The Shifting Sands is the fourth book in the eight-volume Deltora Quest fantasy novel series written by Emily Rodda.

It continues the trio's journey to find the seven missing gems of Deltora, braving dangers and Guardians in each book.

Lief, Jasmine, and Barda decide to let the operator of a game called Beat the Bird borrow Kree to spin the wheel thirty times, for a coin.

After thirty turns, Kree senses something is amiss and pulls the table sheet, which reveals that the operator is controlling the wheel through the use of a pedal.

The three decided to enter the Rithmere Games when they meet a scar-faced man named Doom, who they last saw at Tom's shop.

Lief, Jasmine, and Barda are locked in their room in the night, but Mother Brightly, the host arrives and saves them.

Lief sees the Guards' belongings sinking into the sand and travelling to the center, in a place called the Hive.