bl0ndekitten's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ssjonoyoung's review against another edition
5.0
I am in a state of disbelief right now there is nothing I can say that will make the ending any less painful. But it was majestic, the whole book had a sense of adventure and urgency that never seems to fail in these books. Both Milla and Tal are making their ways to the Violet Tower as Sushin and Sharrakor are ready to dismantle the Veil once and for all.
Now as always I'm gonna start at the end and how awesome it was. The return to Aenir was a perfect way to end it though the disconnection of Adras and Odris from Tal and Milla broke my heart a little. The banter between the two pairs was exquisite and Adras's humour was always a highlight of the book. But it was perfect as they had to start as they meant to go on and that meant no more Spiritshadows. The confrontation with Sharrakor was intense the whole flying into the middle of a hurricane thing would look so good on a big screen and then the fight with the dragon was awesome but of course it came with heartbreak. My poor Crow.
Now I feel like you aren't meant to like Crow because he is a backstabbing asshole but he's also ridiculously cool. Him and Tal share some awesome scenes and the fact Crow came to Tal to help him from the Hall of Nightmares was a mark that you can be wrong about people. And Crow kind of does admit that he is wrong and he needed to do better. But that's okay because he did do better, he worked with Chosen and Icecarl to get to Aenir and its thanks to him that Sharrakor died. The bottle of caveroach poison was lethal to touch so even if they had plummeted of the tower of the Khamsoul he would have died anyway. He knew it though I think, he had already asked them not to forget about the Underfolk and to unite them so now it felt like he knew all along he had a chance that they didn't. He was brave and awesome and him and Tal are faves.
Of course throughout the book we get a mix of Tal and Milla chapters. Milla at the beginning is learning more of her light magic which is awesome even if it does almost get her killed but she is clearly running out of steam. All the Icecarl are worn out but they are ready to keep going. I just realised while typing this that most of the Icecarl we see are exceptionally strong women so fuck yeah for that. Go Garth Nix! By the end she has learnt so much of being a chosen but she is still an Icecarl at heart. She keeps fighting till the very end and she is awesome for that. Milla is never defined by her interactions with Tal and she doesn't become a love interest just a really good friend to Tal. With the Talon's of Danir she is a dangerous warrior and she is just incredible.
Tal my precious flower has come a long way too. Of course he is now Emperor of the Castle because he is the true wielder of the Violet Keystone. Which was a great moment when Milla's like nahh he can have it. Because he is very talented that must be said he is incredible with Light Magic. But it's been an ongoing thing that he has improved massively. He really has and by the end he can wield so much without aid it's just amazing. But he's also learnt a lot along the way, the sadness of when Crow died was touching and his not wanting to Emperor is a mark of how young he truly is. He makes mistakes but he keeps fighting and I'm so glad he does because at the end he really does go toe-to-toe with Sushin and Sharrakor and it's epic.
Harsher note I wish it had been Ebbitt that died. It's kind of a tricky moment because it seems like he is going to but he pulls through. But Ebbitt always saddens me because his mind is truly addled with age. Which is intriguing to see in fantasy because though he is so smart and helpful yet he is limited because his mind does wander. Like with the Wormwalker he is so interested in them he has to be lead away. But he does have great lines such as 'Do Something Imperial.' It's so great but sadly I wish it was him....
There are of course many other things to discuss such as what the harpoons were for because we do get told thank god. They stop things moving so yay for that. We get to see Zicka again who is of course King of Information/ quick bit of exposition. Malen who is actually interesting because of the struggle with being so detached from the Crone hive mind. And she goes to Aenir and helps with the taking down of Sharrakor so ten points for being awesome Malen.
In the end though everyone is happy, Milla and Tal are going their separate ways for at least a year. Tal's family is reunited and he is Emperor. It's excellent but like where's the sequel series?
Now as always I'm gonna start at the end and how awesome it was. The return to Aenir was a perfect way to end it though the disconnection of Adras and Odris from Tal and Milla broke my heart a little. The banter between the two pairs was exquisite and Adras's humour was always a highlight of the book. But it was perfect as they had to start as they meant to go on and that meant no more Spiritshadows. The confrontation with Sharrakor was intense the whole flying into the middle of a hurricane thing would look so good on a big screen and then the fight with the dragon was awesome but of course it came with heartbreak. My poor Crow.
Now I feel like you aren't meant to like Crow because he is a backstabbing asshole but he's also ridiculously cool. Him and Tal share some awesome scenes and the fact Crow came to Tal to help him from the Hall of Nightmares was a mark that you can be wrong about people. And Crow kind of does admit that he is wrong and he needed to do better. But that's okay because he did do better, he worked with Chosen and Icecarl to get to Aenir and its thanks to him that Sharrakor died. The bottle of caveroach poison was lethal to touch so even if they had plummeted of the tower of the Khamsoul he would have died anyway. He knew it though I think, he had already asked them not to forget about the Underfolk and to unite them so now it felt like he knew all along he had a chance that they didn't. He was brave and awesome and him and Tal are faves.
Of course throughout the book we get a mix of Tal and Milla chapters. Milla at the beginning is learning more of her light magic which is awesome even if it does almost get her killed but she is clearly running out of steam. All the Icecarl are worn out but they are ready to keep going. I just realised while typing this that most of the Icecarl we see are exceptionally strong women so fuck yeah for that. Go Garth Nix! By the end she has learnt so much of being a chosen but she is still an Icecarl at heart. She keeps fighting till the very end and she is awesome for that. Milla is never defined by her interactions with Tal and she doesn't become a love interest just a really good friend to Tal. With the Talon's of Danir she is a dangerous warrior and she is just incredible.
Tal my precious flower has come a long way too. Of course he is now Emperor of the Castle because he is the true wielder of the Violet Keystone. Which was a great moment when Milla's like nahh he can have it. Because he is very talented that must be said he is incredible with Light Magic. But it's been an ongoing thing that he has improved massively. He really has and by the end he can wield so much without aid it's just amazing. But he's also learnt a lot along the way, the sadness of when Crow died was touching and his not wanting to Emperor is a mark of how young he truly is. He makes mistakes but he keeps fighting and I'm so glad he does because at the end he really does go toe-to-toe with Sushin and Sharrakor and it's epic.
Harsher note I wish it had been Ebbitt that died. It's kind of a tricky moment because it seems like he is going to but he pulls through. But Ebbitt always saddens me because his mind is truly addled with age. Which is intriguing to see in fantasy because though he is so smart and helpful yet he is limited because his mind does wander. Like with the Wormwalker he is so interested in them he has to be lead away. But he does have great lines such as 'Do Something Imperial.' It's so great but sadly I wish it was him....
There are of course many other things to discuss such as what the harpoons were for because we do get told thank god. They stop things moving so yay for that. We get to see Zicka again who is of course King of Information/ quick bit of exposition. Malen who is actually interesting because of the struggle with being so detached from the Crone hive mind. And she goes to Aenir and helps with the taking down of Sharrakor so ten points for being awesome Malen.
In the end though everyone is happy, Milla and Tal are going their separate ways for at least a year. Tal's family is reunited and he is Emperor. It's excellent but like where's the sequel series?
scostanzo42's review
4.0
Solid conclusion to the series. Would have liked a little more in the epilogue.
kendalf's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
imyerhero's review
3.0
This was a very satisfying book to round out the series once I let myself get into the story once again. I was very impressed that Nix took us back to Aenir, a place I’ve wanted to explore more and more with every book. I also felt for the first time the expanse of Aenir as a place, and the mystery of the magic in that country. And I was also frustrated just a bit because the ending seemed so quick – all of a sudden things stopped and there was a quick explanation as to what happened next. I never enjoy stories that end that way, I like a full explanation. And usually Nix provides this, but however, this time I felt it was a bit lacking.
glowing_embers16's review
5.0
This is such a wonderful conclusion to an amazing series! I was very pleased with how it ended.
benjfleck's review
3.0
The Violet Keystone: Or, What Just Happened aka The End
I honestly don't know what or why or how anything in this novel happened, but it did and now this series is over. Tal, Milla, Adras, Odris, and all the rest of the merry gang of Spiritshadows, Chosen, Icecarls, Underfolk, etc. etc. come together in their last battle to do something regarding a Veil and shadows and sunstones. Idk, y'all.
Things are so convoluted and I still don't know how the rules of this world work. I still don't know how anything in this world works. Maybe that is my problem? It was okay? Things happen, characters do stuff, and an ending is reached. I think I enjoyed it and I think I know what is going on, but I really don't.
I know I liked the Spiritshadows Adras and Odris. They were fun! I think I liked the initial concept of the world back in the first few books. There was just such a fast-paced plot that I never had time to stop and really think about what was actually happening.
So ultimately, The Seventh Tower series was just okay. A bit confusing and meddled, but quick-paced and with some fun characters. Nothing too memorable though.
I honestly don't know what or why or how anything in this novel happened, but it did and now this series is over. Tal, Milla, Adras, Odris, and all the rest of the merry gang of Spiritshadows, Chosen, Icecarls, Underfolk, etc. etc. come together in their last battle to do something regarding a Veil and shadows and sunstones. Idk, y'all.
Things are so convoluted and I still don't know how the rules of this world work. I still don't know how anything in this world works. Maybe that is my problem? It was okay? Things happen, characters do stuff, and an ending is reached. I think I enjoyed it and I think I know what is going on, but I really don't.
I know I liked the Spiritshadows Adras and Odris. They were fun! I think I liked the initial concept of the world back in the first few books. There was just such a fast-paced plot that I never had time to stop and really think about what was actually happening.
So ultimately, The Seventh Tower series was just okay. A bit confusing and meddled, but quick-paced and with some fun characters. Nothing too memorable though.
lhawk1's review
5.0
The Violet Keystone was a stunning conclusion to the Seventh Tower series. I absolutely ADORED it!
So many new revelations, exciting turns, and just overall amazing-ness.
Full review to come soon.
I'm 15, and I HIGHLY recommend this book.
So many new revelations, exciting turns, and just overall amazing-ness.
Full review to come soon.
I'm 15, and I HIGHLY recommend this book.
jessica_rodrigues's review
adventurous
fast-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
3.0