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Twinchantment #1
Twinchantment
In the kingdom of Kaloon, nothing is quite as it seems....
"Y-y-y-you," he stammered, and Flissa turned to see he'd gone ashen. "T-t-t-two of you!"
Uh-oh. Flissa reached up and checked. Sure enough, her hood had fallen off. Their secret was out.
Princesses Flissa and Sara are even closer than most twins. In fact, most of the kingdom thinks they're the same person.
When magic was outlawed in Kaloon generations ago, twins, black cats, and other potentially -magical beings were outlawed, too. Since they were born, Flissa and Sara have pretended to be one princess, Flissara, trading off royal duties like attending glamorous balls, participating in fencing exhibitions, and making friends with other young nobles, all while hiding in plain sight.
But when the first magical attack in years puts their mother's life in danger, the girls must break the rules that have protected them to save her. Enlisting a brave servant boy and his plucky black kitten as their guides, they set off on an epic quest to the Twists-a forbidden place full of dark magic-to find the evil mage who cursed the queen. With a case of mistaken identity, a wickedly powerful exile out for vengeance, and time running out for their mother, the twins might just need to make their own magic to save the day.
In the first book of this new series, author Elise Allen brings to life a fantastical world filled with high-stakes adventure, incredible twists, and all the spark and humor of sisterhood.
"Y-y-y-you," he stammered, and Flissa turned to see he'd gone ashen. "T-t-t-two of you!"
Uh-oh. Flissa reached up and checked. Sure enough, her hood had fallen off. Their secret was out.
Princesses Flissa and Sara are even closer than most twins. In fact, most of the kingdom thinks they're the same person.
When magic was outlawed in Kaloon generations ago, twins, black cats, and other potentially -magical beings were outlawed, too. Since they were born, Flissa and Sara have pretended to be one princess, Flissara, trading off royal duties like attending glamorous balls, participating in fencing exhibitions, and making friends with other young nobles, all while hiding in plain sight.
But when the first magical attack in years puts their mother's life in danger, the girls must break the rules that have protected them to save her. Enlisting a brave servant boy and his plucky black kitten as their guides, they set off on an epic quest to the Twists-a forbidden place full of dark magic-to find the evil mage who cursed the queen. With a case of mistaken identity, a wickedly powerful exile out for vengeance, and time running out for their mother, the twins might just need to make their own magic to save the day.
In the first book of this new series, author Elise Allen brings to life a fantastical world filled with high-stakes adventure, incredible twists, and all the spark and humor of sisterhood.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2019
39 people are currently reading
912 people want to read
About the author
Elise Allen
56 books128 followersLover of books, Disneyland, dogs, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
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March 28, 2019Mini review:
DNF
Content warning: Mention of death and war.
I received this E-ARC via Disney Book Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I requested this awhile back and thought it sounded interesting. Unfortunately it wasn't for me.
I found the prologue to be very info-dumpy. I didn't care for the plot, characters, or the world. So I decided to DNF.
I still recommend. I'm sure others will enjoy it more.
DNF
Content warning: Mention of death and war.
I received this E-ARC via Disney Book Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I requested this awhile back and thought it sounded interesting. Unfortunately it wasn't for me.
I found the prologue to be very info-dumpy. I didn't care for the plot, characters, or the world. So I decided to DNF.
I still recommend. I'm sure others will enjoy it more.
November 7, 2018
Thrilling tale of forbidden magic and adventure, with one of my favorite things ever: SIBLINGS THAT GET ALONG! Wooohoooo! That's right! Twins who are different, yet still love each other, and I am HERE FOR IT!
Also, really clever magic system, plenty of intrigue, and some very different and engaging adventures, including killer grass and acid spitting dragons!
Also, really clever magic system, plenty of intrigue, and some very different and engaging adventures, including killer grass and acid spitting dragons!
April 9, 2019
'"Let's not wait until a better way comes along--let's make a better way come along. Our Ascension Ceremony's next week, right? Once it's over, and we're officially in line for the throne, let's just tell the truth!"
"The truth?" Flissa echoed. "About us?"'
This magical adventure features princess twins who must pretend that they are one person. What an incredible hook! I found this story engaging, fast-paced, intriguing and filled with mystery. THe sisters perfectly balance each other out in a way that's heartwarming and hilarious. Themes of loss, loyalty, friendship, teamwork, trust, illness, death, and grief will get readers thinking and talking. I can't wait to find out what happens as the story continues in book two!
"The truth?" Flissa echoed. "About us?"'
This magical adventure features princess twins who must pretend that they are one person. What an incredible hook! I found this story engaging, fast-paced, intriguing and filled with mystery. THe sisters perfectly balance each other out in a way that's heartwarming and hilarious. Themes of loss, loyalty, friendship, teamwork, trust, illness, death, and grief will get readers thinking and talking. I can't wait to find out what happens as the story continues in book two!
September 7, 2023
Travel with twin princesses Flissa and Sara through the treacherous lands of the Twists as they search for a magical antidote to save their mother – and maybe the whole kingdom – from an evil magician 🌟🌌
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Twinchantment is a very entertaining book. I especially enjoyed reading about how Flissa and Sara manage to live as one single princess despite their very hectic lives! The girls divide up their royal duties based on their preferences, tell each other everything that happened when the other one was acting as princess, and make sure that ‘Princess Flissara’ reflects both their personalities. Despite having to ‘share a life,’ each girl has a distinctive character and I liked seeing how they strive to follow their own interests, like drawing or fencing, even while they are bound to lead a “double life”. The author alternates between each sister’s point of view for different chapters, and some of my favourite parts of the book are those where we get to know each princess better. It’s also exciting to read about how the princesses’ lives suddenly change, and how they and their companions have to face scary new challenges when they enter the treacherous, magical land of the Twists. One thing I found refreshing is that the sisters actually get along really well! In many of the books I’ve read, siblings are rivals, or else are forced to put up with each other. In Twinchantment, while Flissa and Sara have their disagreements and differences, they enjoy being together and are fiercely proud and protective of one another. It was great to read about how the sisters could rely on each other, no matter what hardships came their way.
Although the author gives the twins different personalities, they can still be very similar at times, which perhaps makes sense as they share so much, but, as a reader, you sometimes get confused as to which twin’s point of view is being presented. I also feel that Flissa gets to shine more throughout the book than Sara, and ends up seeming much more “competent” by using her fencing and agility to get the group out of tight spots. It seems to me that the author could have given Sara, with her creative imagination and social skills, more opportunities to save the day. Other frustrating aspects are that sometimes the problems the princesses face seem easily solved, and that on occasion villains end up monologuing and explaining everything to the princesses. This makes the story a little less believable. The book also ends in an odd spot, where it feels like it might be leading up to a big event but that event doesn’t happen. These are minor points, however, and the book is still very enjoyable to read!
Twinchantment’s plot about twin princesses on a magical quest will be great fun for readers who enjoy entertaining fantasy stories!
✨For my full review and recommendations for similar books, check out my blog: https://newkidonthebookreviews.wordpr... ✨
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Twinchantment is a very entertaining book. I especially enjoyed reading about how Flissa and Sara manage to live as one single princess despite their very hectic lives! The girls divide up their royal duties based on their preferences, tell each other everything that happened when the other one was acting as princess, and make sure that ‘Princess Flissara’ reflects both their personalities. Despite having to ‘share a life,’ each girl has a distinctive character and I liked seeing how they strive to follow their own interests, like drawing or fencing, even while they are bound to lead a “double life”. The author alternates between each sister’s point of view for different chapters, and some of my favourite parts of the book are those where we get to know each princess better. It’s also exciting to read about how the princesses’ lives suddenly change, and how they and their companions have to face scary new challenges when they enter the treacherous, magical land of the Twists. One thing I found refreshing is that the sisters actually get along really well! In many of the books I’ve read, siblings are rivals, or else are forced to put up with each other. In Twinchantment, while Flissa and Sara have their disagreements and differences, they enjoy being together and are fiercely proud and protective of one another. It was great to read about how the sisters could rely on each other, no matter what hardships came their way.
Although the author gives the twins different personalities, they can still be very similar at times, which perhaps makes sense as they share so much, but, as a reader, you sometimes get confused as to which twin’s point of view is being presented. I also feel that Flissa gets to shine more throughout the book than Sara, and ends up seeming much more “competent” by using her fencing and agility to get the group out of tight spots. It seems to me that the author could have given Sara, with her creative imagination and social skills, more opportunities to save the day. Other frustrating aspects are that sometimes the problems the princesses face seem easily solved, and that on occasion villains end up monologuing and explaining everything to the princesses. This makes the story a little less believable. The book also ends in an odd spot, where it feels like it might be leading up to a big event but that event doesn’t happen. These are minor points, however, and the book is still very enjoyable to read!
Twinchantment’s plot about twin princesses on a magical quest will be great fun for readers who enjoy entertaining fantasy stories!
✨For my full review and recommendations for similar books, check out my blog: https://newkidonthebookreviews.wordpr... ✨
March 26, 2020
I am not sure what is wrong with me but I struggled to get through this one and I'm not sure why. The world was fun, the adventure in the Twists was inventive, and I really appreciated that the protagonists weren't white (since they usually are in fantasy novels). I think maybe my difficulty is that Flissa & Sara each had defining characteristics but they were surface level things for the most part that kept coming up over and over again. For example, Flissa needs to flip a coin to make decisions and Sara is clumsy. These two traits were repeated over and over in the story. That being said, I think I will probably purchase this for my school library because I think there are things in here that will resonate with younger readers. For example, Flissa is sad that Sara is growing apart from her. She isn't sure how she will function as a separate entity from her sister. I think that's very relatable for middle grade students.
Content Notes:
Sex? No. We do learn on pg. 276 that Galric was conceived from a one night stand. I really don't think that young readers are going to understand what that exactly means so, for more conservative reviewers, I wouldn't let that get in the way of adding this book to your collection.
Profanity/Swearing? None
Violence? Some but very tame. Just normal adventure type violence found in children's books
LGBTQ characters? Not specified
Diverse characters? The princesses are biracial.
Religious elements? Not present.
Could a conservative Christian school library add this to their collection?
Absolutely!
Content Notes:
Sex? No. We do learn on pg. 276 that Galric was conceived from a one night stand. I really don't think that young readers are going to understand what that exactly means so, for more conservative reviewers, I wouldn't let that get in the way of adding this book to your collection.
Profanity/Swearing? None
Violence? Some but very tame. Just normal adventure type violence found in children's books
LGBTQ characters? Not specified
Diverse characters? The princesses are biracial.
Religious elements? Not present.
Could a conservative Christian school library add this to their collection?
Absolutely!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2019
Once upon a time in a kingdom far away, a royal family ruled in fairness and light...until one day they were betrayed by the very magic they held dear, leaving them a scarred version of their former selves. To protect themselves from future attacks, declarations were made, rules created, and measures taken to remove all that could potentially hold the power to create chaos once again...or so they thought.
First, keeping the girls straight is actually more of a challenge than I at first thought...guess they were rather good at playing their particular "role"! Second, the surprise twist towards the end when things are unraveling...STUNNER! I mean don't get me wrong, there is much to get caught up in along the way, including the brambles, the spells, and hungry sections of earth that simply gobble up those standing above (*gulp*), but the twists really kept you guessing! Third, can I just say I loved Nitpick! I mean the others are great, people and animal wise, and seriously the horse in the Twists is awesome and totally merits mentioning, but he's more than he seems without being SO much more!
In the end, all I can say is BOY was that a rush! Really and truly, it's one of the good ones, and with messages of inclusion, the power of friendship, and with reminders to not always take things at face value, and always be yourself, it's a great addition to kiddos reading lists as well as those upward in years.
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
First, keeping the girls straight is actually more of a challenge than I at first thought...guess they were rather good at playing their particular "role"! Second, the surprise twist towards the end when things are unraveling...STUNNER! I mean don't get me wrong, there is much to get caught up in along the way, including the brambles, the spells, and hungry sections of earth that simply gobble up those standing above (*gulp*), but the twists really kept you guessing! Third, can I just say I loved Nitpick! I mean the others are great, people and animal wise, and seriously the horse in the Twists is awesome and totally merits mentioning, but he's more than he seems without being SO much more!
In the end, all I can say is BOY was that a rush! Really and truly, it's one of the good ones, and with messages of inclusion, the power of friendship, and with reminders to not always take things at face value, and always be yourself, it's a great addition to kiddos reading lists as well as those upward in years.
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
January 4, 2020
Did not finish. Did NOT like the characters. Did NOT find them remotely believable. Wanted to like this so much and was rooting for a POC princess/fantasy/adventure book but found myself wanting to smack pretty much most of the characters as they were so unlikable. Tried to force myself to finish and found the plot too predictable. Skipped ahead and YEP that's what going on. Skipped ahead more and still YEP *called it*. Gave up about 3/4 of the way through when I was finding myself suffering from a surfeit of JUST NOT CARING ANYMORE.
July 18, 2019
An interesting idea with a not so great execution. I did enjoy the idea of the twins/the magic/worldbuilding.
However I found the twins not "distinct" enough with each other. There was many a time I paused and had to think it over about their "traits". Also Flissa seemed incredibly inconsistent with herself. She apparently has a hard time making decisions but then orders people around like thirty pages later?
However I found the twins not "distinct" enough with each other. There was many a time I paused and had to think it over about their "traits". Also Flissa seemed incredibly inconsistent with herself. She apparently has a hard time making decisions but then orders people around like thirty pages later?
June 16, 2025
DNF. Just didn't get into Twinchantment. It starts with a lengthy prologue explaining the history of this fictional kingdom, and then for the first chapter jumps twelve years ahead, so everything we just read about is now outdated and the plot still isn't coming together. It felt like some odd storytelling choices.
January 29, 2019
I love the twin-ness in this book! I have long been fascinated by twins, and this is such a unique, creative tale that appeals to not only middle-age readers, but their parents as well ;) Thank you, Disney for sending us this ARC--we love it!
March 29, 2019
Every time I tried to go back to reading and finishing this book, I was sad that I was still reading it and not something else. Even for a lower-level fantasy book, it was just flat. I also felt bad for poor Galric because every time I saw his name, I thought it was Garlic and that's just not fair.
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August 24, 2019It was perfectly fine, but not particularly outstanding.
March 22, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In a kingdom where magic is forbidden, the royal family is hiding a large secret: twins!
Meet Flissara, the princess of Kaloon. Except, she's a little different than the other princesses: she's actually two different people! Twin princesses Flissa and Sara share everything: a birthday, a room, duties, and a life. Due to superstition regarding twins and magic, they have spent their whole lives pretending to be one another and one person. However, they couldn't be more different. Sara is artistic and messy and clumsy, and loves meeting new people and is the textbook definition of extrovert. Meanwhile, Flissa is athletic and loves studying and her horse, but hates being around other people and making decisions. As they approach their twelfth birthday, when Princess Flissara officially becomes recognized as the next ruler, the girls can't help but wonder what the future will be like for them and their double life.
But when their mother suddenly becomes ill, and all signs point to the return of a banished dark mage, the girls know they have to track him down and force him to reverse the curse. Can they do so in time to save their mother?
A wonderful fantasy land, with a unique magic system, wonderful friends (both human and animal), and a whole lot of princess power, Twinchantment is an exciting tale you don't want to miss!
In a kingdom where magic is forbidden, the royal family is hiding a large secret: twins!
Meet Flissara, the princess of Kaloon. Except, she's a little different than the other princesses: she's actually two different people! Twin princesses Flissa and Sara share everything: a birthday, a room, duties, and a life. Due to superstition regarding twins and magic, they have spent their whole lives pretending to be one another and one person. However, they couldn't be more different. Sara is artistic and messy and clumsy, and loves meeting new people and is the textbook definition of extrovert. Meanwhile, Flissa is athletic and loves studying and her horse, but hates being around other people and making decisions. As they approach their twelfth birthday, when Princess Flissara officially becomes recognized as the next ruler, the girls can't help but wonder what the future will be like for them and their double life.
But when their mother suddenly becomes ill, and all signs point to the return of a banished dark mage, the girls know they have to track him down and force him to reverse the curse. Can they do so in time to save their mother?
A wonderful fantasy land, with a unique magic system, wonderful friends (both human and animal), and a whole lot of princess power, Twinchantment is an exciting tale you don't want to miss!
July 8, 2019
Neatly threads the needle of princesses being princesses (the dresses, the decadent food, the royal appearances) and princesses being their own heroes (rock climbing, swordplay, dangerous adventures). Fans of Ella Enchanted will gobble this up.
September 15, 2019
A solid fantasy story for the chapter book crowd. It has many of the same elements and themes as Monstrous and Girl Who Drank the Moon, but this book is shorter and more simply written.
August 16, 2021
It was good but I think a younger audience would enjoy it more maybe 8-10
January 12, 2020
Twinchantment by Elise Allen, 327 pages. Disney, 2019. $17.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Princess Flissara is the heir to the kingdom of Kaloon. While Kaloon has magic, unless you belong to the Keepers of the Light, magic is forbidden. They also outlaw black cats, twins, and left-handedness. For almost twelve years the king and queen have hidden the fact that their little girl is actually twins – Flissa and Sara. When their mother is cursed, the twins take off to the Twists in a desperate search for something to heal her. Along with the stable boy and his black kitten, they have only a handful of days to save her.
If you need more fantasy books for a very active library, then this is a solid optional purchase. Nothing particularly ground-breaking about the action or writing, but certainly fun for a fantasy-fanatic.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Princess Flissara is the heir to the kingdom of Kaloon. While Kaloon has magic, unless you belong to the Keepers of the Light, magic is forbidden. They also outlaw black cats, twins, and left-handedness. For almost twelve years the king and queen have hidden the fact that their little girl is actually twins – Flissa and Sara. When their mother is cursed, the twins take off to the Twists in a desperate search for something to heal her. Along with the stable boy and his black kitten, they have only a handful of days to save her.
If you need more fantasy books for a very active library, then this is a solid optional purchase. Nothing particularly ground-breaking about the action or writing, but certainly fun for a fantasy-fanatic.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
January 5, 2021
The theme is strength there is a princess called Flissara but, what everyone doesn't know is that there are twins. One named Fliss and one Sara and no one knows Sarah is friends with garlic.Their mother is cursed with a green mist. They travel to the twists where bad people who have magic are kept. They get captured but, escape with the help of a girl who was sent to twists because of fliss. They meet garlic's dad but, he wasn't the one that cursed their mother. They are desperate because soon their mother will die...
January 22, 2019
A delightful book about twins, who for 11 years have tried to be one person, that discovery the truth about many things ... themselves, magic and the history of their country. It's a refreshing look at the bonds of identical twins as they go on their first adventure together. I look forward to the continuation of their story.
May 20, 2019
DNF. Couldn't get past the exposition and info dumping in the beginning. Which is a shame, cause I loved the concept and the cover is beautiful.
August 11, 2019
Good idea, decent execution, but missing that something special to really stand out.
November 3, 2022
The premise was good. I actually did like the Sara and Flissa, although Flissa's indecisiveness was... annoying.
Here are the things that got the rating down : Oh, yes, and another thing that bugged me... Sara freaks out at one point as she is surprised that it is hailing because it is hot. WAIT. WHAT? Okay, so hail forms when there is a thunderstorm updraft that pushes water high enough to freeze. It does not require it to be cold on the surface for this to happen. It just has to be cold in the upper atmosphere. This is why severe thunderstorms in summer often have hail. But then maybe Sara didn't know this(?) They don't have severe thunderstorms in Kaloon, maybe.
(Read all about hail here: https://www.weatherbug.com/news/Why-D...)
Here are the things that got the rating down : Oh, yes, and another thing that bugged me... Sara freaks out at one point as she is surprised that it is hailing because it is hot. WAIT. WHAT? Okay, so hail forms when there is a thunderstorm updraft that pushes water high enough to freeze. It does not require it to be cold on the surface for this to happen. It just has to be cold in the upper atmosphere. This is why severe thunderstorms in summer often have hail. But then maybe Sara didn't know this(?) They don't have severe thunderstorms in Kaloon, maybe.
(Read all about hail here: https://www.weatherbug.com/news/Why-D...)
May 3, 2021
Ever since a dark mage killed the prince, magic has been forbidden to all except the Keepers of the Light. Anyone with magic or suspected of having magic is banished to the Twists. That's the way it's been for generations. Unfortunately for Flissa and Sara, being a twin is a sign of magic. Luckily, they were born to the King and Queen. Enter Princess Flissara: the role they take turns playing in public while the other is kept safely hidden away in their personal chambers. But when a dark mage returns to curse the Queen and they suspect the Keepers of collaborating, it will take both princesses to run away from the castle and venture into the magical prison of the twists that is filled with dark mages and the many magical traps and dangers meant to punish them.
This is a great fantasy adventure full of magical creatures, plot twists, and hidden secrets. Flissa and Sara both have their strengths and weaknesses shaped by the types of tasks they usually do and the different experiences they've had. Flissa usually does the fencing, horseback riding, and anything that involves athletic ability. Sara, on the other hand, thrives in social settings and public appearances. There's a large cast of great characters including talking horses, a bird as a tutor, and a magical black kitten. Perfect for young fans of magic.
This is a great fantasy adventure full of magical creatures, plot twists, and hidden secrets. Flissa and Sara both have their strengths and weaknesses shaped by the types of tasks they usually do and the different experiences they've had. Flissa usually does the fencing, horseback riding, and anything that involves athletic ability. Sara, on the other hand, thrives in social settings and public appearances. There's a large cast of great characters including talking horses, a bird as a tutor, and a magical black kitten. Perfect for young fans of magic.
May 9, 2023
Twinchantment is a great book. It has two siblings who complement each other perfectly. In their world, magic is banned, and anyone who is caught using it will be banished to a magical prison, the Twists. Of course, being twins is one of the signs of magic, so Flissa and Sara have had to hide it their whole lives. But this makes everything a lot more complicated because they're also royalty. They have always pretended to be one person, Princess Flissara.
This book was a great idea. Dragons, black cats, and curses—what's not to love? It has a great plot, but it could have been written a little more clearly. Sometimes I had no idea what was happening, but other times I could barely put the book down.
Anyway, the twins are like peanut butter and jelly. Flissa is shy and loves sports; Sara is clumsy and is a people person. They are so different, but they love each other so much. They thought they loved being one person, but after their adventure in Twinchantment, they decided to give all magic users a second chance and reveal that they were twins.
Overall, this book was amazing, and there was so much character development, but it could have been a little more clear.
This book was a great idea. Dragons, black cats, and curses—what's not to love? It has a great plot, but it could have been written a little more clearly. Sometimes I had no idea what was happening, but other times I could barely put the book down.
Anyway, the twins are like peanut butter and jelly. Flissa is shy and loves sports; Sara is clumsy and is a people person. They are so different, but they love each other so much. They thought they loved being one person, but after their adventure in Twinchantment, they decided to give all magic users a second chance and reveal that they were twins.
Overall, this book was amazing, and there was so much character development, but it could have been a little more clear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2019
This book is magical and fun. It's a great read for kids that love high fantasy, sisterhood, friendship, and fairy tales.
When Flissa and Sara's mother is afflicted by a curse, they know that the only way to save their mother is by catching the person who cast the spell. But all magical people have been banished to the Twists, a dangerous place full of magical creatures. The two girls recruit an unlikely ally to help them in their quest to save their mother and the kingdom.
It's a super fun book to read and it has so many great things about it. Kids ages 9-12 will really enjoy Flissa and Sara's story and the differences between the twins. If your child likes fairy tales, don't miss this charming story!
Cover love: don't you love the cover? It's so pretty and I love the artwork! The colors are gorgeous and I love how the whole design works together to draw you in and promises a great book.
Content: Perilous situations. Movie rating would be PG.
Source: The publisher sent me a copy of this book.
When Flissa and Sara's mother is afflicted by a curse, they know that the only way to save their mother is by catching the person who cast the spell. But all magical people have been banished to the Twists, a dangerous place full of magical creatures. The two girls recruit an unlikely ally to help them in their quest to save their mother and the kingdom.
It's a super fun book to read and it has so many great things about it. Kids ages 9-12 will really enjoy Flissa and Sara's story and the differences between the twins. If your child likes fairy tales, don't miss this charming story!
Cover love: don't you love the cover? It's so pretty and I love the artwork! The colors are gorgeous and I love how the whole design works together to draw you in and promises a great book.
Content: Perilous situations. Movie rating would be PG.
Source: The publisher sent me a copy of this book.
September 17, 2019
Sisters Sara and Flissa are illegal in their own kingdom by virtue of being twins. This condition is considered to be magical (along with black cats) in Kaloon and has been outlawed by the Keepers of Light. Their mother was cursed when she was pregnant with the girls and now their mother is on her deathbed with a similar curse. Flissara (their combined names because they have to appear as one girl when in public) determines to journey to the Twists where they believe the curse originated. With them, they take Galric (and his pet black kitten) whose father purportedly struck the curse. The Twists are found through a secret gateway and are treacherous to travel in. Will Flissa and Sara be found and killed for being found out? Will Galric's father recognize him and go back to Kaloon to lift the curse? Are some friends enemies and some enemies allies? All is revealed in this first book in the series. I liked the characters and the action, but the narrative seemed a bit slow. Flissa and Sara are girls of color and I appreciated that they are strong, capable, and (mostly) brave!
March 2, 2021
This book is magical. The premise seems a little wonky, and the plot may seem full of holes. But this is everything you can imagine and more.
It's centered around two twins, a strong connection but very different, and they must work to one goal that requires them to work together as one. Flissa and Sara's relationship develops perfectly and the other characters are written in as not only as background characters but there to push the story along (and the author accomplishes that in the very best way possible while keeping her witty writing going).
The plot is very carefully woven, and the story is driven by amazing scenes and memorable lines.
I highly recommend this book and the rest in this spectacular series.
It's centered around two twins, a strong connection but very different, and they must work to one goal that requires them to work together as one. Flissa and Sara's relationship develops perfectly and the other characters are written in as not only as background characters but there to push the story along (and the author accomplishes that in the very best way possible while keeping her witty writing going).
The plot is very carefully woven, and the story is driven by amazing scenes and memorable lines.
I highly recommend this book and the rest in this spectacular series.
April 4, 2019
[I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
A fun fantasy tale starring a set of twins in a magical world where twins aren't allowed. I loved the exploration of identity in this as the girls go on an adventure where they get to truly be themselves instead of having to pretend to be one person. It's an interesting magical world, too. The events of this book leave questions for the sequel about how things might change in the future for this kingdom. Be sure to add this to your family or classroom library if your readers are a fan of fantasy and magical stories!
A fun fantasy tale starring a set of twins in a magical world where twins aren't allowed. I loved the exploration of identity in this as the girls go on an adventure where they get to truly be themselves instead of having to pretend to be one person. It's an interesting magical world, too. The events of this book leave questions for the sequel about how things might change in the future for this kingdom. Be sure to add this to your family or classroom library if your readers are a fan of fantasy and magical stories!
September 29, 2020
The concept of the book is what initially drew me to picking up the book. The story telling by the author is why I got sucked in. The only reason why I didn't give the book 5 stars (and I really thought about it!) was because of the ending. I like endings that don't feel rushed and this one felt rushed. I would have rather of seen the problem get solved in the early chapters of a second book then get wrapped up as it did.
That being said, I will continue reading the series to see how the princesses, Flissa and Sara, deal with their new found abilities as well as their secret not being so secret.
That being said, I will continue reading the series to see how the princesses, Flissa and Sara, deal with their new found abilities as well as their secret not being so secret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2019
Started reading it just to get an idea of the book and see if it was worth recommending to patrons looking for children's fantasy novels, and ended up getting completely invested in Flissa's and Sara's journey. The world and the magic was interesting, and once I started reading it, it was hard to put down. The end wrapped up a little too neatly for all the questions that were raised in the book, and I really hope book 2 tackles some of them! loved the book, and loved the reminder that strength looks different for different people, and that friendship and family is of vital importance. ♥
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