The Towers of Illica

Star of Deltora #3

by Emily Rodda

The queen of Australian fantasy fiction, Emily Rodda, returns with a new series filled with all of her trademark suspense and adventure. Sail with Britta, a young woman on a quest to restore her family name and take her rightful place as an apprentice to the powerful Rosalyn fleet.In Book 3 of the Star of Deltora series, the Star of Deltora is making for Illica, home of the mysterious Collectors. Ahead is the most important trade of Britta's life-her last chance to defeat her rivals and win the Rosalyn Contest. She knows she should be thinking of nothing else. But she is in danger.The ghostly shadows that haunt her are pressing closer. And though the terrors of Two Moons have been left behind, a cloud of fear still hangs over the Star like swamp mist.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Teen

176 pages, Paperback

About the author

Emily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Moving into a publishing career, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson, Rodda's first book was published in 1984.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventure continues to the port of Illica, where Britta seems to follow in her father's trading footsteps without meaning to...

Emily Rodda's ability to create new peoples and cultures will never cease to amaze me. I love the way the friendship between most of the traders developed in this book, and the build up to the last book is keeping me in suspense! The plot unfolded beautifully, and I loved this that much that I read it in one sitting. It will be bittersweet to reach the conclusion of this series in the next book.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite having read a lot of Emily Rodda books I still enjoy their fresh and surprising twisty story lines and the positivity and optimism of the overarching plot as well as the idealism and goodness of the characters. These are fantasy novels after all why not have kindness and friendship always win through over the forces of (considerable) evil.

In this one Britta finally begins to thaw out and accept the friendship of some of her shipmates. There is a very quick transition from her suspicion to very comfortable friendship but I think the other books have done the work of setting that up. Not everything goes as planned in Illica, everyone has secrets and Britta needs to not count her trading chickens too early. Despite early on the set up of the trading competition as individualistic, what we see now is a shift to collaboration and helping each other. I wonder if it will be concluded satisfactorily in the next book?

Oh and the Goozli from the previous book is a cute part of the narrative here and likely to have wide appeal.

[Asami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a wonderful adventure to read about so far and I cannot wait to pick up the next book!

I read this book for the Winter Cramathon 2016 and this book completed the challenge:
- Read 7 books in total

I have now officially completed the Winter Cramathon of 2016! It has been a good week of reading and I hope to participate in a Cramathon again next year!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series! The pacing was still great and the growth Britta has is believable. I especially liked how the plot wasn't the "formula" from the past books and it was slightly different. It kept things fresh and interesting. The way the book ended was climactic but not the usual bang which is nice to see in a middle-grade book. I'm excited to continue on to the last book of the series!

[Totoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

معرفی جلد اول

https://youtu.be/snV2Mm_LXE0?si=-7Ad_...

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 2 out of 5]

در جستجوی دلتورا داستانی فانتزی و متشکل از سه مجموعه، نوشتهٔ امیلی رودا نویسنده ی استرالیایی است. داستان درباره ی سه همسفر است که سرزمین تخیلی دلتورا را به دنبال تکمیل کمربند دلتورا و شکست خادمان ارباب سایه‌های اهریمنی زیر پا می گذارند. نخستین نسخه ی مجموعه ی اول در سال ۲۰۰۰ میلادی در استرالیا به چاپ رسید و اکنون نیز در ۳۰ کشور به فروش می رسد. در فوریه ی ۲۰۱۰ این مجموعه در کل ۱۵ میلیون و در استرالیا ۲ میلیون نسخه فروش داشته‌است. سه مجموعه شامل ۱۵ کتاب می‌شوند که ۸ کتاب اول در جستجوی دلتورا، ۳ جلد بعدی سرزمین سایه‌ها ی دلتورا و ۴ جلد آخر اژدهایان دلتورا نام دارند. تمامی کتاب‌های این مجموعه در ایران با ترجمه ی خانم محبوبه نجف خانی و توسط انتشارات بنفشه به چاپ رسیده‌است . انیمیشن و بازی رایانه ای در جستجوی دلتورا به ترتیب توسط تلویزیون ژاپن و شرکت نینتندو دی اس نیز ساخته شده‌اند.

[Becky Pirkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Britta’s adventures continue on the journey to the port of Illica. However Britta soon begins to notice that her adventures are mirroring her father’s final traitorous voyage. Will she be able to forget him and complete her next task in the contest or will she follow in his footsteps and make a shameful blunder that ruins her chances of becoming the Trader’s Apprentice?

Another great installment in the Star of Deltora series. I especially loved that we are starting to get more information on some of the secondary characters, such as Jewel and Sky. These characters are holding fascinating secrets that have added interesting twists to the plot. I’m excited to continue reading and see how Britta’s adventures end in the fourth book. Recommended for children/young adults who enjoy stories with magical elements, adventure, and suspense.

[Pádraic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent entry, and continual testament to the fact I always enjoy the middles of these adventures more than the beginnings or the ends. This time we've got pirate curses, an island with strange and ancient traditions, enemies becoming allies, and a tower that's also a tunnel (see also Annihilation, of all things). From here it should be just a straight voyage back home, but we all know that's not going to be the case. The Hungry Isle awaits, with all its secrets, and all its endless appetite.

[Devon Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in this series because it has this very twee, endearing, underdog-story structure but I just don't think I'm excited enough by the setting & characters to be super absorbed. This is less an issue with the book - loyal to Emily Rodda till I die - & more just my personal preferences. I'm more of a high fantasy/elves/magic girlie rather than a seafarer girlie & this series starts feeling a little... repetitive after the first book, as well as lacking the kick of the reveals in Rodda's masterpiece Fairy Realm series. Also Britta is starting to irritate me with her obliviousness & pushover attitude. Obviously something's sus girl! Look around!

[Amber Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So many emotions. So many plot twists. I love the growing friendships in this book and the continued character growths. It's what I call a "bridge book" - something that bridges from one plot point and builds the rising action into the next book's climax and denouement.

Well done. My heart is literally pounding. I got transported to another world for a bit here.
Such a fan. Looking forward to seeing how this series finishes out.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids complained that this one was slow paced. There was a lot of time in the book spent reading other books and quoting from them as a way of learning crucial info and that is a fairly ponderous way for a fantasy novel to unfold. Love the goozli. The towers and the experience of them were interesting. Still kept guessing about how th conclusion will unfold!

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better! Emily is such a talented, fascinating writer. When I started these books, I thought that they wouldn't be as good, since the stakes wouldn't be nearly as high as in the Deltora Quest series. But, somehow, Emily manages to create really strong tension, keeping her readers on the edges of their seats. I can't wait to see how this will end!

[JoAnne Styger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite so far in Emily Rodda's Star of Deltora series. The main character Britta continues to compete for the Rosalyn Apprenticeship on the island of Illica. I have been very pleased with this series so far and continue to recommend it for young adults!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is great and I can’t wait to pick up the fourth book, but this one felt a little like the plot turned a bit in a slightly unpleasant although not necessarily completely unexpected direction. I do like some of the interesting life views presented.

[Pinkpigg33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series because my daughter loved it and wanted me to read it. So enjoyable. It is such a fun adventure you get to go on with Britta. I love that there is no love story specifically for her. I love the twists.

[brennieree33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really well set up. The plot twists were amazing. The characters are awesome. This was a really good book. Can't wait to see how Rodda finishes the series.


I ship Sky and Britta so hard right now

[Hits_the_Plot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Towers of Illica (2016) is the third installment in the Star of Deltora series by Australian author Emily Rodda. Britta and the two remaining competitors arrive at Illica following a difficult journey with a crew who has grown increasingly wary due to their superstitious beliefs. Attempts to procure a profitable item via negotiation don’t go according to plan and soon Britta finds herself retracing her father’s journey in seeking the legendary Staff of Tier.

Okay, so I recognise that I am clearly not the target demographic for this book series BUT I’ve come this far and am determine to finish the series. I have this OCD thing where I am reluctant to DNF a book or series. Despite this, I actually liked this one quite a bit! Rodda seems to have grown more comfortable with the characters and I felt like the pacing in this entry was superb. Also, I think I’ve allowed myself to enjoy this one by lower my expectations and not being too critical of minor issues.

This was a really quick read but even still I would only recommend this book (and series) for children between the ages of 8-12. I have done a bit of research into my next Emily Rodda series and I have decided that after this I will be checking out her Three Doors Trilogy! If you’re interested in finding out what makes this Australian author so great, check out her Deltora Quest series!

3.75/5.00

[Bruno Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely lore, Illica is a very unique island because of its history, physical geography and local culture. The relationship between the contestants develops a little bit, which makes a more interesting story. Can't wait to read the series finale, in fact I will begin it right now!

[Tals · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing, just the way it was!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series!
Obviously read books 1 and 2 first.

[Kerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in the series.

This is an ideal series for those just branching into young adult fiction.

[Kat!e Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another compelling culture. And lots of drama. I'm interested to see how things go from here -- we've definitely had a lot of buildup to the last book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book of the series so far. There were so many little twists and turns that kept the plot moving. I also love the dynamic between the characters and their interesting friendship.

[Anna Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

More adventure, more thrills and more suspense occur as the journey of Britta continues on. Excited to see how the story wraps up.

[camryn]

Didn’t actually finish this book as I have no interest in picking this up.

[Querida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much!

[Emerald Reyes]

I couldn't put it down! If your looking for a book to get you out of your own world, and into another's this is the book

[Megan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can one person be simultaneously that lucky and that unlucky?

[Anneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book was sooooooo good! I am really upset because I have no way of getting the next book in the series right now because of the pandemic! I highly recommend this series!