Tag Archives: Medieval fantasy

Cavern of the Fear by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Cavern of the FearTitle: Cavern of the Fear
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Shadowlands #1, World of Deltora #9
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Equal shares for four people.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELTORA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

The Shadow Lord’s evil tyranny over Deltora has ended. He and the creatures of his sorcery have been driven back across the mountains. But thousands of Deltorans are still enslaved in the Shadowlands, the Enemy’s own terrifying and mysterious domain.

To rescue them, Lief, Barda and Jasmine, heroes of the quest for the Belt of Deltora, must find a weapon powerful enough to combat the Shadow Lord’s magic on his own ground.

According to legend, the only thing the Shadow Lord fears is the fabled Pirran Pipe. But does the mysterious Pipe still exist? And if it does, what dangers will the companions have to face to find it?

Thoughts

The first book in the follow-up series to Deltora Quest is really quite good. Normally with a young children’s book / series like this, the original tale is really good, and then the rest kind of fall flat on their face. Not so with the World of Deltora. After becoming king and restoring the belt to its former glory, Lief has to deal with the hardships that a evil reign of tyranny have left behind. The secrets and the division that this has caused not only leads the trio on yet another incredibly dangerous quest, but it also causes large divisions in the trio themselves.

I like the completely different nature and setting of this quest. Where the length and breadth of Deltora, Deltora Shadowlands takes you underground and across the border. A completely different world that begins a new journey. A short tale that I managed to start and finish within 24 hours – easy, fun and with just enough of a twisting plotline to keep me coming back to the story again and again and again.

Secrets are not a good thing, although sometimes they are necessary. And it’s this idea that is the main driver for the beginning of the tale. It hurts when you know that someone you love is keeping a secret, but as I’m sure everyone can attest to, sometimes it is necessary to help and protect them. And as the story unfolds, it becomes more and more apparent that the secrets kept between friends might actually be a necessary evil. Albeit one that can be exploited.

 <- Return to Del Review The Isle of Illusion Review ->
Image source: Scholastic

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Tempests and SlaughterTitle: Tempests and Slaughter
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Numair Chronicles #1, Tortall #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mages, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lothian
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Chioke was still present, reading in Ozorne’s chair, when they entered the room.

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Synopsis

THREE STUDENT MAGES, BOUND BY FATE… FATED FOR DANGER

Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness – and for attracting trouble. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the ‘leftover’ prince’ with secret ambitions.

Together, these friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. But as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram realises that soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

Thoughts

This book was either going to be amazing or amazingly crap. Mostly because it is dealing with the backstory of one of my favourite characters in this series. That, and it is a bit of a departure from Pierce’s normal stories – it features a male protagonist going through his coming of age story, instead of a female. But, all in all, I was MADLY IN LOVE with this tale. I read it in 2 days… it would have been one, but my partner told me that I had to sleep…

The first in this trilogy follows Arram Draper as he begins to learn of his powers and make two incredibly powerful friendships. I found one of these friendships a little difficult since I know that the child eventually turns into a horrible man. Yet, the foundations for this are already there. Along with the reasons why the two became friends in the first place. It’s a great reminder that not only is Tamora Pierce GREAT at characterisation, she’s also fantastic in revealing that there is a reason for every character’s decisions. Although Ozorne makes some truly horrible ones, in the beginning they don’t necessarily come from horrible places. Just places of fear, spoiltness and an inability to be understood and loved by others.

Although I love the person that Arram eventually ends up with, his relationship with Varice is quite cute. It is the epitome of young love and shows how two young people growing up next to each other an change and still accept one another. Which, honestly is what I think love is – accepting the change in another person and seeing them for who they truly are, not who you want them to be. It’ll be interesting to see how this relationship develops in the rest of the series. Now it’s just a long wait for the next story…

 <- Lioness Rampant Review The Exile’s Gift Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

MastiffTitle: Mastiff
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Beka Cooper #3, Tortall #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “She needs to sniff the riverbank,” Tunstall said.

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Synopsis

THE HUNT IS ON!

Three years have passed since Beka Cooper almost died in the sewers of Port Caynn, and she is now a respected member of the Provost’s Guard. But her life takes an unexpected turn when her fiance is killed on a slave raid. Beka is faced with a mixture of emotions as, unbeknownst to many, she was about to call the engagement off.

It is as Beka is facing these feelings that Lord Gershom appears at her door. Within hours, Beka; her partner, Tunstall; her scent hound, Achoo; and an unusual but powerful mage are working on an extremely secretive case that threatens the future of the Tortallan royal family, and therefore the entire Tortallan government. As Beka delves deeper into the motivations of the criminals she now Hunts, she learns of deep-seated political dissatisfaction, betrayal, and corruption. These are people with power, money, and influence. They are able to hire the most skilled of mages, well versed in the darkest forms of magic. And they are nearly impossible to identify.

This case – a Hunt that will take her to places she’s never been – will challenge Beka’s tracking skills beyond the city walls, as well as her ability to judge exactly whom she can trust with her life and her country’s future.

Thoughts

I love this conclusion to Beka’s tale. From the very first page, you know that she is the famous ancestress of George Cooper and there is an allusion to the fact that she was incredibly famous. Terrier and Bloodhound both make you think that this could be the tale. But Mastiff is so amazingly obviously the reason why Beka is so famous. It’s a great tale of betrayal and trust, fate and destiny. But also, just a great crime story and hunt. After all, Beka is a dog on a mission.

I really loved Master Farmer in this story. He’s an incredibly unorthodox magician, and someone that I steadily fell in love with more and more throughout every scene. Although Beka is quite rigid and an adamant pursuer of justice, Farmer is quite possibly completely cracked. He pokes fun at everyone and manages to find a way to seemingly enjoy himself every step of the way. The balance between the characters is really well written. Not only did it help to round out the cast, but it was also a fantastic way in which to balance out Beka’s quite intense characterisation. Although I do enjoy her intensity and independence, it was nice to have a more obviously humorous character throughout this hunt.

One of the things that I really love about this series is that it starts with Eleni Cooper’s introduction to Beka’s past. Throughout the storyline, she meets with many other ancestors of the characters which I have begun to know and love throughout the tales of Tortall. Ending the tale with George’s impression of his ancestor and her famous cat really helped to bring this full circle. The fact that it is so seamlessly woven throughout her tale just makes the mastery of Pierce’s work even more enthralling. It provides an extra layer to the tale of Tortall and gives it a function and form that spreads over generations, rather than characters in the same years.

 <- Bloodhound Review Student of the Ostriches Review ->
Image source: Pinterest

Tortall: A Spy’s Guide by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Tortall - A Spy's GuideTitle: Tortall: A Spys’s Guide
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Tortall Companion
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Two days later, before a crowd of citizens, she ascended the higest tower of the palace, spoke of the king’s inhumanity to his people, and leaped to her death.

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Synopsis

Dear Thom,
Do you remember the room next to my office? You told me it was a danger of fire with all the crates of old papers I stored in there. I’ve been cleaning it out – and reading wome of what’s in those crates. Strange to find so many reminders of how it was in those first days, when King Jonathon and Queen Thayet were deciding how they should rule and your grandfather Myles, Evin Larse, and I were thrashing out the beginnings of the Shadow Service. I’ve even found papers from Daine, Numair and Neal in the lot. Should I save the lessons you boys and your sister wrote, to show your children one day?
Your mother and I look forward to seeing you for the Midwinter Festival and hearing about your mage studies.
Your loving father,
George

Thoughts

I love the world of Tortall. I have done since my mum first gave me First Test when I was ten years old. So, finding out that the latest book on Tortall is just as good, if not better than expected…? Well, it was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. And it was definitely over much too quickly. Starting with George’s letter to Thom to place the stories to follow into context. It also gives a tantalising hint as to what the future holds for these amazing characters.

Unlike the rest of the books that I’ve laid hands on by Tamora Pierce, this one isn’t really a story. Rather, it’s all of the little bits and pieces that have been used to create the world that many of us know and love. It features profiles, letters and snippets that give shape and form to what happens between the stories. Even the ways in which the royal family’s spouses were originally received at the outset of their reigns.

I loved the visually engaging way in which this book was set out. After all, it wasn’t just a  story, but rather a collection of snippets that make a world truly come to life. Different handwritings, backdrops to the words and images create a sense that this is a collection rather than a chronological storyline.

Something about this haphazard collection of tales and letters makes me think that every time I read it, I will find something else that adds an extra layer to the stories of Tortall. Something that I look forward to reading and experiencing again and again over many years.

 <- The Dragon’s Tale Review Terrier Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Deltora Book of Monsters by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Deltora Book of MonstersTitle: The Deltora Book of Monsters
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: World of Deltora Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: I would dearly love to see it for myself.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

Deltora is a land of magic and monsters.

Here, gathered together for the first time in one volume, are many of the terrifying creatures that prowl Deltora’s forests, mountains and deserts, swim in its waters and patrol its skies. Magnificently illustrated in full colour and filled with fascinating facts, The Deltora Book of Monsters is the work of a brave man called Josef – a Deltoran hero, in his own way – who was palace librarian in the time of King Alton.

That was long ago, but the illustrations are as vivid and compelling today as when they were first painted, and Josef’s words still carry the passionate ring of truth. The editors are honoured to have been able to make this great work available to the public at last. It has been hidden for far too long.

Thoughts

Every time I read a book, I imagine the world, the creatures and the characters that have been laid out before my eyes. However, the world of words will only get you so far. Sometimes, it’s a nice benefit to have a visual representation of what you are reading. After all, why else would people read books with pictures?

Written like an informative booklet, The Deltora Book of Monsters not only provides an insight to the monsters which appear throughout the Deltora Quest books, but also the backstory for Josef and the kingdom. They are a reminder of the dangers that a lack of care and vigilance can leave, and help to further show the depths of planning which the Shadow Lord has commenced.

 <- Tales of Deltora Review The Forests of Silence Review ->
Image source: AbeBooks

Tales of Deltora by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Tales of DeltoraTitle: Tales of Deltora
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: World of Deltora Companion
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Then, adruptly, it toppled and fell.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

‘This book of tales contains the secret history of Deltora. That is a startling claim, I know, but it is true.’

So writes Josef, the Palace Librarian in the time of King Lief.

Where did the Shadow Lord come from? How did the Ak-Baba come to be? Who are the Masked Ones?

Here, for the first time, are the true stories behind Deltora Quest. Let Emily Rodda take you on a magical journey to discover the secrets of Deltora, land of monsters and magic.

Thoughts

I loved this collection of tales. Not only were they fun and interesting to read on their own, but they built beautifully on the Deltora series (1, 2 and 3). The way in which the tales are broken up into short ‘folklore’ stories means that this book is really easy to read. After all, each short story has its own theme, message and journey. But, read in one big hit, as a whole, and with the rest of the Deltora series in mind, the overarching message and story comes to light.

Tales of Deltora brings Emily Rodda’s world of Deltora alive. Not only through her multi-layered tales, but also the fantastic images that accompany them. Turning the page is like opening a doorway into a whole new world every time. If the words don’t make it difficult to turn away from this book, the picutres make it nigh on impossible.

 <- The Sister of the South Review The Deltora Book of Monsters Review ->
Image source: Pinterest

Return to Del by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Return to DelTitle: Return to Del
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Quest #7, World of Deltora #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: Not surprisingly, no-one dared do that.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELTORA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

The seven lost gems have been restored to the Belt of Deltora. Now Lief, Barda and Jasmine must find the heir to the kingdom’s throne. They know that only the true heir can use the Belt’s magic to overthrow the evil Shadow Lord.

But the heir has been in deepest hiding from birth and only the Belt can reveal the hiding place. Shock follows shock as the Deltora quest rushes to its thundering climax and the fury and power of the Shadow Lord himself threaten to destroy its three heroes and everything they love.

Thoughts

This is a fantastic conclusion to the first of the Deltora Quests. The gems have all been restored, but the trio still have to find out where the heir to the crown has been hiding. The path to finding the unknown child is filled with tricks and treachery from the Shadow Lord. Every step feels as thought Lief, Barda and Jasmine have taken one further step into the web of deception that has been spun.

I love the fact that the truth of the heir is under the trio’s noses the entire time. The best place to hide something is in plain sight, and Endon and Sharn made sure that they did this. The surprise heir and ending finishes off the quest for Deltora. But, it makes you feel like there is more to tell. The trio and their friends may have caused the Shadow Lord to flee from Deltora, but he is by no means done with the country.

 <- The Valley of the Lost Review Cavern of Fear Review ->
Image source: Booktopia

The Valley of the Lost by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Valley of the LostTitle: The Valley of the Lost
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Quest #7, World of Deltora #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: Barda pushed at the door with his shoulder, but it did not move.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELTORA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

Lief, Barda and Jasmine, searching for the seven lost gems of the magic Belt of Deltora have almost reached their goal. Six gems now gleam in the Belt, but the last must be found before Deltora can be freed from the tyranny of the evil Shadow Lord.

The companions have faced many terrors with strength and courage. Now they are about to meet dark mysteries that strength and courage alone cannot defeat. If they fail, their quest will be lost, and they will remain forever trapped in the swirling mists of the Valley of the Lost.

Thoughts

This might be the last gem for the belt of Deltora, but it is definitely not the last step on the journey. The gems may all get restored to the belt, but they still need the heir, and Lief is so very aware of this as they travel towards the Valley of the Lost. But, like the rest of the gems, it is not just a simple means of finding where the gem is hidden – they have to battle the guardian to win it. Just, in this case, the battle is one of wits that the trio can’t afford to lose.

Del’s sister city, Tora is first mentioned in The Maze of the Beast, but it isn’t until the trio travel to the Valley that they truly discover what happened to its people. The scars that the Shadow Lord’s take over have left on the countryside are shown, and the negligence of the royals over generations have huge impacts. Lief, Barda and Jasmine may have begun to heal some of the scars of the past, but there is still a lot of work to do.

The Shadow Lord may have many plots and plans, and the trio manage to uncover yet another deceptive manipulation in their journey to the valley. It makes you wonder and fear for what will be in store in the future – what manipulations are still left in place, and the ways in which the Shadow Lord will prevent the three from finding the heir and saving Deltora.

 <- The Maze of the Beast Review Return to Del Review ->
Image source: Fishpond

The Maze of the Beast by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Maze of the BeastTitle: The Maze of the Beast
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Quest #6, World of Deltora #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: Would I not look beautiful in these?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELTORA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

The evil Shadow Lord has become aware that Lief, Barda and Jasmine are searching for the seven lost gems of the magic Belt of Deltora. He knows that if the gems can be restored to the Belt its power will threaten his tyranny.

Five gems have already been found. The next stone lies hidden in the underwater lair of the hideous and ferocious Glus. Already exhausted, pursued by the servants of the Shadow Lord, the three companions will need all their strength and courage to face the Maze of the Beast.

Thoughts

The next step on Lief, Barda and Jasmine’s journey is filled with even more danger, yet again. Not only does it feel like the stakes have been raised, but the enemy’s awareness of their actions have also increased. Not only do the trio constantly face the dangers of recognition, but they similarly need to face the dangers of the maze of the beast. Not only do they not know where the maze is, but they also have no idea how to get there and avoid the dangers of the Ols and constant interaction with more people.

There might be an increased danger of being recognised and caught, but the trio fortunately crosses paths with old faces. Dain and Doom are both shrouded in mystery, and although they have both saved the heroes at one point or another, there is still a sense of mistrust there. Yet, they are important to the journey and, possibly, at finally overthrowing the evil Shadow Lord’s tyranny.

I love that although every gem throughout this series is very much stumbled upon, it is the one in the Maze of the Beast which is almost tripped over. They are literally thrown at it, and the understanding of fate and their place in the saving of the realm of Deltora is highlighted.

 <- Dread Mountain Review The Valley of the Lost Review ->
Image source: Booktopia

Dread Mountain by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Dread MountainTitle: Dread Mountain
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Quest #5, World of Deltora #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: But -.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

Lief, Barda and Jasmine are on a perilous quest to find the seven lost gems of the magic Belt of Deltora. Only when all gems have been restored to the Belt can Deltora be freed from the tyranny of the evil Shadow Lord.

Four gems have been found. Now, though grave news reaches Lief fro home and he longs to return, the quest must continue. To find the fifth stone the heroes must venture almost to the border of the Shadowlands, and plunge into the darkness and terror of the realm of the monstrous toad Gellick – Dread Mountain.

Thoughts

This was a great next step on Lief’s journey around Deltora. As the group continues onwards and their success increases, so does the danger that they find themselves in. This time, they find themselves meeting mysterious legends, finding the true story of Doom’s past and solving the mystery of the Grey Guards’ blister balls.

I loved the Kin – they’re a gorgeous kangaroo-type creature that is believed extinct, and help Lief, Barda and Jasmine on their journey in a fantastic manner. As with everything on this journey, there is a sense of destiny and fate in the path that they take. Not only are they able to uncover the fifth gem, but they also dismantle another one of the Shadowlords plans and schemes. This journey is no longer just about finding the seven gems of the belt, but also showing the extent of the Shadowlords dark tyranny.

I loved the ease with which this book could be read. Yes, I know that it is aimed at a younger generation, but it is the perfect book for late at night when I can’t sleep, but still want to read. It’s easy, fun and has just enough mystery that you still have to think while turning from page to page.

 <- The Shifting Sands Review The Maze of the Beast Review ->
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