The Twistrose Key - Book Review

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When a mysterious package arrives at Lin Rosenquist's doorstep, she just knows that it is for her. The package is not addressed to anyone. It bears only one word on the front: Twistrose. Inside the package is a key that Lin uses to gain access to the cellar underneath her parents' house. But the key also transports Lin from the cellar into the world of Sylver, a snowy land where all the inhabitants were once either beloved pets or tamed wild animals. It is here that Lin is reunited with her pet mouse Rufus.

But there is no time for rehashing old memories because Rufus has news: a Winter Prince has gone missing, and Lin is the human child chosen to find the prince and save Sylver from destruction. But she faces many obstacles. There are some creatures in Sylver who are not to be trusted.

I thought this book had a lot of potential, something on par with C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. But it took me awhile to get into the book, and once I started liking it, I'd turn the page and not like it anymore. I think the thing is that The Chronicles of Narnia told a story over several books whereas author Tone Almhiell's The Twistrose Key packs it all into one and there's a bit too much going on.

There were many times that I was confused about who this character was and where this place was and just what the heck was going on. This book is age-graded for kids 10 and up, and while the story is certainly appropriate for that age range, I wonder how many 10-year-olds will be able to follow the story or remain engaged with it to the end.

Maybe, though, I'm not giving enough credit to kids today. Maybe there is something about an adult reading this book that will be totally different from a child reading the book. If you're not sure, I'd check this book out at the library before purchasing.

The Twistrose Key is published by Dial Books for Young Readers and is available to purchase now. I received a free review copy for my honest review.