Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence
The Deltora Quest series, Book 1
Emily Rodda
Scholastic
Fiction, CH Fantasy
Themes: Fantasy Races, Magic Workers
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Description
Countless years ago, the seven tribes of Deltora were united under a blacksmith king to defeat the Shadow Lord and his minions. Using a silver belt
set with the seven sacred gemstones of the tribes, Adin harnessed a greater power than the darkness and drove the evil back, but did not destroy the
Enemy. In the centuries since, Adin's descendents have been bearers and guardians of the belt, ever-vigilant against the return of the Shadow Lord and
beloved of their subjects... or so they've been led to believe.
As ages passed, the monarch's advisors have taken over more and more of Deltora's power, and the rulers saw less and less of their people, until they
were no longer even permitted to leave the castle walls. Jarred, lifelong friend of the newly-crowned King Endon, has only just begun to question these
policies, but by now, asking questions may be too late. The Shadow Lord has lived long and patiently, and is at last ready to reclaim Deltora. Its
weakened king can offer no protection from the darkness without the love and devotion of his long-neglected people. Now, in their hour of greatest need,
it is discovered that the ancient belt of Adin has been destroyed, the gems scattered throughout Deltora.
After the Shadow Lord and his foul Grey Guards overrun the land, only one hope remains: for someone to recover the seven gems of Deltora and restore the
belt of power to the rightful heir to the throne, for only the royal heir can tap the energies of the magical gemstones. This task falls to the
sixteen-year-old son of Jarred, Lief, and Barda, grown son of the royal nursemaid. Their first journey will take them into the dreaded Forests of
Silence, where it is hoped that one of the gems is hidden. Even the Grey Guards will not venture near the forest. It is not considered among the most
feared places in Deltora for nothing...
Review
I was suckered in by a cool cover illo again, and can't say I was especially impressed with the story behind it. It wasn't poor, it just felt like a standard fantasy quest story, with little to make it stand out from countless other, similar tales I've read. It becomes very apparent very soon that the heroes will succeed in whatever they set out to do, with only a few minor setbacks along the way. Younger readers may be more impressed than I was, and I will say that it moved fairly quickly. I cannot say that this one will linger long in the memory, though. There are, of course, going to be seven books in the series, one for each gemstone. If I ever find them for half price, I may follow the rest of Lief's adventures. Provided I have nothing better to do...