Two Moons by Emily Rodda

Star of Deltora series. Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9781742990637
(Age: 10-12) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Adventure, Magic, Sailing, Ships, Voyages and travels. Emily Rodda's four book Star of Deltora series brings the mythical world of Deltora to life again, delighting fans with memories of the unique places and animals. In this second novel Two Moons, the protagonist fifteen-year-old Britta continues her personal mission to right the wrongdoings of her father and seek a means to support her mother and sister.
Aboard the Star of Deltora with her three rivals, Jewel, Sky and Vashti, Britta draws on her strength of character, her resilience, courage and wisdom to survive as she competes for the Trader Rosalyn Apprenticeship. Her childhood friendship with the trader Captain Gripp proves advantageous and she uses her knowledge of ship's quarters to her advantage. Each of the competitors employs cunning tricks, deceit and even sabotage to stop Britta from winning. Added to the difficulties posed by her rivals, dark mystical wraiths swirl around her, sent from the Island of Tier where her reclusive father lives. His abandonment of his family for the magical Staff of Life continues to be problematic for her.
At the first island, the Maris townsfolk sense danger swirling around the ship and refuse to allow the crew to land and the girls to trade. The pace of the narrative gains momentum in the second half of the story when the ship lands at the next trading destination, the danger-filled island of Two Moons. Even with some unbelievable revelations, there is a heightened anticipation to see just where the author will take Britta to in the next novel.
A fabulous fantasy quest for readers 10-12 years.
Rhyllis Bignell