For anyone who loves fairy tales with a twist, the Rondo series is the perfect way to escape to a world of magic and mystery. Rodda creates a new layer to the classic formula, drawing from familiar characters such as evil queens, talking animals and mythical creatures, but the addition of two protagonists from the modern world adds a new and exciting flavour. Rodda has invented an enthralling world where all of our beloved fairy tale characters exist at once, and the fate of these characters are dependent on heroes from our world.
Rodda’s enchanting writing style describes the settings so vividly that it’s easy to picture them as you read along; the way the landscapes are described could easily be illustrations from a book of fables. This makes it easy to envision the delightful town square, the enchanted forest, the troll’s bridge and the queen’s castle, making it a nostalgic and comforting read. The characters are charming and easy to love with their conveniently fitting names, and the mechanisms of the world make the reader wish it was real. The book offer plenty of twists and turns throughout as the unlikely heroes try to figure out who they can trust in this strange world that follows a different set of rules than their own. While the characters may seem one-dimensional at first, you can’t help but come to love them as the story progresses and reveals more about their lives.
A classic fantasy adventure, Key to Rondo has plenty of action, chases and peril involving magic and legendary weapons. Rodda also entwines secrets and mysteries that are slowly unravelled one-by-one, keeping you guessing and theorising when you’re not worrying whether the heroes will escape whatever danger they’re currently in. This book is truly an enjoyable piece of escapism with a deeply engaging world that will make you rethink all the fairy tales that you’ve read as a child. This is only the first book in a wonderful and thrilling trilogy; it will be difficult to walk past the sequels after you’ve read this one.
Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda is available for sale here!
Contagion by Teri Terry is a ticking time bomb of a novel, each chapter bringing the reader closer to the point of impact. This pre-apocalyptic dystopian novel set in Scotland follows two unique and compelling viewpoints; Shay, whose world is about to be changed forever, and Callie, who has seen everything but can communicate nothing. …
Kate O’Donnell’s debut novel, Untidy Towns, sets up an escapist fantasy, and then fills it with the reality of running away from your troubles. Who hasn’t dreamed of abandoning school and clinging to the safety of home? When Adelaide walks out of her suffocating boarding school, she thinks she’s free to live her life however [...]
Meet Me at the Intersection is a rich short story anthology written by a diverse range of Australian authors and lovingly edited by Rebecca Lim and Ambelin Kwaymullina. The anthology aims to showcase the experiences of marginalised groups through “own voice” stories, whose authors fit into those groups. The first thing about the anthology that …
Marcus Zusak’s captivating debut novel follows the story of Liesel, who witnesses the death of her younger brother while on a train through Germany. When she discovers a novel hidden in the snow while standing by her brother’s grave, Liesel pockets it, despite the fact that she has not acquired the ability to read. When …
The Bronze Key is the third instalment in the Magisterium series. Picking up a year after book three (The Copper Gauntlet), Callum and his best friends are now entering the third year of their magical training. Callum has now revealed the truth about his soul to his close friends, as well as his frenemy Jasper …
In 1984, one of modern literature’s most celebrated works, readers are introduced to Winston Smith, who lives in a dystopian society in which everything–from actions, movements, careers, and, even in some cases, thoughts–are monitored and recorded tirelessly. In this society, all individuals are governed by organisations who mandate conformity and allegiance, and who will cause …
Book Review – Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda
Rodda’s enchanting writing style describes the settings so vividly that it’s easy to picture them as you read along; the way the landscapes are described could easily be illustrations from a book of fables. This makes it easy to envision the delightful town square, the enchanted forest, the troll’s bridge and the queen’s castle, making it a nostalgic and comforting read. The characters are charming and easy to love with their conveniently fitting names, and the mechanisms of the world make the reader wish it was real. The book offer plenty of twists and turns throughout as the unlikely heroes try to figure out who they can trust in this strange world that follows a different set of rules than their own. While the characters may seem one-dimensional at first, you can’t help but come to love them as the story progresses and reveals more about their lives.
A classic fantasy adventure, Key to Rondo has plenty of action, chases and peril involving magic and legendary weapons. Rodda also entwines secrets and mysteries that are slowly unravelled one-by-one, keeping you guessing and theorising when you’re not worrying whether the heroes will escape whatever danger they’re currently in. This book is truly an enjoyable piece of escapism with a deeply engaging world that will make you rethink all the fairy tales that you’ve read as a child. This is only the first book in a wonderful and thrilling trilogy; it will be difficult to walk past the sequels after you’ve read this one.
Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda is available for sale here!
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