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Review: #288
Title: Isle of the Dead
Series: Deltora Quest 3 - 3rd book
Author: Emily Rodda
Read Before: yes
My Comments: A major step up from the previous two in the series, while they have been enjoyable, this is the point where the story becomes phenomenal. A significant portion of the book deals with a subplot, where Lief and Barda spends some time on a deserted casino ship. There, major background story elements are given on Laughing Jack. The way this subplot was delivered was amazing. The pacing was just right, with perfect use of ‘flashbacks’. You’re presented with the feeling of urgency to find an exit, while anticipating the next piece of information that is revealed. Furthermore, this complex subplot melds together so well with the story that it feels like an integral part, relevant to later events. While you may think that all four books will follow the same structure of the protagonists travelling to the next Sister and destroying it, Isle of the Dead feels different from that formula. I loved the way the villain was disposed of; a lot of thought went into it. There are some major plot twists near the end, where it just will flip your understanding of the plot upside down. You’re left shocked while everything is explained. As always, the beasts of Deltora are fascinating. It’s no small feat when you consider in the space of less than 200 pages, this book manages to have a complex subplot AND further the overall plot of the series.
Rating: 7.5/10