SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Lief and company are heading to the Valley of Shadows, but not before a detour that reveals some unpleasant things. And then there is the guardian of the valley himself, who has created a disturbing home for himself.
RETURNING CHARACTERS
Lief doubts his own abilities as well if they will ever be able to find the heir when its revealed that things might be so easy. An aspect of his character that gives him realism. He also shows insight on various occasions, noticing things that neither Barda nor Jasmine do, helping solve a riddle.
Barda plays his usual role, calming down Lief and Barda when they panic upon spotting a huge group of Ols. He also informs them that a plan of theirs would fail, showing wisdom that is sorely needed.
Jasmine plays her same role as well, sensing living beings in the Valley of the Lost, and sensing the smells of a town not far off. Although she is brash a few times as she is prone to be she also admits to a mistake later, endearing herself to the reader.
Doom makes a cameo in this story. He is quite surly, which is understandable, since they sneaked out of his jail cell. He argues against them going to the Valley of Shadows, and finally reveals some of his past.
Dain returns for this story, but only for the beginning. Lief feels slightly suspicions to his strong reaction to the city of Tora.
Neridah, who fought Lief in Rithmere, ends up tagging along. Lief does not trust her, remembering her deceitful nature in the ring.
NEW CHARACTERS
The guardian of the Valley of the Lost is lover of games. While he lives in a palace, his subjects are frail and weak. He seems mentally unstable.
PACING
There is not as much action as the last books. Much of the story is exploration as well as the seeds of mysteries being planted for the final story to come. Who is Doom? Why is he so against them going to the Valley of Shadows? Is he trustworthy? What happened to the people of Tora? Where could the heir be now? It's really these questions that urge the reader on, not cliffhanger hangings and action scenes.
RIDDLES
There is one riddle, but it leads up the climax and takes up three chapters. Also, the poem itself has multiple riddles inside it. This was one of my favorites. There are clues planted beforehand that are easy to mistake as the ramblings of an insane man. There is also a puzzle, as well as a game of comparison between two images. I had fun with that last one especially.
FORESHADOWING
There are plenty of hints of something being discovered, but not being revealed directly. Like when Lief figures out what happened to the city of Tora, or when he thinks there is reason why they should not steal the diamond, but he is not sure why. These little things make the reader rush forward, waiting for the mystery to be revealed.
PATTERN-SPOILERS
There is a detour in the story, being the exploration of Tora. It takes up seven chapters out of the sixteen. And another is used for travel. So by chapter eight we have arrived at our destination, the Valley of shadows. So it basically takes up half the book. This is in line with the other books, where half of the story or more is taken by an impediment to their quest.
CLIMAX
Rodda sticks to her usual method, as there is no fight scene. Instead Lief and company have to solve a riddle. This doesn't seem like it would be exciting, but the conclusion definitely brings dread and a confrontation. As well as some realizations about Doom.
EXPLICIT CONTENT-SPOILERS
A character dies from falling and hitting their head on a rock, although this is not witnessed directly.
CONCLUSION
Rodda bases this story more on mysteries and suspense but it's still well paced. It's a perfect prelude to the last book. Our characters are fully fleshed out by now, so she focuses on what's important: the mystery of the heir, King Endon's last actions, and if there is hope for a future. I give “The Valley of the Lost” four stars.
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