Rowan and the Zebak

Book by Jennifer Rowe

Rowan and the Zebak is a 1999 children's fantasy novel by Australian author Emily Rodda. It is the fourth book in the Rowan of Rin series.

Rowan of Rin/of the Bukshah: The "Thumb" on the hand of fate. Rowan plays his part by helping Unos a working grach fly to Rin. Sheba the Wise Woman: The "Pointer" on the hand of fate. Sheba leads the quest but through correspondence. She plays her part by giving the rhymes. Zeel of the Travelers: The "Middle" on the hand of fate. Zeel played her part by disguising herself as a Zebak Guard and taking the group to where the slaves are. Zeel is one of three Forerunners of the Travelers, and own a white kite of silk. She was born Zebak, but then she was two years old she was smuggled into the ocean by her parents, to help her escape the dangerous and terrible Zebak City. Allun the Baker: The "Ring finger" on the hand of fate. Allun played his part by keeping the groups minds of the Zebak and on Allun's jokes. Perlain of the Pandellis (Maris): The "Pinky" on the hand of fate. Perlain Plays his part at sea by helping the group get to shore. Annad of Rin: Snatched by a fighting grach. The group rescued her in the end. Shaaran the Slave: Shaaran is a timid slave to the Zebak. The group rescue her in the end. Norris the Slav:. Norris is a strong slave to the Zebak. The group rescue him in the end. Theiry the Slave: Theiry is an old man who is a timid slave to the Zebak. Theiry made an oath never to escape on his grach. Theiry dies because of a Zebak guard called Zanel. When Theiry died the group and slaves could ride back to Rin on his grach.

Kirkus Reviews called Rowan and the Zebak "solid" and highlighted how "the tale flows smoothly with threatening episodes paced to keep the plot moving". However, they found the novel to be "lacking depth in terms of exploring grand ideas". Booklist provided a starred review.