From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-The fifth book featuring Rowan of Rin is a gripping adventure with danger at every turn. Although Rowan's challenges and dangers have been great in the past, readers will sense the gravity of this quest from the start. The cover art is dominated by three fierce, giant, spiny flat worms covered with ice whose large mouths are filled with rows of sharp, curved teeth. Discovering why these Ice Creepers have begun to descend from the mountain and what has led to the harshest winter the villagers can remember is at the center of this fast-paced adventure. As in previous stories, Rowan and his party must decipher Sheba the witch's riddles; here, the riddles, rhymes, and visions appear to him in waking dreams that are both exhausting and terrifying. Once again, through his courage and perseverance, the protagonist completes his tasks and Rin is safe. This spellbinding adventure will be welcomed by readers of the previous books, who will enjoy Rowan's continued growth as the "hero of Rin." Some background information is provided, but the story does not stand as firmly on its own as it does within the series.
Genevieve Gallagher, Orange County Public Library, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Gr. 3-7. Rodda continues her popular Rowan of Rin series in a tale that finds the residents of Rin suffering the effects of a long and brutal winter. After receiving a mysterious riddle from Sheba, the village seer, Rowan goes up the Mountain, accompanied by Shaaran; Norris, Shaaran's warrior brother; and Zeel, a Zebak with ties to both the Traveler and Maris peoples. Sheba has lent Rowan her gold medallion, which provides the group with advice along their journey even as it causes Rowan to see visions of horrible events to come. As in the earlier book, Rin is an appealing alternate reality, filled with characters exhibiting a wide range of human frailties as well as monsters guaranteed to chill the hardiest soul. The action never lags, and readers will appreciate that the solution to Rin's problem lies in the villagers' accepting the wisdom of nature rather than circumventing it for human convenience. Although the story will be particularly appealing to Rowan's established fans, casual fantasy and adventure readers will enjoy it, too.
Kay WeismanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
