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mousereads's review
3.0
Thank you for Netgalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This book was a 3.5 read until the very end...and that dropped it half a star. The twins themselves felt very typical "opposites" but you could tell they very much loved each other in this book. I would have preferred equal conflict resolution with both Aurora and Arden, but it wasn't too frustrating regardless. The concept of this book and the history told to you was absolutely beautiful. The Jamaican history woven throughout was really solid to read.
However, this book felt like a lot of talk, and not a lot of action. There was a lot of telling you the story and telling you about their powers, but when it came to the final battle? Not too much action really seemed to feel written.
Overall, the concept and storytelling carried this story quite a bit more than the characters and I think this book would be a really solid fit for early YA readers!
Here is where my beef starts and the spoilers.
WHAT THE FUCK WAS UP WITH THE ROMANCE IN THE BEGINNING AND THE END? AND ZION YEAH OK HE WAS A VICTIM OF BRAINWASHING AND ABUSE BUT SUDDENLY HE'S JUST FINE AND BETTER? NAH. I GOT BEEF WITH BOTH THOSE PLOT POINTS. They just sat weird with me okay, that's all.
This book was a 3.5 read until the very end...and that dropped it half a star. The twins themselves felt very typical "opposites" but you could tell they very much loved each other in this book. I would have preferred equal conflict resolution with both Aurora and Arden, but it wasn't too frustrating regardless. The concept of this book and the history told to you was absolutely beautiful. The Jamaican history woven throughout was really solid to read.
However, this book felt like a lot of talk, and not a lot of action. There was a lot of telling you the story and telling you about their powers, but when it came to the final battle? Not too much action really seemed to feel written.
Overall, the concept and storytelling carried this story quite a bit more than the characters and I think this book would be a really solid fit for early YA readers!
Here is where my beef starts and the spoilers.
Spoiler
WHAT THE FUCK WAS UP WITH THE ROMANCE IN THE BEGINNING AND THE END? AND ZION YEAH OK HE WAS A VICTIM OF BRAINWASHING AND ABUSE BUT SUDDENLY HE'S JUST FINE AND BETTER? NAH. I GOT BEEF WITH BOTH THOSE PLOT POINTS. They just sat weird with me okay, that's all.
unorgaynized's review
4.0
3.5 out of 5 stars.
This ARC was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The worldbuilding was interesting, and the setting— October 2020, with no mention of a pandemic, clearly rooted it in the fantasy it was meant to be.
Arden and Aurora are identical twins, and both are goddesses. On their eighteenth birthday, their world changes. It’s very much a coming of age story, a family story,. There’s an easy narrative repeated throughout the story of Emotionally Mature Twin, Angry Twin Who Needs to Let It Go. Unfortunately, reading it, it seemed like the Hurt Twin had all the right to be angry, which is brushed off and in some cases made fun of by her family. Her sister only seems at time sympathetic, though at times too quick to agree that her sister is wrong.
There’s a quick Instant Love At First Sight that seems forced, and while we are explained why later on, it simply seems more... forced, really. That the main character just turned 18, and the boy is 21/nearly 22 is only brought up by someone acting as the chapter’s antagonist, not taken seriously in text otherwise.
Thankfully, the majority of the book is spent in familial dynamics, there’s a wide variety of relatives, each with their own quirks, opinions, and twists. Ms. Williams truly shines at having minor characters step out, and showing bonds.
This ARC was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The worldbuilding was interesting, and the setting— October 2020, with no mention of a pandemic, clearly rooted it in the fantasy it was meant to be.
Arden and Aurora are identical twins, and both are goddesses. On their eighteenth birthday, their world changes. It’s very much a coming of age story, a family story,. There’s an easy narrative repeated throughout the story of Emotionally Mature Twin, Angry Twin Who Needs to Let It Go. Unfortunately, reading it, it seemed like the Hurt Twin had all the right to be angry, which is brushed off and in some cases made fun of by her family. Her sister only seems at time sympathetic, though at times too quick to agree that her sister is wrong.
There’s a quick Instant Love At First Sight that seems forced, and while we are explained why later on, it simply seems more... forced, really. That the main character just turned 18, and the boy is 21/nearly 22 is only brought up by someone acting as the chapter’s antagonist, not taken seriously in text otherwise.
Thankfully, the majority of the book is spent in familial dynamics, there’s a wide variety of relatives, each with their own quirks, opinions, and twists. Ms. Williams truly shines at having minor characters step out, and showing bonds.
ktrusty416's review
2.0
[ARC received courtesy of Spark Press, via NetGalley]
As a Blerd (Black Nerd to those unfamiliar with the term), I'm always excited to hear about a new fantasy novel that centres Magical Black girls. And Aurora and Arden do not disappoint - not only are they magical, but they are goddesses. It's a solid premise that's let down by its execution. Williams relies on showing rather than telling, and though there is too much exposition and too little nuance, there is also a lack of specificity/development in the characters (in particular the twins), the myths/magic (which traditions?) and the settings (where in Jamaica? Where in London? "British accent"? There are myriad English accents, mostly tied to place. Which one?). I love the message of family unity and female empowerment but this is also delivered in a very didactic manner.
Williams has great enthusiasm and energy, and I hope that her craft grows apace.
As a Blerd (Black Nerd to those unfamiliar with the term), I'm always excited to hear about a new fantasy novel that centres Magical Black girls. And Aurora and Arden do not disappoint - not only are they magical, but they are goddesses. It's a solid premise that's let down by its execution. Williams relies on showing rather than telling, and though there is too much exposition and too little nuance, there is also a lack of specificity/development in the characters (in particular the twins), the myths/magic (which traditions?) and the settings (where in Jamaica? Where in London? "British accent"? There are myriad English accents, mostly tied to place. Which one?). I love the message of family unity and female empowerment but this is also delivered in a very didactic manner.
Williams has great enthusiasm and energy, and I hope that her craft grows apace.
bookishcousin's review
5.0
Just what I've been needing! I've been making it my business to find books centered around femininity and family! The voices in the story proved to be POWERFUL and MOVING! And I believe that is the voice we will always need from our female characters. The fantasy was just a bonus with the harsh hit of realism, and we need more like this to hit the shelves! Thank you, Yodassa for your story! <3
mswocreader's review
1.0
This story is about twins Arden and Aurora who live in Ohio with their retired opera singer mother. One day there mother goes missing after flying to London to come out of retirement and perform a gig. This leads the girl's on a London adventure where they meet family they didn't know existed and work with them to rescue her.
This was an interesting concept and a quick read but I often found there was more telling than showing. I know in fantasy stories there will be a lot of telling us about the world because it's not yet established but there were things that could've been told and show in real time instead of recalled here.
And a little more research on Black people living in London could've been done because the cousins didn't sound like Black Brits.
I think teen girls will like the twin's distinct and youthful voices. This is probably a good book for those getting into YA fantasy for the first time.
Read full review here
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-goddess-twins-by-yodassa-williams.html
This was an interesting concept and a quick read but I often found there was more telling than showing. I know in fantasy stories there will be a lot of telling us about the world because it's not yet established but there were things that could've been told and show in real time instead of recalled here.
And a little more research on Black people living in London could've been done because the cousins didn't sound like Black Brits.
I think teen girls will like the twin's distinct and youthful voices. This is probably a good book for those getting into YA fantasy for the first time.
Read full review here
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-goddess-twins-by-yodassa-williams.html
tishara's review
3.0
Please note: I received a digital ARC from @netgalley for in exchange for an honest review.
First Impression: The cover and premise of the story sounded very interesting. I read it all in a 24 hr period, it kept me entertained and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
The overall plot of rescuing their mother and being goddesses with powers, and the powers involved were thought out really well. I loved that it was a family oriented story and not romance.
Some issues were:
Some/most of the twin characteristics were questionable, Arden was overly trusting and she never questioned others intentions, its possible it was due to her powers, but I just didnt like it, and Aurora was was selfish and a complete bitch to everyone. There was some growth when it came to at Aurora personally, but through all of the story she just bitch and complained about how selfish others are when really it was her.
I also had issue with how everything just flowed without and really hardship, I mean they find out they have powers and the next day Arden is a bad ass and can do it all, That everything that needs to be handle gets handled without and extra problems.
The love story or should I say a total of like two pages, didn't need to be in there at all, one of the things I really like that I don't see often is a book mainly focused on family and not their new love interest.
Thanks to @NETGALLEY for letting me get my hands this book.
First Impression: The cover and premise of the story sounded very interesting. I read it all in a 24 hr period, it kept me entertained and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
The overall plot of rescuing their mother and being goddesses with powers, and the powers involved were thought out really well. I loved that it was a family oriented story and not romance.
Some issues were:
Some/most of the twin characteristics were questionable, Arden was overly trusting and she never questioned others intentions, its possible it was due to her powers, but I just didnt like it, and Aurora was was selfish and a complete bitch to everyone. There was some growth when it came to at Aurora personally, but through all of the story she just bitch and complained about how selfish others are when really it was her.
I also had issue with how everything just flowed without and really hardship, I mean they find out they have powers and the next day Arden is a bad ass and can do it all, That everything that needs to be handle gets handled without and extra problems.
The love story or should I say a total of like two pages, didn't need to be in there at all, one of the things I really like that I don't see often is a book mainly focused on family and not their new love interest.
Thanks to @NETGALLEY for letting me get my hands this book.
agartner's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this story. It was an interesting fantasy about twins who learn they have special powers, and they meet a family they never knew about. It is based on Jamaican legends, so it was a really fresh story for me, and the twins had a great dynamic throughout the story. I think that a lot of teens would really enjoy this story, the girls had a great voice, and it was exciting.
enchantedtoreadyou's review against another edition
3.0
The Goddess Twins was such a fun ride. Aurora and Arden felt like true, teenage twins. They loved each other fiercely, fought, but always had each other’s backs. I loved meeting their whole family. They were all so lovable and fun!
The magic was entertaining. I liked how each goddess had different powers but they could also borrow powers from one another. The action at the end was well written.
3 stars for this fast fantasy read
The magic was entertaining. I liked how each goddess had different powers but they could also borrow powers from one another. The action at the end was well written.
3 stars for this fast fantasy read
once_upon_a_storybook's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
oracle_of_madness's review
5.0
Arden and Aurora, the delightful goddess twins, are stunning to read about. Just as beautiful as this gorgeous cover portrays them as.
They may start small and in a small place but when things get going, the story will sweep the reader off their feet and into new and unexplored realities. There are surprises that come the twins way that change everything about their lives. They learn new things not only about their family, but about themselves as well.
This was such an awesome read that I could not put it down. I highly recommend this lovely tale to anyone who may feel the desire to be utterly enchanted!
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!!
They may start small and in a small place but when things get going, the story will sweep the reader off their feet and into new and unexplored realities. There are surprises that come the twins way that change everything about their lives. They learn new things not only about their family, but about themselves as well.
This was such an awesome read that I could not put it down. I highly recommend this lovely tale to anyone who may feel the desire to be utterly enchanted!
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!!