Deltora Quest (book series)

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Deltora Quest
Author Emily Rodda
CountryAustralia
GenreFantasy
Publisher Scholastic
Published2000–2005
Media typePrint (paperback)

Deltora Quest is the collective title for three distinct series of children's fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions as they journey across the fictitious land of Deltora, endeavouring to recover the seven gems stolen from the magical Belt of Deltora and defeat allies of the evil Shadow Lord. The series was first published in Australia in 2000 and has since been published in more than 30 countries. The series has sold over 18 million copies worldwide, including over 2 million in Australia. [1] It is published by Scholastic in Australia and the United States. In most countries, the series is illustrated by Marc McBride.

Contents

The series consists of fifteen books: the first eight comprise the Deltora Quest series, the next three comprise the Deltora Shadowlands series (also known as Deltora Quest 2, Deltora II or Deltora 2) and the final four comprise the Dragons of Deltora series (also known as Deltora Quest 3, Deltora III or Deltora 3). There are also six other official bonus books to the series: The Deltora Book of Monsters , Tales of Deltora, The Authorised Ultimate Deltora Quiz Book, How to Draw Deltora Monsters, How to Draw Deltora Dragons and Other Creatures, and Secrets of Deltora. An anime adaptation of the series aired on Japanese television from 6 January 2007 to 29 March 2008. An anime adaptation also aired in Australia for a short time. A Nintendo DS game for Deltora Quest has also been made in Japan. [2] In an interview as part of the 2011 Australian Council of the Arts Get Reading! Program Emily Rodda announced that she had sold the movie rights of the Deltora Quest series to a "prominent Hollywood production company." [3]

In May 2015, a new series of books by Emily Rodda set in the world of Deltora was announced by Scholastic, [4] Star of Deltora , and the first installment, Shadows of the Master, was released in August 2015. [5]

Plot

Deltora Quest

The first series of Deltora Quest follows the journeys of Lief, the son of a humble blacksmith [in disguise], who, on his sixteenth birthday, sets out to fulfil his father's quest to restore the Belt of Deltora. Joining Lief is an ex-palace guard named Barda. Along the way they meet with Jasmine: a wild girl from the Forests of Silence, who has long, brown hair and green eyes. She can speak to trees and has two pets: a raven named Kree and a small, grey, furry creature called Filli. Their quest is to find the seven gems of the fabled Belt of Deltora: the topaz, the ruby, the opal, the lapis lazuli, the emerald, the amethyst, and the diamond. The gems each have a special power and are hidden in dangerous locations around Deltora. The three friends must face numerous perils to reach them. Once the Belt is complete and the proper descendant of the first King of Deltora, Adin, wears the belt, the evil tyranny of the Shadow Lord will be forced back to the Shadowlands. The books in this series are The Forests of Silence , The Lake of Tears , City of the Rats , The Shifting Sands , Dread Mountain , The Maze of the Beast , The Valley of the Lost , and Return to Del .

Deltora Quest 2

In Deltora Quest 2, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine go on a quest below the land of Deltora, and travel through strange societies underground. They were formed by the three tribes of the former inhabitants of the Shadowlands, which was long ago a beautiful land called Pirra, which the Shadow Lord repressed by preventing the magic of the Pirran Pipe from protecting the land. The three adventurers convince each tribe to lend them their pieces of the Pipe, before Lief, Barda and Jasmine travel into the Shadowlands itself to use the Pipe to hold off the Shadow Lord and his evil power long enough for the thousands of Deltoran slaves to escape. The books are Cavern of the Fear , The Isle of Illusion , and The Shadowlands .

Deltora Quest 3

In Deltora Quest 3 the three companions once again must save Deltora, this time from the Four Sisters, evil creations of the Shadow Lord. These four Sisters sing their songs of death across Deltora, poisoning the land and gradually causing Deltora's crops to wither, resulting in famine across the land. With only a part of a torn map left by Doran the Dragonlover, they set out to find these Sisters and destroy them. Each Sister must be destroyed with the aid of a dragon. When each Sister and the Sister's guardian are destroyed, another fragment of the map is found. Eventually they discover that the Sisters are hidden in the four most eastern, northern, western and southern corners of Deltora. The Sister of the East is hidden in Dragon's Nest. The Sister of the North is hidden at Shadowgate and the Sister of the West is on the Isle of the Dead. The Sister of the South is hidden in the city of Del, which happens to be the hometown of Lief. However, after Lief, Barda and Jasmine defeat the last Sister, Lief realises that in the exact middle of Deltora, a huge bubble made of poisonous grey liquid is rising from the land. Together with Barda and Jasmine and all the dragons, he must defeat it. The books are named after the Sisters' locations: Dragon's Nest , Shadowgate , Isle of the Dead , and The Sister of the South .

Supplementary works

In addition to the books which tell the story, the Deltora series includes a number of companion books (also authored by Emily Rodda):

Tales of Deltora : This book tells of how the land of Deltora came to be, including the origin of the seven gems and the Shadow Lord. It includes tales that make up some of the legends, evolution of secrets, and 20 new illustrations by Marc McBride. The book is "written" by Josef, who in the Deltora Quest 2 and Deltora Quest 3 series is the palace librarian of the city Del. The book was published by Scholastic Press in 2006. [6] A new version was published in 2013 which included three extra stories of the isle of Dorne, bridging the gap between the Three Doors trilogy and the Deltora Quest series by expanding on the history of Dorne as well as the Shadow Lord.

Secrets of Deltora : This book was "written" by Doran the Dragonlover as a travel guide for Deltora.

The Deltora Book of Monsters: This book goes through all the monsters and other deadly things that exist in the world of Deltora, from the original Deltora Quest to Dragons of Deltora. The book includes the beasts throughout history and significant landmarks, such as Reeah from the City of the Rats. The book is also "written" by Josef, the palace librarian in King Lief and King Alton's time.

The Land of Dragons: Although it does not have the word "Deltora" in the title, this book is related to the Deltora Quest series. It contains tales of the isle of Dorne, bridging the gap between the Three Doors trilogy and Deltora Quest. The book was offered for free as part of the Australian Council of the Arts Get Reading! Program. The tales of Dorne were later included in a 2013 paperback re-release of Tales of Deltora.

Other books include How to Draw Deltora Monsters and The Ultimate Deltora Quiz Book. The former book, which details the drawing of Deltoran monsters, was primarily authored by illustrator Marc McBride.

At the Melbourne Writer's Festival, Rodda announced that the lands in Rowan of Rin are set in the same world as Deltora, to its east. In the back of the paperback version of the Star of Deltora books (starting with Shadows of the Master) there is also an author's note that states that Rowan of Rin, The Three Doors and Deltora Quest are set in the same world. There's also Rowin of Rin and Star of Deltora and The Threes Doors.

Main characters

Lief

Barda describes Lief as "a young hot-head" who spends his time roaming the streets and both tempting and dodging trouble. On his 16th birthday he leaves Del on a magical and dangerous quest to find the magical gems missing from the Belt of Deltora and the heir destined to wear it. Lief is tempted in many ways and by the end of the first series he has grown not only in bravery and strength, but also in wisdom and patience. Lief is very courageous and extremely trustworthy. A few times he considers giving up the quest, but the thought of his friends or allies suffering always helps him to continue. The second series sees the characters questioning their trust of one another as they plot to save the slaves in the Shadowlands. In the third series, Lief and friends once more quest around Deltora, awakening the ancient dragons which help him destroy the Sisters of the North, South, East, and West. In the eighth book, it is told that Lief's hair is dark. It is implied in Isle of the Dead that he is at least eighteen. During the second series, Lief and Jasmine's romantic feelings for each other become more pronounced, and at the end of the third series they get married and have three children, a daughter named Anna (after Jasmine's mother) and twin sons called Jarred (after Jasmine's father) and Endon (after Lief's father).

Barda

At the beginning of the series Barda appears to be a poor beggar living on the streets of Del. He escaped the palace the day the Shadow Lord attacked and his mother, Mrs Minns, died, becoming a beggar because he knew he would be the next target the enemy would try to kill. He is revealed to be an ex-palace guard who assumes the role of protector to Lief, much to both his and Lief's dismay. He is a skilled swordsman and often makes grim jokes about being stuck with two young hot-heads (Lief and Jasmine). During the series, Barda competes in a contest in which he describes his special skill as strength. He helps Lief and Jasmine along the quest and is always stronghearted, never gives up hope and is rather a gentle giant. At the end of the third series Barda finds love and happiness with Lindal of Broome, whom he marries and together they have six children.

Jasmine

Jasmine is 16, approximately the same age as Lief. She is described as having black/brown hair which frames her brown, elfish face and emerald green eyes. When she was first introduced she wore the tattered remains of the uniforms of Grey Guards. She is often described as impatient and lonely, but with a good heart. In the beginning of the series, Jasmine is a wild orphan girl who lives a solitary life in the dangerous Forests of Silence with her pets: Kree, a raven, and Filli, a small, grey, furry creature. She meets Lief and Barda when the pair get trapped in the forests by the Wenn. Jasmine understands the language of trees and many other animals. She is independent, like Lief, though she displays far less tact. She is also unafraid of standing up for what she believes in; if she feels something is unjust or incorrect she explains her view without any fear of the consequences. She believes in equal rights and fairness. However, she cannot understand people who will not fight for themselves. As a result of her forest upbringing Jasmine knows how to defend herself, is more agile than most people and can balance on things very easily. She is also used to getting her own way, which sometimes causes conflict with her companions. In the beginning of the series she had no understanding of money. In The Forests of Silence , when Jasmine touches the topaz (which has power to contact to the spirit world), she sees her mother there, who tells Jasmine to join the quest with Lief and Barda to save Deltora. She shows romantic interest in Lief, even though they do not always see eye to eye. She has a very short temper, resulting in many people describing her as "wild".

Concepts

A recurring political idea expressed in the series is that a leader who does not understand ordinary people is doomed to failure. Another political concept focuses on the disastrous results of leaders who ignore history. The first and second series explore the idea of "united we stand, divided we fall". Stories also occasionally explore the concept of gambling, and its relationship with trickery. A heavy emphasis on the importance of the natural world is also present, particularly in the third series. The final books explore the nature of despair.

Awards

Accolades awarded to Deltora Quest:

Adaptations

Anime

Rodda has said there has been some interest in adapting the Deltora series into a film but she refused to let any adaptation change the story. There is also a Nintendo DS real-time RPG confirmed with all three characters. [12] A 65-episode Deltora Quest anime series of the first eight books began its broadcast season in Japan on 6 January 2007. Rodda said she chose this option because she and her children "love Japanese anime and want any adaptation of Deltora to be cool". [12] The series was produced at Oriental Light and Magic and directed by Mitsuru Hongo. At least one noticeable alteration has been made in the studio's adaptation: Lief's hair colour has been changed from black to blond.[ citation needed ] Rodda has not ruled out a live action version of the story (either film or television) being made at some point in the future, but she intends to wait until she gets an offer that "is genuinely admiring of the books as they are". [12] There is also a manga adaptation by Makoto Niwano, serialised in Bom Bom Comics and published by Kodansha. [13]

Proposed film version

In 2011 Rodda announced in an interview on Girl.com.au as part of the Australian Council of the Arts Get Reading! Program that she had sold the film rights to a "prominent Hollywood production company" and that she hopes it will be what her fans hope. The status of the project is currently unknown; however it is stated on her website that "There are no plans for a feature film at the moment." [14] [15]

Related Research Articles

Jennifer June Rowe,, is an Australian author. Her crime fiction for adults is published under her own name, while her children's fiction is published under the pseudonyms Emily Rodda and Mary-Anne Dickinson.

Deltora Quest 3 is a series of children's fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine, as they journey across the magical land of Deltora to awaken the last seven dragons and destroy the Four Sisters. It comprises four books which were first published in Australia in 2004 and 2005 in the United States by Scholastic. The Dragons of Deltora series is preceded by two other series that take place in the same fictional world and feature the same characters and continues the story. These series are Deltora Quest and Deltora Quest 2. Collectively, these three series are known as the Deltora Quest series or the Deltora series.

Deltora Quest 2 is a series of children’s fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions as they journey outside the magical land of Deltora to rescue the many prisoners held captive by the evil Shadow Lord.

<i>The Valley of the Lost</i> 2002 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Valley of the Lost is the seventh book in the Deltora Quest novel series written by Emily Rodda. The final gem from the Belt of Deltora is in the mysterious Valley of the Lost with its guardian only known as the Guardian. To retrieve the gem, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must play his game. If they win, they get the gem. If they lose they will stay trapped inside the Valley of the Lost forever.

<i>The Maze of the Beast</i> 2001 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Maze of the Beast is the sixth book in the Deltora Quest novel series, written by Emily Rodda. It was published in 2001 by Scholastic.

<i>Return to Del</i> 2002 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

Return to Del is the eighth and final book of the original series of Deltora Quest written by Emily Rodda. It focuses on how Lief, Jasmine, and Barda must return to Del to give the completed Belt to Adin's heir to banish the Shadow Lord from their land.

<i>Deltora Quest</i> (TV series) Japanese anime series

Deltora Quest is a Japanese anime television series based on the series of children's books of the same name, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It was announced by Rodda herself at Sydney's Book Council of Australia Conference and at an ABC Kids convention. The series was produced by Genco and SKY Perfect Well Think. It was broadcast for 65 episodes on TV Aichi from January 2007 to March 2008. It began airing on Cartoon Network Australia and New Zealand in May 2010. It premiered in the United States on The Hub on October 10, 2010.

<i>The Forests of Silence</i> 2000 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Forests of Silence is a fantasy novel written by Australian author Emily Rodda, and is the first book in the eight-volume Deltora Quest series. It was first published in 2000 by Scholastic and was awarded the "Notable Series in Children's Book of the Year Awards 2001: Younger Readers". The novel follows a teenage boy named Lief as he and his companions search the deadly Forests of Silence for the magical Topaz gem, one of the seven missing gems from the belt of Deltora.

<i>The Lake of Tears</i> 2001 childrens fantasy novel by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Lake of Tears is the second book in the eight-volume Deltora Quest series written by Emily Rodda. It continues after the events of The Forests of Silence, as the three protagonists brave various dangers on their journey to find the seven missing gems of Deltora. The book was first published in 2001 by Scholastic.

Deltora Quest is a children's fantasy novel series written by Emily Rodda. It was first published between 2000 and 2002 in Australia by Scholastic Press. There are eight books in this series: The Forests of Silence, The Lake of Tears, City of the Rats, The Shifting Sands, Dread Mountain, The Maze of the Beast, The Valley of the Lost and Return to Del in that order. These books are followed by two other series set in the same universe: Deltora Quest 2, Deltora Quest 3. Together, these three series are collectively also referred to as the Deltora Quest series, and occasionally the Deltora series by some fans.

<i>City of the Rats</i> 2001 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

City of the Rats is the third novel in the eight-volume fantasy series Deltora Quest, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. The novel was first published by Scholastic in 2000, and later released in the United States in 2001. The novel continues Lief, Barda, and Jasmines journey to find the seven missing gems of Deltora, braving dangers and guardians in each book.

<i>The Shifting Sands</i> 2001 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Shifting Sands is the fourth book in the eight-volume Deltora Quest fantasy novel series written by Emily Rodda. It continues the trio's journey to find the seven missing gems of Deltora, braving dangers and Guardians in each book. The novel was first published in 2000 by Scholastic Australia.

<i>The Isle of Illusion</i> 2002 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Isle of Illusion is a children's fantasy book by Emily Rodda. It was published in 2002 by Scholastic. It is the second book in the Deltora Quest 2 series, the second series in the collective Deltora Quest series. It is preceded by Cavern of the Fear and followed by The Shadowlands.

<i>Dragons Nest</i> 2005 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

Dragon's Nest is a children's fantasy book written by Emily Rodda. The book is the first book in the Dragons of Deltora series, the third in the Deltora series. It was released in 2005 and is published by Scholastic Press.

<i>Isle of the Dead</i> (Rodda novel) 2004 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

Isle of the Dead is a children's fantasy book by the English-speaking Australian writer Emily Rodda. It is the third book in the third series of the Deltora series called Dragons of Deltora, also known as Deltora Quest 3 and, in Australia, Deltora III. It was released in 2005. It is published by Scholastic.

<i>The Sister of the South</i> 2004 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

The Sister of the South is a children's fantasy book written by Emily Rodda. The book is the fourth and final book in the Dragons of Deltora series, the third in the Deltora series. It was released in 2005 and is published by Scholastic Press.

<i>Cavern of the Fear</i> 2002 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

Cavern of The Fear is the first book in the Deltora Quest 2 series written by Emily Rodda. It was published by Scholastic in 2002. The story follows the adventures of Lief, Jasmine, and Barda.

<i>Shadowgate</i> (novel) 2004 Book by Jennifer Rowe (as Emily Rodda)

Shadowgate is a children's fantasy book by Emily Rodda. It is the second book in the Dragons of Deltora series, the third series of the Deltora series. It was first published in 2005 by Scholastic.

<i>The Three Doors</i> Fantasy novel trilogy by Emily Rodda

The Three Doors is a series of three fantasy novels written by Australian author Emily Rodda. The series follows a sixteen-year-old boy named Rye as he journeys through three mysterious doors in search of his missing brothers. The story takes place on an island called Dorne, located in the same ocean as the land of Deltora, the prominent setting in Rodda's Deltora Quest series. The series was first published in 2011 by Omnibus Books, a corporate division of Scholastic Press. It was published in the United States in October, 2012 and a compiled set was published in 2013.

References

  1. ↑ News – Scholastic Australia Archived 30 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine at Scholastic.com.au
  2. ↑ "Deltora Quest for Nintendo DS from 1UP". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Emily Rodda Get Reading Interview. Rodda sells movie rights of Deltora Quest to Hollywood studio".
  4. ↑ "New Deltora series Star of Deltora announced".
  5. ↑ "A rough release date and official plot snopsis for Shadows of the Master revealed" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2015.
  6. ↑ Rodda, Emily (2006). Tales of Deltora / Emily Rodda ; with illustrations by Marc McBride. Scholastic. ISBN   9780439877855 . Retrieved 28 April 2013.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  7. 1 2 "Previous YABBA winners 1986 - 2011" (PDF). The Young Australian’s Best Book Award. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Younger Readers". West Australian Young Readers' Book Award. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Complete list of KOALA winners" (PDF). KOALA. pp. 3–4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "sfadb: Aurealis Awards 2002". www.sfadb.com. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  11. 1 2 Austlit. "COOL Award - Fiction for Younger Readers | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Fantasy Writers :: Sunday Profile Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  13. ↑ "Kodansha Comics".
  14. ↑ "About | Emily Rodda". www.emilyrodda.com. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  15. ↑ "Emily Rodda confirms film adaptation in Get Reading! interview".
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