Above the Veil facts for kids
Above the Veil book cover
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| Author | Garth Nix |
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| Illustrator | Steve Rawlings |
| Cover artist | Joan Moloney |
| Country | Australian |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Seventh Tower |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Scholastic Press |
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Publication date
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1 April 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 248 |
| ISBN | 0-439-17685-9 |
| OCLC | 46451790 |
| LC Class | CPB Box no. 1881 vol. 26 |
| Preceded by | Aenir |
| Followed by | Into Battle |
Above the Veil is an exciting fantasy book for young readers. It is the fourth book in Garth Nix's popular The Seventh Tower series. Scholastic published it in 2001.
What Happens in the Story?
Tal's Journey to the Red Tower
While a powerful leader named Shadowmaster Sushin controls many of the higher-ranked Chosen, Tal and Milla explore deep inside the Castle. They meet the Freefolk, a group of Underfolk who live below the Castle. The Freefolk do not like the Chosen at all. Tal and Milla also meet Lector Jarnil, a famous teacher.
They learn more about the Castle's complex rules and leaders. They discover that Sushin, a Shadowmaster of the Orange, is the Empress's special advisor, known as the Dark Vizier. He handles important and sometimes tricky matters for the Empress. Tal and Milla also find out that a magical shield called the Veil protects their world. This Veil is kept strong by seven special objects called Keystones. Each Keystone is located at the very top of one of the seven towers.
Most of the Chosen leave the Castle because of a big event called the Day of Ascension. To stop the Veil from breaking, Tal and Crow, the leader of the Freefolk, climb the Red Tower. They bravely defeat the dangerous Keeper guarding the tower. They also solve a tricky puzzle made of tiles to avoid setting off any alarms.
Finally, they reach the Red Keystone. Inside, they find Lector Jarnil's cousin, Lokar, trapped! As Tal and Crow get ready to leave, many wild Spiritshadows attack them. Tal quickly creates a small Veil to hide them. But by accident, he traps his own Spiritshadow, Adras, inside it. As they get close to the Freefolk base, Crow hurts Tal and runs away with the Keystone. Tal manages to get the Keystone back. Lokar then convinces Tal to go to a place called Aenir to ask the Empress for help to free Lokar.
Milla's Mission and the Crones
While Tal and Crow are climbing the tower, Milla returns to Odris. She uses a maze of tunnels beneath the Castle to get there. On her way, she makes a strange discovery. She finds a skeleton that is connected to her own Primary Sunstone, a powerful magical item. Looking closer, she sees a long Violet fingernail, which she puts on.
Milla knows she is about to face a very difficult challenge. She uses a special magical pattern to make sure she completes her task of getting a Primary Sunstone. On her journey, Arla and a group of Shield Maidens attack her. They are angry because Milla brought Odris with her. Milla accidentally causes harm to Arla with her talon.
After this, Milla is brought before the Crones, who are wise and ancient beings. They will decide what happens to her. The Crones look into Milla's thoughts and dreams. After much discussion, they decide to take action against the Castle. Their goal is to stop the trading of Spiritshadows and save the Veil. The Crones choose Milla to lead this important mission.
