Deltora series

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The Deltora series is the collective title for three series of children’s fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions as they journey across the magical land of Deltora, endeavouring to recover magical artifacts and defeat allies of the evil Shadow Lord. The series was first published in Australia between 2000 and 2005. It has been published in more than 30 countries and has sold more that 8 million copies worldwide, including 2 million in Australia[1]. It is published by Scholastic in Australia and the USA. The series is illustrated by Marc McBride in most countries.

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) and the final four comprise the Dragons of Deltora series (also known as Deltora Quest 3). There are four other official books the compliment the series: The Deltora Book of Monsters, Tales of Deltora, The Authorised Ultimate Deltora Quiz Book and How to Draw Deltora Monsters. A Japanese anime adaptation of the series is currently in production[2].

Contents

[edit] Creation and Publication

Emily Rodda conceived of the Deltora series as a classical quest featuring a continuing storyline told over several books[3]. She purposely modelled the structure of the series on the structure of a computer game, after noting how engaged her own children were with video games[4]. The success of Rodda's previous fantasy series, Rowan of Rin, helped Deltora get published as both series take place in completely fantasic worlds: Rowan of Rin was unusual because most children's fantasy series published at that time followed the Alice in Wonderland model where contemporary children found their way into a magical world[5]. Rodda worked on the manuscript for some time before taking it to her publisher[3]. She spent time developing the world of Deltora before working on the story in great detail- Rodda believes that fantasy authors must make their fictional worlds seem completely real[6].

Deltora is an adventure that features lots of swordfights and monsters. The continuing story of each series is broken down into stages through the use of plot coupons. It also makes use of plot twists, red herrings and foreshadowing, especially in regards to the backstories of its central characters. It draws most heavily on the conventions of the fantasy genre: it features magical amulets, a disembodied evil Dark Lord and a teenage boy hero with dark hair. Each book includes some maps, diagrams or illustrations.

The series is marketed for younger readers aged 8 to 14[7], although has been recommended by fans for readers of all ages[8]. The first eight books are all about 120 pages long in their Australian versions. The next three are slightly longer at around 135 - 145 pages each. The final four are the longest, ranging from around 160 to 185 pages. In some countries the series are available in boxed sets and all-in-one volumes.

[edit] Reception and Awards

The series has been praised for its use of riddles and codes, fast pace and epic setting[9]. It has also been commended for its allegorical levels that address contemporary issues[6]. Detractors have described the series as “cliché”[10].

Because the series was published at around the same time as the Harry Potter series and because it shares some similarities in genre, it is often cited as a good series for children to read in between Harry Potter instalments[11]. Some readers prefer it to Harry Potter,[12] whilst others have said that it “does not have the same level of humour, excitement or originality as the Harry Potter books but it is enjoyable.”[13] Emily Rodda states that she thinks the success of the Harry Potter series helped the international sales of the Deltora series, although she states it didn’t affect her writing as she has been writing children’s fantasy for more than 20 years before Harry Potter.[14]

Since being published the series has won numerous awards including the 2003 YABBA award (VIC children's choice), the 2002 KOALA award (NSW children's choice), the 2002 Aurealis Awards: Peter McNamara Convenors' Award and the 2002 WA Young Reader's Book Awards: Most Popular Book. The series as a whole was voted the 30th best book in a 2004 Australian nationwide poll that included books of all genres[15].

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details about (the 'general' plot of the Deltora series) follow.

[edit] Plot Synopsis

  • Deltora Quest

In the Deltora Quest series the land of Deltora has been invaded by the evil Shadow Lord. The only hope of expelling him is to find the seven lost jewels that make up the magical Belt of Deltora. Over many months, Lief, Jasmine and Barda travel across Deltora in their attempt to reclaim the magical jewels from the darkest places in the land. In the process, they gain the trust and friendship of many of Deltora’s peoples and defeat many of the Shadow Lord’s allies. The companions then endeavour to find the rightful heir to the throne of Deltora who is the only person who can use the magical belt to drive out the Shadow Lord.

  • Deltora Shadowlands

In the Deltora Shadowlands series Lief, Jasmine and Barda travel outside of Deltora in an attempt to rescue the many Deltoran prisoners trapped in the evil Shadowlands. To do this they must first find the three parts of the magical Pirran Pipe because its music is the only sound that the Shadow Lord cannot stand. The companions travel through secret underground caves and befriend the people who live there, helping them in return for each part of the magical pipe.

  • Dragons of Deltora

In the Dragons of Deltora series the land of Deltora is overcome with famine, drought and disease. Lief, Jasmine and Barda discover that this is being caused by four evil objects called the Four Sisters which were secretly planted in Deltora by the Shadow Lord. They travel to the four corners of the land and awaken the last seven dragons in Deltora. The companions use the dragons’ help in their attempt to defeat the Shadow Lord’s plan and restore life to Deltora.

[edit] Characters

The series features many different characters and creatures. See: Characters in the Deltora Quest series.

  • Lief

At the start of the series Lief is the son of a blacksmith who lives in the run down city of Del. He is hot-headed and spends his time roaming the streets and dodging trouble. On his 16th birthday he leaves Del on the quest to find the magical jewels and the heir to Deltora. During the series, Lief competes in a contest in which he describes his special skill as speed.

  • Jasmine

At the start of the series Jasmine is a wild girl who lives a solitary life in the dangerous Forests of Silence. Her only friends are a black bird named Kree and a small furry animal called Filli. Jasmine understands the language of trees and many other animals. She is hot-headed, like Lief, and is about the same age as him. During the series, Jasmine competes in a contest in which she describes her special skill as agility.

  • Barda

At the start of the series Barda appears to be a poor beggar living on the streets of Del. He is revealed to be a capable fighter who was acting as a bodyguard to Lief. He is a skilled swordsman and frequently makes jokes about being stuck with two young hot-heads- Lief and Jasmine. He is about the same age as Lief’s parents. During the series, Barda competes in a contest in which he describes his special skill as strength.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Themes

A recurring political theme expressed in the series is that a leader who does not understand ordinary people is doomed to failure.[6] Another political theme focuses on the disastrous results of leaders who ignore history. The final books explores the insidious nature of despair.[6]The 2nd and 1st series explores the theme of "united we stand, divided we fall".

[edit] Adaptations

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.[6] A 56 part Deltora Quest anime series of the first 8 books is currently in production in Japan, to be released on January 6, 2007. Rodda chose this option because she and her kids "love" Japanese anime and because she wanted any adaptation of Deltora to be “cool”[6]. The series is in production at Oriental Light and Magic and will be directed by Mitsuru Fungus who has previously directed Outlaw Star. The studio intends to keep the quest for all seven magic jewels intact in the story[6]. Although very little about the anime series has been released, one reasonably insignificant alteration has been made: Lief’s hair color has been changed from black to blond[16]. Rodda hasn't ruled out a live action version of the story (either film or television) being made at some point in the future- she intends to wait until she gets an offer that "is genuinely admiring of the books as they are"[6].

There is currently a manga adaptation by Makoto Niwano, serialised in Bom Bom Comics and published by Kodansha[17].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Scholastic Aus News at Scholastic.com.au
  2. ^ anime and manga for australia at Anime.org.au
  3. ^ a b Deltora Quest Author: Emily Rodda at Scholastic.com
  4. ^ How the quest was won at smh.com.au
  5. ^ Q & A with Emily Rodda at Scholastic.com.au
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Fantasy Writers :: Sunday Profile at Abc.net.au
  7. ^ At Shop.Scholastic.com most of the Deltora books are listed as recommended for readers aged 9-12 except for The Deltora Book of Monsters (8 and up), Cavern of the Fear (8-12) and The Isle of Illusion (9-14).
  8. ^ Deltora Quest 3 - Books Reviews at abc.net.au
  9. ^ The Shifting Sands at Scholastic.com.au
  10. ^ An Anime Quest for Deltora at Anime New Newtwork.com
  11. ^ If You Liked Harry Potter, You Will Like These at Vancouver Public Library
  12. ^ Teen Reads at lee-country.com
  13. ^ Book news Septerber 2000 at Austral Ed
  14. ^ Mad about the boy at smh.com.au
  15. ^ My Favourite Book - The Top 100 at ABC
  16. ^ Deltora Quest 2007 at deltoraquest.jp
  17. ^ Deltora Quest at bombom.kodansha.co.jp

[edit] External links

The Deltora series by Emily Rodda
Deltora Quest:

The Forests of Silence - The Lake of Tears - The City of the Rats - The Shifting Sands -
Dread Mountain - The Maze of the Beast - The Valley of the Lost - Return to Del
Deltora Quest 2:
(Deltora Shadowlands)

The Cavern of the Fear - The Isle of Illusion - The Shadowlands
Deltora Quest 3:
(Dragons of Deltora)

Dragon's Nest - Shadowgate - Isle of the Dead - The Sister of the South
Other books:

The Deltora Book of Monsters - How to Draw Deltora Monsters
The Authorised Ultimate Deltora Quiz Book - Tales of Deltora
Adaptations:

Deltora Quest (anime)
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