ONE OF US IS BACK by Karen M. McManus

“‘After all, what’s one more lie?’ Life hasn’t been easy for the Bayview Crew. First they had to prove they weren’t killers. Then a new generation had to outwit a vengeful copycat/ Now, it’s beginning again. At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: ‘Time for a new game, Bayview.’ But when a member of the crew disappears, it’s clear this ‘game’ just got serious – and no one understands the rules. Everyone’s a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things are starting to get deadly ‘Simon was right about secrets – they all come out in the end.’”

What is the book about?

The Bayview Crew are all back in Bayview, together for the summer. A summer they were hoping would be a nice time to all be together before everyone goes off on their own separate ways again – but it seems like whenever the crew are together bad things happen and Bayview is never the boring town they all hoped it would be. After Jake and Simon and Jared, it’s clear that things will always be interesting. At first everything seems fine, but then a random, mysterious phrase appears on a billboard, one that everyone fears is the start of something new – TIME FOR A NEW GAME, BAYVIEW. After some panic, everyone dismisses it as a strange ad or a mistake, but when a member of the crew disappears at a Fourth of July party, and is found mysteriously unharmed with a single word written across their arm, it’s evident that it’s not a coincidence. Then, when someone else disappears and is found dead, it is clear things are escalating and this person isn’t scared of a little blood. Everyone believes the person responsible is someone who created many problems when they were first in Bayview and has somehow managed to crawl their way back to this dreadful town. But everything leads back to revenge and there is someone new who wants to make someone pay for their sins. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I didn’t even hesitate when I saw that Karen M. McManus had written another book and I clicked pre-order before I had even registered what was going on. When it finally arrived I added it to my collection, where it gathered dust for several months before I finally managed to read it once I finished my exams. I was really excited to begin with, to read the final instalment of a series that I really enjoyed by an author whose books I have always enjoyed and I am glad I was not disappointed. I read the blurb and was immediately intrigued to find out what new secrets would come out (because really how many more secrets could there be after the past 2 books) and knew that I would be pleasantly surprised just like all of Karen M. McManus’s books (which I was). I didn’t quite know what would be in store for me because there are always twists that I can never see coming, which is one of the things that made me so excited to read this book because I always love a good surprise. Once I finally opened up the book and started reading, I was delighted to find that I fit into the world of the Bayview Crew as if I had never left and was so quickly sucked into a story that I had left more than 3 years ago. The book had me wrapped in its pages within only a few chapters and I am glad that my initial expectations were correct and that another McManus book didn’t disappoint.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I would have to say that, although I liked many of the characters in One of Us is Back (and there were certainly many to choose from), my favourite character was probably Addy. From all the other characters’ perspectives, Addy was a kind, caring and lovable person, always willing to lend a hand. She was someone they all wanted to protect and be there for, but they didn’t realise that she was one of the strongest of them all. It wasn’t these qualities that made me choose her as my favourite character but actually what I read through her POVs was what convinced me. Whenever something happened and everyone was worried at how she’d deal with it, the only thing on her mind was her friends and making sure they were safe. There was this one particular scene where Addy herself was in trouble and danger, but her only thoughts were that one of her friends was injured and needed help, so instead of sending a message to let people know where she was, she used her only opportunity to type as a way of helping her friend. She was completely selfless and in the situations where she was most likely to break down, she kept going in order to help her friends in whatever way she could. She was so brave and the perfect friend anyone could ask for, I just wish that I could have a friend as good and strong as her.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part (unsurprisingly) was the ending. It was absolutely perfect and I have no comments. I devoured all books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed the ending in all the books; however they felt somewhat incomplete until now. The ending of One of Us is Back felt like a true ending, one where there would be no more mystery in Bayview and finally the characters could be at peace. The best thing about it was the fact that all the characters were together, even if it was only for one brief moment before they all went in different directions. However, I liked that the characters were finally moving on, because after all the terror that they experienced, it was finally their chance at a happy ending. It was a comforting ending and one which I won’t soon forget.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and finished it far too quickly. There were so many things that made this book the perfect ending to this trilogy and one of them was simply the fact that it existed. I didn’t even know that there was going to be a book after One of Us is Next and was truly surprised when I saw it on Amazon. The previous 2 books had had endings that could have easily been the real ending and there was truly no need to continue the story, however, I am glad that McManus did finish the trilogy. One of Us is Back is a book I didn’t know I needed until I finished it, because at that point it was clear that there was no way the series could have been concluded without it. Another thing I really enjoyed was the flashbacks to when Simon and Jake were friends (before the events of One of Us is Lying and before Jake even met Addy or Cooper or anyone else). They really helped me to understand why Simon and Jake did everything they did and how this whole story started. Each of these flashbacks helped to tell the story that nearly no one would have known other than Simon and Jake (and one was unable to tell it and the other unwilling to). It was a gradual unveiling to the true reason why Jake chose to help Simon and risk everything and it helped clear up some questions that I had carried with me for quite a while. One other thing I loved was hearing from a wide range of people. There were several different points of view and that helped me see things through different eyes and get the full story, not just parts of it. Although I was sometimes confused as to whose eyes I was seeing through (even though it literally said it at the beginning of each chapter), I still really enjoyed it and know I will always love books with multiple POVs. This book was amazing and I just can’t believe I’ll never read more about these amazing characters that I learned so much about.

Which is your favourite book in the One of Us is Lying series? (1, 2, or 3)

All three books (One of Us is Lying, One of Us is Next and One of Us is Back) were absolutely amazing and so is everything else Karen M. McManus has written (she is a great author) and if I’m being completely honest, I have forgotten too much of the first 2 books in the trilogy to be able to honestly answer this question. All 3 books were very different and had very different mysteries that had to be solved, however the quality of the writing, and characters, and storyline was consistently amazing in all books. This is why it is so difficult for me to make a decision. However, one thing that makes One of Us is Back stand out to me is that it completed the series and it created a full circle. Everything came back to Simon and secrets in the end and it really emphasised the main message that I think the series was trying to portray: all secrets come out in the end. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, drama and thrillers. I enjoyed it so much and it is perfect for over 14s who love mysteries where the main characters take over the job of the police and choose to investigate themselves. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The thrilling last instalment to a mystery-filled series you will never forget.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

About Me: I'm Back!

 Hi all, so sorry for the long wait but I have finally finished my exams (or at least I will be done tomorrow once I sit my final A-Level Maths exam). This has been one of the hardest times of my life and I have had to give up so much in order to be able to achieve the grades that I need to make the life I have dreamed of since I can remember a reality. I stopped reading and I stopped watching TV, which were the only 2 things that made my life bearable. I dedicated every moment I could to revising and preparing for what some people say are the biggest exams of your life. These determine my future, where I go to university and what course I am able to do, so I revised between 6-9 hours every school day and nearly 12 hours of weekends, something that, only now I realise, was the most insane thing I could do. This took an extreme toll on my mental and physical health, but now that it is all over I can relax. Now I just have to wait nearly 2 months for the results and hope that I didn't do all of this for nothing. 

Now I hope to release book reviews once a week, starting from next week, and I am just so excited to start reading again. I know that many are unfamiliar with the love of reading that I possess, however my goal is to try to convince as many of you as possible to pick up a book and finally embrace the magic that they contain. Books transform you and teleport you to worlds that will never appear on a real map or on a screen, worlds that contain creatures and magic that seems impossible. However, books make anything seem possible and to this day I still believe there is magic in the world because books exists. Books are what made me who I am today. Books are what help me get through the tough days. Books are always there for me and I know they always will be. Even when I feel completely alone, like no one understands me, a book is always there to make me feel like I belong. And that is a feeling everyone deserves. Giving all this up nearly killed me, but now I am back and hopefully for good. 

About Me: Update

Currently I have been studying Law, Economics and Maths and this year I am actually going to sit my A-Level exams. I have been dreading this moment since I started college in September last year, however it still came and a lot quicker than I had expected. Because these exams determine my entire future and whether or not I actually get into university, I have been spending 95% of my life revising and making sure that I am as prepared as I possibly can be when May comes and I have to actually sit the exams. Unfortunately, because my life now revolves around my studies I will not be posting any book reviews until I finish my exams at the end of June because if I continue to read I will always have that as an option that will keep me from properly revising for my exams. To some this may seem ridiculous and excessive but I know that if I continue to read and then my results aren't what I wanted I will feel like it was all my fault and I could have avoided it all by just using the time I spend reading to revise. Now I have my mocks coming up and I need to do as well as I possibly can to prove to myself I can do this. Giving up reading, one of the things that brings me joy and makes existing more bearable, is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and I don't know if I will survive without my one escape. However, I know it will be over soon and once I finish my exams I will have all the time in the world to escape this mundane world and discover a new extraordinary one. 

THEN SHE WAS GONE by Lisa Jewell

“‘She was fifteen, her mother's golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.’ Ten years on, Laurel has never given up hope of finding Ellie. And then she meets a charming and charismatic stranger who sweeps her off her feet. But what really takes her breath away is when she meets his nine-year-old daughter. Because his daughter is the image of Ellie. Now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back. ‘What really happened to Ellie? And who still has secrets to hide?’”

What is the book about?

Ten years ago fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack left her house to go to the library and never came home. She had her whole life ahead of her, was about to do her GCSEs, was predicted the highest grades, and within moments she was gone and no one knows what happened to her. Since her disappearance, her mother Laurel has never given up on finding Ellie, however everyone else appears to have completely forgotten about it and have moved on with their lives. Since that moment, Laurel changed and lost the life she had and the things that made her happy no longer had any effect. However, one day, she unexpectedly meets a charming, charismatic man who appears to be perfect in every way and he slowly starts to bring happiness back into Laurel's life. However, when she meets his nine-year-old daughter, she starts to once again ask the questions that haunted her since Ellie left and never came home. Because his daughter is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age. Something clearly happened that night when Ellie disappeared and all the unanswered questions come flooding back. What happened to Ellie? And what does this young girl who looks just like her have to do with her disappearance? Who still has secrets to hide and what do they have to do with that fateful day 10 years ago?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had never heard of Then She Was Gone or even the author, Lisa Jewell, until my only reader friend (which is who I always get new book recommendations from) sent me a book list of suggestions of what I could get her for Christmas and Lisa Jewell’s The Family Upstairs was on it. In order to decide which book to get her I did what I usually do, which is to search all the books up and pick the one that I like best for myself (as I know I will be able to borrow it from her rather than buy it again), so I read the blurb of this other book by the same author as Then She Was Gone and was immediately in love. As a result, I spent around an hour searching through Amazon and adding all the books I could find by Lisa Jewell and then I put them all on my own list for Christmas and the one I got was Then She Was Gone. The blurb left me completely shocked with more questions than I ever thought were possible and even a few theories that I had started puzzling out before even opening the book. Once I opened the book I completely forgot I was reading and within what felt like seconds I had finished the book in tears. I had known from the second I read the blurb that this book was going to be one of the best mysteries I had ever read and I have never found that my initial thoughts have been more right than they were for this book. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Ellie because of how she dealt with what happened to her and how much I feel for her and everything she lost. I can’t really explain much because I don’t want to ruin the whole mystery but what Ellie went through was something that no one should ever have to experience, let alone a fifteen-year-old girl. However, despite the fact that she had gone through all of that she never lost the qualities that had made her the golden girl, the perfect daughter, the one who brought light into her family’s lives. Through the flashbacks to her experience, I got to read Ellie’s thoughts and she barely thought about losing hope and never gave up and became depressed as one would in her situation. She stayed strong, brave and brilliant (which was made clear in the epilogue, which made me cry so much) and she thought of her family and how much she loved them every moment of the day. Ellie’s attitude was admirable and it was only made more impressive when I thought of everything she lost because of what happened. She had had her whole life ahead of her and I know that she would have had the most promising future ever, but she didn’t get any of that and that completely breaks my heart. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in that situation and though I hope that nothing like that ever happens to me but I would like to believe that I would be strong enough to be like Ellie and not lose myself in the process. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was 100% the ending because it was the most beautiful ending in the world. The story and everything that Ellie and Laurel and everyone else went through was completely devastating, however the ending helped make everything beautiful again. The main part of the book follows Laurel and how much her life was completely changed when her youngest daughter disappeared. Her family was pulled apart because of the tragedy that happened to them and as a result they lost any connection they used to have. The book follows Laurel as she tried to put her family back together and prevent them from losing complete contact with each other. In the end all she needed to do was uncover the mystery and stop punishing herself and her family for what happened to Ellie. The book ending shows a complete circle where Laurel finds herself in the same position she was before the tragic day when her daughter never came home and the beauty of it is that the family found themselves reunited because of Ellie once again. I love when books are circular and every piece makes sense once again. This book was absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to read another one by this author.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Then She Was Gone was the most heart-breaking and devastating yet completely amazing book I have ever read and there was absolutely nothing that I would change about it. One of the things that I really loved about the book were the flashbacks to Ellie’s life after the disappearance and also another person’s life at that time as well (if you read the book you will understand why I can’t tell you their name). While we were being told Laurel’s story and trying to help her solve the mystery of her daughter’s disappearance, we also heard from these characters’ points of view which helped tell the story of what happened to Ellie. These flashbacks really helped because in reality only person knew the truth about what had happened and that person wasn’t present in Laurel’s story so without having these flashbacks I would never have known the truth. I also really loved them because flashbacks are something that I always enjoy because of the little glimpses to the past that they give you and the deeper understanding they help you develop. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the story and the writing in general. This story was one of the most shocking, heart-breaking and disturbing stories I have ever read and there was a strong chance of everything going wrong with the book and it being too devastating and dark to be able to be read. However, Lisa Jewell used some incredible writing to turn this dark story into a masterpiece that left me in tears every few chapters and left me wanting to go back in time just so that I could read the story once again for the first time. I cried so much reading this book and felt so much for these characters and their tragic story. This book did its job – it made me feel something – and I will never forget reading it. One last thing I would like to mention that I really liked about the book was the way that I was slowly able to piece the mystery together. Before I had even started reading I had a general theory and overall I was sort of right, however as the book moved along I was able to adapt my theory. It was a slow-burn mystery that was uncovered piece by piece and each time a new piece of information came to light I adapted my theory and had a clear idea in my mind of what I knew to be true and the possibilities of what could have happened afterwards. In the end I knew the whole story and was shocked by it but the gradual understanding made the book even more interesting and impossible to put down. This is a story that will haunt me forever and I will never stop recommending because this experience is one which I believe everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. Then She Was Gone was one of the most amazing books I have ever read and as soon as I finished reading it I went and bought every other book by Lisa Jewell that I could get my hands on and I can’t wait to have my heart crushed once again. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000000% recommend you go and read this book right this very second as it is a completely incredible novel filled with suspense and mystery. It is devastating, dark and amazingly well-written and I know that anyone who picks it up won't be able to put it down. However, I think it's best for those over 17 as there is some strong language, violence and it can be deeply disturbing.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A dark, devastating and disturbing thriller that will leave you in tears and completely shocked.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins

“‘Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price.’ It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmanoeuvre his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the area it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute…and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.”

What is the book about?

After the districts rebelled against the Capitol and lost the war, the Capitol started the Hunger Games, an annual competition where a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18 picked at random from each of the 12 districts would fight to the death in an arena until a sole victor remained. However, the Hunger Games is not having the impact the creators were expecting and in order to increase the interests of the public each tribute in the tenth Hunger Games will have a mentor, who will be one of the top students from the Academy. Coriolanus Snow is one of the mentors and his only goal is to do everything in his power to beat the other 23 mentors and end up with the winning tribute because, since the war left his family with nothing, he has no other way to get the money he needs to go to university and make a name for himself, possibly even become the president. However, when he is given the most humiliating position as the mentor for the female tribute from District 12, he believes there is no hope for him until he finally sees the girl on screen and realises that Lucy Gray Baird may still win him a money prize. Their fates are now intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes outside the arena will determine Lucy Gray’s chance of survival and his own academic future and every move Lucy Gray makes inside the area could lead to her own death and determine Coriolanus’s chance at a real future. Coriolanus must do everything he can to help himself and his tribute, but how far is he willing to go to win and is he willing to give up his integrity and need to follow the rules in order to do so?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I honestly had completely forgotten I had bought the book and had it on my kindle for at least a couple of years and I think it would have remained unread for another couple of years if I hadn’t had seen it on my friend’s bookshelf and been reminded of the fact that I still hadn’t read it. This still wasn’t enough to get me to read it as I got home and once again forgot about it, but when I found out the movie was in cinemas I was desperate to start reading it so I could watch the movie (as there is no way I ever watch a movie before reading the book). Once I made up my mind that I would read the book I was so excited to start reading it as I had loved reading the Hunger Games trilogy and was so excited to read the prequel and find out what led President Snow to become the tyrant leader Katniss was determined to destroy. Reading the blurb only fuelled my interest in the book as I grew even more intrigued by the development Hunger Games and the mentoring by students that I hadn’t seen in the original trilogy. However, when I started to read I found The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was not nearly as interesting and well-written as the main series books were, which may be due to the 10 year gap between the publication of this prequel and Mockingjay (the third and final book in the trilogy) and also the trilogy was in the first person (in Katniss’s point of view) and the prequel is written in the third person, making it more difficult to really understand Coriolanus and really get involved in the story as it felt less personal and more like watching from the side-lines. But, after the first several chapters, when there started to be more violent and dramatic events taking place in the book, things started to get more interesting and the book as easier to read. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character would probably have to be Sejanus because of how much I admired his actions. He certainly wasn’t perfect and a lot of the time I thought he was a gullible idiot who didn’t know what he wasn’t doing. His actions destroyed his future and the whole time he thought that Snow was his best friend, he was really alone. However, despite these flaws (which were really just things that we are all guilty of doing from time to time) he was really brave and was willing to stand up to the Capitol when no one else would. He did and said things that no one else would ever even think of doing and definitely not for the reasons he did it. He never wanted anything more than to get them to stop torturing the districts and to get to go back home to District Two and the fact that he never got to do that broke my heart. I admired him throughout the whole book and will always hate Snow for not seeing how much Sejanus needed him and how much he needed Sejanus. If he had never done what he did to Sejanus maybe he would have seen that some things are more important than power and money, however he never trusted Sejanus who only ever wanted to help and that was his biggest mistake. Sejanus was the first person to speak his mind to the people in charge of the Hunger Games and he never even though about the repercussions because he just wanted them to know what they were doing was monstrous and because of that I will always admire him and his courage. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I didn’t really have a favourite part of the book as the whole book kind of blurred into one and wasn’t the easiest thing to read. But I will say (mainly to fill in this space) that I did like a lot of the parts where Sejanus did something stupid and rebellious because it showed me that not everyone living in the Capitol was corrupt, only thinking about power and how to get more money. I always thought about how idiotic it was for him to do some of the things he did because, if the Capitol was willing to kill 24 innocent children every year, they wouldn’t even blink an eye at ordering him to be killed for his rebel sympathising acts. However I also admired him deeply because he was willing to do what no one else would, to speak out when no one else would and to show these people that what they were doing was wrong. They may not have listened to him and it may have taken them another 65 years to change but things will never change unless we let people know we aren’t happy with them as they are and are willing to do something about it, which is what Sejanus was willing to do. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I found that the book was a bit of a disappointment and wasn’t nearly as good as I was expecting, however it was still rather interesting and I enjoyed learning more about Snow and how he became the villain of the trilogy. One thing I enjoyed about the book was the fact that I got to read about Snow’s story and learn how he ended up becoming the tyrannical president Katniss was so intent on defying in the trilogy. He was truly evil – I read the books and there is no point trying to argue in his defence – however, evil is made not born and I was always interested in finding out Snow’s story and discovering why he because the psychotic man I was familiar with. Reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes helped me understand him a bit and how his fear of becoming insignificant and not living up to the Snow family name led him to believe that the only way out was to betray those closest to him. He went crazy for power, which can happen to any one of us, and he let that ambition drive him away from the love, friendship, loyalty and integrity he had been so proud of at the start of the book. He was just 18 – barely an adult – and yet he was expected to do so much and he let himself become corrupt and as a result he lost everything that made him good. I loved seeing this and, though I may feel sorry for the guy, I know that what he did can never be forgiven. Another thing that I liked about this book was seeing the development of the Hunger Games. I found it so interesting that the extravagant spectacle that I had read about in the trilogy and saw on the TV through the movies started out as 24 tributes fighting for their lives in a dirty, collapsed arena in the Capitol, barely being fed and not being treated as well as Katniss and Peeta were for their games. Right at the end of the book you see how Snow was the one to propose several of the changes to the games that we saw in the other books, such as Victor’s Village, the series of grand houses saved for the victors and their families. The fact that someone so young could suggest something to make people more willing to be involved in the killing of young children is just shocking and when I found out that the Hunger Games were initially suggested (not really intentionally)  by another young man horrified me. It was so intriguing and disgusting to see young people willingly suggesting ways to torture children just because they come from the districts who rebelled many years before. Although all of this was very interesting and I did like this information, I didn’t think the book lived up to my expectations. I loved reading The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay and found them so easy to read and I had been expecting the same for the prequel however it took me far too long to get into the book and I never fully did because it was nowhere near as good as I thought it would have been. Maybe it was the years between the books, or the change in perspective or the new characters but I was very disappointed in Suzanne Collins writing and really expected more from her. It felt like the book really dragged on (which it kind of did as it was rather long), however I do understand that there was a lot that needed to be covered, though it could have been done in a more interesting manner. The writing could have been much better, however I did like learning about Snow and I know that if I got a chance to go back in time and pick up the book for the first time again I would probably make the same decision (though I definitely won’t be reading the book a second time).

Would you recommend this book?  

If you enjoyed reading the Hunger Games trilogy, I definitely recommend reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as it is a good book that gives you a detailed addition to the events that led to Katniss winning the 74th Hunger Games and leading the rebellion. However, on its own it isn’t the best book and, although I think anyone over 14 who loves dystopian fiction, action and adventure will enjoy it, I wouldn’t recommend reading it unless you are willing to stick through the more difficult moments. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An interesting addition to the world of Panem and the Hunger Games, full of love, friendship and betrayal, 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

CURSED CROWNS by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

“‘Two queens. One curse.’ Twin queens Rose and Wren sit together on the throne of Eana. But as Rose plans a Royal Tour of the kingdom, rebellious Wren sneaks off to the icy real of Gevra, where King Alarik offers Wren a deadly magical bargain in exchange for their grandmother’s freedom. Rose finds herself drawn to the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom. But as an ancient curse rises from the darkness, Rose and Wren must come together and unite the crown. The future of Eana depends on it. ‘Break the ice to free the curse, Kill one twin to save another…’”

What is the book about?

After the events that took place at Rose’s wedding to the price of Gevra, Ansel, Rose and Wren, now ruling as twin queens, thought that the kingdom of Eana would finally be peaceful and safe for both the witches and their citizens. However, it seems that not everyone is pleased to have two witches as queens and will stop at nothing to get them off the throne. Not only that but King Alarik of Gevra holds Rose and Wren’s grandmother in his palace and doesn’t appear keen to negotiate giving her back. In order to secure their throne and calm the fast approaching rebellion, Rose organises a Royal Tour of the kingdom to show that both her and her sister want peace and are not dangerous. However, Wren has other plans and sneaks out of the palace to make her way to her grandmother all the way across the Sunless Sea in the icy real of Gevra. There she makes a deadly deal to perform some impossible magic for Alarik, but she will do anything to help her grandmother. Meanwhile, Rose’s tour doesn’t go to plan and she finds herself searching for the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom in the middle of her desert. After all of this, an ancient curse is also rising and Rose and Wren must come together to save their kingdom and throne, or it may all be destroyed.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Twin Crowns was an absolutely amazing book and as soon as I finished I immediately begged my friend if I could borrow the second book, Cursed Crowns, which she happily brought to me despite having not read it, which is why I took ridiculously good care of the book and didn’t even leave a single mark on the spine. The ending of Twin Crowns had left me with many questions and I knew that I needed to get answers so, as soon as I got my hands on the next book, I began to read. Even from the first few pages I could tell I was going to absolutely adore reading Cursed Crowns and was sucked back into the kingdom of Eana from the very first chapter. I was honestly shocked at how easily I jumped back into the story and that it took me no time at all to forget the world around me and just become one with the book. Soon I found myself nearing the end and the cliff-hanger that was waiting for me made me wish that the third book wasn’t months away from being released (honestly how could I be stupid enough to start reading an unfinished series, no matter how amazing it is!). 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely one of the twins; however I don’t know which one I liked best because they each bring out the best in each other. In the last book, my choice for favourite character was Wren because Rose was too spoilt and whiny for my taste and I also thought that she was the one who would ruin everything if she ended up on the throne. However, this time I could see that Rose was not as bad as I had initially seen her and that with Wren she was at her strongest. I loved Rose because she was calm and calculated and knew how to be a peaceful and merciful queen. She always knew what to do in a situation, however she also had her flaws and the main one was that she didn’t always have the courage to do certain things because she didn’t think it was proper or she was too scared. In contrast, Wren had all the bravery and courage in the world and was more than capable of getting what she wanted. However, she wasn’t the best at thinking through her decisions and often let her temper and desire for revenge lead her. So the twins each had their flaws, however together they taught each other to fix those flaws and Rose became braver and Wren became calmer because they had each other. This time I clearly don’t have a favourite because they are better together.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book would probably have to be when Wren finally kisses her second love interest. I know that there were a lot of more interesting parts of the book and this wasn’t the most action-packed or exciting part for most people, however it was for me. From the moment Wren entered the palace in Gevra and found herself face to face with this character I knew there was something there and as they slowly started to get to know each other and see more of each other I was sure, however until the moment the kissed I had been worried that I had been mistaken and the feeling I felt radiate off the page had been a figment of my imagination (which it technically was either way). I loved seeing how they acted around each other and how they subtly flirted. Although everything they did was to annoy each other, I could clearly tell that there was something more. They were both so similar in the way they sought revenge and cared more about family than anything else, however they were so blinded by their hatred for each other that I don’t think either of them even considered that what they were feeling wasn’t hate but actually love. I hope in the second book Wren gets to see more of her new lover and I honestly don’t know how she will choose between him and Tor because I don’t even know which one I prefer. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Cursed Crowns was an incredible book and I loved reading it so much that I honestly can’t bring myself to regret starting this series before it was finished being written. One thing that I loved about the book was the amazing plot and how every time I picked up the book I forgot all my problems and just lived in another world much more magical than my own. I don’t know what I was expecting when I started to read the book but it certainly wasn’t a plot so perfect that I could believe that everything that was happening was true and not part of my own imagination. It was clear that this whole series was perfectly thought out and it wasn’t one book and then the next, it was all one beautifully written and flowing story. Most sequels and second books in trilogies aren’t the best and usually there isn’t enough of the plot to fill it. However, Cursed Crowns was nothing like that and I swear so much happened that I feel like months passed rather than a couple of weeks. I was fully immersed in the plot and loved that I saw none of it coming, especially not the plot twist near the end. I love books that make me forget that I’m reading and this book was definitely one of those and one of the books that I read late at night and because of how invested I was in it I found myself losing sleep just to finish a couple more chapters. Another thing that I loved about the book was the introduction of a new romantic interest for Wren. I was seriously waiting for the love triangle that I knew there had to be for it to me a young adult fiction book and here it was. However what I loved about it was that I actually found myself rooting for both couples and right now if anyone asked me which couple I shipped more I wouldn’t be able to tell them anything because they were both perfect love interests. I just can’t wait to read the next book and see which guy Wren chooses, thought I don’t know how she could possibly make that decision. Also, can we just stop for a moment to admire how beautiful the front cover of the book is? I thought that Twin Crowns had a gorgeous cover but this actually tops it. The colours are just incredible and the fact that the twins are identical and yet so different in their style and the fact that I can clearly tell which one is Rose and which is Wren shows how much thought has been put into this. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

My favourite book so far has definitely got to be Cursed Crowns, although Twin Crowns was also a great book. I think the main reason I preferred the sequel over the first book was because the plot was a lot more packed and there was so much more happening in this book than in Twin Crowns. In the first book it was less action and more of just setting the story and answering questions about the twins past while also watching Wren live as her twin, terrified that she would be found out. In contrast, Cursed Crowns had two action-packed storylines, one with Rose, the Sunkissed Kingdom and the rebellion and another with Wren, Alarik, her grandmother and the forbidden magic she was being forced to use. I can’t believe that on top of all that there was also a major plot twist that set the whole tone for the third book. Another reason that I liked Cursed Crowns more than Twin Crowns was because I got to learn a lot more about Gevra and the King It really made me see him in a new light and I know that it made Wren do the same. I honestly can’t wait to read Burning Crowns and I hope that it’s even better than the previous two books, though I don’t know if that’s possible. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I 10000000% recommend that everyone reads this book right away, although it is important to read Twin Crowns before. It was perfect and I believe any reader over 15 who loved romance, fantasy and adventure will absolutely love this one. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An action-packed, magical adventure with plot twists, romance and discoveries that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

TWIN CROWNS by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

“‘Two sisters. One crown.’ Princess Rose Valhart is heir to the throne of Eana. Rained from birth to fear the witches that killed her parents, she will do anything to defend her kingdom. Stolen from the palace at birth, Wren Greenrock is the secret sister no one knows about. She plots to usurp the princess in order to protect the witches of Ortha who raised her. In the battle for the crown of Eana, where will you allegiances lie?”

What is the book about?

Almost 18 years ago, the King and Queen of Eana were killed by one of the people closest to them only minutes after their twin daughters were born. To save them from their parents’ ruthless killer, one of them was taken from the palace, while the other was left to live a sheltered life in the palace. Princess Rose Valhart was the one who was left behind. She grew up in the palace believing all the lies she was told about the witches being the dangerous ones, the ones who needed to be destroyed, and the ones who killed her parents. She was raised to believe that her destiny was to become Queen and to rule a world free of witches and the fear that followed them. However, one night all of that is stolen from her as her sister Wren sneaks in the palace and steals her identity, leaving Rose surrounded by the witches that raised her twin. Wren Greenrock, a skilled enchantress, was raised by the witches of Ortha and was told the truth about her parents and the way the witches were treated years ago. She was also raised to believe that her destiny was to take the throne and become the witch queen Eana needed. But there is only one throne and 2 sisters, who believe they deserve the throne more than the other…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Before my friend introduced me to the book and forced me to take it home and read it, I had no idea Twin Crowns even existed. However, as soon as my friend, who normally likes the same sort of books that I like, told me that she loved the book and she really wanted me to read it because she thought I would also like it, I knew I had to read it because I trust her opinion completely and she had introduced me to many books that have become strong favourites of mine. I had absolutely no idea what the book was about when I started reading, but, after admiring the cover and title for many weeks, when I finally read the blurb I knew Twin Crowns was exactly the kind of book I love to read. The blurb made me so excited and intrigued as I was thirsting to find out more about the twin sisters and what would happen to their throne. Once I started to read, I immediately knew that my friend had been correct as I grew to love the book after reading only a couple pages. The book begun with the perfect scene that left me with many questions and allowed me to quickly jump into the book and forget I was reading. The ease with which I fell into the book highlighted just how amazing the book would be and I was soon finishing the story wanting to start the next book and continue the adventure. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

At the start, I thought choosing my favourite character would be a breeze, however, after some incredible character development, I wasn’t so sure anymore. I would probably have to say that my favourite character was probably Wren; however I really liked the change in Rose near the end of the book. To me, Wren was the more adventurous sister, the rebellious, reckless one, who wasn’t afraid of anything, especially not a challenge. I loved how she managed to sneak into the palace undetected and live under a stolen identity for such a long time, while also managing to snoop around the palace and discover different things. I really admired the way she used her magic and her fighting skills to her advantage and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to do what needed to be done to protect herself and her family, even if that meant resorting to violence. I think the main reason I preferred her to Rose was because she had experienced life and knew the truth and wasn’t afraid to fight for justice. However, once Rose spent some time with the witches and learnt that she had been lied to her whole life, I began to see that, although she was the calmer, more democratic and calculating sister, she wasn’t too different from Wren in the way that she would also do anything to get what she wanted (though she did choose to stop at violence). I think I also chose Wren over Rose because at the start I was fully supportive of Wren as Queen of Eana and thought that Rose would ruin everything and lead to the destruction of the witches, but in the end Rose and Wren had the same vision and I was happy with who ended up on the throne. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book would probably have to be the ending for several different reasons. The main reason I really loved the ending of the book was because it made the most sense and meant that no sister was left on the side lines. Wren and Rose were both so different and brought different skills to the table, however on their own their strengths weren’t as powerful and they may not have been able to achieve what they meant to. However, together they were as strong as possible and I know that they will do wonders in the next book as they work together and each highlight the others admirable qualities because, no matter how different they seem, something they share alongside their physical features is the fact that neither of them is willing to give up what they want and they will do anything to get it. Another reason I liked this part of the book was because I finally got answers to the biggest question I had, one which had been plaguing me since the moment it was mentioned. This made me so happy because I hate being left with questions as I am rather impatient, so when I found out the truth I was overjoyed and filled with relief as I wouldn’t be left wondering for another whole book. The ending was great and it left me desperate to start the next book, yearning for more answers. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Twin Crowns was an absolutely incredible book and there was nothing I would have changed about it. One thing that I loved about the book was its fast pace, which made it so easy for me to read it and forget that the world I was in was one only present in my imagination. It was so surprising that so much was able to happen in a book that was only 500 pages long and the speed of the plot and how enjoyable the plot was helped me read the book in only a couple of days. I found this book was impossible to put down as there was always something new that I just had to get answers about and everything went so fast that I was concerned I would miss something if I put the book down. The shirt chapters also contributed to my fast reading as I always find a book with short chapters easier to read than one with long ones. Another thing that I really liked about the book was the romance and love interests. Due to the fact that there were 2 main characters and that each was as important as the other, there were also 2 love interests and 2 love stories and somehow the authors managed to make both ridiculously easy to fall for. How can it be that 2 characters can be so well written that I find myself falling for their charms? Not only that but I was also rooting for both couple with ease and knew that they would be perfect for each other. I also loved that the romances were different for each sister and that there was no love triangle (which can be really annoying if not written properly). One other thing that I really liked about the book was that the story was so easy to follow and as more secrets were revealed it grew easier to understand the plot. The plot was so well written and the description of the characters and locations was so good that this was one of the reasons for which I found it so easy to forget that I was reading and I was able to connect with the characters, which were also very well written. Twin Crowns was amazing and I just can’t wait to see what the next book brings. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend reading Twin Crowns. I believe it is the perfect book for readers over 15 who have a love for fantasy, romance and adventure. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A story dripping with romance, adventure and secrets that will keep you totally bewitched from start to finish.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego