Deltora Quest - book 1 - Forest of Silence

This was a fun read. It was a quick read. I think it was written for a pre-teen audience, but that does not mean it is shallow in the least. 

This story has the Big Bad Evil Guy spend a thousand years slowly subverting a country by the gradual accumulation of rules and traditions. He essentially already rules the country at the start, long before launching the official conquest. That's deep stuff, but it is presented in such a direct way that I think a child would understand. 

It's also a vivid and persuasive defense of the value of history and the importance of accessible public libraries. So that's extra bonus points from me. 

I imagine this book was quite innovative in its time, because even now its conventions are seldom used. At least, as far as I've seen. 

 Jarred is not the hero of this story, even though it starts with him. The main trio includes two swordsmen, yet no problems are solved with sword fights. Neither Anna, Sharn nor Jasmine are passive characters whose primary role is to be a love interest. The concept of "destiny guided me" is used a lot for the heroes, but if the Shadow Lord is allowed to have an unbroken chain of royal advisors stretching across a thousand years, then I'm willing to give the heroes a similarly huge boon. 

Finally, this feels like a TTRPG adventure. Think about it - receive a quest, travel, make skill checks, go through a dungeon, final boss, and then loot. More extra bonus points. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Deltora Quest - book 1 - Forest of Silence" an A+

Click here for my next book review:  Today's Menu for the Emiya Family - volume 3 (read for fun)

Click here for my previous book review:   Elemental Masters novel - Blood Red (Read for fun)

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).

His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.

New book up! Catalyst for Glorious Change!