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msduke's review against another edition
5.0
Ok. I finished this a bit ago, but I've been ruminating (which is so similar to marinating, I like that) on my thoughts for awhile. Disclaimer: I am a major Anne Ursu fan, and I have been to every book launch of hers for MG, except for Lost Girl. *shakes fist at snow days*
I am not a writer. And as such, I have no idea how to articulate the feels I have about this book. Feelings isn't right. Feels is the only word I can come up with. I loved the characters in this book more than I can say.
Lark - the silent, completely undervalued heroine. Yaaaas. So much yes.
Iris - a hero complex, but in such a way that you genuinely love her, and your biggest desire is for her to fail, in order to learn that sometimes being strong means accepting help (this is totally my issue, ask my bestie about the can of pineapple sometime...)
George - deliciously who he is.
Awesome Girls - OH YES. Just when I was getting frustrated with Iris's need to DO everything, they showed up. In a severely awesome way.
Abigail - something about her shouting out "GRETEL!" made me laugh hysterically, and I loved that she stuck to her fairytale guns, because fairytales can be immensely empowering.
Ursu once again hits it out of the park. If this book doesn't get shortlisted for the National Book Award, and ideally, win it, I will forever question the intellect of the selection committee.
I am not a writer. And as such, I have no idea how to articulate the feels I have about this book. Feelings isn't right. Feels is the only word I can come up with. I loved the characters in this book more than I can say.
Lark - the silent, completely undervalued heroine. Yaaaas. So much yes.
Iris - a hero complex, but in such a way that you genuinely love her, and your biggest desire is for her to fail, in order to learn that sometimes being strong means accepting help (this is totally my issue, ask my bestie about the can of pineapple sometime...)
George - deliciously who he is.
Awesome Girls - OH YES. Just when I was getting frustrated with Iris's need to DO everything, they showed up. In a severely awesome way.
Abigail - something about her shouting out "GRETEL!" made me laugh hysterically, and I loved that she stuck to her fairytale guns, because fairytales can be immensely empowering.
Ursu once again hits it out of the park. If this book doesn't get shortlisted for the National Book Award, and ideally, win it, I will forever question the intellect of the selection committee.
annieice's review
4.75
just fantastic, loved the writing style, the characters, the whole plot twist and reveal, the whole idea, the message, the feminism, and the neurodiversity. Iris and Lark are so me and I love them. the ending was also kinda sad as they're kinda traumatized now...
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
4.0
Note: I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Really cool story that explores what it's like to be a twin. I could definitely see this being hit with young readers who like a more realistic fantasy that also has a lot of discussion of emotions/feelings/difficulties of growing up. The book is definitely a slow burn with a pretty rapid conclusion, which I can acknowledge isn't for everyone but I do like a slice of life/slow burn type story when done well (which this one is). The ending is a little cheesy but I wasn't too bothered by the cheese factor.I have a feeling young readers will like this one.
Really cool story that explores what it's like to be a twin. I could definitely see this being hit with young readers who like a more realistic fantasy that also has a lot of discussion of emotions/feelings/difficulties of growing up. The book is definitely a slow burn with a pretty rapid conclusion, which I can acknowledge isn't for everyone but I do like a slice of life/slow burn type story when done well (which this one is). The ending is a little cheesy but I wasn't too bothered by the cheese factor.I have a feeling young readers will like this one.
chrissyz's review against another edition
2.0
"But Iris and Lark had no patience with people who only looked at the surface of things, when what lay beneath was the stuff that truly mattered"
This book was not at all what I was expecting. There is a mysterious/creepy vibe that is carried through until the end but the common theme throughout is the twin relationship and how they sisters manage mentally and emotionally when they are forced to be separated. The illustrations by Erin McGuire are lovely. It is certainly a book that lends itself to lots of discussion.
This book was not at all what I was expecting. There is a mysterious/creepy vibe that is carried through until the end but the common theme throughout is the twin relationship and how they sisters manage mentally and emotionally when they are forced to be separated. The illustrations by Erin McGuire are lovely. It is certainly a book that lends itself to lots of discussion.
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this heartfelt book (and so did my 11-year-old). An absolute page-turner with a satisfying ending.
The love these sisters have for each other is simply overwhelming, and I love it that each of them has her own imperfections and flaws that grow throughout the story while their support for one another never wavers. The difficulties they have separating from each other and becoming their own individual girl are so real, as are their interactions with others (other kids, adults, parents etc.).
Such a wonderful book!
The love these sisters have for each other is simply overwhelming, and I love it that each of them has her own imperfections and flaws that grow throughout the story while their support for one another never wavers. The difficulties they have separating from each other and becoming their own individual girl are so real, as are their interactions with others (other kids, adults, parents etc.).
Such a wonderful book!
arirose's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this story! I kept predicting the right outcome and then second guessing myself. So even if in the start I predicted who would disappear, who would be the villain, and who the narrator was, I was thrown off and still surprised in the end. The twins and their codep ndency was very believable, and quite relatable as a tein myself! I only wish we traded POVs between the two more often, but perhaps that's what helped me from confidently predicting too much. I wasn't sure about the climax itself, but I don't think I can fault it either. I think there needed to be more hints to it at least, to help ground it into the story, but maybe there was and I just need a reread.
Honestly, I expected the twin-ness to be very cartoonish or inconsequential but I was pleasantly surprised. Iris and Lark are very codependent on each other, Iris even more so than I expected. And with that comes anxiety and a secret language and a incredible loneliness without the other, even around others. I believed it and especially their reaction to being split up. I would have just liked to be there to see them resolve their differences and separation anxiety myself.
Honestly, I expected the twin-ness to be very cartoonish or inconsequential but I was pleasantly surprised. Iris and Lark are very codependent on each other, Iris even more so than I expected. And with that comes anxiety and a secret language and a incredible loneliness without the other, even around others. I believed it and especially their reaction to being split up. I would have just liked to be there to see them resolve their differences and separation anxiety myself.
womanon's review against another edition
5.0
Once again an amazing book by Anne Ursu! I enjoyed Breadcrumbs immensely, and this book was no different!
aprildawes's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn’t figure out where this was going. It was kind of just annoying.
kajh23's review against another edition
2.0
This is a solid and decent choice for middle grade readers who like a little bit of fantasy mixed in with real life. As always, Ursu does a wonderful job of blending both. This is the story of twin girls, Iris and Lark, who are separated for the first time when they start 5th grade. Each girl has strengths and weaknesses but they have never had to acknowledge these things separately before. Ursu touches upon the worries and fears of each girl, how they relate to new school situations and friends, and how this effects there relationship to each other. I wish the magic would have come a bit sooner. It isn’t until we’ll into the 2nd half that the fantasy part of this story is revealed. And then there is such a flurry of activity, the story looses itself. Fans of other titles by Ursu will still enjoy this, no doubt. For those new to her work though, I would suggest starting with a stronger piece like Breadcrumbs.
shighley's review
2.0
Thanks to Edelweiss for an advanced copy. So... much.... whining. This book would have benefited from a different timeline. Finally, something of consequence was revealed when the eBook showed I was 50% through, and then something else finally at 80%. Then in the second half, a couple of chapters were thrown in with a different narrator. The reveal for that was good, but by then I just wanted to be done. My mother was an identical twin, and I usually love twin stories. There was so much self-doubt (yes, I realize they are elementary-aged girls), and at times the characterizations seemed a bit muddled. Who was the strong one? Who was willing to speak out? That seemed to keep changing.