The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell

Title: The Twistrose Key

Author: Tone Almhjell

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 17^th October 2013

Rating: 4/5

The Twistrose Key is fundamentally based on a friendship, and this is where our story starts. Eleven year old Lindelin Rosenquist is best friends with her pet redback vole, Rufocanus. She is understandably devastated when he dies. Living in a rented house with her parents can get pretty lonely, and Lindelin thrives on adventure, so when a mysterious package arrives addressed simply to ‘Rosenquist’, Lin knows it is meant for her; it uses the childhood code name she gave herself.

She stealthy keeps the parcel hidden from her curious father and opens it in private, finding a key inside that opens the secret hidden door in the cellar. Lin knows there is only one thing to do – investigate. She tumbles headfirst into a whole new world, and she isn’t alone. She soon comes across her dear old friend, Rufus. But how is he alive? Where is Lin?

Rufus explains that she is in Sylvar, a land of eternal winter, who’s inhabitants are all human-sized creatures that were once a beloved pet of a human, which is why Rufus is there. Soon, Lin’s quest is apparent, find the missing Winter Prince, Isvan, and save Sylvar before midnight, or never return home…

The Twistrose Key is a new fairytale for children, penned by the Norwegian author, Tone Almhjell. The book originally started out as an advent calander Tone was making for her sister, ‘twenty-four, one-page chapters, glued into a scrapbook,’ and seven years later is the completed book. And what an excellent book it is; the plot is a fresh idea that has the nostalgic element of Narnia hidden within it. The characters are likeable and it is easy to believe in the world of Sylvar; what child wouldn’t want to go to a world filled with their long lost pets?

As you would expect, not all the pets are out to help Lin on her quest, and a particularly nasty cat will do anything to stop her. This is a perfect read for children, ages 8+, and would be ideal as a Christmas gift. The story has that Christmassy, winter feel to it. As soon as you turn the last page, you just want to relive the adventure all over again!

The Twistrose Key is Almhjell’s first novel, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. She certainly has a gift for writing for children, and I would love to see more from the world of Sylvar. 

Skulduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of Dead Men by Derek Landy [Book 8]

Title: Skulduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of Dead Men

Author: Derek Landy

Publisher: Harper Collins

Age Range: 11+

Release Date: Out now!

Rating: 5/5

Last Stand of Dead Men is the eighth book in the amazing Skulduggery Pleasant series, and the penultimate book overall.

War has finally broken among the Sanctuaries around the world, and things are looking bad for the Irish Sanctuary and everyone has had enough. Allies turn to enemies, leaving Valkyrie and Skulduggery to team up with the rest of the Dead Men and it seems to be their only chance of survival.

But Valkyrie has another problem to deal with much closer to home; the other half of herself, Darquesse, has also had enough and is ready to take control of our heroine to wreck havoc across the world. But will it all become too much for Valkyrie to handle?

Now, my family and myself are huge fans of Landy’s Skulduggery series, and I have followed the series from the start (Last Stand of Dead Men is book eight).  They are sold as children’s fiction, and you will find the series in the children’s section of the bookshop, however, I am 20 and adore this series; my mother and younger brother also love it, so please don’t assume that this series is too young for you to read, you would be sorely missing out! The humor in the books is what makes me come back to Landy again and again, they really are very funny; the humor isn’t crude or rude, it is the kind of comedy that everyone – no matter their age – can enjoy. Having said that, this series is perfect for getting younger children, especially boys, involved in reading.

So, how does this book compare to the rest in the series? Well, there are important plot developments, not all of which are good. We loose one or two characters in one way or another in this installment, and things are definitely heating up for the next book – last in the series. I won’t say anymore about that, but I was pretty upset.

My favourite characters, by far, are the (now former) zombies, Scapegrace and his useless sidekick, Thrasher. Truth be told, I read the books to see what kind of hilarious situation they’ve found themselves in now. And if you thought Scapegrace’s journey from human to zombie to a head-in-a-jar to man in an attractive woman’s body was bad enough, you probably haven’t been following the series. Very funny, as always!

Tanith and Sanguine turn to different tactics to achieve their goal (what actually in their goal? I know Tanith’s but… anyway) and try and gain the trust of Skulduggary, Valkyrie and co., which works surprisingly well, actually.

In Last Stand of Dead Men, we learn more about the other Sanctuaries around the world, rather than just the Irish Sanctuary; in previous books the world Valkyrie and Skulduggery live in has felt small, confided to Roarhaven, which I loved but now things are getting out of their control.

Needless to say, I cannot wait for book 9, the last in the series, which is due out August 2014. But until then, enjoy this penultimate adventure!