The Twistrose Key

by Tone Almhjell

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

3.5 stars

The Twistrose Key promises a lot, and I was attracted the moment I heard of it. The official summary boasts, “Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic.” A classic magical middle-grade adventure? I thought. It’s about time someone wrote a book that can stand alongside The Chronicles of Narnia. Count me in!

Unfortunately, for the first 100 pages—nearly one third of the book—I felt I was reading Narnia. From the main character’s chance meeting with a talking creature in a snowy magical world to the way time works in Sylver, it is clear Almhjell is heavily inspired by Lewis. While taking some seeds from Narnia would not be amiss in a fantasy, attempting a rewrite of Lucy Pevensie’s iconic meeting with Mr. Tumnus in a frozen wood is bold—and in most cases destined for failure.

Once all the background information on the world of Sylver and Lin’s quest there is set up, the book does become more original. It also becomes more fast-paced. Protagonists Rufus and Lin travel more widely, they encounter more powerful magic, and they uncover a number of titillating secrets. They decipher prophecies, they escape from traps, and they battle a horde of trolls. It’s quite exciting, really, and made all the better by the bond between Rufus and Lin. They are fantastic traveling companions, determined to stick by each other through whatever adventures befall them.

The story also gets progressively darker, which is a major departure from Narnia in itself. Lin suffers various injuries, with appropriate gushing of blood, and seems in real danger of dying at several points. The descriptions of what happens to some of the bad guys in the tale are also pretty grisly. This edgy take on children’s fantasy will appeal immensely to modern audiences.

However, Almhjell strikes a great balance by including childlike moments and activities that lighten the tone of the novel. Lin refuses to remove the grubby old cardigan her grandmother knit her and that Rufus used to live in. She recalls her times playing troll-hunters with her friend at home when she must fight real trolls. She thinks how disappointed her parents will be if she fails in her quest and never returns home. Lin, though a Twistrose, is still a little girl—and a delightful one at that. A well-written and believable child heroine.

The Twistrose Key certainly has its flaws. Its beginning is very derivative, and when it is not being derivative it can be confusing. (Lin’s quest, in particularl, is not clearly defined when introduced.) However, if readers are willing to stick out the story until the point Rufus and Lin leave Sylveros, they will find a real adventure awaiting—one that has action, but also charm, one that takes readers to magical places, but also explores real questions like the nature of friendship and courage. I am not as in love with The Twistrose Key as I had sincerely hoped, but it is a pleasant read for fans of the genre.