Landovel

Landovel #1-3

by Emily Rodda

An epic 'three parts in one' fantasy quest, in a unique, irresistible package. Compulsive reading from the author of one of the most successful children's fantasy series ever published, Deltora Quest.

A hero fights against the tide,
Companions battle by his side.
Danger, magic, secrets, lies,
A tyrant King who never dies,
A Prophecy that must be cheated,
Evil that must be defeated,
The menace of the fabled El…
This is the tale of Landovel.

From the legendary Emily Rodda comes an epic adventure unlike any you've read before.

Derry knows no other life than that of a captive on Cram's Rock, shunned by the other young prisoners for being Cram's poison taster. Until the day everything changes, when a traveller arrives, on the run from the sinister El executioners. She leaves Derry with a magical notebook full of secrets, secrets that might hold the key to Derry's destiny – and his past.

Once you enter Landovel, you won't want to leave. So let Emily Rodda, bestselling author of Deltora Quest, take you on the whole thrilling adventure. In an unprecedented publishing event, Landovel's three parts are available together – and only together – in one unique, irresistible package, ready for you to binge from start to finish. Presented in a stunning embellished giftbox containing all three books with colourful sprayed edges, Landovel is a special keepsake, the ultimate fantasy quest, and the perfect way to ignite young readers' passion by giving them the entire story to devour at once.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Magic, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook

701 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Emily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Moving into a publishing career, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson, Rodda's first book was published in 1984.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does Emily Rodda/Jeanette Rowe do it?!

This trilogy of books (sold in one slip case) is brilliant. All the usual fantasy tropes, but delivered so deftly.

Even as an adult reader (I would recommend this for children 10 yrs and older), I didn’t want to put this down

Real world parallels, twists, a text-within-a-text and subtle environmental and societal issues, but in clear, crafted prose. Sensational.

Reading the climatic event in book 3 after the news of The Fall of Aleppo (Syria) only heightened my appreciation of the author’s ability to create modern fantasy stories.

Thank you, Emily Rodda.

[Ryan Bartok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an Advanced Reading Copy of ‘The Poison Taster’, Book One in Emily Rodda’s Landovel trilogy. This is a landmark publishing event, all 3 books released at the same time with those special edition features that I love like sprayed edges and slipcase, ready to be devoured and binged on.

As someone who grew up excited to see the latest Deltora Quest grace the pages of the scholastic school magazine, this news leaves me with mixed feelings. Children won’t know the anguish of patiently waiting the release of a book and the joy of finally having that copy in your hand, despite this children now have the opportunity to lose themselves completely in the excitement of a completed series.
I think this new format will make Landovel particularly satisfying for young readers, who can enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing each book while anticipating the next stage of the journey. I will have to wait to see what the exact effect on this young audience will be and having read book one I can see how awesome it will be that children can go straight onto the next book.

In Landovel, Rodda masterfully combines elements of adventure, mystery, and magic to create a plot that is both gripping and full of unexpected turns. A standout feature is how the characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing unique strengths and perspectives to the group. Derry’s growth over just this first book was executed brilliantly as he discovers power in finding his voice and learning from his friends

Rodda’s writing style is accessible yet rich in detail, making it perfect for middle-grade readers who are ready for a more complex and immersive reading experience. The themes of courage, friendship, and identity are presented in a way that is both thought-provoking and appropriate for young readers.

In conclusion, Emily Rodda’s Landovel series will be a must-read for young fantasy enthusiasts. Its ability to be binged, richly crafted world, and relatable characters will make it a standout in children’s literature. Whether read independently or as a shared reading experience, Landovel will offer a timeless adventure that will inspire and entertain readers for years to come.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Emily Rodda and always will. Deltora Quest and Rowan of Rin are amongst my favourite books, and I was pleasantly surprised by her Three Doors trilogy. With that in mind, I was disappointed by this new trilogy.

While I enjoyed her writing and voice, I feel it didn’t have the same magic and characters as what I liked about her previous works. The world didn’t feel as full and rich as what I had expected, with nowhere near the level of excitement in the quest. There were so many characters I didn’t get a good grasp of who Derry was, or what anyone really wanted. The structure should have worked for me, but I found the first book a slog to get through. The only reason I kept going was because I’d already bought the box set so I felt I needed to. Book 2 could have been a great return to the standard quest experience I’d come to expect from her, but it didn’t happen.

I’ll always love her books and will buy and read any adventure book she puts out, but this wasn’t a hit for me. I’m glad so many others had more positive experiences!

[RobotAlice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't decide if I should give this a three star or a four star rating but ended up on the four star end because there were more things I liked than I didn't.

Landovel as presented on Goodreads is one giant chunky boi book. But, in reality, it is actually a trilogy with each book in the trilogy having a very definite beginning, middle and end. But, because Rodda is a good at her craft the overall set as a whole has a very definite beginning, middle and end.

Emily Rodda is one of my favourite Australian Children's authors. I read Deltora Quest, The Rondo trilogy and the first Rowan of Rin book with/to my daughter when she was younger. I recommend Deltora Quest to many reluctant boy readers because I am pretty confident that they will like book one which leads them into reading seven books in total. I can then move them on to other books because they realise that books can actually be enjoyable.

Emily Rodda is an absolute queen of world building. Her fantasy worlds are very well thought out and remain internally consistent the whole way through. In this one the world has mysterious creatures called El, no-one knows much about them other than one what can be gleaned through stories (are they truth or lie?). The land has been split into two; Free and True. And these two lands are currently in a cold war with each other.

The main character is a young lad called Derry who starts off the book as a slave on Cram's Rock. He is a poison taster for Cram. Events happen and he is rescued and taken to Free Landovel and this is where the plot really takes off.

While the plot is very much the typical Hero's Journey, it never feels Rodda is rehashing the tropes and I (an adult reader) was very engaged all the way through. I could often pick what was coming next because I have read a LOT of books over the years but there were also moments where I genuinely gasped out loud because a plot point had been pretty well hidden. One thing that did irritate me a bit (and might not for a younger reader) is that some ideas, such as the Wordsmiths, were introduced but not properly fleshed out. WTF were they up to? And why introduce the name stones but not really do that much with them in the end?

The are a few things I really liked about this book. One, disability is not seen a negative thing or a positive thing; it simply exists inside this world and characters have to manage this as best they can. At the end of the book a character could have the disability removed but because of very logical plot reasons this is not possible. It is good to see disability not as something that can be fixed or endured but simply is. The second is characters die; there is no plot armour. They are not as shocking as in Phillip Pullman's universe as Rodda hints more strongly at what is about to happen but happen they do. Three, the adults are shady and can't 100% be trusted and this is something that I think that children can appreciate.

I really enjoyed this book and it is one I would like to add to my school library. It is one I would recommend to my year five students and very capable year fours

[Brea De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good for a kids' book, Deltora Quest is still the reigning champ though.

[Cherie • bookshelvesandtealeaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thank you Allen & Unwin for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Rodda writes some of the most engaging children’s fantasy and Landovel is no exception.

This is such a thrilling tale from start to end with so many twists and turns along the way, some of them I worked out and some which took me completely by surprise.

Derry is such a loveable, interesting main character. He holds his cards very close to his chest but he has such a big heart and he cares so much. This kid has to make so many big decisions and he made them so well and stayed so measured.

Straw, Num and Nissa were wonderful companions for Derry’s journey but I can’t pretend to like Cat. He was so actively unlikeable even though the role he played was pivotal.

What really surprised me was how much I loved Greville and Derry’s relationship. It was just so…pure and wholesome and sad.

This may be a children’s series but it’s definitely easy to love for all ages. A true quest-style fantasy and a reminder of how and why I got into the genre as a child.

[Sal Asfour · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 and a half stars

Emily Rodda has always been a fantastic author. When I heard about another fantasy coming-of-age story written by her you can believe I jumped for it. Her Deltora Quest series is an absolute legend and probably is the reason why I even started reading books now.

After reading this series and comparing it suffice to say that Landovel is a little meh. If you're a first-time Rodda reader it's a good intro into her writing style and themes, but for those who are hardcore fans don't expect the same level of fulfillment and excitement from here. The language was serious, the worldbuilding was interesting but seemed sort of rushed. There were a few interesting concepts (Wordsmiths and Gifted) that could have played more screen time but were left aside for confusing plot armour. Its themes are heavier than her other series: main character death, subservient politics, cloning, but a decent whirlwind to read.

The characters were tolerable to say something. MC is quiet and a little depressed, which is a sharp change from Lief's impulsive humour. His group of friends were more stereotypical then I expected, though they do clearly represent disabled characters as an important factor. Sometimes the chemistry between the characters felt a little forced. Cat is the most annoying kid to exist and almost ruined the story for me. Straw was alright but still boring for a fantasy series. Num was probably the only one living up to the name.

The plotline and twists were pretty amazing though. The main one was astonishing mostly because the author didn't expand enough on the El powers to even begin to guess the ending. What happened to Cat was pretty cool too--his redemption arc redeemed him in my eyes too. The major bad guy held eerie reflections of the real world and the politics were top-notch in the way that you can't guess what happens till it does.

Emily Rodda is still a brilliant author and I wouldn't miss her books for the world. It just stands to say that while her Deltora Quest series was able to tailor to all ages' satisfactions, Landovel is more specific and might not cater to everyone. If you're looking for a quick jig into fantasy it won't disappoint.

[Cassie Renais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owe Emily Rodda many happy hours from my childhood, and now I owe her even more from my adulthood. Even though this is a middle-grade/teen book, there's a timeless, classic quality to Rodda's writing that makes the story engaging even for adults - like the Chronicles of Narnia, or Roald Dahl.

Derry, the main character, is the heart and soul of the text, and he carries the story beautifully. A crippled, intelligent boy with no memory of his past, he nevertheless knows that he can read - an incredibly rare, and forbidden skill. He holds his own counsel, watching the other more dashing characters and balancing their bravery with his wise decisions. Joining Derry is Num, the quirky, empathetic sidekick that every MC needs; Straw, the bold heroine with a will of steel; and Cat, a quicksilver charmer who is brash and cunning. These four go on a classic adventure to find a lost hero, confront tyranny, prevent a war, uncover mysterious creatures, and discover their own hidden (magical) talents.

The narrative is deceptively simple, but it twists curiously when you least expect it. The characters have layers, and the overall ensemble are perfect for the story and each other. There are little mysteries woven into the text that keep the reader guessing even as you form a pretty good idea of what is going on. Not going to lie, I found many echoes of Deltora Quest in this trilogy - side characters cut from the same cloth, themes of deceived innocence expressed in the same ways, and that sense of a great secret at the heart of the story. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, just noteworthy. The magic is unobtrusive - a side presence in the text that mostly manifests as telepathy and not much else, which is quite refreshing.

Overall, I would have no hesitation recommending this to its target market of young adventure/fantasy readers, and would even recommend it to adults like me who hold a nostalgic place for Rodda in their hearts.

[Mella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new middle grade fantasy from the queen of children's fiction.

A world filled with two warring nations - one that promotes and advances scientific discovery and one that spurns technology for the beauty of natural life, Landovel reflects many of the social issues facing our planet in a more accessible way for younger readers.

Landovel is told from the point of view of Derry, a young orphaned slave who has no memory of his past beyond his name and the ability to read. Given the role of poison taster for his cruel master, Cram, he takes solace in his secret position as storyteller where he is allowed to read all of the books Cram viciously hoards.

Life on Cram's Rock is desolate but routine - until an odd stranger appears and upends the peace. Entrusted with a coded notebook, Derry is stunned to find that the stories about the El - a fey like race who are forbidden from interfering with humanity - may be more real that he thought and that Derry himself is more important than he believed.

This was a solid quest fantasy with a well written plot and decent world building. It's not quite as good as Rowan of Rin or Deltora Quest but definitely classic Emily Rodda. This will feel familiar to fantasy lovers with all the required tropes woven through the plot. It made me want to read Rowan of Rin. Again. Which probably means I'll pull them out soon.

As someone who generally prefers to wait for a series to be published before I start reading, I liked the idea of it being published as one volume. On the other hand it also felt ridiculously hyped and overly dramatic. But it was nice to be able to read the whole story at once, so hopefully more publishers will consider it.

As for the story it was good. I liked Derry and Num and Nissa. I was less keen on Straw and Cat. Cat spent most of his time as a little conniver. I liked his redemption in the end - but I also would've preferred that he was redeemed without the whole dying part. It wasn't that I liked him as much as I felt it would've been nice for Straw and him to settle down happily together. Straw left me with mixed feelings. I liked her zest for life and courage and determination. I liked her affection for Num and Cat. But I didn't like how she was so blinded to Cat's shortcomings and her constant prioritisation of him over everyone else. I felt sorry for Grenville and honestly slightly horrified and somewhat traumatised by the whole plot to kidnap, brainwash and use plastic surgery to create an army of Grenville's. Clones creep me out.

I felt sad for Straw at the end. I sort of suspected the bits about the El and who they were. Some of it was a bit surprising though. I thought for sure Straw was El. I mean I liked that they were all reunited by the end but it was sad she would always be apart from them. Still it was a satisfying conclusion and one which wrapped up all the main plot points. Another engaging and enjoyable fantasy read from Emily Rodda. 3 stars.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three volumes in one boxed set ensures that readers will not be left hanging between each story as the tension and danger builds. The titles of each book reflect the major premise of each: The Poison Taster, The Secret Keeper and The Truth Teller and each volume includes a map showing the twin isles of True Landovel and Free Landovel. Once a single island, a natural disaster 75 years ago divided the land with each developing differently - True harnesses technology and machines the Free appearing to take a more natural approach, but with great disparity between the rich and the poor and ruled by a seemingly immortal King.

The adventure starts on Cram's Rock a pirate who captures and sells slaves but keeps the youngest on the island to serve his ahis crew's needs. Derry, the hero and narrator, is Cram's poison taster and has a secret, and forbidden skill - he can read, and secretly he reads to Cram from his extensive library. This skill is signficant in all three stories.

This is a fantastic adventure story with wonderful world building, diverse characters wll with strengths and weaknesses and evocative and descriptive language and story telling. Their are some significant themes exploring human nature in regard to trust, honesty, power, greed, accepting diversity and individual differences, being open to change and the dangers of blindly following religious beliefs

A word of caution for younger readers of this wonderful adventure, as with many fantasy series, there are some very scary moments, violence and death. Book 3 also has a shift of pace that adds complexity and duplicity that less mature readers may find harder to follow. Many reviewers have tagged this for 8 or 9+, but I would recommend an older audience 0f 10 to 11+ unless you have read the book and know the intended audience and their abilities

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming into a new fantasy world created by Emily Rodda felt a bit like coming home for me. Deltora Quest, The Fairy Realm and Rowan of Rin all were formative reads for me as a child, particularly sparking my love for the fantasy genre. Landovel: The Poison Taster is a brilliant beginning to a brand-new world and adventure. Following Derry, one of the many children captured and kept upon the inhospitable Cram’s Rock, as he suddenly finds himself thrust into a daring adventure, that the very fate of Landovel rests upon. Emily has once again created a wonderful world, that slowly and beautifully unfurls in front of you, filled with young people who are all very complex and flawed. I can’t wait to see where the next two books go, and what further intrigue will unfold as Derry and his companions undertake their daring mission. Emily manages to combine elements of magic, mystery, and adventure so perfectly that this truly is a worthy successor to Rowan and Deltora.

Read by Indy and Jemma

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this new trilogy from a favourite author after getting into a conversation with a new owner of one of my favourite book-stores and she strongly recommended it.

As usual it's sweet, wholesome (not overly simplistic though) and has several twists throughout the trilogy which is best if you read all of it. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who is not too pompous to still read kid-lit (good kid lit). I gave it to my son and his girlfriend for Christmas and his face lit up "more Deltora" and I had to tell him it's not Deltora but it's good in a similar albeit aimed at slightly older readers way. You don't grow out of Emily Rodda.

Also in the unlikely event that any publishers see this review- you should put out another edition of teen power inc as many of us would still buy it for our young people (and reread them ourselves)

[A.B. Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Rodda's "Rowan of Rin" inspired my son to start reading. Her books are written for children. But like good kid's movies, adults who take the kids along can appreciate them on another level. The humor, the worldy wisdom, the political analogies which go over the children's heads, though some may absorb it or be aware it is there.
That's why I gave this book five stars. This book would make a great discussion piece for older children and adults.
As another reader said, possibly for children 10+.
Younger ones can try her Deltora Quest books.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books! Unique from Rodda's other books, yet very on brand for her writing style. I enjoyed the plot and the main characters. The wrap up at the end was intriguing and captivating. So many side stories could have been their own books! Yet, the story doesn't feel rushed - it simply made the story feel more real and rich. I'm probably biased because I love Emily Rodda's books so much, but I will definitely read this series again!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to my 9y.o. We have read nearly all Emily Rodda books. I was prepared for some ebbing of the author’s quality after all the works she has penned, but she continues to weave worlds, plots, characters and twists with the same talent she has always had. Loved the strengths, weaknesses and evolution of the characters and the societies.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Rodda has retained the magic that captivated me as a child. I read halfway through the trilogy before work one day and spent the rest of my day wondering what twist she would insert before the end. It didn't disappoint.

Suitable for old and new fans, delightful in its charm and thoughtful in its social commentary, this is an excellent trilogy with fantastic cover art.

[Peter Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid Rodda experience

When I started this book, I wasn’t sure where it was going and if I’d like it.
It felt so different to the Rodda I was used to.
By the end, I was fully on board, it was a captivating story and Rodda, as usual, drew all the parts together magically.
The twists at the end were both logical and u expected.

[C N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Rodda has done it again! Thank God she released the volumes all at once - it would've sucked waiting! Also I think the endings of the first and second books are more fitting as the end of a volume rather than a book

[Ruby _PjoObsessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book actually broke me. The ending at the end of book 3!!

I actually cried, not gonna lie.

If you’re looking for something to read with almost classic fantasy, no spice and teenage protagonists? This is for you.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant tale - gripping storyline and fascinating characters. Hard to put down. Echoes of Hunger Games I wd definitely recommend for over age 10s. Sophisticated language and subjects make it enjoyable for all ages. So good.

[Pam Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the troupes of a fantasy read for primary to lower secondary readers. The orphans rescued from slavery, who turn out to have skills needed to save a country, good evil rules, a magic people, an environmental message thrown in too. I raced through this and now will need to read the rest!

[Alyssa Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful joy to rediscover an author from your childhood
An amazing read
Emily Rodda never fails to enthrall readers

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure it’s cliched and some of the plot points are a bit wonky but i really enjoyed it nevertheless. Liked the characters and the concept.

[Kate H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Emily Rodda knows how to write for kids.

[SillyBillyIllyLily · Rating 5 out of 5]

woah

i am literally speechless the twisttttt

crazy and it all happened in the last few chapters

still processing

AMAZING BOOK!!!!!

[Jacqui Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fast-paced and action packed. Loved these three books as those to start my New Year reading with!!

[Monica Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st and 2nd book 4 stars, 3rd book 6 stars ♡

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back Emily Rodda.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Jennifer) Emily Rodda, please please continue writing your stories. What a testament to her craft, that after all these years she can still immerse us all in a world of intrigue, epic journey and friendships.

Loved this one; immediately picked up the second in the trilogy to continue reading Derry's tale.

Highly recommended for kids and grown-growns 9+

[LBO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this engaging fantasy series for 12-14 year old boys and girls.