Into Battle (Seventh Tower Series #5) by Garth Nix, Steve Rawlings (Illustrator)

Synopsis

The latest startling installment in Garth Nix's fantasy masterpiece puts

Al and Millie in more danger than ever and the consequences could be drastic. Tal and Milla are caught in an Underfolk uprising that will have dire consequences for the Castle . . . and for the entire Dark World.

Annotation

"The Dark World is in danger, for the Veil is vulnerable. War is soon to come. On one side are Tal and the Underfolk rebels, struggling valiantly for freedom. On another side are Milla and the Icecarls, preparing to assault the Castle in order to preserve their world. And on a third side lies the most sinister force of all, a force of such power that it could unleash the ultimate destruction"--Cover.

Children's Literature

This version of the "Tower" series is a reissue of an interesting experiment between Lucasfilms and the Australian fantasy/futurist writer Garth Nix. Unlike many "packaged" book projects, this does not obscure the author's voice; Nix is a good enough craftsman to retain his voice throughout the sprawling adventures of the two fourteen-year-olds questing on behalf of their separate civilizations. Book 5 of this seven-part epic pulls together most of the scattered plots and subplots that weakened Book 4. Milla is now War-Chief of the Icecarls, and we find her fretting upon an uncomfortable throne at the entrance to the castle of the Chosen. She wants to lead her people into battle against the dangerous Spiritshadows revolting within, but will the Crones who are trying to control her mind allow this? Meanwhile, Tal of the Chosen finds he must return to Aenir to report the dire situation to the Empress. Both kids mature remarkably as events escalate. Now, dear readers, you may root for a genuine hero and heroine. Bring on Book 6! Reviewer: Kathleen Karr