Name: The Twisted Tree
ISBN: 9781471407765

Rachel Burge

Part ghost story, part Nordic thriller - this is a twisty, tense and spooky YA debut, perfect for fans of CORALINE and Michelle Paver.

The Twisted Tree

A story with myths of old Norse woven into it. I thought it was scary and had to read it during the day. The story was written well. It kept me on edge to know what would happen next. To me, the romance could have been dragged out longer.

Karen

Nessa Luna

Love me a spooky book inspired by Norse mythology! I probably shouldn't have read this late at night while I was home alone, but I just couldn't stop reading... Gonna go and pick up the sequel asap!

Sepia

I went into this story not knowing quite what this book was. I didn't read the full synopsis and just saw that it was part ghost story. I was intrigued and can say with full confidence that I LOVE this book. For some reason I thought this was middle grade (maybe it is?,), but it isn't. It certainly reads like a middle grade,which is not a bad thing!It was a very fast read. I love middle grade books and should definitely read more. This reminded me of the feeling I got when I was reading Percy Jackson or any Rick Riordan book. I think it was the mythology aspect and I loved it! It was woven in perfectly into the story.

I loved the atmosphere of this book and how creepy and eerie it was. I was always expecting something to happen or a creature to jump out at Martha. The writing was really good and I found myself wanting to read the next chapter as soon as I finished one. I finished this book so quickly as a result. I finished it in a day!

I loved the main characters! I loved Martha and found she was very level headed most of the time. I find myself normally annoyed by the decisions the main characters makes,but she didn't make any stupid decisions in my opinion. I also really liked Stig,although I definitely think he has some secrets up his sleeve.

I surprisingly liked the romance! It didn't feel insta-lovely and was well developed. I found myself actually liking the two characters together and wasn't annoyed by everything they did.

I don't know if it's a standalone or a series, but I think it has much potential to be a series. If it is, I will definitely pick up the sequel.

I recommend this book to everyone but especially to fans of Rick Riordan.

5/5

This book is out today! Go and get your copy if your interested.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Hot Key books for providing an E-Arc. All opinions are my own.*

Aleena Korell

Ashling Brown

This was a unique but spooky read, and I listened to this story so quickly that I was sad when it ended.

This story was short, but it was delightful. I loved the eerie feeling of the story and the history behind the words. It was a magical tale and going in, I didn't know what to expect, but I was delighted as I went through the book. Although spooky, this story held a small chunk of romance, which I found incredibly intriguing and wonderful. 

I loved Martha. Her character was well written and well developed. Her backstory and history were well done, and I really enjoyed reading about her and learning about her family history. The world was described beautifully, and it really added to the spooky but magical experience of the story. 

This story was overall incredible, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves Norse myths and spooky feelings.

Grace Emilia Machon

It was alright. Full review coming at later date. 

Pros
feminist as heck
Norse mythology but only the lady kind

Cons
Weird magic system
Don’t mess with me through dogs

Mousumee

I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped to. The writing was nice and tight but the story never really pulled me in. The protagonist, Martha, was well-crafted which is probably why I carried on reading till the end. I didn't care much for her mum or her Mormor, the two main side characters apart from Stig, the love interest. He too didn't interest me much. 

The love interest had a lot of potential as a character but it was wasted. The other characters were all wrapped up in about 5 sentences each. The setting too felt lacking. The tree was great but the house was flat and one dimensional which was a major red-flag since 90% of the story happens here. 

For a horror book, this was a rather insipid affair. I have felt much stronger dread for gothic books without any supernatural elements to them than I did for this. I loathe to admit it but I wasn't spooked even once. To me, the only saving grace of the book was the marriage of Norse mythology with the mystery elements of the story. 

With neither the characters nor the setting having much to offer, this 240 page book read like a 450+ one. The story dragged it's heels and instead of feeling the sense of longing that I feel when books I enjoy get over, I was awash with a feeling of relief when I turned over the last page. 

Overall verdict is, read it if you must. You won't find me recommending it, though.

everlinet

3.5* 
I really enjoyed this story. So creepy, atmospheric and enjoyable. The only thing that made me a bit sad it that the ending felt rushed and some questions weren’t solved after all, so it feels like unfinished story - and I think it’s standalone. Feels a bit weird to me! 
Other than that it was really beautifully written and even though it’s really happening only at one place I was never bored and finished it almost immediately. The important is that it made me interested in the story and I enjoyed the reading.

Jana Pashovska

A wonderful story about family, fate and self-acceptance, heavily inspired by Norse mythology. Well-written, with a really spooky atmosphere – I simply loved every second of it.

Stefie 

Ummm.. WHAT DID I JUST READ???
Another amazing book and will def become one of my favourites! I need a movie adaptation for this one!

I have been looking for a YA book that sets in Norway that is written in English, since my Norwegian is not advance yet. Then I came across this book, and have to request the ARC. Then I got it and I’m truly truly happy! Thank you so much to the author & publisher for sending me this book.

THE TWISTED TREE..... how do I begin! 
It sets in Norway, in a cabin in the woods, where the cold season arrives. It’s a story about a girl name Martha, who have an ability to tell a person through their piece of clothes. It involves ghosts, creepy creatures, and a twisted tree. There’s a little romance which honestly make the whole story even better.

This book is well written and well thought. Every characters, stories, the pace, the setting, and every detail are carefully weaved and knitted into one wonderful and magical story. I love this book SO MUCH! It gripped me from the very beginning and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.

There are some scenes that is way too creepy it gives me a goosebumps and made my heartbeat race!! Like I didn’t know that it would be that creepy?!!!!

All I can say is..... I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! And I hope there’s a sequel, and I hope that Rachel will write more books like this!!!!

Annalisa Gledden

I was looking for an easy read after coming off a long a series, and this fit the bill. 
Definitely an easy read.
The premise was good, I feel like it could have been taken a lot further though. I found it to be quite juvenile in places, a teenage girls obsession with her new crush overtaking the better part of the plot. Being YA however, I suppose some juvenile elements are to be expected! 

I would recommend it if you’re after something easy and quick paced!

Set in the remote snows of contemporary Norway, THE TWISTED TREE is a ghost story that twists and turns - and never takes you quite where you'd expect.

Martha can tell things about a person just by touching their clothes, as if their emotions and memories have been absorbed into the material. It started the day she fell from the tree at her grandma's cabin and became blind in one eye.

Determined to understand her strange ability, Martha sets off to visit her grandmother, Mormor - only to discover Mormor is dead, a peculiar boy is in her cabin and a terrifying creature is on the loose.

Then the spinning wheel starts creaking, books move around and terror creeps in . . .

Part ghost story, part Nordic thriller - this is a twisty, tense and spooky debut, perfect for fans of CORALINE and Michelle Paver's DARK MATTER.

Remco

Part ghost story, part Nordic mystery - a creepy and chilling tale steeped in Norse myth, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Michelle Paver's DARK MATTER. SEQUEL COMING SOON: The Crooked Mask - Kindle edition now available for pre-order, out 17th Sept 2020 Martha can tell things about a person just by touching their clothes, as if their emotions and memories have been absorbed into the material. It started the day she fell from the tree at her grandma's cabin and became blind in one eye. Determined to understand her strange ability, Martha sets off to visit her grandmother, Mormor - only to discover Mormor is dead, a peculiar boy is in her cabin and a terrifying creature is on the loose. Then the spinning wheel starts creaking, books move around and terror creeps in . . . Set in the remote snows of contemporary Norway, THE TWISTED TREE is a ghost story that twists and turns - and never takes you quite where you'd expect. Praise for The Twisted Tree A creepy and evocative fantasy likely to make readers wary of the shadows in the corner of an eye, The Sunday Times Rattles along with proper page-turning pace, The Daily Express Creepy and amazing, MTV UK Creates an atmosphere of Stephen King intensity, The Irish Examiner A terrific read - twisty and scary and instantly gripping, Waterstones (Exeter Roman Gate) A ghost story that will get under the skin of the most hardened reader, Starburst Magazine The perfect book for cold and wintry nights, prepare to be chilled to your very bones, Culturefly

The Twisted Tree

Reviews

Highlights