Emily Rodda, Two Moons (Star of Deltora #2), Scholastic Australia, 1 Nov 2015, 176pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781742990637
Having not read Book One in this series was not an issue as the background is cleverly woven throughout the story. Britta is competing against Jewel, Sky and Vashti to win the Trader Rosalyn Apprenticeship. They have a trading quest to fulfil by sailing to three islands aboard the Star of Deltora. There is intrigue, mistrust and anxiety as each main character tries to outwit the others. There are surprise twists in the plot and supernatural forces at work that other people are aware of, but Britta has yet to discover. There are creepy monsters in the swamps of Two Moons and one disappointment after another for Britta. The writing is descriptive without being intrusive to the plot and the action will keep readers hooked. The chapter sizes are suitable for reading aloud to 8-12 year olds or for independent readers of the same age. The Author’s Note at the back of the book provides useful background to the whole Deltora world including links to the Rowan of Rin series. Very helpful Teachers’ Notes are available from the Scholastic website and in the back of my copy there was a pack of trading cards to collect, trade or win. Unfortunately I didn’t get a ”rare foiled card or instant-win bonus”.
Reviewed by Julie Long
