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Twins of Land and Sea
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4 days and 22:13:21
3 copies available
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Iceland exists in the power and turmoil of twos. Humans and Mythics. Trölls and huldufólk. Margret and Katrín.
Twin seal-skins Margret and Katrín are fresh out of high school and ready to start their adult lives in the fall. Katrín wants to explore the world with her twin, fulfilling their seal-skin culture of journeying through the ocean to transform into adults. But Margret likes her routines and home, and with her OCD controlling her mind, she can’t risk leaving. Besides, seal-skins are rare and as such, they have to hide from the other Mythics living in Iceland.
When the twins’ seal-skins—power they can’t live without or they’ll shrivel into husks—are stolen, they’re forced to trek into known danger at the hands of a handsome tröll and a conniving huldufólk. With a war threatening to destroy both sides of the Veil, the twins work to steal their skins back as their captors pose a greater threat: molten attraction. But there are greater forces at play, and if the twins aren’t careful, they’ll risk losing more than just their lives: they could lose each other.
Twins of Land and Sea is the first book in a YA contemporary romantasy duology--perfect for fans of tropes such as enemies to lovers, sapphic romances, OCD rep, twin sisters, and for fans of All the Stars and Teeth, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Bonesmith.
Twin seal-skins Margret and Katrín are fresh out of high school and ready to start their adult lives in the fall. Katrín wants to explore the world with her twin, fulfilling their seal-skin culture of journeying through the ocean to transform into adults. But Margret likes her routines and home, and with her OCD controlling her mind, she can’t risk leaving. Besides, seal-skins are rare and as such, they have to hide from the other Mythics living in Iceland.
When the twins’ seal-skins—power they can’t live without or they’ll shrivel into husks—are stolen, they’re forced to trek into known danger at the hands of a handsome tröll and a conniving huldufólk. With a war threatening to destroy both sides of the Veil, the twins work to steal their skins back as their captors pose a greater threat: molten attraction. But there are greater forces at play, and if the twins aren’t careful, they’ll risk losing more than just their lives: they could lose each other.
Twins of Land and Sea is the first book in a YA contemporary romantasy duology--perfect for fans of tropes such as enemies to lovers, sapphic romances, OCD rep, twin sisters, and for fans of All the Stars and Teeth, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Bonesmith.
315 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 24, 2026
About the author
Aleighsha Parke
3 books53 followersAleighsha Parke is an avid reader who first fell in love with storytelling as a young child.
Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi are her first loves and the two genres she enjoys reading and writing in the most, however, she is interested in dabbling in horror and mystery/thrillers.
When she’s not reading hundreds of books a year or writing new stories with flawed characters and magical worlds, she crochets in her free time and works in a library so she’s always surrounded by books and stories.
The Age of Larkspur is her debut novel.
Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi are her first loves and the two genres she enjoys reading and writing in the most, however, she is interested in dabbling in horror and mystery/thrillers.
When she’s not reading hundreds of books a year or writing new stories with flawed characters and magical worlds, she crochets in her free time and works in a library so she’s always surrounded by books and stories.
The Age of Larkspur is her debut novel.
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May 8, 2026Twins of Land and Sea is the first book in a contemporary romantasy duology--perfect for fans enemies to lovers, sapphic romance, OCD rep, twin sisters, and a story full of high stakes, adventure, and magical creatures.
If you're interested in reading an ARC, I have a sign-up form here =)
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If you're interested in reading an ARC, I have a sign-up form here =)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
July 20, 2026
I found this book to be really interesting, mainly because I love folklore and this one was very unique. It was clear that the author did a lot of work to research or truly understand some of this folklore and add it into this story.
I appreciated that both of the twins had an opportunity to share their unique perspectives, but was a lot more drawn in by Margaret. I think her arc was a bit more pronounced and seems to be the rock in the relationship, despite having challenges with her OCD.
I wouldn't necessarily say that the romance was a favorite part of the story for me, but I can see where the author was going with it. At times it felt a little convenient and mainly due to the forced proximity, but maybe that'll change or develop in the next book in the series.
Overall, really enjoyed it and would absolutely pick up book 2 when it comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated that both of the twins had an opportunity to share their unique perspectives, but was a lot more drawn in by Margaret. I think her arc was a bit more pronounced and seems to be the rock in the relationship, despite having challenges with her OCD.
I wouldn't necessarily say that the romance was a favorite part of the story for me, but I can see where the author was going with it. At times it felt a little convenient and mainly due to the forced proximity, but maybe that'll change or develop in the next book in the series.
Overall, really enjoyed it and would absolutely pick up book 2 when it comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2026
AHHHHHH WHY DID IT FINISH THERE
Review of advance copy received from Author
Two sisters may just hold the key to saving the world in this urban fantasy that delves deep into Icelandic mythology.
Twin sisters Katrín and Margaret are newly graduated and looking to start their adult lives. Katrín is desperate to see the world and Margaret wants nothing more than to go to college and return home to her sister and best friend every night. At least the two can agree upon their shared love of the water as they are both mythical seal-skins who can shapeshift into seals with the help of their coats. Unfortunately, both of their plans are put on pause when a tröll enters their home and steals their skins. Now, the girls must do his bidding, even if that means assassinating a king and stopping a war.
Aleighsha Parke is one of my bookstagram besties. I also read her debut and enjoyed it, so I had zero qualms about ARC reading her sophomore novel. When I heard it was about selkies, my excitment only inflated. Thank you so much Aleighsha Parke for the gifted copy!
The beginning of this one starts a bit slow, with us mostly getting to know the two girls. Katrín is adventerous, stubborn, and ready to see the world. Margaret is anxious, timid, and would rather spend her nights curled up with a nice book. Despite their differences, these two love each other immensely and it’s easy to tell from the start that they will be devastated when they inevitably have to separate.
After the girls are kidnapped by the tröll, Einar, the book begins to pick up. We learn more about the war that is happening between the trölls and the huldufólk, charming Icelandic fae creatures. They are both putting Iceland and the entire human world in danger and Einar is desperate to stop the fighting. He comes up with the brilliant idea of having the girls sneak into the huldufólk castle to assassinate the king. Luckily, these three's plans get shaken up with they meet Anna.
Anna is a huldufólk with her own scheme to stop the war. She believes that if they retrieve the stolen corpse of the huldufólk queen that the trölls took from her people, a peace treaty can be made. Eventually, the four get separated and this is where the story (and the romance) truly picks up.
With Anna and Margaret pursuing one goal and Einar and Katrín doing there own thing, this gives us a great opportunity to establish some romantic pining. Margaret can't help but adore Anna's ethereal beauty and Einar begins to soften under Katrín's bullheaded attitude. These four begin to care for one another, and Margaret and Einar both go through some serious growth arcs (which was much needed, especially in Einar's case). There is still a ton of work that needs to be done, but I love seeing substantial growth this early on in a series.
My favorite part about this book is Margaret's internal struggles. She suffers from OCD and severe anxiety, which often leaves her feeling useless and alone. My sister definitely has many of the same tendencies as Margaret when it comes to OCD (taking insanely long showers, worrying about germs on common surfaces, not being certain if she's actually done something even after checking multiple times, etc). I always appreciate seeing different interpretations of people with OCD in literature, and I was pleasantly surprised to come across such a depiction in a romantasy book, of all things!
The sisterly bond is also another major highlight. Growing up, I always thought that I'd live with my sister forever, too. But when given moments to oneself to grow up, one comes to realize that one may be alright without seeing the best friend they grew up with every single day. It is a hard realization, but an important one that I'm glad Margaret is already beginning to accept by the end of this book.
Speaking of the end of this book, this one definitely ends on a cliffhanger. I'm not all that surprised by all of the suspicous actions that Einar takes at the end here, but I certainly have some interesting theories about him for book two. We literally leave the sisters in the middle of a dangerous battlefield surrounged by both trölls and huldufólk, so I am very interested to see how book two wraps everything up.
Overall, "Twins of Land and Sea" is an urban romantasy that focuses on sisterly love, self-growth, and mental health. This book moves a tad slow at times, but the character-driven nature of this book makes up for it. I enjoyed my time with Margaret and Katrín; I'm so pleased with the growth that Margaret has already undergone in this first installment. The Icelandic folklore and mental health representation are my favorite parts of this book so if those sound like things you'd want in your romantasy, be sure to check this one out!
Twin sisters Katrín and Margaret are newly graduated and looking to start their adult lives. Katrín is desperate to see the world and Margaret wants nothing more than to go to college and return home to her sister and best friend every night. At least the two can agree upon their shared love of the water as they are both mythical seal-skins who can shapeshift into seals with the help of their coats. Unfortunately, both of their plans are put on pause when a tröll enters their home and steals their skins. Now, the girls must do his bidding, even if that means assassinating a king and stopping a war.
Aleighsha Parke is one of my bookstagram besties. I also read her debut and enjoyed it, so I had zero qualms about ARC reading her sophomore novel. When I heard it was about selkies, my excitment only inflated. Thank you so much Aleighsha Parke for the gifted copy!
The beginning of this one starts a bit slow, with us mostly getting to know the two girls. Katrín is adventerous, stubborn, and ready to see the world. Margaret is anxious, timid, and would rather spend her nights curled up with a nice book. Despite their differences, these two love each other immensely and it’s easy to tell from the start that they will be devastated when they inevitably have to separate.
After the girls are kidnapped by the tröll, Einar, the book begins to pick up. We learn more about the war that is happening between the trölls and the huldufólk, charming Icelandic fae creatures. They are both putting Iceland and the entire human world in danger and Einar is desperate to stop the fighting. He comes up with the brilliant idea of having the girls sneak into the huldufólk castle to assassinate the king. Luckily, these three's plans get shaken up with they meet Anna.
Anna is a huldufólk with her own scheme to stop the war. She believes that if they retrieve the stolen corpse of the huldufólk queen that the trölls took from her people, a peace treaty can be made. Eventually, the four get separated and this is where the story (and the romance) truly picks up.
With Anna and Margaret pursuing one goal and Einar and Katrín doing there own thing, this gives us a great opportunity to establish some romantic pining. Margaret can't help but adore Anna's ethereal beauty and Einar begins to soften under Katrín's bullheaded attitude. These four begin to care for one another, and Margaret and Einar both go through some serious growth arcs (which was much needed, especially in Einar's case). There is still a ton of work that needs to be done, but I love seeing substantial growth this early on in a series.
My favorite part about this book is Margaret's internal struggles. She suffers from OCD and severe anxiety, which often leaves her feeling useless and alone. My sister definitely has many of the same tendencies as Margaret when it comes to OCD (taking insanely long showers, worrying about germs on common surfaces, not being certain if she's actually done something even after checking multiple times, etc). I always appreciate seeing different interpretations of people with OCD in literature, and I was pleasantly surprised to come across such a depiction in a romantasy book, of all things!
The sisterly bond is also another major highlight. Growing up, I always thought that I'd live with my sister forever, too. But when given moments to oneself to grow up, one comes to realize that one may be alright without seeing the best friend they grew up with every single day. It is a hard realization, but an important one that I'm glad Margaret is already beginning to accept by the end of this book.
Speaking of the end of this book, this one definitely ends on a cliffhanger. I'm not all that surprised by all of the suspicous actions that Einar takes at the end here, but I certainly have some interesting theories about him for book two. We literally leave the sisters in the middle of a dangerous battlefield surrounged by both trölls and huldufólk, so I am very interested to see how book two wraps everything up.
Overall, "Twins of Land and Sea" is an urban romantasy that focuses on sisterly love, self-growth, and mental health. This book moves a tad slow at times, but the character-driven nature of this book makes up for it. I enjoyed my time with Margaret and Katrín; I'm so pleased with the growth that Margaret has already undergone in this first installment. The Icelandic folklore and mental health representation are my favorite parts of this book so if those sound like things you'd want in your romantasy, be sure to check this one out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to enjoy this work. I really, really did. I think the author is talented. Finishing this book, however, was difficult for me, but I wanted to do so in order to leave a more relevant review.
I thought the story was fine. The narrators, also fine. As another reviewer mentioned, there’s a character who struggles with contamination OCD. Margret very MUCH struggles with it, and as a part of her character arc, works to overcome it and her dependency on her sister. Great! Genuinely, cool and good arc! She’s changing and growing as a person!
Unfortunately I don’t think her sister, Katrín, has any similar arc. For the most part, she’s static, and so are the other two characters we see a lot of. I wanted to like Katrín, but all I could pay attention to with her perspectives is how fiery her anger is? There is a lot of repeated description when Katrín gets angry.
My main issue with the novel is the prose itself. The story was cool, I enjoyed Margret, but a lot of the writing itself slowed down the pace a LOT. The parts that should have been interesting about the work (namely for me, the seal-skin transformation and subsequent swimming in the ocean) were skipped right on over in favor of long, infodumping dialogue or timeskips. Some lines say the same thing twice in just a slightly different way and they often came out clunky. Beyond that, many things are told instead of shown, which really disengages me as a reader. I also found some instances of tense being wrong—present-tense popping up in a story full of past tense—but that was limited. Other times, things are described with a very specific word and then a broader descriptor which would include the first word. Think, “All she saw was a field of maples and trees”. Not the exact quote, but that sort of sentence.
I could buy the twins being attracted to their respective “counterpart” but the romance felt a bit forced to me. I wanted to be more into the worldbuilding, but despite this being romantasy, I don’t think the fantasy part of that was well explored here. We encounter one creature in the plot, another in a flashback, and the rest of the interactions are with Mythics or regular ol’ humans like you or I. Which is fine! We don’t need to interact with a lot of beasts for it to truly be fantasy.
There are a lot of repetitive movements—fanning faces, snarling, growling, whimpering, and a whole lot of blushing—that also slow things down even further. But as above, I think the biggest issue I have with this work is just the way it was written. This might not be a dealbreaker for other readers, but I think it prevented me from enjoying the work as much as I could have.
I DO think the author is talented, and it’s clear they put a lot of work into this novel. I enjoyed Margret’s struggle to overcome her OCD, the background conflict that both twins were drawn into (learning about the conflict, and not actually the war itself!!), and plenty of the descriptions as the characters are dragged all over the place meeting so many people. I’ll probably read the next book in this duology for the sake of seeing whether or not Katrín gets to grow as a person, but if it has some of the similar sentence-level issues, then I may just have to DNF it, unfortunately.
I thought the story was fine. The narrators, also fine. As another reviewer mentioned, there’s a character who struggles with contamination OCD. Margret very MUCH struggles with it, and as a part of her character arc, works to overcome it and her dependency on her sister. Great! Genuinely, cool and good arc! She’s changing and growing as a person!
Unfortunately I don’t think her sister, Katrín, has any similar arc. For the most part, she’s static, and so are the other two characters we see a lot of. I wanted to like Katrín, but all I could pay attention to with her perspectives is how fiery her anger is? There is a lot of repeated description when Katrín gets angry.
My main issue with the novel is the prose itself. The story was cool, I enjoyed Margret, but a lot of the writing itself slowed down the pace a LOT. The parts that should have been interesting about the work (namely for me, the seal-skin transformation and subsequent swimming in the ocean) were skipped right on over in favor of long, infodumping dialogue or timeskips. Some lines say the same thing twice in just a slightly different way and they often came out clunky. Beyond that, many things are told instead of shown, which really disengages me as a reader. I also found some instances of tense being wrong—present-tense popping up in a story full of past tense—but that was limited. Other times, things are described with a very specific word and then a broader descriptor which would include the first word. Think, “All she saw was a field of maples and trees”. Not the exact quote, but that sort of sentence.
I could buy the twins being attracted to their respective “counterpart” but the romance felt a bit forced to me. I wanted to be more into the worldbuilding, but despite this being romantasy, I don’t think the fantasy part of that was well explored here. We encounter one creature in the plot, another in a flashback, and the rest of the interactions are with Mythics or regular ol’ humans like you or I. Which is fine! We don’t need to interact with a lot of beasts for it to truly be fantasy.
There are a lot of repetitive movements—fanning faces, snarling, growling, whimpering, and a whole lot of blushing—that also slow things down even further. But as above, I think the biggest issue I have with this work is just the way it was written. This might not be a dealbreaker for other readers, but I think it prevented me from enjoying the work as much as I could have.
I DO think the author is talented, and it’s clear they put a lot of work into this novel. I enjoyed Margret’s struggle to overcome her OCD, the background conflict that both twins were drawn into (learning about the conflict, and not actually the war itself!!), and plenty of the descriptions as the characters are dragged all over the place meeting so many people. I’ll probably read the next book in this duology for the sake of seeing whether or not Katrín gets to grow as a person, but if it has some of the similar sentence-level issues, then I may just have to DNF it, unfortunately.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twins of Land and Sea by Aleighsha Parke is a charming and imaginative fantasy that blends adventure, emotion, and mythology into an engaging story. From the first chapter, the novel draws readers into a world shaped by the powerful connection between land and sea, creating an atmosphere that feels both magical and immersive.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its central characters. The twins are distinct, relatable, and easy to care about, each bringing their own strengths, struggles, and perspectives to the story. Their bond serves as the emotional foundation of the novel, and watching them navigate challenges together adds depth and heart to the larger adventure.
Parke's world-building is another highlight. The setting is rich with detail, and the elements of magic and mythology are woven naturally into the narrative. The contrast between the forces of land and sea creates an intriguing backdrop, while the story's themes of identity, belonging, and courage give the fantasy elements additional meaning.
The pacing remains steady throughout, balancing action-packed moments with quieter scenes that allow for character growth and emotional development. The plot includes enough mystery and discovery to keep readers invested, and the stakes feel meaningful without becoming overwhelming.
The reason I am giving this book four stars instead of five is that some plot developments felt predictable, and a few secondary characters could have benefited from additional development. While these issues did not significantly impact my enjoyment, they kept the story from reaching its full potential.
Overall, Twins of Land and Sea is an enjoyable and heartfelt fantasy that offers memorable characters, a well-crafted world, and a compelling journey. Aleighsha Parke delivers a story filled with adventure, family bonds, and magic, making it a rewarding read for fans of character-driven fantasy. A solid four-star read.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its central characters. The twins are distinct, relatable, and easy to care about, each bringing their own strengths, struggles, and perspectives to the story. Their bond serves as the emotional foundation of the novel, and watching them navigate challenges together adds depth and heart to the larger adventure.
Parke's world-building is another highlight. The setting is rich with detail, and the elements of magic and mythology are woven naturally into the narrative. The contrast between the forces of land and sea creates an intriguing backdrop, while the story's themes of identity, belonging, and courage give the fantasy elements additional meaning.
The pacing remains steady throughout, balancing action-packed moments with quieter scenes that allow for character growth and emotional development. The plot includes enough mystery and discovery to keep readers invested, and the stakes feel meaningful without becoming overwhelming.
The reason I am giving this book four stars instead of five is that some plot developments felt predictable, and a few secondary characters could have benefited from additional development. While these issues did not significantly impact my enjoyment, they kept the story from reaching its full potential.
Overall, Twins of Land and Sea is an enjoyable and heartfelt fantasy that offers memorable characters, a well-crafted world, and a compelling journey. Aleighsha Parke delivers a story filled with adventure, family bonds, and magic, making it a rewarding read for fans of character-driven fantasy. A solid four-star read.
Review of advance copy
saltwater souls. land-bound destiny. and two lives forever pulled in opposite tides.
Twins of Land and Sea is a beautifully atmospheric fantasy that leans into mythic energy, emotional tension, and the quiet ache of two worlds that were never meant to coexist. From the beginning, there’s a strong sense of duality—between land and ocean, duty and desire, identity and expectation.
The twin dynamic is the heart of the story, and it’s where most of the emotional weight sits. Separated by circumstance and shaped by vastly different worlds, their journeys echo each other in ways that feel both tragic and compelling. There’s a constant pull between connection and distance, like the tide itself refusing to settle.
The worldbuilding is vivid and immersive, especially in the contrast between the land-based setting and the oceanic realm. Each feels distinct, with its own rules, pressures, and magic systems that slowly unfold as the story progresses. It gives the narrative a layered, almost fated feeling—as if everything has been building toward collision.
The pacing is more steady than fast, focusing on character development, emotional stakes, and gradual reveals rather than constant action. This works well for the tone, though at times it feels more reflective than gripping. Still, it allows the emotional beats to land with intention.
There’s a strong sense of longing throughout the story—between characters, between worlds, and within the twins themselves. It’s less about explosive twists and more about the slow unraveling of truth and identity.
Twins of Land and Sea is a beautifully atmospheric fantasy that leans into mythic energy, emotional tension, and the quiet ache of two worlds that were never meant to coexist. From the beginning, there’s a strong sense of duality—between land and ocean, duty and desire, identity and expectation.
The twin dynamic is the heart of the story, and it’s where most of the emotional weight sits. Separated by circumstance and shaped by vastly different worlds, their journeys echo each other in ways that feel both tragic and compelling. There’s a constant pull between connection and distance, like the tide itself refusing to settle.
The worldbuilding is vivid and immersive, especially in the contrast between the land-based setting and the oceanic realm. Each feels distinct, with its own rules, pressures, and magic systems that slowly unfold as the story progresses. It gives the narrative a layered, almost fated feeling—as if everything has been building toward collision.
The pacing is more steady than fast, focusing on character development, emotional stakes, and gradual reveals rather than constant action. This works well for the tone, though at times it feels more reflective than gripping. Still, it allows the emotional beats to land with intention.
There’s a strong sense of longing throughout the story—between characters, between worlds, and within the twins themselves. It’s less about explosive twists and more about the slow unraveling of truth and identity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review: Twins of Land and Sea by Aleighsha Parke
Rating: ★★★★☆
As a fan of Icelandic 🇮🇸 folklore and mental health representation, I found this to be a compelling, character-driven read.
The Good:
• Margret’s Arc: Her struggle with contamination OCD and her journey toward independence is handled with real depth and heart.
• Atmosphere: The writing captures a beautiful sense of longing and emotional tension that makes the story feel very grounded ❤️
The Not-So-Good:
• Character Balance: While Margret grows, her sister Katrín feels static, and her perspective often relies on repetitive descriptions of her anger.
• Worldbuilding: Despite the "romantasy" label, the actual fantasy elements felt sparse and could have been explored more deeply. 🙏
• Pacing: The story is steady and reflective. While this suits the emotional tone, it can occasionally feel a bit slow.
Closing thoughts:
This is a thoughtful, slower-paced story that prioritizes personal growth over high-octane fantasy action. I’m definitely invested enough to read the sequel to see how the romance unfolds!
Rating: ★★★★☆
As a fan of Icelandic 🇮🇸 folklore and mental health representation, I found this to be a compelling, character-driven read.
The Good:
• Margret’s Arc: Her struggle with contamination OCD and her journey toward independence is handled with real depth and heart.
• Atmosphere: The writing captures a beautiful sense of longing and emotional tension that makes the story feel very grounded ❤️
The Not-So-Good:
• Character Balance: While Margret grows, her sister Katrín feels static, and her perspective often relies on repetitive descriptions of her anger.
• Worldbuilding: Despite the "romantasy" label, the actual fantasy elements felt sparse and could have been explored more deeply. 🙏
• Pacing: The story is steady and reflective. While this suits the emotional tone, it can occasionally feel a bit slow.
Closing thoughts:
This is a thoughtful, slower-paced story that prioritizes personal growth over high-octane fantasy action. I’m definitely invested enough to read the sequel to see how the romance unfolds!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Twins of Land and Sea is Book 1 of a duology that follows sisters Katryn and Margret, seal‑skin mythics living quietly on the Icelandic coast, far from the war raging across the Veil. Their normal life shatters when a handsome troll steals their skins to force them to help with the war, and matters grow even more tangled when a charming huldufolk joins their reluctant quest. As fate pulls the sisters apart, one must discover her strengths while the other confronts her vulnerabilities.
I loved the sisterly bond at the heart of the story, the sweeping Icelandic landscapes, the rich imagery, and the characters’ deep interiority. For me, though, the prose generally felt overly dense and repetitive. I often found myself working too hard to visualize the action as described rather than sinking naturally into the narrative. Still, I enjoyed the story overall.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the sisterly bond at the heart of the story, the sweeping Icelandic landscapes, the rich imagery, and the characters’ deep interiority. For me, though, the prose generally felt overly dense and repetitive. I often found myself working too hard to visualize the action as described rather than sinking naturally into the narrative. Still, I enjoyed the story overall.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was one of my fav reads of any books I have read in my lifetime. First of all, I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and the world. I also want to note that as someone who personally struggles with OCD, I loved how the author portrayed Margaret's struggles with the subtype of OCD winch is contamination. This is what people think of what OCD is but it is way more then that and I can relate. Thank you for spreading awareness in mental health and I love the world. I also enjoyed the twists and turns of what happened in this book. Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgally for this arc read I am very thankful to have the chance to read this book and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, I would like to thank the author for an arc. Views are my own.
'Twins of Land & Sea' is the first novel in a YA Contemporary Romantasy duology. In 2026, I am happy to have read such a unique-feeling story that mixes tropes like "romantasy" and "enemies to lovers." I am a sucker for both.
Aside from this, the characters' arcs were very-well written and engaging which no doubt, drives the story forward and takes us to a cliffhanger that just leaves you with a thirst for the next installment.
I highly recommend this new story especially for Romantasy readers.
'Twins of Land & Sea' is the first novel in a YA Contemporary Romantasy duology. In 2026, I am happy to have read such a unique-feeling story that mixes tropes like "romantasy" and "enemies to lovers." I am a sucker for both.
Aside from this, the characters' arcs were very-well written and engaging which no doubt, drives the story forward and takes us to a cliffhanger that just leaves you with a thirst for the next installment.
I highly recommend this new story especially for Romantasy readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an epic adventure tale doubling as a coming-of-age story set in Iceland, covering two twins who get themselves embroiled in a plot far beyond anything they could have imagined. The characters were so well-developed and I appreciated how each grew over the course of the story. I became so emotionally invested in the two protagonists' inner worlds and the deep relationship with both each other and other key characters in the story. This was a real page-turner and I can't wait to read a sequel!
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