The Seventh Tower -- The Fall

This fantasy kids' book by Garth Nix was a quick read. I enjoyed the first half, but after a while, I had my typical reaction to this author -- the action started to seem episodic and video-game-ish. Still, it was short and fun enough that I'm curious to see what happens in the next book of the series.

Tal, the main character, is a boy whose father is missing, his mother is sick, and he has two younger siblings who need his portection and support. Tal's family is missing their primary Sunstone, a glowing crystal that provides power, warmth, light, and a whole host of complex services.

Light and Shadow are malleable and vitally intertwined with the society in which Tal lives. The most compelling feature of The Seventh Tower is the creative way Nix plays with these elements and how they work in the fantasy world of the book.