June 2016: Rowan of Rin

[Tiffany, Former moderator, current lurker]

Hello everyone!

Please consider joining us in our June chapter book group read, Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. Heather will be our leader for this discussion.

As always, you don't need to read the exact edition seen here. Happy reading!

[Tiffany, Former moderator, current lurker]

Hello again!

Just checking in to see if anyone read/is reading this book.

I just finished it, and as an adult, I didn't think it was anything special. I think I see where the author is going as far as a moral for kids, and maybe even some excitement and adventure. Has anyone read this with a child (I think the intended audience is 2nd grade)? I'm curious what kids think of this one. Was it good, or a flop?

[Cataluna6]

I've just started reading it, I'm about four chapters in. I read this when I was a kid and I don't think they hold up as well as some I've retread. She is a very popular in Australia. I don't know if she's still writing this series, but her Deltora Quest is still going.

[Cataluna6]

I finished this on Friday and I had forgotten a lot of what happens. It was fun enough, but I agree with Tiffany, I don't think it was amazing. If you were to compare it to The Hobbit or Narnia Chronicles I don't think it compares. Beyond the basic characterisation and a little bit of backstory for Rowan, I don't feel like there was much development for many of the characters. An example being Bronden, after everything that happen I feel like she's exactly the same at the end. There are another four books in the series so if I was to read those it might change my views a little.

[Tiffany, Former moderator, current lurker]

Cataluna6 wrote: "There are another four books in the series so if I was to read those it might change my views a little."

I was thinking about those books as I finished this one. I'm not sure (again, though, as an adult; maybe I'd feel differently if I were a kid) there's anything in this one that would make me even the *slightest* bit curious to read the next one. Sometimes there are books or movies that you might not love, but you still kind of wonder what happens to the characters after the current story ends; I didn't have any of that feeling from this book.

[Isobel]

I thought it was a very simple story, but in a good way. Clean, easy to read. It was a satisfying story. I think this probably makes it a better choice for kids.

[Cataluna6]

I don't think I'm adverse to reading the rest of the series, I'd rather keep on with the list first. Her new book, Star of Deltora is on the CBA 2016 Shortlist, I'd like to read that one.