What do you think?
Rate this book
Twin Reflections
Librarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition for ISBN10: 1515376397 - ISBN13: 9781515376392.
The maze of mirrors has been accumulating energy for ages. When Vera and Mark unwittingly find themselves trapped in the maze, its passages prove to be the least of their problems. Its magic can be a great tool or weapon, as Queen Missena is learning, and they are at its mercy. As they travel through, the illusions created by the maze takes them to places unexpected and dangers unforeseen.
But Vera has magic of her own. Will her magic help her and Mark escape the maze? Or will they be trapped inside forever?
The maze of mirrors has been accumulating energy for ages. When Vera and Mark unwittingly find themselves trapped in the maze, its passages prove to be the least of their problems. Its magic can be a great tool or weapon, as Queen Missena is learning, and they are at its mercy. As they travel through, the illusions created by the maze takes them to places unexpected and dangers unforeseen.
But Vera has magic of her own. Will her magic help her and Mark escape the maze? Or will they be trapped inside forever?
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
168 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2015
2 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth R. Joseph
1 book18 followersElizabeth Joseph is a 15 year old 9th grade student at a Kansas City, US high school. She has written several short stories, poems and plays during her elementary and middle school years. She started writing Twin Reflections in the 5th grade and completed it 3 years later in 2015. She hopes that her example of publishing at such a young age will inspire new and upcoming authors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 3, 2016
I would like to thank the author for letting me read this for an honest review.Here goes...So I would like to give it 3.5 stars.I think it's a solid book,very well written especially for a 14 year old but that shouldn't even come into it,if I didn't know the age of the author at all,I wouldn't of said a 14 year old wrote it.The true age of the author wouldn't even pop into my head.She is a very accomplished writer of the English language and builds the scenes of the book very well.I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I enjoyed how we,the reader was thrust into the action straight away in chapter 1.It was a relief from some of the extended pointless building of the scenery and story that some authors rely on.
The only reason I gave it 3.5 stars is that I would of liked to learn a little more about the characters as well as the maze scenes sometimes being confusing.That's my only issues.
Overall,a very well written book by a young author who has a very promising future.
I enjoyed how we,the reader was thrust into the action straight away in chapter 1.It was a relief from some of the extended pointless building of the scenery and story that some authors rely on.
The only reason I gave it 3.5 stars is that I would of liked to learn a little more about the characters as well as the maze scenes sometimes being confusing.That's my only issues.
Overall,a very well written book by a young author who has a very promising future.
January 27, 2016
I didn't want to mention this because I didn't want to give it a good rating just because if the author's age but I just had to. She's only 14 and the thing is, it doesn't show. I would never have known that this author is so young. The way she builds the world, the way the words flow. How she puts together the sentences. Amazing! At her age I was not anywhere near her level.
The story is quite imaginative, twins in search of their camp director. It's such a fun cute tale. I love how this book wastes no time in jumping right into the action. It's also a quick read as it's less than 200 pages. So this book can easily be read in one sitting and you will want to! It's hard to put down, though I do remove a star because the maze scenes are sometimes a bit hard to follow.
I love the characters the most, she did a great job of making them feel flushed out. Leaving me to feel I know them well after the story was over. This is a cute little book, anyone who loves young YA fantasy or even middle grade fantasy will devour this! Ii can't wait to see what else this promising young author releases in the future. Lastly, I'm just going to add that I'm now a fan!
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
The story is quite imaginative, twins in search of their camp director. It's such a fun cute tale. I love how this book wastes no time in jumping right into the action. It's also a quick read as it's less than 200 pages. So this book can easily be read in one sitting and you will want to! It's hard to put down, though I do remove a star because the maze scenes are sometimes a bit hard to follow.
I love the characters the most, she did a great job of making them feel flushed out. Leaving me to feel I know them well after the story was over. This is a cute little book, anyone who loves young YA fantasy or even middle grade fantasy will devour this! Ii can't wait to see what else this promising young author releases in the future. Lastly, I'm just going to add that I'm now a fan!
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
February 11, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you kindly for the copy
First of all, I have to mention that this book was written by a talented young lady and I admire her accomplishment. However, just like all of my other reviews, my opinion will solely be based on the book and what I thought of it. This is a short book, but I had to re-read it twice before reviewing it because...well, you'll see.
Things I liked:
1. The prose is exquisite. For someone who is only 14 years old, the author writes like a pro. Her command of the English language is advanced for her age, and in terms of vocabulary she has a repertoire that outmatches even some of the popular YA writers of today. It was a delight to read.
2. Diverse characters who grew and developed as the story moved along.
3. An intriguing take on magic, which I really like and wanted to understand better.
Things I did not like:
1. Confusing plot. The story began rather well, the twins went on a quest to save their mentor. Once they were inside the maze, everything became blurry and, quite frankly, difficult to follow. I understand that the characters were basically thrown into the situation and have no idea what's real and what's not, but it was really annoying how I, as a reader, don't understand the point of what was going on.
2. As it was written in the third person perspective, I expected that the reader will at least have a little bit of stability and a clear idea of the conflict but we were just as lost as the characters. If making the reader feel unsure of the line between reality and fantasy is a goal, I think a first person narrative would be better.
3. Character perspective changes in the SAME paragraph. One sentence I am in Vera's head, then suddenly I am thrown into Mark's thoughts. It was annoying to try and find my bearings every few pages, since it occurred more than a couple of times.
4. Lack of world building and system processes. I am fond of details. Unlike readers who want to dive into the action right away, I want an understanding of the stakes first, I want to know where this fight is going to happen and what it's going to look like, and I want to know how important it is to win. The journey began with the twins looking for their mentor, so okay we have a goal. Now, what exactly is the maze? What is it and what are those reflections for? Where does the Queen enter in all of these? Why can't I understand Vera's magic no matter what I do? So the magic produces green light, what does that signify? Why are there so many colors? Does it matter? What is wrong with Mark?
5. Finally, as much as I appreciated (and was grateful for) the growth Vera and Mark experienced during the latter part of the novel, I spent a much longer time hating the two of them. Both were indecisive, impulsive, envious, and sometimes even vindictive. They have conversations where one minute they were okay and then hating each other the next. I can't pinpoint how they really feel for each other. Were they even close before going inside the maze? Because they don't act like so.
Like I said in the beginning, this book is a commendable effort for someone so young. With a few more tweaks here and there, it has potential to be good. Compared to other books in the same genre, this is recommended for lower YA or for readers transitioning from middle grade books.
This review also appeared on my blog, Fiddler Blue, and Amazon UK.
First of all, I have to mention that this book was written by a talented young lady and I admire her accomplishment. However, just like all of my other reviews, my opinion will solely be based on the book and what I thought of it. This is a short book, but I had to re-read it twice before reviewing it because...well, you'll see.
Things I liked:
1. The prose is exquisite. For someone who is only 14 years old, the author writes like a pro. Her command of the English language is advanced for her age, and in terms of vocabulary she has a repertoire that outmatches even some of the popular YA writers of today. It was a delight to read.
2. Diverse characters who grew and developed as the story moved along.
3. An intriguing take on magic, which I really like and wanted to understand better.
Things I did not like:
1. Confusing plot. The story began rather well, the twins went on a quest to save their mentor. Once they were inside the maze, everything became blurry and, quite frankly, difficult to follow. I understand that the characters were basically thrown into the situation and have no idea what's real and what's not, but it was really annoying how I, as a reader, don't understand the point of what was going on.
2. As it was written in the third person perspective, I expected that the reader will at least have a little bit of stability and a clear idea of the conflict but we were just as lost as the characters. If making the reader feel unsure of the line between reality and fantasy is a goal, I think a first person narrative would be better.
3. Character perspective changes in the SAME paragraph. One sentence I am in Vera's head, then suddenly I am thrown into Mark's thoughts. It was annoying to try and find my bearings every few pages, since it occurred more than a couple of times.
4. Lack of world building and system processes. I am fond of details. Unlike readers who want to dive into the action right away, I want an understanding of the stakes first, I want to know where this fight is going to happen and what it's going to look like, and I want to know how important it is to win. The journey began with the twins looking for their mentor, so okay we have a goal. Now, what exactly is the maze? What is it and what are those reflections for? Where does the Queen enter in all of these? Why can't I understand Vera's magic no matter what I do? So the magic produces green light, what does that signify? Why are there so many colors? Does it matter? What is wrong with Mark?
5. Finally, as much as I appreciated (and was grateful for) the growth Vera and Mark experienced during the latter part of the novel, I spent a much longer time hating the two of them. Both were indecisive, impulsive, envious, and sometimes even vindictive. They have conversations where one minute they were okay and then hating each other the next. I can't pinpoint how they really feel for each other. Were they even close before going inside the maze? Because they don't act like so.
Like I said in the beginning, this book is a commendable effort for someone so young. With a few more tweaks here and there, it has potential to be good. Compared to other books in the same genre, this is recommended for lower YA or for readers transitioning from middle grade books.
This review also appeared on my blog, Fiddler Blue, and Amazon UK.
November 5, 2016
First of all I would like to express my gratitude to the author for providing me with a free copy to review.
Normally I would have given this book two stars, however considering that the author is a young teenager I will raise a star.
The plot follows two siblings in a fantasy world as they get sucked in a supernatural maze while trying to find their lost mentor and their journey within.
I liked the original take on magic, although I am not sure what the colours mean (do they follow a similar pattern to the auras? the rainbow? something else?). I also liked the idea of the maze which consumes and has to be tamed and is from what I gather alive.
The plot pacing was confusing, since the scenes jumped at points and I had difficulty following them. The same with the dialogue, at times it felt disjointed. However, the author has already expressed her desire to improve in all areas (characterisation, pacing etc) and with a novel of this quality at that age I think it will happen soon.
After all, writing only improves with practice. My best wishes for her future efforts.
Normally I would have given this book two stars, however considering that the author is a young teenager I will raise a star.
The plot follows two siblings in a fantasy world as they get sucked in a supernatural maze while trying to find their lost mentor and their journey within.
I liked the original take on magic, although I am not sure what the colours mean (do they follow a similar pattern to the auras? the rainbow? something else?). I also liked the idea of the maze which consumes and has to be tamed and is from what I gather alive.
The plot pacing was confusing, since the scenes jumped at points and I had difficulty following them. The same with the dialogue, at times it felt disjointed. However, the author has already expressed her desire to improve in all areas (characterisation, pacing etc) and with a novel of this quality at that age I think it will happen soon.
After all, writing only improves with practice. My best wishes for her future efforts.
January 13, 2016
Twin Reflections, written by Elizabeth Joseph, is a good start to a series for tweens. Told from multiple points of view, we get a glimpse of the world around our characters. Twins Vera and Mark find themselves searching for a friend and are pulled into a portal, where they quickly find themselves lost in a maze. Difficulties arise as they try to find their way out.
The author has a wonderful writing style when it shines through. There were several times during the book (the parts in the maze) where the ordering and explanation of events was quite confusing, as if I were missing full sentences or even pages of the book. However, the parts outside of the maze flowed well, making it seem like some parts of the book had more attention paid to them.
The book itself is quite imaginative, and the author has fantastic potential.
My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review.
The author has a wonderful writing style when it shines through. There were several times during the book (the parts in the maze) where the ordering and explanation of events was quite confusing, as if I were missing full sentences or even pages of the book. However, the parts outside of the maze flowed well, making it seem like some parts of the book had more attention paid to them.
The book itself is quite imaginative, and the author has fantastic potential.
My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review.
January 1, 2016
When Elizabeth first contacted me asking if I would like to read her book I was not only honoured but completely gobsmacked that she is only 14 and had written her first book! Very impressive...
Twin Reflections is about a young pair of twins who enter a portal trying to find someone who the hold dearly to them. The portal takes them into a maze of mirrors which traps them in illusions which is hard for them to tell what is real and what is not.
The book is written beautifully I can't believe that a 14 year old has written it at as when I was 14 I was running around like a headless chicken thinking about boys and hardly paying attention at school!
Some parts of the book are pretty confusing and I found it hard to follow but I caught on again rather quickly, the whole concept is excellent and I have never seen anyone attempt something like this it is amazing how well its been thought out.
I believe that we will be hearing about Elizabeth Joseph a lot in the future and I wish her all the best because I believe she is going to go on to great things.
Twin Reflections is about a young pair of twins who enter a portal trying to find someone who the hold dearly to them. The portal takes them into a maze of mirrors which traps them in illusions which is hard for them to tell what is real and what is not.
The book is written beautifully I can't believe that a 14 year old has written it at as when I was 14 I was running around like a headless chicken thinking about boys and hardly paying attention at school!
Some parts of the book are pretty confusing and I found it hard to follow but I caught on again rather quickly, the whole concept is excellent and I have never seen anyone attempt something like this it is amazing how well its been thought out.
I believe that we will be hearing about Elizabeth Joseph a lot in the future and I wish her all the best because I believe she is going to go on to great things.
December 17, 2015
When Joseph first approached me to read to review her novel, I admit I was a bit nervous. For those who don't know Joseph, she is 14. 14, people! I have a great deal of scripts from when I was 14, and they read just like a girl who spent too much time staring at her crush and not enough time paying attention in English class.
I can genuinely say Joseph paid attention in English class. I can also say that I would have no idea she is only 14 years old. The world that she creates is three dimensional and the characters arc in a really interesting way. Although I found the descriptions of the mirrored maze confusing at times, hellloooo, it's a maze of mirrors. Of course it's confusing.
Trust me when I say she didn't get these 4 stars because of her age. She earned them. I honestly believe that the more experience she gains with reading and writing, the higher her ranking will go. She is definitely an author people should keep their eye on.
Recommended for younger fans of YA fantasy.
I can genuinely say Joseph paid attention in English class. I can also say that I would have no idea she is only 14 years old. The world that she creates is three dimensional and the characters arc in a really interesting way. Although I found the descriptions of the mirrored maze confusing at times, hellloooo, it's a maze of mirrors. Of course it's confusing.
Trust me when I say she didn't get these 4 stars because of her age. She earned them. I honestly believe that the more experience she gains with reading and writing, the higher her ranking will go. She is definitely an author people should keep their eye on.
Recommended for younger fans of YA fantasy.
February 1, 2016
I have to admit, I’m very surprised at the skill of this young author. She published the book at fourteen years old (!!!), and yet the details in her fantastical world are beautifully written, often leaving me in awe. Her descriptions rival that of some of the much more experienced writers these days.
That said, I do wish things were slowed down a bit and given even more detail before some of the scenes switched. There were parts that left me confused because of the sudden scene change. Then again, mazes are supposed to be confusing, but I still think it could have used a bit more clarity and structure.
Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read. I expect great things from Elizabeth Joseph in the future.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I do wish things were slowed down a bit and given even more detail before some of the scenes switched. There were parts that left me confused because of the sudden scene change. Then again, mazes are supposed to be confusing, but I still think it could have used a bit more clarity and structure.
Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read. I expect great things from Elizabeth Joseph in the future.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2016
I enjoyed this book. Twins are fun for me to read about. A mirror maze was also something new and fun to read in a story. This book had me wanting to find out more. I enjoyed the action and the characters were real to me. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
January 29, 2016
This young author sought after my review for her book, knowing how harsh my reviews could be which shows she has a desire to improve and is taking this seriously. I must give her some incredible credit for that. Thank you Elizabeth for letting me read your book for an honest review. As always, I like to start off with the book cover and work my way into the book with positives leading into negatives, so here I go.
*For the cover art- reflection of Vera's face needs some tweaking and her skin description is described as brown and so she should be colored a tad darker. Otherwise it is a pretty impressive piece of art.
* For the most part, the descriptions of events or things are really well done, there is room for improvement of course, but most adults are lacking in this area so I can only imagine how much she can improve in just a few years. With that said though it was a bit confusing at times during conversations and actions, and the events from one to another doesn't flow nicely. Sometimes it feels unclear as to who's actions are who's or who is saying what. There were a lot of scenes that were pointless, made no sense and was a waste of space in the book.
*She definitely has a bigger vocabulary then most adult authors, which was quite a take-back while reading.
*The story is a bit slow going, the maze feels like how J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in the area of the "Hobbit" book of wandering in the woods. The book dragged on and didn't really engulf or excite me the adventure.
*I think that the "warnings for gore" and such was unnecessarily and should be removed, or be put in the book description if it is felt as needed.
* It's amazing that a person at such a young age wrote this which that alone would give it 5 stars but the book itself for me would only be a 2-3 stars. It's hard to rate the book on the book itself. If I were to rate it based on the author's age I would feel obligated to give it a high rating because it is quite an accomplishment and the vast vocabulary used is extraordinary considering the age at which is was written. In the end it is a great starting out book and if the author keeps going she will keep getting better.
*For the cover art- reflection of Vera's face needs some tweaking and her skin description is described as brown and so she should be colored a tad darker. Otherwise it is a pretty impressive piece of art.
* For the most part, the descriptions of events or things are really well done, there is room for improvement of course, but most adults are lacking in this area so I can only imagine how much she can improve in just a few years. With that said though it was a bit confusing at times during conversations and actions, and the events from one to another doesn't flow nicely. Sometimes it feels unclear as to who's actions are who's or who is saying what. There were a lot of scenes that were pointless, made no sense and was a waste of space in the book.
*She definitely has a bigger vocabulary then most adult authors, which was quite a take-back while reading.
*The story is a bit slow going, the maze feels like how J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in the area of the "Hobbit" book of wandering in the woods. The book dragged on and didn't really engulf or excite me the adventure.
*I think that the "warnings for gore" and such was unnecessarily and should be removed, or be put in the book description if it is felt as needed.
* It's amazing that a person at such a young age wrote this which that alone would give it 5 stars but the book itself for me would only be a 2-3 stars. It's hard to rate the book on the book itself. If I were to rate it based on the author's age I would feel obligated to give it a high rating because it is quite an accomplishment and the vast vocabulary used is extraordinary considering the age at which is was written. In the end it is a great starting out book and if the author keeps going she will keep getting better.
November 1, 2016
My first impression of this book was that it was reminiscent of an Alice in Wonderland type of tale. It was sort of disjointed and you didn't quite understand what was going on all of the time. I don't mean this in a negative way at all. I think it added to the character of the book that while the characters themselves didn't quite know what was real and what wasn't, you as the reader were unsure at times as well. While I think I had it figured out towards the end, I'm hoping that the fact that there's a series name and number listed means we will get more of the story. I'd love to see what happens with the Queen and the Glassblower. I'd love to see what happens next for Vera and Mark and I'd love to see what is going on with Karrie! The author has done quite a bit to get us invested in the story and eager for more answers and I'd love to read more from her creative mind.
The rest of this review should not be relevant and I'm not saying that it changed my opinion of the book in any way...the author was 14 at the time of publication. I don't think that was overtly obvious in the reading of the book. The story was complicated, the characters complex, and the vocabulary (at times) surpassed my own. I was excited to read this book based on the age of the author, mainly because I have a 14 year old aspiring author as a daughter. But I enjoyed the book, just as a fantasy tale that was intriguing and enchanting. I do truly hope this young author continues to write, if not in this world than in others she can create in her brilliant mind.
*I was given a copy of this book as part of a read and review for a group here on GoodReads.*
The rest of this review should not be relevant and I'm not saying that it changed my opinion of the book in any way...the author was 14 at the time of publication. I don't think that was overtly obvious in the reading of the book. The story was complicated, the characters complex, and the vocabulary (at times) surpassed my own. I was excited to read this book based on the age of the author, mainly because I have a 14 year old aspiring author as a daughter. But I enjoyed the book, just as a fantasy tale that was intriguing and enchanting. I do truly hope this young author continues to write, if not in this world than in others she can create in her brilliant mind.
*I was given a copy of this book as part of a read and review for a group here on GoodReads.*
February 17, 2016
Vera and Mark are twins who live in a home for children. When the overseer, Karrie, goes missing, Vera feels compelled to investigate and her brother follows along. In Karrie's workroom, Vera finds a portal into a magical mirror maze where monsters roam, events and circumstances can be reflected, and people's desires can be revealed. Queen Messina hopes to control the maze while Vera and Mark's friend Leina tries to find a way to free them.
The writing contains many lush details and descriptive passages. There's a deep, almost introspective quality to the magic described, which gives it something of a genuine feeling. Despite this, I wanted to know more about the world outside the maze. What's it like? What was the relationship between Karrie and the children at the home like before she went missing? Why exactly does Queen Messina hope to harness the maze's power? What exactly is at stake?
Overall, I liked this young author's first effort and appreciate her giving me the opportunity to read her debut work. I see great things in her future.
The writing contains many lush details and descriptive passages. There's a deep, almost introspective quality to the magic described, which gives it something of a genuine feeling. Despite this, I wanted to know more about the world outside the maze. What's it like? What was the relationship between Karrie and the children at the home like before she went missing? Why exactly does Queen Messina hope to harness the maze's power? What exactly is at stake?
Overall, I liked this young author's first effort and appreciate her giving me the opportunity to read her debut work. I see great things in her future.
December 18, 2015
I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
Siblings Vera and Mark enter a portal and find themselves trapped inside a mysterious and confusing maze world where it is difficult to tell what is real and what is an illusion.
I liked the way that the reader is cast into the maze right away for the adventure to begin. Also, the diversity of the characters was a plus. The descriptive passages and vocabulary in this story are impressive, especially for an author who is only fourteen!
Some sections of the book were a bit difficult to follow since the nature of the story pits what truly exists against virtual reality. Also the role of some of the characters left me with unanswered questions. But overall, this book is a solid first effort.
Siblings Vera and Mark enter a portal and find themselves trapped inside a mysterious and confusing maze world where it is difficult to tell what is real and what is an illusion.
I liked the way that the reader is cast into the maze right away for the adventure to begin. Also, the diversity of the characters was a plus. The descriptive passages and vocabulary in this story are impressive, especially for an author who is only fourteen!
Some sections of the book were a bit difficult to follow since the nature of the story pits what truly exists against virtual reality. Also the role of some of the characters left me with unanswered questions. But overall, this book is a solid first effort.
October 27, 2015
The twins Vera and Mark gets trapped in a magical and powerful maze of mirrors. Mirrors not only reflect but are potential portals that leads to different "worlds" for the traveler, mostly illusions. Not only the twins but the reader could get lost in the maze as well as he or she needs to keep thinking is this illusion being described or reality. During their ordeal in the maze, both Vera and Mark bonds as siblings and come to trust and care for each other
There are some questions unanswered but I guess it may be on purpose as this book seems like a first volume in a series
As a debut novel by young teen, this book deserves a 5 star.
There are some questions unanswered but I guess it may be on purpose as this book seems like a first volume in a series
As a debut novel by young teen, this book deserves a 5 star.
March 2, 2016
I received a free copy in exchange of an honest review.
So, I am giving this three stars just coz the writer is just 14 years old and the quality of writing wasn't like it was written by someone so young. It was an OK read. Vera and Mark are twin and they lost themselves in a magical maze full of illusions. Things happen and they get lost in the maze. The princess manages the magic of maze n the glass blower wants to own it. There are many things left unclear. Where was Karie in the end, Why did the glassblower wanted to own the magic and why was there any maze to begin with? May b I missed something or idk. But I didn't enjoy it much.
So, I am giving this three stars just coz the writer is just 14 years old and the quality of writing wasn't like it was written by someone so young. It was an OK read. Vera and Mark are twin and they lost themselves in a magical maze full of illusions. Things happen and they get lost in the maze. The princess manages the magic of maze n the glass blower wants to own it. There are many things left unclear. Where was Karie in the end, Why did the glassblower wanted to own the magic and why was there any maze to begin with? May b I missed something or idk. But I didn't enjoy it much.
March 12, 2016
I was very impressed when I found out the age of the author however I am really glad I didn't know that before I read as knowing it was done by such a young writer would naturally make me more easy to impress as I am such a big supporter of kids reaching their dreams. That being said this is a sweet novel of magic in a maze and following their growth through the book. However the change in perspective frequently made things difficult to follow. I think this author has a lot of potential and should defiantly continue to write and grow. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
October 23, 2015
I will write a real review when I get home
June 18, 2021
Tuve la oportunidad de recibir este libro directamente de la autora con el propósito de una reseña honesta. En su momento no me arriesgue a leerlo porque me daba temor el tema del idioma. Pero puedo dar fe de que el libro se lee súper sencillo, está idea para una trama diferente y mágica. Puedo sentirme muy orgullosa de que el talento venga en todas las expresiones posibles. Un muy bonito libro con una interesante propuesta
February 12, 2016
Rating: 2.5
I'm sorry, but this book just didn't draw me in. It's not because I didn't like the idea of the story or the plot, but because I felt like there were holes that the author just ignored and/or assumed that we knew about without giving sufficient background info. As a result, the first few chapters were really hard to get through for me because I was so confused about what was going on.
1. Did the author ever clarify all the different types of magic? Why just mention a few types of magic (i.e. classical, maze, glass, necromancy) and never mention it again? Is it a universal thing or does this only apply to this city?
2. I feel like the whole book/plot was so hyper focused on one little part of a city, which is fine, but that little part doesn’t have enough detail to make the scene really come to life. So throughout the book I was just given a dead city with an orphanage, Kerrie’s workplace, a castle, homeless people on the streets, and a glass blower’s house.
3. How does the whole city function? How does the queen differ from the other queens before her? Is this supposed to be a dystopian monarchical society? I think the problem I have is that THERE ISN’T ENOUGH DETAIL, GIVE ME MORE.
4. Why is Vera special and Mark isn’t? Or is it that Mark is special too because he could sense the maze? What’s the point of Mark even being with Vera? Sibling bonding? Sentimental scenes? Moral support? I don’t even know anymore because Mark just keeps dying and Vera just keeps reviving him with her newfound powers. Which brings me to my next point:
5. How does Vera just know how to use magic now? In the beginning of the book, she couldn’t even keep a steady flame on the tip of her finger, and now she’s pulling down full worlds. I get that she “inherited” the maze’s power, but just because she has power now doesn’t mean that she’ll know how to use it. For example, in the beginning of the book, she needed the book for spells and instructions on how to use her magic. But once she got access to the maze’s power, she can just close her eyes, think really hard and it would work. I’m calling that out as total bull.
6. In the beginning of the book, we are thrown into a world where little kids try to sneak out of orphanages that we aren’t given details on, and doesn’t question when they find a potentially dangerous portal and immediately step through. Also, Mark, Mark, Mark, what do I do about Mark. Vera told him not to come, so he waits for a total of two seconds and goes after her. I get that the sibling thing is cute, but he seems more like a dog that Vera has to keep saving from death’s fingers. What kills me the most is that after he comes after Vera, she doesn’t even berate him at all. I don’t know, that just seems weird to me, especially since they’re now stuck in the maze. I guess they should be happy for the company.
7. I think the character trait distribution was too much in favor of Vera. She got the courage, magic, and survival instincts while Mark got anxiety attacks, bullies, and a soft spot for dying monsters.
It would take way too long to list all the other questions I have, but after the plot starts moving, it keeps going. Slowly but steadily, Joseph builds a story with a unique writing style which reminds me a lot of Erin Morgenstern’s; I think that if she adds more details, this book has the potential to become so much better.
1. I liked the element of horror added every now and then, especially since I didn’t expect it.
2. This book was a good short read though, only 170 pages.
3. Her writing abilities are probably much better than mine, and that makes me sad because she’s only a few years younger than myself. TT^TT
4. There are some good action scenes hidden among the magic and adventure portions and they were pretty darn good.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who isn’t as nitpicky as I, ready for some seriously professional prose writing, and good action scenes.
No matter how many bad things I said in this review, overall I still enjoyed the book and I’d like to support the author on her way to author stardom. Keep up the good work!
I received a free copy of this book in return for a honest review.
I'm sorry, but this book just didn't draw me in. It's not because I didn't like the idea of the story or the plot, but because I felt like there were holes that the author just ignored and/or assumed that we knew about without giving sufficient background info. As a result, the first few chapters were really hard to get through for me because I was so confused about what was going on.
1. Did the author ever clarify all the different types of magic? Why just mention a few types of magic (i.e. classical, maze, glass, necromancy) and never mention it again? Is it a universal thing or does this only apply to this city?
2. I feel like the whole book/plot was so hyper focused on one little part of a city, which is fine, but that little part doesn’t have enough detail to make the scene really come to life. So throughout the book I was just given a dead city with an orphanage, Kerrie’s workplace, a castle, homeless people on the streets, and a glass blower’s house.
3. How does the whole city function? How does the queen differ from the other queens before her? Is this supposed to be a dystopian monarchical society? I think the problem I have is that THERE ISN’T ENOUGH DETAIL, GIVE ME MORE.
4. Why is Vera special and Mark isn’t? Or is it that Mark is special too because he could sense the maze? What’s the point of Mark even being with Vera? Sibling bonding? Sentimental scenes? Moral support? I don’t even know anymore because Mark just keeps dying and Vera just keeps reviving him with her newfound powers. Which brings me to my next point:
5. How does Vera just know how to use magic now? In the beginning of the book, she couldn’t even keep a steady flame on the tip of her finger, and now she’s pulling down full worlds. I get that she “inherited” the maze’s power, but just because she has power now doesn’t mean that she’ll know how to use it. For example, in the beginning of the book, she needed the book for spells and instructions on how to use her magic. But once she got access to the maze’s power, she can just close her eyes, think really hard and it would work. I’m calling that out as total bull.
6. In the beginning of the book, we are thrown into a world where little kids try to sneak out of orphanages that we aren’t given details on, and doesn’t question when they find a potentially dangerous portal and immediately step through. Also, Mark, Mark, Mark, what do I do about Mark. Vera told him not to come, so he waits for a total of two seconds and goes after her. I get that the sibling thing is cute, but he seems more like a dog that Vera has to keep saving from death’s fingers. What kills me the most is that after he comes after Vera, she doesn’t even berate him at all. I don’t know, that just seems weird to me, especially since they’re now stuck in the maze. I guess they should be happy for the company.
7. I think the character trait distribution was too much in favor of Vera. She got the courage, magic, and survival instincts while Mark got anxiety attacks, bullies, and a soft spot for dying monsters.
It would take way too long to list all the other questions I have, but after the plot starts moving, it keeps going. Slowly but steadily, Joseph builds a story with a unique writing style which reminds me a lot of Erin Morgenstern’s; I think that if she adds more details, this book has the potential to become so much better.
1. I liked the element of horror added every now and then, especially since I didn’t expect it.
2. This book was a good short read though, only 170 pages.
3. Her writing abilities are probably much better than mine, and that makes me sad because she’s only a few years younger than myself. TT^TT
4. There are some good action scenes hidden among the magic and adventure portions and they were pretty darn good.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who isn’t as nitpicky as I, ready for some seriously professional prose writing, and good action scenes.
No matter how many bad things I said in this review, overall I still enjoyed the book and I’d like to support the author on her way to author stardom. Keep up the good work!
I received a free copy of this book in return for a honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2016
I love magic so I was definitely interested in this story when the author presented it to me. It has a very basic plot, two kids are thrust into a situation they can’t quite handle and we are invited to watch them struggle to the end! Yay, exciting and thrilling.
The maze was cool, the characters were interesting and I enjoyed watching them grow and adjust to the situations and each other during the story. Progression is something I definitely feed on when I read, if characters are still the same people from beginning to end then there’s a problem—unless that was done on purpose. But Twin Reflections allowed the characters to develop along the way so it really felt like I was experiencing the story right along with them.
Plot-wise, it was creative. I think Twin Reflections was definitely original in some sense but the main basis of the story—being stuck in an unknown realm with a source of magic—was somewhat…recycled? I’m not complaining though, it was very well put together and I felt like it
was refreshing and unique enough.
Now, what I didn’t so much like was the style of narration. This was third person narration but I feel like it would have been better if the story was written from first-person perspective. I suggest this because in third person there’s usually a bit of information that the readers know but the characters don’t. That didn’t happen here. I was just as confused as the characters, probably more when I read through the maze scenes. I don’t know if that was intentional by the author but I don’t like stumbling through a book, I think the characters should be the only ones stumbling around.
The other reason I think it should have been narrated in first-person is because the perspectives switch between characters VERY often. That’s fine with me in some cases, I love duel narration, but I don’t love being yanked from one character’s head and thrown into another in the same paragraph, page, or chapter. I think I just wanted a little more clarity on some things. The story was great but it was definitely confusing in some parts.
At the end of the day, this was a solid book with some great potential. I would recommend it to readers with an interest in fantasy and adventure. Young Adults and children will take a particular interest in this book and probably enjoy it very much.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The maze was cool, the characters were interesting and I enjoyed watching them grow and adjust to the situations and each other during the story. Progression is something I definitely feed on when I read, if characters are still the same people from beginning to end then there’s a problem—unless that was done on purpose. But Twin Reflections allowed the characters to develop along the way so it really felt like I was experiencing the story right along with them.
Plot-wise, it was creative. I think Twin Reflections was definitely original in some sense but the main basis of the story—being stuck in an unknown realm with a source of magic—was somewhat…recycled? I’m not complaining though, it was very well put together and I felt like it
was refreshing and unique enough.
Now, what I didn’t so much like was the style of narration. This was third person narration but I feel like it would have been better if the story was written from first-person perspective. I suggest this because in third person there’s usually a bit of information that the readers know but the characters don’t. That didn’t happen here. I was just as confused as the characters, probably more when I read through the maze scenes. I don’t know if that was intentional by the author but I don’t like stumbling through a book, I think the characters should be the only ones stumbling around.
The other reason I think it should have been narrated in first-person is because the perspectives switch between characters VERY often. That’s fine with me in some cases, I love duel narration, but I don’t love being yanked from one character’s head and thrown into another in the same paragraph, page, or chapter. I think I just wanted a little more clarity on some things. The story was great but it was definitely confusing in some parts.
At the end of the day, this was a solid book with some great potential. I would recommend it to readers with an interest in fantasy and adventure. Young Adults and children will take a particular interest in this book and probably enjoy it very much.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
February 10, 2016
I received a review copy of Twin Reflections, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
I'll start out by saying that fantasy is not my favorite genre, so it's not usually an easy read for me, in general. Still, I agreed to give it a shot out of curiosity. As others have noted, the author's only fourteen. I had to see what kind of writing chops she had.
Turns out, Ms. Joseph has some skills. Her writing mechanics are advanced for her age (and probably for my age, which is nunya beeswax! ;-) ), so I was immediately impressed. Still, I owe this book a review on its own merit. Here we go...
Twin Reflections put my concentration to the test. I've already admitted that it falls outside the genres I'm drawn to--but it was even more than that. The storyline is complex, and there's a lot of backstory and world-building that we learn along the way. There's a fine line between drowning a reader in too much detail and not giving enough, and I felt like I needed a bit more to help me understand what was going on. This is generally something a writer learns with time and practice, so Ms. Joseph is well on her way to developing that feel... For this book, in comparison to others found in its genre (and, yes, written by adults), it's a bit of an issue.
I found some of the actions and dialogue to be unnatural. For example, the brother and sister randomly start kicking each other. I mean, I guess that's what siblings do sometimes, but it wasn't always believable. Again, it's a matter of developing your storytelling skill.
There was tons of action (and I got a chuckle out of the GORE WARNINGS), so that will appeal to readers who are always looking forward to the next conflict. There was also an interesting world introduced here that deserves more fleshing out. This story could (and probably SHOULD) be revisited as the writer grows and improves. There's definitely potential there to be something much more.
This book is quite astounding and an amazing accomplishment for a young teen. It takes courage to put your writing out there, especially to adult reviewers and fellow authors. I'm just floored by that. I'll be keeping an eye on Ms. Joseph to see where she goes from here. I promise it'll only be up.
I'll start out by saying that fantasy is not my favorite genre, so it's not usually an easy read for me, in general. Still, I agreed to give it a shot out of curiosity. As others have noted, the author's only fourteen. I had to see what kind of writing chops she had.
Turns out, Ms. Joseph has some skills. Her writing mechanics are advanced for her age (and probably for my age, which is nunya beeswax! ;-) ), so I was immediately impressed. Still, I owe this book a review on its own merit. Here we go...
Twin Reflections put my concentration to the test. I've already admitted that it falls outside the genres I'm drawn to--but it was even more than that. The storyline is complex, and there's a lot of backstory and world-building that we learn along the way. There's a fine line between drowning a reader in too much detail and not giving enough, and I felt like I needed a bit more to help me understand what was going on. This is generally something a writer learns with time and practice, so Ms. Joseph is well on her way to developing that feel... For this book, in comparison to others found in its genre (and, yes, written by adults), it's a bit of an issue.
I found some of the actions and dialogue to be unnatural. For example, the brother and sister randomly start kicking each other. I mean, I guess that's what siblings do sometimes, but it wasn't always believable. Again, it's a matter of developing your storytelling skill.
There was tons of action (and I got a chuckle out of the GORE WARNINGS), so that will appeal to readers who are always looking forward to the next conflict. There was also an interesting world introduced here that deserves more fleshing out. This story could (and probably SHOULD) be revisited as the writer grows and improves. There's definitely potential there to be something much more.
This book is quite astounding and an amazing accomplishment for a young teen. It takes courage to put your writing out there, especially to adult reviewers and fellow authors. I'm just floored by that. I'll be keeping an eye on Ms. Joseph to see where she goes from here. I promise it'll only be up.
February 29, 2016
A little over a month ago I was approached by the author who asked if I would read and give an honest review on her self-published book. Twin Reflections by Elizabeth R. Joseph is a short (168 pages) YA fantasy story about a mystical maze that the characters find themselves trapped in with only their wits and magic to escape.
The author, Elizabeth, is a young teen in high school and this is her first self-published book. When she contacted me I was immediately in awe of the drive and passion she has for her work! It takes a special person to chase after their dreams no matter what.
As a long time lover of sci-fi and fantasy stories I was very excited to check out this book! However, I must say it was not my favorite. One of the reasons I love sci-fi and fantasy so very much is due to incredible world building that takes an extremely creative mind. I found the details of the world this story is set in to be lacking. I had trouble getting a clear picture of the environment the characters were interacting with, both before they entered the maze and while they were in the maze. That's not to say there weren't some eye-catching details, they were just too far and in-between to build a world in my mind.
Although this book is only 168 pages it ended up taking me two weeks to complete it. I found the narration to be confusing and choppy. The perspective would switch between characters in a single paragraph, which prevented me from connecting to the characters thoroughly. I went through most of the book having to double check whose perspective I was reading. This removed me from the story and kept me from reading it as quickly as I usually do with other books.
I think this book is an excellent stepping off point for a young, aspiring writer. This author has potential and I would love to see how her writing improves!
For more book reviews check out www.bookishbeauty.com
The author, Elizabeth, is a young teen in high school and this is her first self-published book. When she contacted me I was immediately in awe of the drive and passion she has for her work! It takes a special person to chase after their dreams no matter what.
As a long time lover of sci-fi and fantasy stories I was very excited to check out this book! However, I must say it was not my favorite. One of the reasons I love sci-fi and fantasy so very much is due to incredible world building that takes an extremely creative mind. I found the details of the world this story is set in to be lacking. I had trouble getting a clear picture of the environment the characters were interacting with, both before they entered the maze and while they were in the maze. That's not to say there weren't some eye-catching details, they were just too far and in-between to build a world in my mind.
Although this book is only 168 pages it ended up taking me two weeks to complete it. I found the narration to be confusing and choppy. The perspective would switch between characters in a single paragraph, which prevented me from connecting to the characters thoroughly. I went through most of the book having to double check whose perspective I was reading. This removed me from the story and kept me from reading it as quickly as I usually do with other books.
I think this book is an excellent stepping off point for a young, aspiring writer. This author has potential and I would love to see how her writing improves!
For more book reviews check out www.bookishbeauty.com
April 10, 2016
I RECIEVED A COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR THROUGH THE WE HEART YA GROUP R2R PROGRAM ON GOODREADS. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY VIEWS OR OPINIONS IN ANY WAY.
Twin Reflections by Elizabeth R. Joseph is a cute and easy fantasy read.
Vera and Mark are twins who are orphans. They live in an orphanage. One day, when their caregiver mysteriously disappears, they find themselves a way into a maze of mirrors. The mirrors trap them. Will the twins be able to survive? Or will they be lost forever?
First of all, the author of this book is 14. I know I shouldn't take that into account, but it is too amazing not too. Most teenagers don't have the initiative to do their homework, let alone write a book. Elizabeth R. Joseph is a skilled writer, and I know most teens can't write as well as her. I sure know I can't. Her writing is descriptive and fun to read.
I loved connecting to the characters. Vera was a sweet girl who was stuck with too much responsibility. Mark is a teenage boy who is kind and caring. It was fun seeing them grow up in the maze.
The world building in this book is very intricate. The maze is very easily described, and I liked how the world, especially out of the maze was easy to enjoy.
There was only one thing I didn't like about this book, and that is the fact that it is confusing. The scenes kind of jump around, and you sometimes don't know what is going on. If the book were a little longer, it would probably be a little easier to figure out. There were also three or four different perspectives in this book, and sometimes it was hard to tell which one was talking.
Overall, this is a fun and fascinating book.
Twin Reflections by Elizabeth R. Joseph is a cute and easy fantasy read.
Vera and Mark are twins who are orphans. They live in an orphanage. One day, when their caregiver mysteriously disappears, they find themselves a way into a maze of mirrors. The mirrors trap them. Will the twins be able to survive? Or will they be lost forever?
First of all, the author of this book is 14. I know I shouldn't take that into account, but it is too amazing not too. Most teenagers don't have the initiative to do their homework, let alone write a book. Elizabeth R. Joseph is a skilled writer, and I know most teens can't write as well as her. I sure know I can't. Her writing is descriptive and fun to read.
I loved connecting to the characters. Vera was a sweet girl who was stuck with too much responsibility. Mark is a teenage boy who is kind and caring. It was fun seeing them grow up in the maze.
The world building in this book is very intricate. The maze is very easily described, and I liked how the world, especially out of the maze was easy to enjoy.
There was only one thing I didn't like about this book, and that is the fact that it is confusing. The scenes kind of jump around, and you sometimes don't know what is going on. If the book were a little longer, it would probably be a little easier to figure out. There were also three or four different perspectives in this book, and sometimes it was hard to tell which one was talking.
Overall, this is a fun and fascinating book.
January 31, 2016
Twin Reflections is a #YA #Fantasy with a magical element. Two children Vera and Mark live in a children's shelter and have been looked after by Karrie. However Karrie has recently disappeared and Vera feels duty bound to find her.
Vera discovers a magical portal and her and Mark find themselves in a secret maze where mirrors reflect their inner thoughts and desires. The author has chosen to write the maze storyline with twists, turns and sudden scene changes aligning the action with that of travel through a maze.
The maze poses magical illusions for Vera and Mark to work through, Vera herself possess a magical gene and must use this to help them find their way out. There are other characters Queen Missena who owns a model of the intricate maze, one which has developed and changed over time. She wants to be tied to the maze and so the storyline unfolds.
There is room the tighten the language and writing style this young author uses which will come with experience. With the saturated #YA #Fantasy market this book needs to "Pop" a little more with the characters and the vivid descriptive passages to truly engage the reader. A good start to a writing career.
Vera discovers a magical portal and her and Mark find themselves in a secret maze where mirrors reflect their inner thoughts and desires. The author has chosen to write the maze storyline with twists, turns and sudden scene changes aligning the action with that of travel through a maze.
The maze poses magical illusions for Vera and Mark to work through, Vera herself possess a magical gene and must use this to help them find their way out. There are other characters Queen Missena who owns a model of the intricate maze, one which has developed and changed over time. She wants to be tied to the maze and so the storyline unfolds.
There is room the tighten the language and writing style this young author uses which will come with experience. With the saturated #YA #Fantasy market this book needs to "Pop" a little more with the characters and the vivid descriptive passages to truly engage the reader. A good start to a writing career.
July 4, 2016
This book had a great start and I was excited to see where Vera's adventure would take us. Once she entered the maze, followed by Mark, some scenes became a bit confusing. There are pieces that seemed a little out of place to me such as, right after entering the maze, Vera lays down and goes to sleep. This stands out to me because I know if I was in a strange new scary place, I would not be able to sleep.
This book is very fast paced, filled with action and the maze is a bit overwhelming and confusing. Beyond the maze though, this book was fantastic. The writing style is advanced and well done. The characters have depth and they were enjoyable to learn about. For fantasy lovers, this is a good book to read. I honestly didn't know that the author was only 14 years old until I went to leave this review. Honestly, I would've never have known she was that young, that is how well this book is written.
I look forward to seeing more of Joseph's work and seeing her grow as an author. She certainly has great potential in her future!
This book is very fast paced, filled with action and the maze is a bit overwhelming and confusing. Beyond the maze though, this book was fantastic. The writing style is advanced and well done. The characters have depth and they were enjoyable to learn about. For fantasy lovers, this is a good book to read. I honestly didn't know that the author was only 14 years old until I went to leave this review. Honestly, I would've never have known she was that young, that is how well this book is written.
I look forward to seeing more of Joseph's work and seeing her grow as an author. She certainly has great potential in her future!
April 10, 2016
I was asked to review this book by the 14-year-old author....Yes, she is 14 and already an author! I said no because my schedule is ridiculously busy and has been for a while. However, she was persistent so I gave in. The book is not that long so it made for a fast read. I was impressed by Elizabeth's writing skills. The best part of the book for me were the well-developed characters. The characters drove the story for me because I was a little lost with the plot. I thought overall the book was good, but I had to read it couple times to understand what happened during the arch of the book.
It was a good read and I think a lot of people will enjoy it and be impressed by the writing skills of this 14-year-old.
Please heck out my blog for more reviews, giveaways, and my own writings!
It was a good read and I think a lot of people will enjoy it and be impressed by the writing skills of this 14-year-old.
Please heck out my blog for more reviews, giveaways, and my own writings!
February 16, 2016
I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. I really enjoy the authors writing style. This book was a very interesting read. The plot is wonderful. I love the characters, she has done an awesome job of making them feel real. She has made the characters seem as if they are people we know. I love how this book wastes no time in jumping right into the action. She has a wonderful way with the way she has made her words flow. This is just Amazing! The story is quite imaginative. It is a fast read and can be read in one sitting. It is a book once you begin you will not want to put it down and then when you are finished you wish you weren’t. It is an amazing story. One for anyone’s to read list. It is a great book and one I am so honored I was able to read.
March 9, 2016
Twin Reflections is about twins Vera and Mark who enter a portal trying to find someone whom they hold dearly. The portal takes them into a maze of mirrors which traps them with the illusions that makes it hard for them to tell what is real and what is not.
If you enjoy reading a story that will throws you right into a mysteries and it also has adventure than you don’t want to miss this book. One other thing that I need to tell you that we will be hearing a lot more from Elizabeth Joseph because she has a great future in writing more books. I can’t wait to see what her next book will be about.
If you enjoy reading a story that will throws you right into a mysteries and it also has adventure than you don’t want to miss this book. One other thing that I need to tell you that we will be hearing a lot more from Elizabeth Joseph because she has a great future in writing more books. I can’t wait to see what her next book will be about.
January 14, 2016
Vera and Mark are twins who find themselves in a mirror maze where their reflections talk to them and they can travel to other ' story was well written and I was impressed that the author was only fourteen. I wish I had been as good as this at 14. I think the characters were well written and were believable as brother and sister. I would have liked to have known a little more about their world in the beginning. Going straight into the action is a good thing, but I would have liked a little more backstory to set it up. Very good debut novel and worth reading
February 3, 2016
A very good first book from a young remarkable talented writer a bit choppy start but got there in the end. I so, so enjoyed this book as you will know your self you get a very good book and you can,t put it down. This story got hold of you and took you for a wonderful thrilling ride from start to finish. My thanks to this wonderful author Elizabeth Joseph for the pleasure and delightful privilege of reading her amazing book so to all happy reading from wee me. xx ♥☺
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews