Rowan and the Zebak - Hardcover

Rodda, Emily

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060297786 ISBN 13: 9780060297787

Publisher: Greenwillow, 2002

Synopsis

Fate and dark forces may finally pose more than a match for Rowan, the hero of Rin. The dreaded Zebak nation is closing in fast. The Zebak have fanged, flying grachs to carry out their missions, and revenge burning deep in their hearts. Rowan's little sister, Annad, is their first target. And that is only the beginning. . . .

Emily Rodda's seamless novel threads together an unlikely group of comrades, a witch's agonizing riddles, and a fortress of steel hiding the most elusive of secrets, a secret that may spell destruction for the Zebaks'or for Rin. A new dazzlingly unpredictable Rowan adventure'riveting to the end, and utterly believable.

About this title

About the Author

Emily Rodda has written many books for children, including Finders Keepers, which School Library journal dubbed "a lively adventure," and several novels about the likable hero Rowan. The first of these novels, Rowan of Rin, won the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award when it was first published. In fact, Emily Rodda has won the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award an unprecedented five times. A former editor, Ms. Rodda is also the best-selling author of adult mysteries under the name Jennifer Rowe. She lives in Australia.

Reviews

Grade 4-6 In his fourth adventure, Rowan comes face to face with the dreaded Zebak tribe. Generations earlier, the people of Rin had been its warrior slaves, and had fought to earn their freedom. On what should be the happiest of days, Rowan keeps receiving warnings of danger, but decides to keep quiet until after his mother marries Strong Jonn. Unfortunately, before he can tell anyone, his little sister is snatched by a fanged, flying grach. With the help of friends from previous outings-and of course a few magical poems courtesy of Rin's always cranky wise woman, Sheba-Rowan makes his way across the sea and through the Wastelands, to the fortress of steel that is the Zebak's stronghold. There, mysteries of the past are revealed, new friends are made, and Annad is rescued. Rowan is not the flashiest of heroes, but in each story he grows a little more confident. He has become a quiet but able leader, one who listens and learns and inspires his followers to do their best. This story, like its predecessors, is filled with mystery, magic, and plenty of twists and turns. Fans of the series will rejoice and newcomers will want to go back to the beginning and read about Rowan's earlier adventures. -Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

*Starred Review* Gr. 3-6. This new installment in the Rowan of Rin series will not disappoint fantasy-adventure fans. When Rowan keeps quiet about his premonition of disaster and his younger sister, Annad, is kidnapped and whisked away to the land of the Zebak by a fanged, flying grach, Rowan feels responsible. He decides to attempt a rescue. After receiving a mysterious packet and a set of instructions in the form of a riddle from Sheba, the community witch, he sets off, accompanied by Perlain, one of the fishlike Maris creatures; Zeel, a Zebak who has been raised by Travelers; and Allun, a resident of Rin with a Traveler father. His comrades become essential to the quest. As in previous books in the series, Rowan's adventures are riveting, with plot twists sufficient to keep the outcome in doubt until the final pages. Rodda's alien landscapes and imaginative creatures will intrigue young audiences, but it's the characters, who seem fully human, that are the strength of the book. On a subtler level Rodda says much about the importance of recognizing and celebrating an individual's strengths. This book easily stands alone, but since the others in the series are so good, why not enjoy them all? Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060297786
• ISBN 13: 9780060297787
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208