Rowan of Rin: The Journey

Rowan of Rin #1-5

by Emily Rodda

"Bravest heart will carry on
When sleep is death,
and hope is gone."

Rowan doesn't believe he has a brave heart, but when danger threatens his village of Rin he discovers he is much more resourceful than he could ever have imagined. The Wise Woman Sheba's ominous words haunt him. Her cryptic riddles are all he has to help him find a way to solve each problem.

In all five books of the series, Rowan must find within himself the means to overcome perils that would daunt the greatest hero: terrifying monsters, the forbidden Mountain, and those who enslave his people. Only when he faces his fears head-on will the true path of his quest be revealed.

This unique fantasy adventure series has all the high excitement readers have come to expect from Emily Rodda, author of the Deltora Quest series. The Rowan books have won or been short-listed for many awards, including the children's choice YABBA and COOL awards. Rowan of Rin is a winner of the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year (Younger Readers) Award.

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

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

rodda walked so sanderson could run. I don’t care that this is aimed at year three’s I will read it even when I’m thirty.

[Brit McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about going back to books you have read before is the feeling of familiarity, like greeting an old friend. This is how I felt on re-reading Rowan of Rin, the first in the five-part series. After that old familiar feeling though, was the feeling of excitement as I turned the pages of the stories I didn't know as well. I couldn't remember at which point I had stopped reading Rowan, when I first picked it up as a ten or eleven year old, so I thought I would reread the entire series in this handy little collection. A very enjoyable read, first at ten and now at eighteen. Some things never change, such as my appreciation for a well written novel, be it for children or not.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one does a middle grade fantasy adventure series quite like Emily Rodda! I love the questing aspect and the twist on what the clues in the riddles actually mean. This series wasn't quite as spectacular as the Deltora Quest series, but still a great read.

Individual ratings:
Rowan of Rin - 4.5/5
Rowan and the Travellers - 3.5/5
Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal - 4/5
Rowan and the Zebak - 4/5
Rowan and the Ice Creepers - 3.5/5

Overall series rating: 4/5

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4.5 stars.

597 pages of absolute awesomeness!!!! I really, really enjoyed this book; much more than I did with Deltora Quest. I was a very enjoyable read with adventure around every corner.
The main character of this story is Rowan, a shy and fearful boy who stands out in his village of strong and brave people. Not who you would think to be the hero but in the end, he is, because of the way he thinks and his nature.
This book contained all the books from the Rowan of Rin series and each book was imaginative and full of life. The beasts in each book were scary and haunting and each character was different from the next. No two characters were exactly the same.

[Anjelena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. It is a 1 in 5 book. A boy named Rowan went on an adventure. There are creatures to come across. This book is an adventurous book to discover. It's a great book to read, it's full of adventures and mysteries. Rowan comes across challenges but his gets through it all!

[Shelley Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book with my son and it was an enjoyable story that kept us both entertained.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suffered through truly the worst quality ebook version of these, which is a testament to their quality and the extreme childhood nostalgia they evoke in me 🥺

[Beau N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's books for kids, but it's full of important lessons and moving character interactions. I loved reading these again. I'd forgotten pretty much everything, so I'm also very glad I re-read them!

A great time was had by all!

By me...

5 out of 5 stars 🤩.

[A Ramdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowen of Rin and the Fairy Realm were my childhood. I read them all the time and they always made me want to read. I recommend them for kids especially and adults can probably get a kick out of them two. I will always love them.

[Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is absolutely amazing, jam paccked with adventure and pure genius of litrature

[Crystal Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Godly Gadfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great point of entry to fantasy for younger readers (5 stars)

Emily Rodda is best known for her popular and large Deltora Quest series, which is somewhat of a quest story in the fantasy world of Deltora, filled with fantastic beasts and action filled conflicts. The world of Rin is much simpler and more friendly.

The main protagonist Rowan is a very unlikely hero, and is even considered a village weakling. There's lots of charm and excitement as he first leaves the safety of his hometown and herd of bukshah to participate in a quest up the mountain to deal with a dragon that is stopping water flowing down to the village.

Each successive story in this series of five books is an independent tale on its own. At the same time the stories slowly build up the picture of a larger world that includes a couple of peoples besides those of Rin. I found it more accessible and perhaps even more pleasant than the Deltora series, and it's an excellent entry point for younger readers into the world of fantasy.

[Ellie Denniss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of adventure and mystery is great during lockdown in NSW. I hadn’t read these stories before, and I enjoyed them.
The first three stories in the series were exciting fun. The last two however, we’re a little dull. I found the last story to be the worst, which was a little disappointing, because all the hype of Rowan becoming the next Sheba was thrown away for some plot about ancestors from the Valley of the Gold.

I did enjoy most of the characters though. I liked Rowan, Zeel, Ogden, Allun and Sheba. Sheba was far and away the most interesting character in the whole series. You don’t ever get her backstory, but that’s what makes her so mysterious and powerful.

These were cute bedtime stories I’d definitely read to my future children.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I first read this when I had a children's bookshop in the 90's. It sold really well - and with good reason. It's a wonderful quest novel featuring an unlikely hero who eventually overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds. The characters are all well-drawn and the reader quickly identifies with the protagonist Rowan's plight - we often feel we are not fit for a task and would rather give up, but the consequences mean that we have no choice but to travel that difficult path. Rodda's writing is deceptively easy to read - I think it takes an exceptional writer to do this. I've been reading the entire series to my 8 year old grandson and he loves them.

[Reagan Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece of fantasy storytelling from the mind of Emily Rodda, the adventures of Rowan offer a more grounded approach to the genre than Deltora Quest (though not by much). Offering no small supply of heart and willpower, the image of my fifty year old Year Six teacher crying in earnest at the finale of the first story in the series will forever rest in my memory as a testament to the power of this book.

While the individual stories can stand alone, the original (“Rowan of Rin”) is simply a must-read. The following adventures in the complete collection are easily worth the price of admission however, and remain a treasured piece of Australian fiction with good cause.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Rodda is one of my absolute favourite middle grade authors. Her books are fast paced, well written, vivid and fun to read. Though Rowan of Rin is not my favourite of her works, Deltora Quest forever lol. It's still a fantastic read.

The 5 stories in this bound edition grew in interest and complexity the more you read. I enjoyed the read. I loved Rowan and his feeling of being misplaced and how it weaves into the stories throughout the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite book series since childhood, and likely always will be.

[Niche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, love Emily Rodda

[Suzanne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio book reading was a real treat. Every time I think of the series I hear Sheba calling him "Rowan of the Buckshah".

[Prachanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is good if you like fantasy.

[HITWM · Rating 5 out of 5]

MORE OF MY CHILDHOOD. Never realised both this series and Deltora quest were written by the same author. Cheers Em’s.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Rodda is such a good writer. Just as good a read now as when I was a kid!

[Gwyn VDB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I could barely put it down!

[Nyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and I was happy to be lost amongst the adventure!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic for a reason

[Jayson (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first fantasy book ever and this was one of those nostalgic Scholastic book fair purchases. My teen self loved and treasured this so much 🤍

[Ouie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! the riddles, the twists, the plot

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found these while I was looking for new books for Maren to read and enjoyed them. The plot in each was similar - a problem not seen for hundreds of years, a prophecy given in riddles, a quest taken and solution found. I thought Maren might be too young for them now, as there are some scary parts (and she doesn't even like the scary parts in most G rated movies) so I told her we should hold off for a while but then found her reading the first one anyway. She liked it too.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series of books was one of my favourites when I was younger. Rowan is such a good hero, and his enemies are just as excellent.
I would have given this four stars if Emily had have written it for a wider age group. Then again, it wouldn't have had the same feel about it.
This is kids fantasy. For kids, but still awesome.