SYNOPSIS: Rowan is shy. He’s quiet and terrified of everything. When the stream dries up that gives their village’s herd animals-the bukshah-water, Rowan is the only one who can lead the others up the dangerous mountain. The other villagers believe Rowan is too cowardly to make it far, but Rowan loves the bukshah. Can he make it up the mountain to help his friends?
Just a little precursor: I love every book I’ve ever read by this author-which is over thirty-and I know she’s written a ton more in this age group of books, and for adults, although she’s written under a few different names. I hope you guys love her books as much as I do!
CHARACTER QUALITY: Emily Rodda is really good at diversifying her characters-for example, Rowan in this series is a small, timid boy, an outcast in his village. He goes on a quest with grumpy Bronden, Strong Jonn, class clown Allun, quiet and serious Val and Ellis, and brave Marlie, all adults who are supposed to be skilled in climbing and fighting, and just general brave and courageous stuff. All the characters have to come together despite their differences to complete the quest-to varying degrees of success. I love how Emily Rodda weaves in surprising fears and strengths into each of her characters. She manages to make the reader appreciate characters like Bronden, who is a bit of a bully from the get-go, but by the end they end up liking her, too.
PLOT: The plot, if you think about it, could be perceived as a bit cliche-the underdog has to go on a quest to save a bunch of people and eventually turns out to be really amazing at it to everyone’s surprise, and returns in glory-but it doesn’t feel that way when this book is read. Even when Rowan comes home, he never changes. As the series goes on, he stays the same shy boy that is terrified of everything, but will do anything for his beloved bukshah (or family, depending on the book). Sure, he gains confidence over time, just because he’s not ashamed of being quiet anymore, but he really stays the same sweet boy throughout the series.
That whole spiel seemingly had nothing to do with the plot, but my point is that I love that Emily Rodda writes a type of story that lot’s of people might think it’s overdone, and pulls it off so well! The seven heroes have to go off into the unknown, from which nobody has ever returned, and save their whole village! The people completely rely on the bukshah for basically everything, and the bukshah need water. The village Wise Woman is the only one who knows the safe way up the mountain, but is a crabby old hermit. She provides the safe way, but through riddles and clues, so the seven think they are heading into something they can handle, and BOOM! (SPOILERS!) One by one they turn around, til only Rowan is left.
APPROPRIATENESS: 1