For this week, I would like to compare the main characters to objects in our daily lives. Not only do I believe this somewhat makes the characters more realistic, it truly helps to understand the characters and their strengths and weaknesses.
Boy 412 seems to be naive about the setting, and a little bit scared. However, he is extremely adventurous and has an unquenchable curiosity. He seems a bit blunt, yet when he rocks the boat he seems somewhat uneasy again, and because of that, reveals his also clumsy nature. Due to this, I would say he is most like a cat. There's a popular belief that cats get scared at shadows easy, making them jumpy and clumsy, much like how Boy 412 is. In addition, "Curiosity kills the cat" is a saying for a reason. Boy 412 has shown a curiosity that is unrivaled by anything I've yet to see in my life, book or real life, and it tended to get him in a little bit of trouble.
Jenna Heap is somewhat bold, and somehow cautious, at the same time. She has shown resourcefulness when in the bog, keeping the rest of her family safe, yet is hunted by the Hunter for her status, as she is a princess, and an evil Ex-Ordinary Wizard DomDaniel needs her dead before he can take over the Castle. Because of these traits, I would say Jenna is most like a flower in the dead of winter. Both stand out, and have given those too afraid to speak up/tired of the winter hope. It's also somewhat reckless to be showing your head like that when you're wanted to bad, seeing how both are red flags compared to their surroundings.
Silas and Sarah Heap have shown to overall be extremely caring, and willing to do anything for their children. However, they seem pretty gullible and fast to accept change. I would say that the pair of them are like weak armor. They try their best to defend what they can, but fact of life is that they can't do their jobs 100%. Like how both are fine with change, weak armor can bend and break easily, showing that maybe their situation adapting isn't the smartest thing in the world.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Next intersection, begin!
So as I finished the 7th Tower series, I am once again at a loss for books I should read next. Well not entirely, but it's a little hard to decide what to actually read when there's so many good books out there.
First up on the list: Lord of the Rings. From what I've gathered, it's about some sort of ring that turns people corrupt and people have to go quest to throw the ring in a volcano. That, in itself, wasn't what really drew me to the book though. I believe two factors really sold me on considering the book. First, the setting. If I can remember correctly, there were a lot of magical references, and fantasy elements in the book. I've always tended to like those kind of books. Second, I've heard so many good things about it. Not only does it seem like a hard series, as one might say, for its girth and massive detail, but to me it seems like a challenge, and I might want to challenge that book now. I'm not 100% though, if I was, I'd be reading it already, wouldn't I?
Second, in a very similar fashion, is Magyk of the 7th Son of the 7th Son series. Not nearly as well known as Lord of the Rings, but I've gotten some personal recommendations from one of my friends that I should read it, which brought it to my attention. I know for a fact that it uses magic commonly, in a very medieval like setting, which seems to be the trend in what I'm looking for as of late. I've also heard the plot has something to do with an evil force escaping and the 7th son of the 7th son has to stop it. That's such an awkward thing to call someone, but it's the best I can do for the main character right now, which I'm pretty sure is that 7th son of the 7th son. It seems pretty big as well, and has 5 books in the series, unlike how Lord of the Rings only has 3. It might honestly have more text than Lord of the Rings, but I guess I can't compare the two until I finish reading both series.
Going a little bit away from this magic theme, but not all the way, is Magic under Glass. It's a single book so it'd most likely be a quick read I can get in before the end of the trimester. My mom bought me the book and left it on my desk for a while now, it might not be such a bad idea to have a quick read at this point in time considering it's close to the end of the trimester. From what I've gathered, its about some musician girl finding a clockwork doll who can talk and tries to get her to do "something". What that "something" is, my mom omitted just to probably get me to read the book in the first place. Regardless, it seems like somewhat of an option, especially considering the time frame I'm writing this in.
So which one should I do? Comments much appreciated~
First up on the list: Lord of the Rings. From what I've gathered, it's about some sort of ring that turns people corrupt and people have to go quest to throw the ring in a volcano. That, in itself, wasn't what really drew me to the book though. I believe two factors really sold me on considering the book. First, the setting. If I can remember correctly, there were a lot of magical references, and fantasy elements in the book. I've always tended to like those kind of books. Second, I've heard so many good things about it. Not only does it seem like a hard series, as one might say, for its girth and massive detail, but to me it seems like a challenge, and I might want to challenge that book now. I'm not 100% though, if I was, I'd be reading it already, wouldn't I?
Second, in a very similar fashion, is Magyk of the 7th Son of the 7th Son series. Not nearly as well known as Lord of the Rings, but I've gotten some personal recommendations from one of my friends that I should read it, which brought it to my attention. I know for a fact that it uses magic commonly, in a very medieval like setting, which seems to be the trend in what I'm looking for as of late. I've also heard the plot has something to do with an evil force escaping and the 7th son of the 7th son has to stop it. That's such an awkward thing to call someone, but it's the best I can do for the main character right now, which I'm pretty sure is that 7th son of the 7th son. It seems pretty big as well, and has 5 books in the series, unlike how Lord of the Rings only has 3. It might honestly have more text than Lord of the Rings, but I guess I can't compare the two until I finish reading both series.
Going a little bit away from this magic theme, but not all the way, is Magic under Glass. It's a single book so it'd most likely be a quick read I can get in before the end of the trimester. My mom bought me the book and left it on my desk for a while now, it might not be such a bad idea to have a quick read at this point in time considering it's close to the end of the trimester. From what I've gathered, its about some musician girl finding a clockwork doll who can talk and tries to get her to do "something". What that "something" is, my mom omitted just to probably get me to read the book in the first place. Regardless, it seems like somewhat of an option, especially considering the time frame I'm writing this in.
So which one should I do? Comments much appreciated~
Well that was somewhat quick
Dear Mr./Mrs. Garth Nix,
I thank you for taking time out of your day to read my letter. What I wanted to discuss is the 7th tower series as a whole, that you wrote. Overall, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not only were the government dynamics with corruption and all extremely interesting, but I like how you somewhat put some deep heart felt hate in Tal to add conflict with Millia. That sounds a little awkward in hindsight, but the point stands; you making Tal want to instinctively hate Milla just because she didn't come from the tower, and his slow but gradual accepting of Millia in his world. I think that we could use that in today's society, the whole learning to be accepting and all. Thank you for seriously addressing the issue in a mature fashion.
I thank you for taking time out of your day to read my letter. What I wanted to discuss is the 7th tower series as a whole, that you wrote. Overall, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not only were the government dynamics with corruption and all extremely interesting, but I like how you somewhat put some deep heart felt hate in Tal to add conflict with Millia. That sounds a little awkward in hindsight, but the point stands; you making Tal want to instinctively hate Milla just because she didn't come from the tower, and his slow but gradual accepting of Millia in his world. I think that we could use that in today's society, the whole learning to be accepting and all. Thank you for seriously addressing the issue in a mature fashion.
- "Garth Nix has created a wonderful fantasy world with this series...The young boy Tal and his reluctant (and somewhat grumpy) companion Milla are an interesting pair and their journey is full of surprises. Garth has a great gift for characterization and pacing, and he has a sly sense of humor which always entertains."
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- — Claire E. White, The Internet Writing Journal[3]
- I believe the quote above captures very well, in what you have done with the series. They dyamic partnership between Milla and Tal grown as the series wages on is entertaining in itself, not to mention the crazy things you have found to throw in the way of them as the series has gone on.
- The one thing that I believe needs critique is when you shift perspectives. I still somewhat cringe when 3rd person omniscient is used, as it does let us know everything, but transitioning to what character to character is thinking/doing is somewhat awkward. I felt like your transitions were a bit bland, but it didn't take too much away from the story you already had down. Just somewhat of a distraction from the otherwise amazing plot.
- Thank you again, for taking time to read my letter. I hope you have a good day, and I'll be looking for future books of yours.
- Sincerely,
- Katerina Baumgarter
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A soundtrack in dedication of "The Fall"
Warning book one spoilers
Wow this series is very hard to put down! It's a six book series, and I've finished book three since I last updated this blog. Sorry about not letting you all know! Regardless, all three books were amazing, but I'll be focusing on "The Fall", as that's the first book in the series, which I've kept you all somewhat updated on. Anyway, onto the point here.
The Fall has a lot of extremely dramatic points. It's a very serious book, with themes of survival and power abuse and slaves. Like I've mentioned earlier, it has that medieval touch to it with the 7 towers and everything. So some music focused on suspence is a must. It doesn't really even have a happy end, ending with Milla, a character that Tal meets mid way through his journey who loathes his guts and wants to kill him instantly. Songs about being misunderstood, therefore, would be a nessesity.
As for specifics, I would want to start with a song that has a bit of a sad tune to it, but it still definately has hope and curiosity. You see, at the beginning of the book, Tal is trying to find his lost dad, take care of his younger sister, and find something called a Primary Sunstone; a jewel that has enough power to bring magical powers to the 7 towers in their entirety. However, Tal has a few enemies, for reasons he doesn't really know, so a tone of innocense would be there. Out of all of these things, the closest things that I can think of that can come to mind is "Tangl'd"'s "When will my life begin". What takes place in this song is that Rapunzel is going around a tower that she's lived in for 18 years, lamenting over her inability to find out what's outside. This song shows complete innocence about the consequences of her actions, and also it shows Rapunzel's desire to find out more. This desire is mirrored in Tal's being at the very beginning, not of nessesairly seeing what was outside, as he firmly believed that horror terrors of many kinds lived out there, and anyone who dared went out into the cold wilderness outside would never be seen again, which is pretty consistant to this point.
The next big plot point is when Tal gets stuck in the Achievement of Music, to get a primary sunstone for his mother, when he was sure he signed up for the Achievement of Body, which is more of an obstacle course. "You're gonna go far kid" I believe truly captures Tal's anger at the government around him and how it treats him unfairly.
Next, when Tal falls off of the tower when trying to get a Primary Sunstone and getting lost in the cold, I would argue that Tal, dispire his lonely feelings, feels somewhat free when he meets actual humans that live outside the tower. He experiences personal freedom, and is liberated from the common misconseptions about outside of the 7 towers. Suddenly, everyone back there who seemed to have power doesn't seem to be that importnat anymore, however, he still feels very alone with the fact that now no one will be able to understand him and he knows full well that stepping back in the castle might result in people searching for him. Because of all of these traits, I would say "Let it go" in Disney's "Frozen" would be a good choice for this song. Not only are both in a very similar setting, which doesn't really mean that much, but the fact that they both kept to themselves for so long, that no one would truly understand them and the fact that
When he finds Milla, who's just about to strangle his throat, I would argue that Tal's probably scared out of his mind, most likely already accepting certain death. So I think a good next song would be "It ends tonight".
Fighting when it was just himself and Milla, I would say he's stronger, but scared none the less. Milla's on the ground hurt, afterall. So I think that a good final song for The Fall would be a reprise of "You're gonna go far kid", bringing back not only the hatred of the government in which he lives in, but the hatred of the animal who would do such a thing to Milla.
Wow this series is very hard to put down! It's a six book series, and I've finished book three since I last updated this blog. Sorry about not letting you all know! Regardless, all three books were amazing, but I'll be focusing on "The Fall", as that's the first book in the series, which I've kept you all somewhat updated on. Anyway, onto the point here.
The Fall has a lot of extremely dramatic points. It's a very serious book, with themes of survival and power abuse and slaves. Like I've mentioned earlier, it has that medieval touch to it with the 7 towers and everything. So some music focused on suspence is a must. It doesn't really even have a happy end, ending with Milla, a character that Tal meets mid way through his journey who loathes his guts and wants to kill him instantly. Songs about being misunderstood, therefore, would be a nessesity.
As for specifics, I would want to start with a song that has a bit of a sad tune to it, but it still definately has hope and curiosity. You see, at the beginning of the book, Tal is trying to find his lost dad, take care of his younger sister, and find something called a Primary Sunstone; a jewel that has enough power to bring magical powers to the 7 towers in their entirety. However, Tal has a few enemies, for reasons he doesn't really know, so a tone of innocense would be there. Out of all of these things, the closest things that I can think of that can come to mind is "Tangl'd"'s "When will my life begin". What takes place in this song is that Rapunzel is going around a tower that she's lived in for 18 years, lamenting over her inability to find out what's outside. This song shows complete innocence about the consequences of her actions, and also it shows Rapunzel's desire to find out more. This desire is mirrored in Tal's being at the very beginning, not of nessesairly seeing what was outside, as he firmly believed that horror terrors of many kinds lived out there, and anyone who dared went out into the cold wilderness outside would never be seen again, which is pretty consistant to this point.
The next big plot point is when Tal gets stuck in the Achievement of Music, to get a primary sunstone for his mother, when he was sure he signed up for the Achievement of Body, which is more of an obstacle course. "You're gonna go far kid" I believe truly captures Tal's anger at the government around him and how it treats him unfairly.
Next, when Tal falls off of the tower when trying to get a Primary Sunstone and getting lost in the cold, I would argue that Tal, dispire his lonely feelings, feels somewhat free when he meets actual humans that live outside the tower. He experiences personal freedom, and is liberated from the common misconseptions about outside of the 7 towers. Suddenly, everyone back there who seemed to have power doesn't seem to be that importnat anymore, however, he still feels very alone with the fact that now no one will be able to understand him and he knows full well that stepping back in the castle might result in people searching for him. Because of all of these traits, I would say "Let it go" in Disney's "Frozen" would be a good choice for this song. Not only are both in a very similar setting, which doesn't really mean that much, but the fact that they both kept to themselves for so long, that no one would truly understand them and the fact that
When he finds Milla, who's just about to strangle his throat, I would argue that Tal's probably scared out of his mind, most likely already accepting certain death. So I think a good next song would be "It ends tonight".
Fighting when it was just himself and Milla, I would say he's stronger, but scared none the less. Milla's on the ground hurt, afterall. So I think that a good final song for The Fall would be a reprise of "You're gonna go far kid", bringing back not only the hatred of the government in which he lives in, but the hatred of the animal who would do such a thing to Milla.
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