A review by niffler_for_words
Twisted by Emily McIntire

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

“It feels like she is choosing me. And she’s the only one who ever has.”

Twisted was part of one of the bookclubs I attend, and I was truly happy because I had this book on my TBR for a while. I wanted to like this story. Really. Unfortunately, except for a few details, I couldn’t find anything I like in it. 

Even if (I admit) morality grey characters aren’t my favourite, I usually can enjoy some. Sadly here I found both Jasmin and Julian flat and didn’t see chemistry between them (I won’t comment on the relationship’s dynamics, the book is labeled DR so… you know what to expect). They didn’t have any depth, and I couldn’t root for any of them, especially because there wasn’t a true evolution, just an “abrupt change” in the end, that isn’t even truly one. 

Call these unrealistic expectations, but for an Aladdin retelling, I expected more action, some wonder (even in a dark way), but I only got bored and truly struggled to read it. Maybe if the story had been centered around what is the last 20% of the book it could have been breathtaking. But here the dynamic parts are only suggested, kept in the shadows. I even couldn’t be scared by Isabella (despite my snake phobia) because she was truly unrealistic, too caricatural for me to believe she could exist. 

The only thing I liked was how Jasmin talked about photography in a paragraph, and one or two moments where she reveals a little in Egypt. 

I guess it simply wasn’t a book for me, as I couldn’t see what so many people saw. That’s a shame because I really wanted to. Different strokes for different folks, I guess (and that’s why there are so many books).