Aenir facts for kids
Aenir book cover
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| Author | Garth Nix |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Se Rawlings |
| Cover artist | Madalina Stefan |
| Country | Australian |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Seventh Tower |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
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Publication date
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January 1, 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 233 |
| ISBN | 0-439-17684-0 |
| OCLC | 45644811 |
| LC Class | CPB Box no. 1881 vol. 20 |
| Preceded by | Castle |
| Followed by | Above the Veil |
Aenir is an exciting fantasy novel by Garth Nix. It's the third book in his popular The Seventh Tower series. Scholastic published it in 2001. The amazing cover art was created by Madalina Stefan and Steve Rawlings.
Contents
Who Are the Main Characters?
Tal: A Chosen Teenager
Tal is a teenager from the Chosen people. He grew up in a huge castle on the Mountain of Light. The Chosen use special Sunstones for light and power. They also summon creatures called Spiritshadows.
- Spiritshadows: These creatures come from a dream world called Aenir. The Chosen capture them on a special day. After this, the Spiritshadows become the Chosen's new shadows.
- The Dark World: Tal's home is called the Dark World. A magical veil hangs above it. This veil blocks sunlight. It also weakens any Spiritshadows that are not controlled.
- Tal's Quest: Tal's family is in danger. His father's last words guide him. Tal sets out for Aenir. He hopes to find the Chosen Codex there. The Codex is a special book that can answer any question. Tal needs its help to find his kidnapped brother.
Milla: An Icecarl Warrior
Milla is a teenage Icecarl. She lives in the cold, icy lands around the Chosen castle. Her people believe Spiritshadows are evil. Milla dreams of becoming a shield maiden. This is a female warrior sworn to protect her clan.
- Icecarl Life: Milla's clan lives on an ice ship. This ship slides across the ice. They hunt huge Selski, which are like massive herds of animals. They make weapons from Merwin horns. Merwins are like narwhals.
- A Dying Sunstone: The Sunstone that lights Milla's ship is losing power. Her elders send her to help Tal. Tal fell from his castle and landed near her ship. Milla's mission is to find a powerful new Sunstone for her clan.
- Joining Forces: After entering the Chosen castle, Milla decides to help Tal. She joins him in his search for the Codex.
Together, Tal and Milla find themselves in the strange dream world of Aenir. Here, rivers and trees move daily. Even mountains can lift themselves off the ground!
What Happens in the Story?
Arriving in Aenir
Tal and Milla arrive in Aenir. They offer some blood on a hill. This act summons two storm shepherds. These Aenirian creatures have hearts of thunder and cloud. They demand a life in exchange for a great gift.
- A Strange Bond: The storm shepherds don't like taking lives. They only do it because of an ancient promise. Tal offers to make them his and Milla's Spiritshadows. This would free them from their old promise.
- Freedom at Last: The spirit in the hill awakens. The storm shepherds quickly accept Tal's offer. They grab Tal and Milla and escape the hill. They are thrilled to finally be free!
- New Spiritshadows: Tal's new Spiritshadow is Adras. He is big but not very smart. Milla gets Odris, who is clever and slender. Both Spiritshadows often get confused by human feelings.
Milla's Anger and Journey
Milla soon realizes that Tal's offer took her true shadow. She becomes furious. Tal doesn't fully understand her anger. He doesn't know that losing her shadow means she can't be a shield maiden. Shield maidens must destroy Spiritshadows, not have one.
- A Fight and a Storm: Milla threatens Tal with her Merwin horn sword. Then she knocks him out. She storms off by herself. Adras and Odris talk about how humans overreact. Odris decides to follow Milla to keep her safe. Adras turns into a thunder cloud. He protects Tal while he sleeps.
Milla's Discovery
Milla calms down at the edge of a burnt field. She starts to head back to Tal. Suddenly, she realizes she is standing on the only patch of green grass. She jumps just in time! A creature called a Hugthing snaps shut, trying to grab her legs.
- A Tough Creature: Milla hacks at the Hugthing with her sword. But it doesn't work. Just as her ribs are about to break, Odris appears. Odris hurls lightning bolts at the creature. The Hugthing lets go and runs away, scared.
- The Giant Tower: Milla and Odris walk through the trees. They run into a pack of giant hunting birds. The birds chase them to a huge tower. This tower is carved from a giant tree. Odris lands on top. Milla goes inside. The door is wide open. The birds, called Nanuchs, wait outside.
Tal's Clue
Meanwhile, Tal wakes up. He finds a pack of bugs making a sign on the ground. They form an arrow pointing east and the letter 'C'.
- The Codex's Message: The Codex is trapped under a mountain. It is trying to guide Tal to its prison. It does this by controlling creatures with simple minds.
