Title: Rowan of the Bukshah
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Rowan of Rin #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: His own knife fell from his hand and spun away.

“Four must make their sacrifice.
In the realm twixt fire and ice . . .
The quest unites both life and death.”
The wise woman Sheba’s ominous words haunt Rowan. The bitter winter has lasted far too long and won’t loosen its deadly hold on the land. As food stores dwindle, the people of Rin flee to the warmer coast.

Rowan and two friends — and a shadow — journey up the mountain that towers over Rin to seek the source of the unending cold. Rowan knows from past experience that the mountain is unpredictable and harbors many dangers. But now waves of freezing air stream down its sides. And ferocious ice creepers — giant eyeless creatures with gaping jaws and teeth like shards of ice — slither from its shadow eager to devour any warm being.

Will Rowan and his friends somehow be able to bring spring — and life — back to the land? Can they survive the perils of the mountain and the attacks of the ice creepers?

The final tale in the saga of Rowan of Rin brings everything full circle. And I love it. it not only ends by giving you hope for the future, but it also completes the journey – not just Rowan’s, but also that of the Bukshah. And the Maris. And the Travelers. And the Zebak. And the people of the Valley of Gold. Which all worked in beautifully. And after closing the last page of this book, I was left with a great, big grin on my face.

This is Rowan’s last epic quest, and it is certainly a lot more intense than the others. Not only because there seems to be more at stake, and the past is coming to life. But because it not only affects one or two of the peoples’ of the land. It affects all of them. And the evil could potentially spread even further than just the Travelers, the Maris and the people of Rin.

As an ecologist, I love the idea that everything serves its place in the system. I thrive on the idea that every moment, every interaction, every creature has a purpose and that just by removing one thing from this, the equilibrium is completely destroyed. Rowan of the Bukshah really reminded me of that. It drives home the fact that everything and anything has a sense of importance and a place in the world. It also reassures me that I too, have a place in this world.

Image source: Book Depository

Title: Rowan and the Zebak
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Rowan of Rin #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: “No,” Zeel broke in.

When a flying monster kidnaps Rowan’s little sister, Annad, Rowan fears the warlike Zebak people have attacked his village of Rin. And Annad’s capture is only the beginning.

Now Rowan and his companions must make the treacherous journey into Zebak territory, fighting the monsters that guard its city and the enemy people within it. If they fail, Annad will be lost — and so will all hope for the survival of Rin.

The first three Rowan of Rin stories are really quite disjointed. The first features the people of Rin, the second the Travellers, and the third the Maris. But all have the common thread of the Zebak’s invasion in the past. They are all connected across their land. And it really isn’t until the fourth story that the connection between the different groups can really be enjoyed and appreciated.

Rowan and his misfit friends from the previous books are all on the longest and most epic journey yet – they have to travel to the homeland of the people of Rin. And here they get to discover more about their past. More about why Rowan is so different from everyone. By taking the five misfits of the tale and throwing them into the enemies territory, you are not only thrown into a reminder that everyone can find their place, but there are other people just like you… somewhere. Sort of. Or maybe you’re like the Wise Woman, and are just so damn kooky, and completely happy being that way…

I think that this was the favourite so far of the Rowan of Rin stories for me. Maybe because I just don’t remember it as well (or at all). Or just the idea of confronting the past, and coming out with a better idea of the future… either way, I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to finish off Rowan of the Bukshah tonight, and the end of the series.

Image source: Book Depository

Title: Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Rowan of Rin #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 1996
5th sentence, 74th page: Because they knew they were in danger.

Rowan and his mother have been called to Maris to choose the new Keeper of the seaside village’s precious Crystal, a dangerous task Rowan’s family has been bound to for generations.

But this time, something goes terribly wrong. Rowan’s mother is poisoned and near death, and Rowan must find the antidote, outwit a deadly sea serpent, and pick a new Keeper — before it’s too late.

I haven’t picked up this book in ages. And, after a long Saturday at work, I kind of needed something quick, easy and interesting to read. This was the perfect fit. I spent about an hour just disappearing into the world of Rowan of Rin. The fact that he is so different from everyone he knows and loves always drew me to his stories as a child (I wonder why) and Rodda has an amazing way of telling fantastic stories that draw you in from the beginning.

The idea of deceit throughout the tale, and that Rowan is working with the very people who probably poisoned his mother adds an extra sense of time and difficulty to the tale. Every action and moment that is placed throughout the tale has this extra sense of confusion and mystery to it. Not only does it raise the stakes, but it also makes it far more confusing to understand who will be chosen, and how the story will unravel.

One of the things that I love most about the Rowan of Rin series is that each tale begins with a rhyme that must be unravelled in time. And it is never as expected. And it is always somewhat of a surprise when all of the pieces finally click into place. And The Keeper of the Crystal was no different.

Image source: Goodreads