View source for Aenir (The Seventh Tower) by Garth Nix

{{infobox2
|title= Aenir (The Seventh Tower)
|author= Garth Nix
|reviewer= Molly Drury
|genre=Confident Readers 
|summary= A wonderful third volume in a seven-part series. The two protagonists continue on their quest, struggling with both their own problems and with each other. Another fantastic example of why Garth Nix is such a successful writer.
|rating=4 
|buy= Yes
|borrow= Yes
|pages= unknown number
|publisher= Harper Collins Children's Books
|date= March 2009
|isbn=978-0007261215 
|aznuk=0007261217
|aznus=0439176840
|cover=0007261217
}}

''Aenir'' is the third book in Garth Nix's ''Seventh Tower'' series.  Tal and Milla continue on their quest, travelling to the dream world of Aenir. There they must retrieve the Codex, a mysterious book which knows everything, as long as you ask the right questions. It seems to be an almost impossible task as the two heroes must travel a great distance, battling unusual and terrifying creatures, whilst also trying to deal with the complicated spells and curses that permeate Aenir to its very core, and the evil powers that will stop of nothing to see that Tal and Milla fail in their quest.

In the Seventh Tower series, the Dark World is, as the name suggests, shrouded in darkness because of an enchanted veil which blocks out the sun and protects it from the creatures that inhabit Aenir, a dream world full of magic and sunlight. Tal and Milla are spurred on in their quest by the need to survive and the need for light in their world. ''Aenir'' sees them being forced to put aside their differences and work together towards their common goal, as hard as that may be for them both.

I hadn't read the first two books in the series, but that wasn't a problem. Garth Nix ensures that the reader is not left in the dark, and although I may not know exactly what happened in the castle, Nix feeds you enough information to make it clear what is going on and why. The fantasy worlds are incredibly well-rounded, with enough detail to make sure you can really envisage it. The characters are all brilliantly sculpted and at times the reader feels really connected to them and their troubles. Nix's writing is superb; it doesn't feel as if you are simply reading about two children on an adventure, you feel as if you are right there alongside them, going through everything with them. You want them to succeed. There's action on every page, making the book flow with such a fast pace that when you get to the end you'll be ravenous for more, but it will not have felt rushed.

It's another fantastic book by [[:Category:Garth Nix|Garth Nix]], and is highly recommended for both fans of his other works and newcomers. It's perfect for readers aged nine and up, but is also highly enjoyable for older readers.  So you won't be disappointed.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

Junior fans might also enjoy [[Necropolis (Power of Five) by Anthony Horowitz|Necropolis by Anthony Horowitz]].

[[Garth Nix's The Seventh Tower Series in Chronological Order]]

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