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scatz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
I enjoyed the book it was mysterious and dark and I liked how it followed the gods and the fates. And even though it was was integral to the book I still didn't understand why she would let a stranger back into the house that just felt wrong to me
pewterwolf's review against another edition
2.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
***eProof given by publisher, Hot Key Books, in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I borrowed and listened to audiobook from local library via BorrowBox***
This might be my last review/write-up of 2019! It depends how fast I can finish my current read (unless I finish it prior to this weekend). Anyway, back story. I went the to the Hot Key Blogger Launch to The Twisted Tree earlier this year at the publisher and we were all intrigued by this. A ghost story with hints of Norse mythology? Sign me up!
But I kept putting this off. So, in the end, when I saw the audiobook version on the BorrowBox app (in connection with Essex Libraries), I requested it and listened to this over the course of several days at work.
Ever since the accident, Martha can sense things. She can tell things about a person by touching their clothes. Their emotions, memories, regrets, all soaked into the fabric. Trying to come to terms with this new, unsettling gift and how the accident left her blind in one eye, Martha goes to her grandmother - Mormor - house in Norway. But when she gets there, she finds that her Mormor is dead and a runaway is living in her cabin. Not only that but something is outside the cabin, waiting… and all the while, the Twisted Tree is watching. Watching and waiting…
Oh boy… ok, this is going to be hard to write as I had such high hopes for this. I want a ghost story that creeps me out and put me on edge. I was ready for it!
And yet…
And yet, it never quite worked for me. Which means I’m in the minority as nearly everyone I know who has read this really enjoyed it.
And, here’s the thing. I can see why. I can see the potential this book has. The writing is good, the idea is good and how everything links together is good. And yet… and yet, I kept thinking “This isn’t sticking the landing. It’s not quite there for me.”
Plus, there were things I went “Huh?” and hugely dislike. I disliked how fast the relationship between Martha and the runaway she met, Stig, develops. It was rushed and I kept going “You only just met him and he broke into your dead grandmother’s house! And now… now, you’re cooking him dinner and trusting him with your life!?” I dislike the one/two occasion I felt that Martha being blind in one eye was a plot device rather than an issue or trauma she has to overcome.
And the concept of ghost story and Norse myths. Oh, I wish I knew what it was. Because there were ghostly elements I liked, but once these elements were removed and it became norse mythology explantation, it lost it. The story lost that edge of spooky.
I can see the author can write, and I am willing to reading something else by her, but this… the idea had potential, but the execution didn’t live up to what I hope it would be. But, I know that a ton of people have read and enjoyed it, so if you want to read this, go for it and I hope you enjoy it!
***eProof given by publisher, Hot Key Books, in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I borrowed and listened to audiobook from local library via BorrowBox***
This might be my last review/write-up of 2019! It depends how fast I can finish my current read (unless I finish it prior to this weekend). Anyway, back story. I went the to the Hot Key Blogger Launch to The Twisted Tree earlier this year at the publisher and we were all intrigued by this. A ghost story with hints of Norse mythology? Sign me up!
But I kept putting this off. So, in the end, when I saw the audiobook version on the BorrowBox app (in connection with Essex Libraries), I requested it and listened to this over the course of several days at work.
Ever since the accident, Martha can sense things. She can tell things about a person by touching their clothes. Their emotions, memories, regrets, all soaked into the fabric. Trying to come to terms with this new, unsettling gift and how the accident left her blind in one eye, Martha goes to her grandmother - Mormor - house in Norway. But when she gets there, she finds that her Mormor is dead and a runaway is living in her cabin. Not only that but something is outside the cabin, waiting… and all the while, the Twisted Tree is watching. Watching and waiting…
Oh boy… ok, this is going to be hard to write as I had such high hopes for this. I want a ghost story that creeps me out and put me on edge. I was ready for it!
And yet…
And yet, it never quite worked for me. Which means I’m in the minority as nearly everyone I know who has read this really enjoyed it.
And, here’s the thing. I can see why. I can see the potential this book has. The writing is good, the idea is good and how everything links together is good. And yet… and yet, I kept thinking “This isn’t sticking the landing. It’s not quite there for me.”
Plus, there were things I went “Huh?” and hugely dislike. I disliked how fast the relationship between Martha and the runaway she met, Stig, develops. It was rushed and I kept going “You only just met him and he broke into your dead grandmother’s house! And now… now, you’re cooking him dinner and trusting him with your life!?” I dislike the one/two occasion I felt that Martha being blind in one eye was a plot device rather than an issue or trauma she has to overcome.
And the concept of ghost story and Norse myths. Oh, I wish I knew what it was. Because there were ghostly elements I liked, but once these elements were removed and it became norse mythology explantation, it lost it. The story lost that edge of spooky.
I can see the author can write, and I am willing to reading something else by her, but this… the idea had potential, but the execution didn’t live up to what I hope it would be. But, I know that a ton of people have read and enjoyed it, so if you want to read this, go for it and I hope you enjoy it!
jenniferreadshorror's review against another edition
4.0
It's chilly outside, and there's also something else lurking around.
This is a cute YA read that has nods to the supernatural and Nordic mythology/folklore.
Martha has the ability to read people through their clothing. As she has gone to see her grandmother in Norway, the scene of a new place and her cabin in the woods set the story up for creepy moments. Finding her Grandmothers diary’s and understanding more of her past gives her story room to grow. It’s an overall quick read, and the atmosphere is wintery with a spooky chill. There are also some spooky moments and romance in the end.
This is a cute YA read that has nods to the supernatural and Nordic mythology/folklore.
Martha has the ability to read people through their clothing. As she has gone to see her grandmother in Norway, the scene of a new place and her cabin in the woods set the story up for creepy moments. Finding her Grandmothers diary’s and understanding more of her past gives her story room to grow. It’s an overall quick read, and the atmosphere is wintery with a spooky chill. There are also some spooky moments and romance in the end.
tien's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.75
A fairly short novel but fairly interesting with all the twists and turns. I didn't find it that creepy just now but I'll come back and let you know tomorrow morning if I felt creeped out later tonight when we've turned off all the lights and all the household is asleep!
The story is centred on this very old tree in our protagonist's [Martha] mormor's (Norwegian for grandmother) garden and what the tree means to the world and Martha's family. This novel has an interesting mix of ghosts, other scary paranormal creatures, witchy-ness, gods and goddess and all within the Norwegian mythology. As the weather is cool today, I had a lovely time curled up under my [safety] blanket while vicariously living through Martha facing her fears.
Unfortunately, I'm left with questions so I'm not quite happy but maybe they'll be answered in the sequel.
The story is centred on this very old tree in our protagonist's [Martha] mormor's (Norwegian for grandmother) garden and what the tree means to the world and Martha's family. This novel has an interesting mix of ghosts, other scary paranormal creatures, witchy-ness, gods and goddess and all within the Norwegian mythology. As the weather is cool today, I had a lovely time curled up under my [safety] blanket while vicariously living through Martha facing her fears.
Unfortunately, I'm left with questions so I'm not quite happy but maybe they'll be answered in the sequel.
celinepien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
forestsapphicc1's review against another edition
Couldn't connect with the writing style
marikaris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
last_girl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bailie2024's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
This was an okay read. I was completely blown away by it but it was nice to read something focused on Norse mythology.
I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and the book would have benefited from being a couple of pages longer. There was also some questions that weren’t answered although I’m confused about if the author planned it that way.
Overall a delightful read.
This was an okay read. I was completely blown away by it but it was nice to read something focused on Norse mythology.
I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and the book would have benefited from being a couple of pages longer. There was also some questions that weren’t answered although I’m confused about if the author planned it that way.
Overall a delightful read.