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Summary and Reviews of The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell

The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell

The Twistrose Key

by Tone Almhjell
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus:
  • First Published:
  • Oct 22, 2013, 336 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Sep 2014, 384 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic.

Something is wrong in the house that Lin's family has rented; Lin is sure of it. The clocks tick too slowly. Frost covers the flowerbed, even in a rain storm. And when a secret key marked "Twistrose" arrives for her, Lin finds a crack in the cellar, a gate to the world of Sylver.

This frozen realm is the home of every dead animal who ever loved a child. Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with Rufus, the pet she buried under the rosebush. But together they must find the missing Winter Prince in order to save Sylver from destruction.

They are not the only ones hunting for the boy this night. In the dark hides a shadow-lipped man, waiting for the last Winter Prince to be delivered into his hands.

Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic.

Chapter Two

The grandfather clocks struck the half hour, one by one and out of rhythm. The third-floor bedroom one first, the upstairs bathroom one second, and the hallway one last as always, after a grudging effort of whispers and clicks.

Lin's hands trembled as she held the parcel under the brown silk lampshade. She had thought the letters would shift in the light, that her eyes would adjust and the mistake would be corrected. Yet no matter how hard she stared at the scratched word, it did not change.

The parcel felt heavier than it looked. When she shook it, something jangly slid from side to side within. She paused to listen. In the kitchen, the violins had resumed their yammering, and from the second floor came the faint din of a TV audience that meant her father had stopped writing to call out the answers to a quiz show.

She ripped the paper and emptied the parcel into her hand.

Out tumbled two keys. One was grimy and had an ...

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Reviews

BookBrowse Review

BookBrowse

The Twistrose Key has the flavor, at times, of a child's dream, recounted over the breakfast table. The inventiveness is breathtaking, but threatens to get carried away. The concept of a world of Petlings is sure to appeal, and Tone Almhjell's ornate vision of that world will leave children with many sparkling images to take into their own dreams...continued

Full Review Members Only (785 words)

(Reviewed by Jennifer G Wilder).

Media Reviews

Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review. Skillfully blending facets of classic high fantasy, this debut novel will captivate readers with its rich plot and detailed worldbuilding.

Publishers Weekly
Her story feels complete even as the world of Sylver contains enough unexplored territory to invite subsequent volumes. Ages 10–up.

Reader Reviews

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Beyond the Book



Ten Classic Children's Novels for Winter

The Twistrose Key is full of frozen landscapes inspired by Norwegian winters – sleighs, ice caves, and sled runs, plus a good place to take the chill off with a mug of hot mulled cider. Here is a list of ten other novels for children that will give readers a good dose of frost and snow, either as inspiration for getting through the long winter, or for filling in what Mother Nature lacks in warmer climes.

  1. Ethel Cook Eliot, The House Above the Trees (1921)
    An orphaned girl finds a world of magic in the woods, including Wind Creatures who can fly and the ultimate nature spirit, Tree Mother. Many satisfying scenes involve sledding and playing in winter woods, where true children of the forest never get cold.

  2. Laura Ingalls Wilder, ...

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Read-Alikes

Read-Alikes Full readalike results are for members only

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