn't help in the opening scene that he falls from the Red Tower in his attempt to gain a stone. The fall leads to adventure Tal never would have thought possible.

THE CHARACTERS:

Tal is a likeable kid caught in a bad situation. He wants to do the right thing and provide for his family, but he just can't. We empathize and sympathize with him as a character. The rest of the cast is equally likeable in their own way and those that are meant to be disliked are definitely dislikeable. Overall, a great cast of characters that add to this story of Tal's quest

THE SETTING:

Not your typical fantasy world, but that is one reason why I love reading Garth Nix's books. . .there isn't anything typical only new and imaginative about them. The world is richly described in just the right words that a short paragraph leaves an easily visualized scene in one's head.

THE PLOT:

A nicely constructed quest story, which leaves our character no choice but to follow certain paths. Helper characters and hindering characters line his path that lead to a world we experience with amazement just as Tal does. The progression is logical and a well paced story. There is plenty of action in this story! Creatures that want to eat people, treacherous "natives" and more.

OVERALL:

My 8 year old and I are thoroughly enjoying this story and each chapter cliff-hanger keeps us turning the pages.

NOTE - This is the first of 6 books. You must keep reading! The first book resolves very little if anything. We are in the 2nd book now and the same great story/writing continues on there.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece for 9-12, June 13, 2000

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fall (Seventh Tower #1) (Paperback)

This is the perfect kids' introduction to Garth Nix. Though published by the same people as the "Jedi Apprentice" books, this one is both more complex and considerably darker.

The young hero, Tal, is searching for a sunstone so that he can undertake a ritual quest, and solidify his family's position in the favored classes of his darkened world. If he fails, he and his younger siblings and his ill mother will be relegated to servants for the rest of their lives. But an enemy is trying to thwart Tal's attempts, and he must try to get a sunstone on his own-with disturbing results.

The levels of differentness in this book are spectacular, though not as much so as Sabriel-one can hardly expect something so advanced for readers of Jedi Apprentice! Tal is a thoroughly human and sympathetic character, and as he grows more desperate the reader wants him to succeed more.

Compared to the kids' fantasy usually published now, this is a gem. I wish I could give it 6 stars!