UnTwisted

Twinchantment #2

by Elise Allen

With the magical flair and wit of Ella Enchanted and the humor and sisterhood of The Parent Trap, this fantasy middle grade novel will appeal to every girl who dreams of being both the princess and the hero of her story.

After triumphing over the curse threatening their mother's life and revealing the truth behind the treacherous magical prison the Twists, Princesses Flissa and Sara knew the fight to return magic to the kingdom of Kaloon had only just begun. Not only did they have to oust treacherous magical citizens, the former prisoners of the Twists would have to adjust to life in the kingdom. Months later, everything seems to be going better than anyone could have hoped. But when the princesses go to Maldevon Academy with the other children of the kingdom, both magical and non-magical, the remaining tensions among the people become clear. While navigating school life for the first time, Flissa and Sara begin to drift apart as they continue to embrace their individual identities, leaving Flissara behind them. And when strange happenings suggest someone isn't happy with the unification the academy represents, Flissa and Sara find themselves at odds over the possible culprits. To preserve the newfound peace in Kaloon, the princesses will have to learn to trust each other again and uncover the truth before it's too late.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magic, Childrens

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2020

About the author

Lover of books, Disneyland, dogs, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Reviews

[Kirsti Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Flissa laughed. She wondered how much faster she'd have figured everything out if she and Sara had been talking this whole time."

This is the perfect companion to TWINCHANTMENT! Filled with complex relationships, action packed plot, and whimsy, this book is a compelling read from start to finish. I STILL adore Flissa and Sara and following their journey.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Disney-Hyperion through NetGalley.
The twin princesses - Sara and Flissa - are back in this sequel to Twinchantment. Their kingdom is recovering after the major battle and the Twists have been sealed. School is beginning and the two girls can be themselves. Mages and Genpos are attending school together and working toward unification in the country. Most are happy to be together but a few cause issues as school begins. The twins form their own friend groups and disagree on what's happening at the school and in the kingdom. This is the first time they've been able to be themselves and not a merged version to look like they were one princess. They fight and then begin speaking again to solve the mystery of what is happening. They confront a magic wielder who escaped when the Twists were sealed and figure out how to defeat her when she threatens complete destruction in the kingdom. By uniting everyone, they stop the magic attack and save the kingdom.
Allen presents a balance in fantasy and action to appeal to a broad spectrum of middle grade readers. The story is told in alternating chapters so both twins share their viewpoints as the story evolves.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Enchanted meets The Parent Trap. Frozen meets Harry Potter.

Everything about Untwisted is alive with color, movement and magic.

I was lucky enough to receive an early release copy which was admittedly my introduction to the series. But starting out on book 2 did not leave me wanting – Allen artfully incorporates enough of the happenings in Twinchantment such that I did not feel lost. In fact, it made me even more interested in reading book 1.

Never before has magic seemed so second nature. I found myself wishing message milk, bubblegrams and magical signatures would just magic themselves into real life. They would fit in so neatly (and would come in handy, particularly if technology ever fails us). Untwisted also trades quidditch for a team sport called hoddle which just sounds like great fun.

But even a world with magic in it has its problems. The rich, broken history of Kaloon and its inhabitants provides a mature, confronting backdrop to an otherwise upbeat, fun-loving story. Flissa and Sara, just like us, encounter stereotyping and prejudices that inhibit the wellbeing and potential of everyone – magical or not.

Readers also gain insight into the teething problems associated with royalty versus the real world upon Flissa and Sara’s introduction to Maldevon Academy. Their differences in experiences, expectations and friendships leaves readers with many great lessons, including the following which I thought was particularly pertinent to many relationships:

"They didn’t share a life, and they didn’t ignore each other either. They each had their own friends and their own things they loved to do, but at the end of the day they always came back to one another. It was perfect."

If you love a good story about sibling dynamics, growing pains, magic and mystery, you are going to want to get your hands on the Twinchantment series.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

4.5 stars. This was great! I loved it even more than the first book. There are so many interesting things going on - the integration of the school (magical and non-magical students), the identity development of the twins (who for the first 12 years of their lives had to pretend to be one person - see book 1), and the fracture in their relationship as they negotiate their new school, new relationships, and a mystery. Middle grade fantasy fans should check this series out - be sure to read the books in order. The story will make more sense and have more punch that way. (LGBTQ - secondary character)

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book so I decided to read the second one. It was a fun read with wonderful writing and I loved the twins of course! This story is slower compared to the first book and I wasn't prepared for that. We're introduced to new characters but I couldn't really grasp who they were completely but I did enjoy reading about them. The climax was very short and not very fun and the mysteries leading up to it didn't seem that important even though I knew they were supposed to be. I enjoyed the bits of romance! Was super cute.

I think overall the author did a good job simplifying (for a younger audience) a very big, very complicated situation of different types of people from different backgrounds and classes merging together for the first time.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fliss and Sarah are going to the academy and not everyone is happy with the principal of the school. Sarah doesn't make a good impression and crystal is now with friends with Gavin. Gavin is very popular like Fliss. Sarh and Fliss start to drift apart and Sarah is jealous that Fliss is popular. Fliss friend has a cat who looks exactly like Raya who is evil. Loria gets cursed and doesn't remember raya............

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this and the first one quicker than a lot of other books because they both pulled me into the story and made me want to keep reading a lot. I liked that this was had a little more romance in it, which made me blush and feel giddy as well as the characters. I will say at the beginning I was a little disappointed because the story of what happened between the two books seemed more interesting that the after in that there was a battle and the reveal to the kingdom that the princesses are twins, but the story surrounding the academy was still entertaining. I really hope the series will continue because I want to see more of their adventures.

[Meredith Spidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun, engaging series with some cool new heroines. My 3rd-grade daughter is enjoying reading, and I love that it captures her attention! Thanks for sending a copy for review our way, Disney Books!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do really like the story. The writing could use some editing (it isn’t fun to read “X said” multiple times in a row). And I feel there was a missed opportunity to discuss the attitudes expressed in Amala’s book.

[Cecily Rehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flissa and Sara are going to a Maldevon Academy to learn about magic and there powers. Flissa has made friends and is playing a sport called hoddle hoop. On the other hand the Sara and some untwisteds find out that some strange things are happening. Will they find out before it's to late.

[C Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, was just as exciting as the first one-read ir just as quickly. Seems like the last one in the series and that makes me sad. I sent the first one to my niece, she read it, her mom (my sister) read it and I will be sending this one. Magically relevant.

[Perla Raiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who ever thought you could go to a school with talking animals and people who can do magic??? Not me. But reading this book really makes you believe that magic is real, and that even though you may be having a rough time with someone close with you, you can always sort it out. 100% recommend.

[Laura Sanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful tale of sisters, growing up and magic! So much fun!

[Carol Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. I will be looking for more

[ikallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it . From being the same person to showing themselves to the world. Honestly there was something missing for me but IDK what it wad¯\_(ツ)_/¯ otherwise good book (●’◡’●)ﾉ

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome my fav book ever,

[Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ending

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely marvelous.

[McKenna Brantley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book-just like the first one- was action packed, had relatable characters, and had an AMAZING PLOT TWIST. You need to read both books in this series.

[Jucette Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gud stoof

[Alex Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was great, I like that Sara and flissa worked together and it's really fun to read

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author Elise Allen extends character development across both book which makes it interesting at first. In UnTwisted, Flissa and Sara, the twins, try to understand their individualities by being in center stage and their sisterly bond fractures. I think them attending school allowed them to become more curious because before that they didn't have to wonder as much not until their parents had to leave to protect their kingdom which left them in charge as mentioned in the prologue. I really like the character Kaloon, they were continuously progressing from the Magic Eradication Act to the Magical Unification Act, and the problems of both all-or-nothing orders. I believe if I read the first book the rating may have gone higher but I personally felt that most of the characters just had personal problems so it was more repetitive of everyone trying to find solutions to their own personal needs.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom! look at my private notes!

[Alexallen8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was the best book I've ever read, better than the first, but I like the first book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, is a brilliantly told story full of magic, new schools, and sisters. This is the perfect sequel to Twinchantment.