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!

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Book: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Author: Jessica Sorensen

Publication Date: Out now

It was only a couple of months ago that I reviewed Jessica Sorensen’s previous novel, The Secret of Ella and Micha, and couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. However, when I saw Sorensen’s first book in a new, but not unfamiliar, series, I thought, ‘Why not?’ After all, it wasn’t Sorensen’s writing I found lacking, but the plot. Having just finished The Coinsidence of Callie and Kayden I’m very pleased to be able to go back on my original opinion and say that this was a brilliant book!

As with The Secret of Ella and Micha, the main characters have shared a personal moment in the past; this time Callie – the school weirdo, with her black eyeliner and baggy clothes – comes across Kayden (the ‘cool guy’) being beaten by his father at his end of school party. She rescues him, but leaves for college shortly after. Kayden finds it hard to forget the girl that saved him, and he feels he owes her at least a ‘thank you’ for standing up to his father, something he has never been brave enough to do himself. But it’s not long before he’s finally free of his home and away at college; independent and without the stress of his home-life, Kayden can finally be himself.

It just so happens that Callie and Kayden are at the same college. They keep bumping into each other, and in the end just take a chance and hang out. But things aren’t that simple; Callie has many issues from her own difficult past that haunt her. She isn’t comfortable to accept the attention that Kayden suddenly gives her, and her often feels overwhelmed. But Kayden isn’t finding his feelings for Callie easy to handle either. As they grow closer, the problems they keep hidden become harder to hide. Will they be strong enough to last?

Sorensen’s books are marketed for ‘new adults’, an audience (17+) I don’t find many books are market specifically for. However, the issues in this book are very ‘adult’ i.e. not ideal for a young adults or children to read about. I won’t go into detail because we slowly learn of Callie and Kayden’s problems through the book, but they are quite hard hitting.

The novel is well written, not rushed or half-hearted. All the characters are well thought out and real. By real, I mean they are dealing with real life situations in a realistic way. It makes you think, ‘What would I do if that happened to me? How would I cope?’ The secondary characters, Callie’s best-friend Seth and Kayden’s pal Luke, are also likeable and bring humor and feeling to the story.

Sorensen has plans to expand both this and the Secrets series into trilogies. I am very pleased to find out that Luke from this series is also getting his own book. (Yay!) He’s an extremely intriguing character. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden ends on a tense cliffhanger, but I’m afraid we’ll just have to wait until the second book is released in February 2014. I don’t think I can wait that long!

It just shows what giving a writer a second chance can do for you! I couldn’t recommend this series enough now; full of emotion, it grabs your attention and gets you involved, whether you want to be or not!

Rating: 4/5

Diary of a Crush: French Kiss by Sarra Manning

Some of you may be familiar with Sarra Manning’s more recent work writing excellent adult fiction novels, the amazing Unsticky is my favourite, but before she took the step into more meaty writing, she penned a trio of young-adult novels in the Diary of a Crush series.

The trilogy all beings with French Kiss, in which we are introduced to Edie, also known as Edith, who is trying to adjust to her new life after moving to a new town. Things are helped somewhat by the attractive Dylan, who she admires from afar at her new college. Dylan is a messy-haired, elusive art student, and it just so happens that he’s noticed Edie around college, too.

As you might imagine, French Kiss is written in diary format; the first person point of view creates a few laughs and an insight into Edie’s world. I’ve found that the best book in the series is the last by far, and French Kiss is just the beginning. So stick with it, it improves as you get onto the second and third book! Not to say that the first isn’t any good, it may just a little too typical of a teenage book for some readers.

This is the kind of humorous girly teenage read that is perfect for fans of the Louise Rennison Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series. You may be familiar with Manning’s other young adult novel, Adorkable, which was nominated for various teenage book awards. I haven’t actually read Adorkable, but I have only heard good things!

Manning originally penned the Diary of a Crush for the teenage magazine she worked for, Just Seventeen. The editor gave our author the opportunity to write a weekly romance column, and it is here Edie and Dylan’s story began. You may have heard or even read them already; the books were released back in the 2000’s, but are now set for rerelease this year. Manning has updated the references to popular music, for a 2013 audience. With this in mind, the books have also been made available in e-book format for the first time.

Since I first read this series, way back in the noughties, young adult books have change dramatically. The plot of your typical YA book now involves vampires, werewolves and other supernatural characters all getting themselves into unrealistic situations. This trilogy takes me back to when girls used to enjoy reading about another girls love life. Diary of a Crush is how girly, teenage chick-lit used to be; a quick easy read, ideal for summer. Nothing too series, but enough to laugh at and pass onto your friends when you’re finished, and I miss that.

Sarra Manning is a brilliant author, able to engage her audience, whether through humor, a good romance and witty dialogue – or a mixture off all three. She hits the nail on the head with this series and I am desperately looking forward to reviewing her new adult fiction novel, It Felt Like a Kiss; due for release in February 2014.

You can purchase the first book in the Diary of a Crush series here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Crush-French-Kiss-Number/dp/0349001561/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375622614&sr=1-1&keywords=diary+of+a+crush

The following books are Kiss and Make Up and finally Sealed with a Kiss.