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itkovian_books's review
4.0
This definitely isn't my favorite book in the series, but it was still pretty good. I liked the tension in the Mark/Courtney B-plot, and keep finding myself surprised by how much I tend to enjoy their sections (sometimes more than the main story). Some of this may show that Machale is a bit more skilled at writing 3rd person POVs, but I also think it helps that he doesn't have to world build Earth. As much as I like some of his ideas, having to introduce a new world in each book makes it so none of them feel super deep.
The A-plot was still interesting, though, and there was character development for both Bobby and Loor. The ending of Bobby's story was shocking, and continues to build our understanding of what Travelers can do. The ending of Courtney's story was also shocking, but I wish this twist/reveal had been held off another book or two. It's been a while since I read this series (about 10 years) so I don't remember what chain of events this sparks, but I feel like there would have been a more satisfying way to bring about this twist if Machale had waited a little longer.
One major criticism is that, due to fairly thin worldbuilding, I didn't always love the way the people of Zadaa were portrayed. The main difference between the light-skin tribe and the dark-skin tribe is that the light-skin tribe is technologically savvy. Even though they live in the same desert, and therefore would have had similar resources available to them. It's not the same as, in our world, where places like Africa and Europe had different resources (and a lot of distance between them). Machale needed to make the tribes different enough for conflict, but he didn't seem to do a lot of thinking into WHY these differences existed, and relied instead on a problematic idea that the dark-skinned tribe would be "less advanced". Not to mention a throwaway mention that pretty much every other tribe is cannibalistic. All of them? On the entire planet? They're all "savages"?* All of this left a pretty bad taste in my mouth; not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the plot itself, but enough to knock my rating down a star.
Throughout earlier books, there was also an issue that bothered me, where the only prominent Black character didn't know how to swim. In this book, we learn that the white-skin tribe pretty much controls the major water sources in what is otherwise a vast desert. So I guess there's a sorta-legitimate reason? (But she's also a Traveler who could have taken lessons in other worlds? Like the world covered by ocean? So eh, maybe not justified after all).
*Disclaimer: I don't believe he ever states the race of the cannibal tribes. But much like Star Wars, there are pretty uniform ecosystems/terrains across each planet. So it's assumed that almost all of Zadaa is a desert. Unless I missed a detail where he stated otherwise. The light-skinned tribe is only pale because they're a rare exception who live in underground caves. Maybe the "savage tribes" are also light-skinned, but that isn't the vibe I got.
Rating: 7/10. Maybe it should be lower, but I still got a lot of enjoyment from the nostalgia.
The A-plot was still interesting, though, and there was character development for both Bobby and Loor. The ending of Bobby's story was shocking, and continues to build our understanding of what Travelers can do. The ending of Courtney's story was also shocking, but I wish this twist/reveal had been held off another book or two. It's been a while since I read this series (about 10 years) so I don't remember what chain of events this sparks, but I feel like there would have been a more satisfying way to bring about this twist if Machale had waited a little longer.
One major criticism is that, due to fairly thin worldbuilding, I didn't always love the way the people of Zadaa were portrayed. The main difference between the light-skin tribe and the dark-skin tribe is that the light-skin tribe is technologically savvy. Even though they live in the same desert, and therefore would have had similar resources available to them. It's not the same as, in our world, where places like Africa and Europe had different resources (and a lot of distance between them). Machale needed to make the tribes different enough for conflict, but he didn't seem to do a lot of thinking into WHY these differences existed, and relied instead on a problematic idea that the dark-skinned tribe would be "less advanced". Not to mention a throwaway mention that pretty much every other tribe is cannibalistic. All of them? On the entire planet? They're all "savages"?* All of this left a pretty bad taste in my mouth; not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the plot itself, but enough to knock my rating down a star.
Throughout earlier books, there was also an issue that bothered me, where the only prominent Black character didn't know how to swim. In this book, we learn that the white-skin tribe pretty much controls the major water sources in what is otherwise a vast desert. So I guess there's a sorta-legitimate reason? (But she's also a Traveler who could have taken lessons in other worlds? Like the world covered by ocean? So eh, maybe not justified after all).
*Disclaimer: I don't believe he ever states the race of the cannibal tribes. But much like Star Wars, there are pretty uniform ecosystems/terrains across each planet. So it's assumed that almost all of Zadaa is a desert. Unless I missed a detail where he stated otherwise. The light-skinned tribe is only pale because they're a rare exception who live in underground caves. Maybe the "savage tribes" are also light-skinned, but that isn't the vibe I got.
Rating: 7/10. Maybe it should be lower, but I still got a lot of enjoyment from the nostalgia.
hoosgracie's review against another edition
5.0
Bobby travels to Loor's territory of Zadaa. He goes through training to become a warrior. An interesting look at racial relations.
rachbwill's review
3.0
He speaks like my high school journal read. Fun for a long day at the hospital though.
proffy's review
3.0
The Rivers of Zadaa is the sixth book of MacHale's Pendragon series which chronicles the adventures of Bobby Pendragon, a teenage boy who is on a quest to prevent the destruction of Halla (all times and places).
In this installment, Bobby is on Zadaa, home of Loor, his friend and fellow traveler. Saint Dane, the bad guy, has fueled the fire to cause war between the two tribes of Zadaa: the Batu and the Rokador. The two tribes have lived in relative harmony for generations, but a water shortage has pushed relations to the edge.
This part of the plot was interesting, if a bit predictable. The real interest for me in this book was the growth of the protagonist, Bobby Pendragon. In the first five books, Bobby is more of an unwitting, unwilling hero who enjoys the excitement of these adventures while admitting to being perfectly terrified and rather unsure of himself. In this, the sixth book, he seems to be growing into a more mature Traveler, discovering his own abilities and strength.
MacHale doesn't go far with this plotline; it is more hinted at with Bobby's first training in combat and a strange event at the end which I won't detail here. I'm betting the seventh book explores this further.
In this installment, Bobby is on Zadaa, home of Loor, his friend and fellow traveler. Saint Dane, the bad guy, has fueled the fire to cause war between the two tribes of Zadaa: the Batu and the Rokador. The two tribes have lived in relative harmony for generations, but a water shortage has pushed relations to the edge.
This part of the plot was interesting, if a bit predictable. The real interest for me in this book was the growth of the protagonist, Bobby Pendragon. In the first five books, Bobby is more of an unwitting, unwilling hero who enjoys the excitement of these adventures while admitting to being perfectly terrified and rather unsure of himself. In this, the sixth book, he seems to be growing into a more mature Traveler, discovering his own abilities and strength.
MacHale doesn't go far with this plotline; it is more hinted at with Bobby's first training in combat and a strange event at the end which I won't detail here. I'm betting the seventh book explores this further.
kimal25's review
5.0
The struggle of good versus evil continues as Bobby Pendragon follows Saint Dane to the territory of Zadaa. Saint Dane’s influence has fueled the fire of discontent between two warring tribes: the Rokador and the Batu. This is also the territory where the Traveler Loor lives as a member of the Batu. Together she and Bobby must work to thwart Saint Dane’s efforts to destroy Zadaa.
I love this, because it is not clear that this territory will be a victory for the good guys, which reinforces that Bobby Pendragon is growing as a traveler.
I love this, because it is not clear that this territory will be a victory for the good guys, which reinforces that Bobby Pendragon is growing as a traveler.
dwheeler88's review
4.0
This book was pretty hard to put down, and it was pretty driven all the way through. I still think it's dumb that Bobby can only follow Saint Dane. Why did Press not give have a list of world, traveler, and acolyte names?
Also, I think Saint Dane is not allowed to directly harm or kill a traveler himself - he can only use other people or events.
Also, I think Saint Dane is not allowed to directly harm or kill a traveler himself - he can only use other people or events.
kristenbooks's review against another edition
3.0
First read: 7th grade (early 2007ish)
Re-read: July 17, 2014
Going into this book, I remembered almost nothing about it. I remembered maybe one or two plot points, but that was about it. And I ended up coming out of this slightly disappointed. The plot is the same basic structure as a couple of the previous books. It's not that the plot is bad, it just gets repetitive when the basic structure is used for the third time. The book overall was interesting and I liked it, but compared to other Pendragon books, it just doesn't stack up. Also, the world of Zadaa is my least favorite of the territories. All of the other territories are different and unique and dynamic, but Zadaa has almost nothing that is unique or interesting about it. I just picture it as a desert. The one really exciting part was something really interesting that happened at the end. I won't get into it because SPOILERS but it's so shocking and completely changes the course of the series afterward. So there is one redeeming quality that makes it actually stand out. So the overall impression for me is that it's a good book, but simply can't compare to the other, much more impressive books in the series.
7.5/10 (3.5/5)
Re-read: July 17, 2014
Going into this book, I remembered almost nothing about it. I remembered maybe one or two plot points, but that was about it. And I ended up coming out of this slightly disappointed. The plot is the same basic structure as a couple of the previous books. It's not that the plot is bad, it just gets repetitive when the basic structure is used for the third time. The book overall was interesting and I liked it, but compared to other Pendragon books, it just doesn't stack up. Also, the world of Zadaa is my least favorite of the territories. All of the other territories are different and unique and dynamic, but Zadaa has almost nothing that is unique or interesting about it. I just picture it as a desert. The one really exciting part was something really interesting that happened at the end. I won't get into it because SPOILERS but it's so shocking and completely changes the course of the series afterward. So there is one redeeming quality that makes it actually stand out. So the overall impression for me is that it's a good book, but simply can't compare to the other, much more impressive books in the series.
7.5/10 (3.5/5)
romamoody's review
5.0
Though the conflict of this book seems a repeat of the first, the differences are so so astounding that I couldn't put it down. So much was happening that there was never a good place to stop reading.
kbelcher1992's review
4.0
Another good book in the Pendragon series. My sole reservation at this point is there are a lot of questions that keep piling up and so far there have been few answers. I hope that the author can wrap everything up. As a whole still a neat book with an interesting concept. I feel as if through the series a whole slew of societal issues have been faced and that has been neat to read through. Still enjoying the series and would recommend to anyone that enjoys an adventure/fantasy YA novel.