What do you think?
Rate this book
Twined
Avalin Marsh is used to disappointment. When her mother murdered a woman in the kitchen of her home on her eleventh birthday, Avalin decided that the people in your life were only there to let you down. She built up walls over the years making a mental fortress impervious to disappointment, heartache and sadness. However it also isolated her from others, making her bitter... and lonely.
When her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the murder, Avalin began to see and experience things that she couldn't explain. She thought she could handle these episodes by pushing them back into her mind. Until the day she sees one of her classmates morph into a monster right in front of her eyes. Pushed to the brink of paranoia, Avalin truly believes she's insane. Then a mysterious man named Albert comes into her life. She's wary of his motives yet for some reason finds herself drawn to him even though they've never met. What's even more inexplicable is that Albert knows who Avalin is. She's the daughter of the famous Abigail Marsh. Her mother.
Now the two of them will need to put their differences aside and trust one another. If Avalin can't let her guard down long enough to let Albert in, then there might be dire and far reaching consequences in store for them.
It turns out Avalin Marsh isn't as crazy as she thought.
When her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the murder, Avalin began to see and experience things that she couldn't explain. She thought she could handle these episodes by pushing them back into her mind. Until the day she sees one of her classmates morph into a monster right in front of her eyes. Pushed to the brink of paranoia, Avalin truly believes she's insane. Then a mysterious man named Albert comes into her life. She's wary of his motives yet for some reason finds herself drawn to him even though they've never met. What's even more inexplicable is that Albert knows who Avalin is. She's the daughter of the famous Abigail Marsh. Her mother.
Now the two of them will need to put their differences aside and trust one another. If Avalin can't let her guard down long enough to let Albert in, then there might be dire and far reaching consequences in store for them.
It turns out Avalin Marsh isn't as crazy as she thought.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2012
About the author
A.L. Collins
18 books98 followersI'm a character enthusiest and lover of storytelling. I've spent most of my life listening to the tales that people tell and studying what makes a book or characters alive and interesting. Writing is my love and the details the flavor. I hope that people enjoy what I can create.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 22, 2012
From the minute I started reading Twined, I knew I wasn’t the intended audience.
And when I finished it, I was proven right. It really wasn’t my type of book. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the creative plot which stunned me, I’d give this a 1-or-2 star as a personal rating.
Reasons I didn’t like it: the story seemed to be told from the beginning, commas were ignored, love-triangle was included and grammar was average but not to the very best.
However, I gave this book to one of my best friends and they LOVED it. Like, “loved” with a capital L. She’s now following the author and is going to purchase the second book.
And I’m willing to admit the plot was amazing. So was the strong main character, which is definitely a break from the whiny, pathetic ones I've come across.
That's why this got three stars, and when you think about it, that's impressive for a story that "wasn't my type."
June 5, 2012
This has the honour of being the first kindle book I paid money to get. I quite enjoyed the book, with a couple of irritations:
"Exhume" means to dig up a previously interred body...I think the author meant "exuded" whenever "exhumed" was used...I never heard of an object exhuming energy...;-)
And what on earth is a tonsil stone????
I thought the story ended rather abruptly, but with a perfect set-up for the next book.
I enjoyed this book - it's got a good premise. There are quite a few points where I had to remember that this is a YA book, written by a young author. There are a few non sequiturs and plot holes, but overall I enjoyed the book and will be looking for the next instalment.
A longer review appears on my blog from 07 June 2012.
"Exhume" means to dig up a previously interred body...I think the author meant "exuded" whenever "exhumed" was used...I never heard of an object exhuming energy...;-)
And what on earth is a tonsil stone????
I thought the story ended rather abruptly, but with a perfect set-up for the next book.
I enjoyed this book - it's got a good premise. There are quite a few points where I had to remember that this is a YA book, written by a young author. There are a few non sequiturs and plot holes, but overall I enjoyed the book and will be looking for the next instalment.
A longer review appears on my blog from 07 June 2012.
April 4, 2012
Very,very good! I loved it! This author just keeps turning out winning books!
April 8, 2012
I have to admit I read Scarlett's and absolutely LOVED it! I didn't think that A.L.Collins could top that and I was so, so wrong! Twined is FANTASTIC! This book had me so pulled in that I have dreamed about it for two nights now! I have never heard of this author but WOW! You will be hearing of him soon,Everywhere! I Now can officially say that I have a NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR and it's A.L. Collins!!! I can't wait till his next book comes out! Hurry! Please!
June 4, 2012
Thanks to goodreads and A.L. Collins for providing a copy!
EDIT 01/08/12: changed it from 4 to 3 stars after comparing it with a lot of other 4 star books I've read this year
I was quite surprised by this book, since I honestly didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It was very fast-paced from the get-go and as a reader you never really stop being interested in the story. The main characters were also very engaging. I especially like the tomboyish you-see-what-you-get-smartass female protagonist Avalin, who depite some whiny moments is really strong overall. The male protagonist Albert (I have to agree with the other reviewers that I am not a fan of the name...) is also very likeable and what you would want out of a YA male protagonist. Albert is caring and strong-willed and more importantly, he respects Avalin’s wishes and decisions. As far as the other characters go, other than Lyle, the 200-odd pages were just too little for them to have really come alive, but there is definitely potential for character development in the sequel.
I was really glad that the supernatural portion of the book wasn't based on anything related to vampires, werewolves, fairies, angels etc. which has become too much of a cliché in the supernatural YA genre. And though there isn't much lore in this book as of yet, I can appreciate the initial outlook. I actually really liked the twined as a concept and I hope that in future instalments I will get to know more about them, their history and how this world came about. As the problem with most YA novels I've read is that they don't sufficiently explain the world the novels are in. Maybe I'm just too spoiled by epic fantasy novels, but I really like world-building and it's still something I'm missing in current YA novels, no exception here.
The storyline is quite good, the mystery element really works. There were no real shocks and some things were predictable, but there was still enough mystery in there to keep me going. The ending was quite abrupt and probably the only thing that really took me by surprise (yeps, it ends with a cliff-hanger people…be prepared).
The writing is engaging, but I must confess I did have some problems with the general prose. Things like "My heart sunk like Titanic" just did not sit right with me. Also, I feel the book needs to be re-edited, as there are still some lay-out and mistypes here and there (e.g. pg. 241: “come one” is supposed to be “come on”).
Overall I think Twined is a quite a good read, especially comparing to other books in its genre. I mean, despite the above flaws, I still devoured the book within a day, thus giving it four stars in the end (instead of three, which is objectively speaking a more accurate rating for this book in my opinion). I am excited for the sequel, and will surely pick it up when it’s out.
Overall, Twined is definitely recommended!
EDIT 01/08/12: changed it from 4 to 3 stars after comparing it with a lot of other 4 star books I've read this year
I was quite surprised by this book, since I honestly didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It was very fast-paced from the get-go and as a reader you never really stop being interested in the story. The main characters were also very engaging. I especially like the tomboyish you-see-what-you-get-smartass female protagonist Avalin, who depite some whiny moments is really strong overall. The male protagonist Albert (I have to agree with the other reviewers that I am not a fan of the name...) is also very likeable and what you would want out of a YA male protagonist. Albert is caring and strong-willed and more importantly, he respects Avalin’s wishes and decisions. As far as the other characters go, other than Lyle, the 200-odd pages were just too little for them to have really come alive, but there is definitely potential for character development in the sequel.
I was really glad that the supernatural portion of the book wasn't based on anything related to vampires, werewolves, fairies, angels etc. which has become too much of a cliché in the supernatural YA genre. And though there isn't much lore in this book as of yet, I can appreciate the initial outlook. I actually really liked the twined as a concept and I hope that in future instalments I will get to know more about them, their history and how this world came about. As the problem with most YA novels I've read is that they don't sufficiently explain the world the novels are in. Maybe I'm just too spoiled by epic fantasy novels, but I really like world-building and it's still something I'm missing in current YA novels, no exception here.
The storyline is quite good, the mystery element really works. There were no real shocks and some things were predictable, but there was still enough mystery in there to keep me going. The ending was quite abrupt and probably the only thing that really took me by surprise (yeps, it ends with a cliff-hanger people…be prepared).
The writing is engaging, but I must confess I did have some problems with the general prose. Things like "My heart sunk like Titanic" just did not sit right with me. Also, I feel the book needs to be re-edited, as there are still some lay-out and mistypes here and there (e.g. pg. 241: “come one” is supposed to be “come on”).
Overall I think Twined is a quite a good read, especially comparing to other books in its genre. I mean, despite the above flaws, I still devoured the book within a day, thus giving it four stars in the end (instead of three, which is objectively speaking a more accurate rating for this book in my opinion). I am excited for the sequel, and will surely pick it up when it’s out.
Overall, Twined is definitely recommended!
June 25, 2012
I had no expectations when I started reading this book, and sometimes it’s the best thing to do, just jump head on and face whatever comes your way, or more to the case, stare hell in the face like ours truly, Avalin Marsh. I do know that I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did so this story was a very nice and refreshing surprise. It’s an easy, quick and enjoyable read that caught my attention from the beginning and kept me interested till the very end.
There were a few things that bothered me, though, regarding edition work. I noticed some grammar errors, lack of commas between sentences and some gaps I thought were unnecessary. But that didn’t stop me from being invested in reading. It was just a matter of getting used to, I think.
I loved Avalin Marsh’s character; she’s just my kind of girl. She’s kick-ass, strong, sarcastic, outspoken, and a bit of a tomboy… okay, a lot considering she practically speaks and acts like a guy. Life made her that way, I think, since the day of her eleventh birthday when her mother killed a person. Avalin practically grew up building walls around her for protection. I liked the subtle way the author made her gradually break down the bricks of the wall to let Albert enter her world. Albert is also a charismatic character, acting all mysterious and pulling us to his mystery in the hopes we can solve it. Their relationship starts in the wrong foot (or should I say the wrong kiss?), alternating between embarrassing and dangerous situations, perfectly balanced by relaxed and funny moments. I really liked the characters sense of humor, and I couldn’t help but laugh with Prajna at the beginning when they’re discussing the shapes of the drawings in the cars. That was hilarious, and I wish we could have known more about Prajna and Lyle.
The premise of this book is unique and totally different from anything I’ve read before in the supernatural world. The author created the Twined, a race that depends on humans for their survival. There were some elements that might have escaped me because they were not explained thoroughly, but I think there’s a good chance of it happening in the second book as the story unfolds. Speaking of second book, what a cliffhanger! I turned the page to see if that was really it, and it was, I have to wait for the sequel to come out. That was a perfect opening for the continuation of the series.
Overall, a good YA book, with a plot full of action, and a few side snarky remarks from dear Avalin, totally worth it just so you can get to know her awesome personality, interesting take on the supernatural and great characters! And the waiting for the second book to come out begins now.
There were a few things that bothered me, though, regarding edition work. I noticed some grammar errors, lack of commas between sentences and some gaps I thought were unnecessary. But that didn’t stop me from being invested in reading. It was just a matter of getting used to, I think.
I loved Avalin Marsh’s character; she’s just my kind of girl. She’s kick-ass, strong, sarcastic, outspoken, and a bit of a tomboy… okay, a lot considering she practically speaks and acts like a guy. Life made her that way, I think, since the day of her eleventh birthday when her mother killed a person. Avalin practically grew up building walls around her for protection. I liked the subtle way the author made her gradually break down the bricks of the wall to let Albert enter her world. Albert is also a charismatic character, acting all mysterious and pulling us to his mystery in the hopes we can solve it. Their relationship starts in the wrong foot (or should I say the wrong kiss?), alternating between embarrassing and dangerous situations, perfectly balanced by relaxed and funny moments. I really liked the characters sense of humor, and I couldn’t help but laugh with Prajna at the beginning when they’re discussing the shapes of the drawings in the cars. That was hilarious, and I wish we could have known more about Prajna and Lyle.
The premise of this book is unique and totally different from anything I’ve read before in the supernatural world. The author created the Twined, a race that depends on humans for their survival. There were some elements that might have escaped me because they were not explained thoroughly, but I think there’s a good chance of it happening in the second book as the story unfolds. Speaking of second book, what a cliffhanger! I turned the page to see if that was really it, and it was, I have to wait for the sequel to come out. That was a perfect opening for the continuation of the series.
Overall, a good YA book, with a plot full of action, and a few side snarky remarks from dear Avalin, totally worth it just so you can get to know her awesome personality, interesting take on the supernatural and great characters! And the waiting for the second book to come out begins now.
July 8, 2012
What if yourmother diagnoze with schizoprenia and for some action you began to see and hear something that you believe they were not? Scare, paranoid,or you trust that you’r insane too…And it’s all happened to Avalin.
The nighmare stared when Avalin was celebrating her elevent birtday. She show hermother kill a woman in their kitchen. After the murdered, life was too hard for Avalin. Her mother diagnoze with Schizoprenia and herfather has lived in trouble. By thats reality, Avalin growth as a strong girl.
Now, Avalin was a high sholl student and accident about six year a go has not talken again by everyone. But, then Avalin began hear a voice in hermind. More terrible she looked on of cherleaders morph into a monsteur right infront of her. Avalin was paranoia that she may be insane just like her mother. A new mysterious class mates named Albert said that all Avalin hear and see is exactly true.
He, Albert knew who Avalin was and who hermother, Abigail Marsh. Without knowing anything about Albert, Avalin had to trust him when they both stuck to a pararel world. Then, Jessica, the girl who morph into a monsterur came with more scariest look. Albert said it’s all a trap by an illusionist called the twined. Who is the twined? Why does he want Avalin? And Who is Albert?
On 258 pages of this book, we bought to scarie world of Avalin. With point of view of Avalin, it’s help us to have more emphatyze to Avalin. Yay, since the firs chapter i’ve liked Avalin so much. She is a smart girl and so strong. And collins also can make characters of Albert seem so mysterious.
By the way i am not native in English. But lucky for me, the literate used by collins on this novel so simply. So i can get it easyly. About layout and font of content, it’s not bad. And the cover which dominated with dark purple looks sweet gothic. I like that.
When Avalin see Albert first in the class is nice part for me. What did Albert say about meaning of life exactly cute. I amnot memorized it exactly, but it’s something like … “The aim of life is to being complete, being complete. Being complete is to find someone”. Very like this quote :)
So i rated it 4 stars in GoodReads, very recommended for young adult reader. can’t wait for the sequel : Twined part 2.
visit : http://bugot.wordpress.com to see my all review
The nighmare stared when Avalin was celebrating her elevent birtday. She show hermother kill a woman in their kitchen. After the murdered, life was too hard for Avalin. Her mother diagnoze with Schizoprenia and herfather has lived in trouble. By thats reality, Avalin growth as a strong girl.
Now, Avalin was a high sholl student and accident about six year a go has not talken again by everyone. But, then Avalin began hear a voice in hermind. More terrible she looked on of cherleaders morph into a monsteur right infront of her. Avalin was paranoia that she may be insane just like her mother. A new mysterious class mates named Albert said that all Avalin hear and see is exactly true.
He, Albert knew who Avalin was and who hermother, Abigail Marsh. Without knowing anything about Albert, Avalin had to trust him when they both stuck to a pararel world. Then, Jessica, the girl who morph into a monsterur came with more scariest look. Albert said it’s all a trap by an illusionist called the twined. Who is the twined? Why does he want Avalin? And Who is Albert?
On 258 pages of this book, we bought to scarie world of Avalin. With point of view of Avalin, it’s help us to have more emphatyze to Avalin. Yay, since the firs chapter i’ve liked Avalin so much. She is a smart girl and so strong. And collins also can make characters of Albert seem so mysterious.
By the way i am not native in English. But lucky for me, the literate used by collins on this novel so simply. So i can get it easyly. About layout and font of content, it’s not bad. And the cover which dominated with dark purple looks sweet gothic. I like that.
When Avalin see Albert first in the class is nice part for me. What did Albert say about meaning of life exactly cute. I amnot memorized it exactly, but it’s something like … “The aim of life is to being complete, being complete. Being complete is to find someone”. Very like this quote :)
So i rated it 4 stars in GoodReads, very recommended for young adult reader. can’t wait for the sequel : Twined part 2.
visit : http://bugot.wordpress.com to see my all review
June 12, 2012
Avalin Marsh is all ready for her 11th birthday party. She had sent out invitations to everyone in her class. She got dressed and made sure everything was made ready. The weather was cold and rainy, with the rain coming down harder each moment. Then, it happened. No one showed up. Not one single friend. She was alone. Her father tried to smooth things with the promise of a day at the beach. They went to the kitchen to tell her mother and found her in disarray after killing someone. A person was dead on the kitchen floor. Dad phoned the police. Mother pulled something out of the dead person - a peacock feather quill pen. Her mother spoke in words that Avalin didn't understand, some kind of foreign words. As her mother is rambling on, the peacock feather catches fire and then dissolved in her mother's hands. The body did the same thing - it faded away as in an illusion and nothing was left behind. The police came and took her mother away to a place where people go that are mentally unstable. There was no explaining as to where the body had gone. What happened that day?
The thoughts of that day were never far from Avalin's mind. Now, being in her senior year in school, she was wondering what was going to become of her. What was the meaning of her life? She thought the past was locked away; but strange things began to happen to her. Voices were calling out to her; she could hear them but didn't see who was calling her. She also imagined faces changing shapes. What was that about?
One day she meets Albert, a fellow classmate. He is the one sending her those messages that she hears in her head. How can that be? There are some demons out there trying to get her and Albert too. The two don't get along very well and in the beginning their relationship is rocky. Avalin distrusts him and her attitude doesn't set well with Albert's secretive ways. But they must try and work together for the good of everyone. And what is the Twined?
I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down to the end. But, now I have to patiently wait for the next sequel to come out to find out more as to what happens. This book has a cliff hanger for an ending.
WOW!!! is all I can say about the book. It is great. Enjoy when you read. Thank you A. L. Collins.
The thoughts of that day were never far from Avalin's mind. Now, being in her senior year in school, she was wondering what was going to become of her. What was the meaning of her life? She thought the past was locked away; but strange things began to happen to her. Voices were calling out to her; she could hear them but didn't see who was calling her. She also imagined faces changing shapes. What was that about?
One day she meets Albert, a fellow classmate. He is the one sending her those messages that she hears in her head. How can that be? There are some demons out there trying to get her and Albert too. The two don't get along very well and in the beginning their relationship is rocky. Avalin distrusts him and her attitude doesn't set well with Albert's secretive ways. But they must try and work together for the good of everyone. And what is the Twined?
I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down to the end. But, now I have to patiently wait for the next sequel to come out to find out more as to what happens. This book has a cliff hanger for an ending.
WOW!!! is all I can say about the book. It is great. Enjoy when you read. Thank you A. L. Collins.
June 4, 2012
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher Type: Indie
I was excited by the premise of this novel. I was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more about Avalin's situation. I gave this book 3 stars because portions were 5 stars all the way and portions were 1 & 2 stars.
As we begin, Avalin talks of her 11 year old self. This was a point of great concern for me because the girl described was at best 5. And I'm pretty much expert to all things little girl, my daughters being 7 and 11. I even had my 11 year old read this first portion and she was pretty horrified (ironically, we meet Avalin's 11 year old brother later in the story and he is a completely believable 11 year old boy). Right after this, teenage Avalin tells us that she is considering becoming an orthodontist because she wants to drill and pull out teeth. Umm, that's typically a dentist as orthodontists are specialist and don't normally due general dentistry. Honestly, I almost quit reading at that point. Luckily I held on because after getting past these issues a really great story emerges.
I loved the creativity that went into this book. The twined are a completely unique and different race from any other you'll find in speculative fiction. And how they interact and need their human counterparts was a fresh change. Avalin is a likable and believable character. She has backbone and doesn't just swoon at Albert's feet. Albert is an interesting character with depth. The plot is 3-dimensional, fast paced and full of the action/adventure I crave with a perfectly delicately growing romance.
I really enjoyed the bulk of this book and was ready to give it a solid 4 stars until the ending. I'm okay with cliff hangers. I don't mind unanswered questions hanging out there to be answered in book 2. But every book regardless of being series or stand alone, needs a solid conflict, climax and resolution. There was no substantial resolution. Just a creepy event meant to have you worrying about the character until book 2. I was disappointed enough in the ending to subtract a star from my rating.
So, overall, a good read, worth the time (I'll definitely be looking for book 2), but has some elements difficult to accept.
Publisher Type: Indie
I was excited by the premise of this novel. I was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more about Avalin's situation. I gave this book 3 stars because portions were 5 stars all the way and portions were 1 & 2 stars.
As we begin, Avalin talks of her 11 year old self. This was a point of great concern for me because the girl described was at best 5. And I'm pretty much expert to all things little girl, my daughters being 7 and 11. I even had my 11 year old read this first portion and she was pretty horrified (ironically, we meet Avalin's 11 year old brother later in the story and he is a completely believable 11 year old boy). Right after this, teenage Avalin tells us that she is considering becoming an orthodontist because she wants to drill and pull out teeth. Umm, that's typically a dentist as orthodontists are specialist and don't normally due general dentistry. Honestly, I almost quit reading at that point. Luckily I held on because after getting past these issues a really great story emerges.
I loved the creativity that went into this book. The twined are a completely unique and different race from any other you'll find in speculative fiction. And how they interact and need their human counterparts was a fresh change. Avalin is a likable and believable character. She has backbone and doesn't just swoon at Albert's feet. Albert is an interesting character with depth. The plot is 3-dimensional, fast paced and full of the action/adventure I crave with a perfectly delicately growing romance.
I really enjoyed the bulk of this book and was ready to give it a solid 4 stars until the ending. I'm okay with cliff hangers. I don't mind unanswered questions hanging out there to be answered in book 2. But every book regardless of being series or stand alone, needs a solid conflict, climax and resolution. There was no substantial resolution. Just a creepy event meant to have you worrying about the character until book 2. I was disappointed enough in the ending to subtract a star from my rating.
So, overall, a good read, worth the time (I'll definitely be looking for book 2), but has some elements difficult to accept.
May 30, 2012
Other reviews like this at thebookbabesreads.blogspot.com
I enjoyed this book, but there were a few things that I would've changed. For one, I would have changed the bits in the sentences where the author should have added commas. Because a lot of the sentences seemed a little bit run on and, well, comma less. But if you make pause at the appropriate places, it isn't so bad.
When I first started this book, I was kind of expecting a different kind of story than I got. It drew me in immediately, and kept me reading until the very end. And the end is a freaking cliffhanger! Authors must be trying to kill us with those. It's their super secret plan for infiltrating our very thoughts. It's working. I think about sequels to books all the time.
I really liked the character of Avalin, but it just seemed like she was a guy sometimes. She said stuff that no girl would say. Girls don't call themselves 'Jack-asses'. It's just one of the many differences between guys and girls. Other than that, Avalin was a terrific character, and I can definitely relate to her. She's kick-ass, and she definitely says exactly what she thinks. There were a few moments when I wished she was less 'Moan, moan, my mother is gone' and more peppy. She was kind of depressed.
I also liked the character of Albert, aside from the awful name, I mean. He seemed so sweet, and willing to protect Avalin, and he also seemed pretty funny. Some of the supernatural themes that were added to this book were interesting, but I don't think I'll really get them until I read the second book. Hopefully it will be more explanatory, and less cliffhanger ending. Maybe I can get on the tour for the second one too. ;)
I liked the insane headlong jump into the world of the Twined, but I found that I didn't understand all of the references made. So, all in all, I would say that this book was nonstop action from start to finish, and I would definitely recommend it, if you're willing to wait for the second book to come out.
♠♠♠
Favorite Quote:
We don't celebrate birthdays now. We don't really celebrate anything anymore. My life has been hollow, been empty and filled with broken promises and destroyed dreams, so nothing nowadays receives much glee.
I enjoyed this book, but there were a few things that I would've changed. For one, I would have changed the bits in the sentences where the author should have added commas. Because a lot of the sentences seemed a little bit run on and, well, comma less. But if you make pause at the appropriate places, it isn't so bad.
When I first started this book, I was kind of expecting a different kind of story than I got. It drew me in immediately, and kept me reading until the very end. And the end is a freaking cliffhanger! Authors must be trying to kill us with those. It's their super secret plan for infiltrating our very thoughts. It's working. I think about sequels to books all the time.
I really liked the character of Avalin, but it just seemed like she was a guy sometimes. She said stuff that no girl would say. Girls don't call themselves 'Jack-asses'. It's just one of the many differences between guys and girls. Other than that, Avalin was a terrific character, and I can definitely relate to her. She's kick-ass, and she definitely says exactly what she thinks. There were a few moments when I wished she was less 'Moan, moan, my mother is gone' and more peppy. She was kind of depressed.
I also liked the character of Albert, aside from the awful name, I mean. He seemed so sweet, and willing to protect Avalin, and he also seemed pretty funny. Some of the supernatural themes that were added to this book were interesting, but I don't think I'll really get them until I read the second book. Hopefully it will be more explanatory, and less cliffhanger ending. Maybe I can get on the tour for the second one too. ;)
I liked the insane headlong jump into the world of the Twined, but I found that I didn't understand all of the references made. So, all in all, I would say that this book was nonstop action from start to finish, and I would definitely recommend it, if you're willing to wait for the second book to come out.
♠♠♠
Favorite Quote:
We don't celebrate birthdays now. We don't really celebrate anything anymore. My life has been hollow, been empty and filled with broken promises and destroyed dreams, so nothing nowadays receives much glee.
June 5, 2012
A.L. Collins first brought us into a fantasy world in Bastion - Prequel to War and then he made us smile in his motivational and feel-good YA debut, Scarlett's. What does he have in store for us now with Twined? A supernatural novel for young adults. But don't be mistaken, this is not a vampire or werewolf story. Oh no! A.L. Collins has created a unique new world where supernatural beings seek a human in order to survive past their teens. I won't tell you more about it. I'll let you guys discover it for yourselves.
It all starts with a flashback to Avalin's eleventh birthday. What promised to be a fun birthday full of surprises and friends turned out to be a nightmare. None of her friends showed up and her schizophrenic mother murdered a woman. Now in the present day, Avalin starts hearing voices and seeing unimaginable things. She fears she might be turning out exactly like her mother. Albert seems to understand what she is going through but Avalin senses something's not right with the new guy. Avalin discovers a whole new world and realizes that maybe she isn't crazy after all, neither was her mother.
Avalin is a very strong young woman. Her story and voice captivated me from the beginning. The author managed to really mirror the thoughts and dialogue of a teenage girl. She's smart and not afraid to say what's on her mind. She's a bit depressed and whiny in the beginning but who can blame her? Every character, even the supernatural ones, seem very real and could be your next-door neighbors. Albert is an intriguing character from the start but we quickly realize that he will stop at nothing to protect Avalin. He's also very respectful and sweet. Twined has a lot of fun characters and some will definitely surprise you.
The plot has enough action and mystery to make this a one-sitting read. The supernatural aspects of the book are new and well-thought of. There's a major cliffhanger at the end. Book #2 won't come out soon enough for me!
Overall, Twined is a unique read by an author you need to keep an eye on.
September 7, 2012
A book with oozes of action from its first page to its last.
I didn't really like the writing of the author (it seemed to me like a high school student with an average grade in writing wrote this book) and the fact that the dialogues were so simple. No rare words, no challenging meanings. Apart from this, though, the plot was original. The idea of the Twined creatures that live among humans and need them for survival is fascinating. So, the story and how it unfolded really lived up to my expectations. The ending was a cliffhanger though.
Concerning the characters and how they developed throughout the book, I really loved the two protagonists. Avalin, the teenager with the messed up mind, but the one who proved to be stronger than she thought she could be. And Albert, the kind and wise boy, who was always there for her, even when circumstances screamed for him to run away. The love story was a bit predictable, but not to extents where it could become annoying.
What really made me sigh in frustration: The fact that A.L. Collins used such a harsh language, like 'jackass' and similar words. I mean, come on, I don't think that many girls nowadays talk to each other using such curses. It's too rough for a girl, don't you think? In parts like this, it was kind of obvious that the book has been written by a man.
Overall, I enjoyed it. It was fast-paced and with many plot twists that kept my interest at flames. 3 out of 5 stars (I would give it 4 stars if it wasn't for the poor writing) and I recommend it to people who love fiction books with supernatural creatures combined with a cute love story.
I didn't really like the writing of the author (it seemed to me like a high school student with an average grade in writing wrote this book) and the fact that the dialogues were so simple. No rare words, no challenging meanings. Apart from this, though, the plot was original. The idea of the Twined creatures that live among humans and need them for survival is fascinating. So, the story and how it unfolded really lived up to my expectations. The ending was a cliffhanger though.
Concerning the characters and how they developed throughout the book, I really loved the two protagonists. Avalin, the teenager with the messed up mind, but the one who proved to be stronger than she thought she could be. And Albert, the kind and wise boy, who was always there for her, even when circumstances screamed for him to run away. The love story was a bit predictable, but not to extents where it could become annoying.
What really made me sigh in frustration: The fact that A.L. Collins used such a harsh language, like 'jackass' and similar words. I mean, come on, I don't think that many girls nowadays talk to each other using such curses. It's too rough for a girl, don't you think? In parts like this, it was kind of obvious that the book has been written by a man.
Overall, I enjoyed it. It was fast-paced and with many plot twists that kept my interest at flames. 3 out of 5 stars (I would give it 4 stars if it wasn't for the poor writing) and I recommend it to people who love fiction books with supernatural creatures combined with a cute love story.
August 17, 2014
Not going to lie.
I finished this book about two weeks ago...then I had to go back and re-read the last fifty or so pages. I was far too ADD to take all the action that slammed at me the last part of that book without going back and reading it again. (Also not helping is that I'm kind of a speed reader.)
Overall, though, I was a fan. The concept of the Twined was extremely interesting to me, though I feel like there wasn't enough meat in it. I like science, dammit! Was it a genetic evolution or actual interplanetary beings?! Roar.
Avalin made me smile; some of her more snarky quotes really reminded me of me as a bitchy seventeen year old, so that probably helped.
I am not really a fan of the cliffhanger, but from what I've been reading, it sounds like Part II won't be that far along that it'll piss me off for an extended period of time. Of course, that means I might actually have to murder my eyes since I don't have an ACTUAL Kindle and will have to settle for reading it on my iPhone. Totally worth it, though. (That is part of why I am giving this 4 stars, as I was bouncing back between 3 and 4. The anticipation is making it worth the extra.)
I was browsing the author's website (because I am a loser like that) and saw that he's still in the universe of exploring different genres to find a niche. I have to say, my own forays into writing twisted sci-fi NaNoWriMo myself, it's impressive to do it well. I'd be down for more of the supernatural stuff.
LEST I FORGET, many thanks to A.L. Collins and the lovely folks at Goodreads for my First Reads copy! :)
I finished this book about two weeks ago...then I had to go back and re-read the last fifty or so pages. I was far too ADD to take all the action that slammed at me the last part of that book without going back and reading it again. (Also not helping is that I'm kind of a speed reader.)
Overall, though, I was a fan. The concept of the Twined was extremely interesting to me, though I feel like there wasn't enough meat in it. I like science, dammit! Was it a genetic evolution or actual interplanetary beings?! Roar.
Avalin made me smile; some of her more snarky quotes really reminded me of me as a bitchy seventeen year old, so that probably helped.
I am not really a fan of the cliffhanger, but from what I've been reading, it sounds like Part II won't be that far along that it'll piss me off for an extended period of time. Of course, that means I might actually have to murder my eyes since I don't have an ACTUAL Kindle and will have to settle for reading it on my iPhone. Totally worth it, though. (That is part of why I am giving this 4 stars, as I was bouncing back between 3 and 4. The anticipation is making it worth the extra.)
I was browsing the author's website (because I am a loser like that) and saw that he's still in the universe of exploring different genres to find a niche. I have to say, my own forays into writing twisted sci-fi NaNoWriMo myself, it's impressive to do it well. I'd be down for more of the supernatural stuff.
LEST I FORGET, many thanks to A.L. Collins and the lovely folks at Goodreads for my First Reads copy! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2014
I am sad at the moment because I can not purchase this book anywhere . I was really looking forward to this . :(
*UPDATE*
I was sent this book and well lets just say I loved it ! And I cant wait for the next part ! :D
<6.1.14>I never really did a proper review I had done just never posted which I dont understand why that is.Anyway here it is and my apologies to the author that was kind enough to send me this book.
Summary;
Avalin Marsh saw something on her eleventh birthday that no little girl should ever see. A day that was supposed to be special now haunts her constantly. Tormented by visions and voices, Avalin is befriended by an intriguing, handsome young man named Albert. Albert however isn't who or what Avalin thinks he is. Now questioning her own sanity, Avalin must rely on Albert to help make sense of it all. The twists and turns of this paranormal thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.
REVIEW;
I enjoyed this book, but there were a few things that I would've changed. For one, I would have changed the bits in the sentences where the author should have added commas. Because a lot of the sentences seemed a little bit run on and, well, comma less. But if you make pause at the appropriate places, it isn't so bad.
When I first started this book, I was kind of expecting a different kind of story than I got. It drew me in immediately, and kept me reading until the very end. And the end is a freaking cliffhanger! In my opinion I reckon authors may be trying to kill us with all of them
*UPDATE*
I was sent this book and well lets just say I loved it ! And I cant wait for the next part ! :D
<6.1.14>I never really did a proper review I had done just never posted which I dont understand why that is.Anyway here it is and my apologies to the author that was kind enough to send me this book.
Summary;
Avalin Marsh saw something on her eleventh birthday that no little girl should ever see. A day that was supposed to be special now haunts her constantly. Tormented by visions and voices, Avalin is befriended by an intriguing, handsome young man named Albert. Albert however isn't who or what Avalin thinks he is. Now questioning her own sanity, Avalin must rely on Albert to help make sense of it all. The twists and turns of this paranormal thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.
REVIEW;
I enjoyed this book, but there were a few things that I would've changed. For one, I would have changed the bits in the sentences where the author should have added commas. Because a lot of the sentences seemed a little bit run on and, well, comma less. But if you make pause at the appropriate places, it isn't so bad.
When I first started this book, I was kind of expecting a different kind of story than I got. It drew me in immediately, and kept me reading until the very end. And the end is a freaking cliffhanger! In my opinion I reckon authors may be trying to kill us with all of them
July 12, 2017
Overall I really enjoyed this book and really hope a sequel comes out. I loved the idea of the world they're in and I can't wait to find out more about it. Avalin was a great character and it was really easy to connect with her. All the drama kinda happened a little fast and there;s still lots I'd like to know but it was a good read.
September 30, 2012
I didn't know of I would like this book because of its YA nature (although I read a ton of YA literature being a teacher) but I really enjoyed it. Avalin is realistic and her character stays true throughout. There wasn't as much explanation as I would have liked regarding the TWINED but I AM looking forward to the next one so 5 stars it is :)
Want to Read
May 9, 2012Love the premise. <3
Want to Read
June 5, 2012seems interesting.
like a blend of reality and fantasy...
A.L. Collins 'round 22?
have n't read a book by a young author in along time.
not that it really matters.
like a blend of reality and fantasy...
A.L. Collins 'round 22?
have n't read a book by a young author in along time.
not that it really matters.
Want to Read
June 15, 2012I can't wait to start this one. I found out about Twined from a bookstore in the town I grew up in, advertising this new local author. So glad it's available to read on my iPad!
January 8, 2013
Rating: 4.5 stars
I took away half a star because it was so short, but besides that, I loved everything about it. (:
I took away half a star because it was so short, but besides that, I loved everything about it. (:
August 12, 2012
Twined is just like everyone says: "It is amazing!". A beautiful-told Story with surprises at every turn.
Avalin's world changed drastically on her eleventh birthday. Now, seven years later, it continues to change even more after Albert comes into the picture. Everything she thought was true is actually a lie and Avalin is going to find out the truth behind the events from her birthday. Together with Albert, she needs to become stronger in order to survive until tomorrow. What will Avalin find out and is she strong enough for the truth?
I liked Avalin. Even from the beginning, she never was a weak one. Just a person, who was badly scared and hurt on a very young age. Of course, her experiences on her eleventh birthday shaped her and your reminded through the story of that. Still, she always put her chin up and was facing every situation with character.
And actually, a "normal" person would have totally freaked out, end of story.
Since the whole story is told from Avalin's perspective and it is quite short, we do not get know Albert as good as Avalin. But what we see of him seems very promising.
The second and longer book "Embers" is already out and proceeds the plot where Twined stopped. So after reading Twined just head over to Embers. It is worth it.
Avalin's world changed drastically on her eleventh birthday. Now, seven years later, it continues to change even more after Albert comes into the picture. Everything she thought was true is actually a lie and Avalin is going to find out the truth behind the events from her birthday. Together with Albert, she needs to become stronger in order to survive until tomorrow. What will Avalin find out and is she strong enough for the truth?
I liked Avalin. Even from the beginning, she never was a weak one. Just a person, who was badly scared and hurt on a very young age. Of course, her experiences on her eleventh birthday shaped her and your reminded through the story of that. Still, she always put her chin up and was facing every situation with character.
And actually, a "normal" person would have totally freaked out, end of story.
Since the whole story is told from Avalin's perspective and it is quite short, we do not get know Albert as good as Avalin. But what we see of him seems very promising.
The second and longer book "Embers" is already out and proceeds the plot where Twined stopped. So after reading Twined just head over to Embers. It is worth it.
October 27, 2012
It was something that makes you keep reading but I don't know... I keep reading it like meh
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews