The Drowned Kingdom

The Impossible Quest #4

by Kate Forsyth

Quinn, Sebastian, Elanor and Tom have found a dragon and conquered the dreaded Beast of Blackmoor Bog. Only one item remains on their impossible quest?the scale of a sea-serpent. Now they must journey to the drowned kingdom, where they will face their deadliest challenge yet. And there they will uncover the truth behind all that has happened... the truth that will change everything.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Magic

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.

Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'

Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.

Reviews

[As You Wish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that Quinn ended up to be more than just an unwanted foundling. I kinda saw it coming at the end of book three, but this confirms everything. I think it's important that she knows not that she was born to some great destiny, but that her parents loved her and everyone who encountered her tried to save her and do her a kindness instead of harm, like the witch who murdered her parents. This series is A+

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In each book they find another creature to give them another piece of the prophecy. In this book the kids need to get a sea serpent scale. Each of the kids have a connection to one of the creatures except Quinn. So she assumes the serpent will be hers.

In the long run she's not wrong. In the short run she is dangerously wrong. It's good though. So much of the story is spread wide open in this book. They go looking for the drowned kingdom and upon finding it they also find the survivors and the evil witch.


It takes all of the loose ends and tie them together to a cohesive story. One that I of course never saw coming. I love it so much though!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't the last one? But it came out in 2016? Where are the rest?

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable adventure, having the right combination of danger and solace for a short book. Quinn's test at the end I found fascinating and the way she handled it as well as the was Sebastian took a step back and supported her were beautiful parts of the story. All the characters have had a lot of growth and it is nice not to have Tom and Sebastian snarling at each other anymore. Sebastian perhaps has grown the most out of any of them.

I'm not mad on stereotypes such as "hell hath no fury" scorned women who are power-hungry witches. I thought the idea of a man putting his own little daughters into danger and hardship because of the actions of the mother were far more problematic than was acknowledged in the book (though maybe that gets addressed in the next book). I don't mind female bad-guys but why does it always have to revolve on romance on sex? Speaking of romance Sebastian is 12. I do not think that for a 12 year old his biggest temptation would be a great romance. They have crushes, sure (although I suspect more so these days when we make such a big deal of heterosexuality as a society) but I think his main temptation would be glory and his father's approval (both also mentioned, but I just thought the romance thing was unnecessary).

How predictable that someone is of royal blood (no I won't say who),

Nevertheless the warmth and friendship that has grown up between the four, the complexifying of their interactions and the fantastic animals make it a feel-good read. Add to that high levels of danger and a need for courage and resourcefulness (not just magic or might) as well as a richly (though briefly) painted fantasy world and this is more than readable.

No question I am going to read the next one and finish the series!

Soon.

[Anika Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth part of this five-book series. The story is starting to ramp up now, with story threads coming together. There's plenty of standard tropes here, but I can't help feeling that if I had read this series as a 10-year-old, I would have been in absolute love with it.

On with the final part!

[Shylas_Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publication: Released 

Suggested age group: 8+

Well, this one greatly surprised me.

Synopsis: I've heard of a kingdom that was flooded and drowned...and that is where the sea serpents live...

Quinn, Sebastian, Elanor and Tom have found a dragon and conquered the dreaded Beast of Blackmoor Bog. Only one items remains on their impossible quest--the scale of a seas-serpent. Now they must journey to the drowned kingdom, where they will face their deadliest challenge yet. And there they will uncover the behind all that has happened...the truth that will change everything.

Thoughts/Review: Everyone else has tamed a beast Quinn is a little more than ready to tame her own.

I never got tired of this book. I feel like it's not as action packed as the previous ones, but more informative than some of the previous books. Now I know what you must be thinking, Well, that sucks! No, it doesn't a least in my opinion it isn't. Ever since the series began Quinn was just the little girl trying to become a witch. We didn't really know much about her. Her parents, if she had/has siblings...nothing like that. This book helps you understand who she is and her heritage before coming to the Wolfhaven castle. Her heritage truly shocked me. I didn't think she is as important as she is. 

Another thing that I truly enjoyed about this book was the Drowned Kingdom. I found the sea-serpents, the inhabitants, even the kingdom itself truly fascinating. My favorite part of the whole book was that. And I love Finn. I'm hoping we get to see more of him, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't.

 I don't dislike this book. I really like seeing how the characters have developed since the first book. Sebastian and Tom have grown a lot. They are no longer bickering enemies now they're actually getting along.

I can't wait to read book 5. It's just getting interesting, and I can't wait to see how the 5th book will end all this.

~Till the next chapter~

Wordpress: https://wordpress.com/view/areaderswo...

[Austin T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Drowned Kingdom is the 4 book in the 5 book series The Impossible Quest, written by Kate Forsyth and is about 4 kids (Tom, Elanor, Quin, and Sebastion) that go on a quest that seems impossible because they need a unicorns horn, a dragons tooth, a griffin feather, and a sea serpent scale. With those things they can awaken the sleeping heroes and save Wolfhaven.
The overall theme of the series is nothing is impossible if you set your mind to conquer the task. I believe that is the theme of the series because at first when Arwen gave the kids the quest they all thought it was impossible but it turns out it's not as impossible as they thought when they actually started the quest and found the unicorn, griffin, dragon, and sea serpent. Their mindset went from this is impossible and we need to get help from a lord to this isn’t so impossible and we can save Wolfhaven Castle. When they figure Lady Mortlake and Mistress Mauldred are sisters Tom, Sebastion, Elanor, and Quinn are absolutely shocked and they are also surprised when they figure out Lady Ravenna is helping Lady Mortlake by letting her use the bog to create an army of bog-men.
I would recommend this book and the series to anyone who likes adventure, fantasy, and action. I really liked the book because itś interesting on what four kids have to face and the pain they have to go through just because they escaped when the castle was being taken over by Lord Morlake. My favorite part of the book is when Quin figures out she is the daughter of King Conway of Stormness (King Conway drowned and Quin survived the wreckage and was found by the people of the lost Isle. They put Quin in boat and floated all the way to Wolfhaven) and Quin is supposed to be the Queen of Stormness.

[M.R. Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Tom, Quinn, Elanor, and Sebastian need now is sea serpent scale, a large amount of luck, and to return home to Wolfhaven Castle so they can raise the sleeping warriors, free the castle's prisoners, banish Lord Mortlock and save the day. Easy.

The Drowned Kingdom deviates slightly from the format of the first three novels by delving more deeply into the past of one of the four children - Quinn, the foundling who washed up on shore at Wolfhaven Castle in a wicker boat as a baby. The reason for this becomes apparent, but not before the four kids face a perilous sea journey while escaping the evil witches who've been dogging their heels at every turn.

All Quinn needs to do is find a sea serpent and take one of its scales. But, when the sea serpents are murderous, and one drop of their venom can kill you, that could prove easier said than done. Marooned on the Lost Isles, Elanor waits with Tom who's infected with sea serpent venom, while Quinn and Sebastian head off to facedown a wicked witch who has poisoned the Wishing Well and now uses it to enhance her curses.

The Drowned Kingdom gives readers a lot more background than the previous novels do, and it set out exactly what is going on and why Wolfhaven Castle was overtaken in the first place. However, none of this detracts from what readers have come to expect of this story. There's action aplenty and adventure galore. From running for their lives through the streets of Wolfhaven to dodging evil magic and fighting off sea serpents who have only one thought - to kill - The Drowned Kingdom is an excellent adventure story.

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Drowned Kingdom pulls together all of the little story threads that have been slowly released throughout the first three books of the series. The interconnectivity of the characters, the plots that span a lifetime. It is all revealed. But not completely. Just tied in well enough that you know the final reveals and the completion of the tapestry which Kate Forsyth has created will be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I really enjoy the thematic ties to the four elements throughout this series – and this one is completely about water (in case you didn’t get that from the name). Even the moments when they revisit their old home to see what is happening take place amongst the mist and the moisture. There is a sense of completely surreal beauty about this story that worked really well with the water theme and the idea of lost memories and tragic pasts. It all tied in neatly to the secrets revealed.

Quinn has been my favourite character so far. A foundling, someone with a bit of mystery to her and a witch. I love that she spends the entirety of the storyline without shoes on, connecting with nature and spouting riddles. There’s something about this that I’m in love with – probably the idea that this is the kind of character that I would have loved to be this way as a child.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn, Sebastian, Elanor, and Tom have found a dragon, a unicorn, a wolf hound, and Griffin, all they need now to complete The Impossible Quest is to find a Sea Serpent's scale. To do that they follow an old sailor's map to The Drowned Kingdom.

They find pieces of the puzzle about Quinn being a foundling. Lady Mortlake, and her sister, Quinn's former governess, are both witches. This leads them, to find their mother Githa. When they arrive at the drowned kingdom the sea serpents attack and Tom is seriously injured. The survivors of the drowned kingdom, tell the three friends that Tom will die. There is no cure.

That's when Quinn remembers they have a cure with them. They do need to defeat Githa and turn the former Wishing Well back to a power for good, and not Githa's tool for evil. Once they do this they must recover a sea serpent's scale. It still is an impossible quest, or is it?

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really hitting its stride, with excellent interplay between the characters, strong and creative worldbuilding, and a gripping story that keeps young readers engaged (and often keeps them guessing). The characters have grown a great deal in a short time, but are still believable young people that one can't help but root for. The animal/magical beast characters have important roles to play too, and have developed unique personalities. A great choice for middle-grade kids almost ready for YA novels (but start at the beginning of the series)!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite title in the series! A ton of character development occurred between Sebastian, Tom, Quinn and Eleanor. Plus a revelation of Quinns past, her family and her place in the kingdom of Stormness. I enjoyed the change of setting from Castle and Bog to the Lost Isles. Drool worthy for fantasy enthusiasts; with medieval quests, magical meddling and epic battles to save a kingdom. There is a flash of Lord of the Rings in this tale and I'd also venture to say that anyone who loves Harry Potter would enjoy The Impossible Quest as well.

[Jami Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was both better and worse than its predecessors in the series. Better in that the descriptions of almost everything were very vivid. Worse in that the plot points were all very abrupt. Overall this book did not feel like it was written by the same author even though it did contain the story we have been following. Also the ending was extremely disappointing combining multiple cheesy letters as an info dump and a poorly written cliff hanger that left you wondering more if the last page of the book wasn’t printed than it actually left you wanting to know what happens next.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th out of 5 books in The Impossible Quest series. The adventure continues and ends up close to home for the four heroes of the story. Many pieces of the puzzle are put together in this book. It's still a fun story, though obviously geared towards a tween crowd (their escapes from seemingly impossible odds is hard to swallow, but on par with child and tween entertainment). More mature children would also like the books if they are fantasy enthusiasts.

[~kara~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s crazy how these books turn a trivial little problem and grow it to take up the last 100 pages

Good book, not a lot of action, characters have been kind of split up into varrying groups since book 3

Could have done a lot more with Tom’s Injury, and also could a feather from Rex not have just as easily healed him? It would make more sense, being healed my his beast, just as Elanor was healed by hers, Quickthorne.

[Kaotic · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book of the year down!

Now that all the legendary animals are together, it only leaves summoning the heroes.

The best part of the book was the magic spells the witch chanted. It was action packed and a fun, interesting volume.

Although the Quinns past was incredibly predictable. I could see it coming from basically the beginning.

[Jen Bury · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's all coming together! The heroes are finding out their true character and their true identities! This series could seriously be developed into a more filled -out adult epic!
Great ideals of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, love, greater good as well as introduction to the destructive influence of jealousy, deceit, and cruelty.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot moves along, with this one, the penultimate book in the series, separating the characters in part, putting them in different 'dangerous' situations. Engaging but in part still feels like one long chase scene.

[Prankishyew1086 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read it and it has good insight into Quinn’s background and where she came from and after reading the second book I predicted that Sebastian would get the dragon and Quinn would get the sea serpent

[JLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book of the series and was written much better than the first three books. Only one sentence in the book that had me rereading it over and over trying to figure out what the author was trying to say.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book in this series! This book has the children finding the drowned kingdom and finally finding the sea serpent. Many other secrets are revealed as well. I can’t wait to read the last book to finally find out the conclusion!

[Dusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this installment, appropriately populated by coiling, venomous sea serpents, author Kate Forsyth finally reveals the ambitions and betrayals that set the “impossible quest” in motion. Some revelations I anticipated, others I did not. Those sea serpents, though… 🐍🐍🐍

[Leeann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one of my favorites from this series. I love the idea of this whole series and how its written as well. Its just missing something that is keeping me into this book without dreading going back to reading this book.

[PageGoblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5 🌟

[Tanya Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book! Now for the finale

[Erica Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite so far out of the 5!! Thrilling, the magic and scenery are chilling, and it’s truly scary at points!

[Cara B]

Only one more in this series to go! It’s really coming together and Skyler is super excited to start the last one!

[Ericafh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely felt like a set up book for the final. I liked the reveals and the backstory as to the reasoning behind the invasion of Wolfhaven castle in bk 1, but it did feel a little like bam bam bam, reveal reveal reveal. I'm quite pleased that I guessed there was something else up with Quinn, but I never would have guessed what it actually was. And yay for Quinn finally getting her little (large and violent) beast friend <3

[Alonso Maza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light weight

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive enjoyed this series with my son