ENG : Ewilan’s Quest

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Our critic

Ewilan’s Quest, Bottero’s first trilogy, marks the beginning of Gwendalavir’s Cycle and introduces readers to a vast and rich world. Being one of the first writers to give the spot light to a heroine in young fantasy (2003), Pierre Bottero remarkably stands out in terms of reading diversity for young readers.

The characters, often flawless and archetypal, may feel dated by today’s standards ; however, put back into context, they felt mandatory at the time for SFFF young readers, mostly due to their vast array of abilities – such as the Imagination and the Drawing Way that are the corner stones of the trilogy. As the reader strongly identifies with the characters (mirroring, in a sense, the use of Imagination) Pierre Bottero manages to forego his simplistic characters and plots. Such are the flaws of a first writing draft that, for our pleasure, tend to gradually fade throughout the rest of the Cycle.

The world is original, full of details, and has its own codes and cohesion. It sets a strong foundation for the plot to take place. The plot in itself, rather simplistic (a community has to save the world, and the hero embarks on a quest for identity) is well rounded despite its predictability. The writing style, expect for a few missteps, serves that plot genuinely. It revolves over a delicate balance between humor and poetry that makes Bottero’s words stand out among his pairs.

Editorial preamble :

Ewilan’s Quest is a trilogy comprised of From One World To Another, The Ice Frontiers and The Island Of Destiny. It is originally illustrated by Jean-Louis Thouard (2003), and is later reedited for the pocket collection in 2006. A new edition in a single volume is published in 2010 by Rageot : Ewilan’s Quest : The Integral. In 2015, for the tenth anniversary, a new illustrator takes over the whole Cycle for a new edition, also by Rageot. (On a personal level, we regret that Rageot did not hire Gilles Francescano for the reedition. He was a long-time friend of Pierre Bottero and his quality of work cannot be denied.)

In parallel, due to the series success (over 3 million readers), Rageot sells the publication rights to other publishing houses : therefore, France Loisir and Le Livre de Poche release their pocket editions, and international publishers set to work on translations (Spain, Italy, Northern Europe…).

The Trilogy Ewilan’s Quest

T1 : From One World To Another

« Camille, a gifted teenager, sees her life at a turning point when she accidentally enters the world of Gwendalavir with her friend Salim. There, creatures named Ts’liches, recognize her as being Ewilan and try to kill her. Born in this world, she has inherited a prodigious gift, the Drawing, that reveals itself to be a deadly weapon to help her people in their fight for power, freedom and dignity. With the help of the Emperor’s master-at-arms and an old scholar, Camille learns to master her gift.

Pierre Bottero’s generous writing gives his story an exceptionnal scope. A story that is not only made of fights, conquests and fantastic creatures but also rich with psychology, poetic moments, and that provides a philosophical reflection on freedom and violence… »

T2 : The Ice Frontiers

Summary by Rageot :

« Back into Gwendalavir’s Empire, Ewilan, Salim and their companions journey to the Ice Frontiers to try and free the Sentinels. On their way, they have to fight pig warriors, ogres, and Chaos mercenaries, allied with the Ts’liches, but find themselves an ally in the Faël people. Salim forms a bond with a shadowalker, Ellana, whose powers captivate him : and Ewilan asserts her authority over the master-at-arms and refines her Gift. Despite the assaults of a ghoul, the fellowship reaches its destination. There, Ewilan uncovers the Dragon’s secret… »

T3 : The Island Of Destiny

Summary by Rageot :

« After freeing the Sentinels, Ewilan and Salim return to the Frontiers Citadel with their companions. There, Ewilan discovers Merwyn’s hiding place and meets the greatest of drawers. He advises them to go back to the other world and convince Mathieu, Ewilan’s brother, to come with them to Gwendalavir. Upon their return, they travel to the Aline Isles to free Ewilan’s parents, held captive by Elea, the treacherous Sentinel… »

Sources :

French version of this article here. Translation by Isfasidrel.
As it is our first language (and the first we shall think to update), in case of doubt, the French version is authoritative.