What do you think?
Rate this book
Twin Crowns #1
Twin Crowns
Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister's place in the palace. Trained from birth to return to the place of her parents' murder and usurp the only survivor, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Or she would, if only a certain palace guard wasn't quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic didn't have a habit of causing trouble...
Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.
Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other's lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?
Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.
Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other's lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?
480 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2022
2,035 people are currently reading
110k people want to read
About the author
Catherine Doyle
29books2,436followersCatherine Doyle grew up in the West of Ireland. She holds a first-class BA in Psychology and a first-class MA in Publishing. She is the author of the Young Adult Blood for Blood trilogy (Vendetta, Inferno and Mafiosa), which is often described as Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather. It was inspired by her love of modern cinema. Her debut Middle Grade novel, The Storm Keeper's Island (Bloomsbury, 2018), is an adventure story about family, bravery and self-discovery. It is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up, and is inspired by her ancestors' real life daring sea rescues.
Aside from more conventional interests in movies, running and travelling, Catherine also enjoys writing about herself in the third-person.
Aside from more conventional interests in movies, running and travelling, Catherine also enjoys writing about herself in the third-person.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,128 reviews
May 1, 2022
THIS BOOK.
Every trope I love, included.
Witches? ✔️
Enemies to Lovers? ✔️
Forced Proximity? ✔️
Overthrowing the Crown? ✔️
Twins separated at birth and set against each other? ✔️
Falling for the wrong person???? ✔️
I loved this book so much I read 95% of it in one sitting, and then left it a week before reading that last 5% because I didn't want it to end.
I love the characters, I love the world, I love the use of magic. This is such a fun read infused with real emotion and a romance that will leave you screaming in the last few pages (believe me, I'm still not over it.)
Book 2 cannot come soon enough!
Every trope I love, included.
Witches? ✔️
Enemies to Lovers? ✔️
Forced Proximity? ✔️
Overthrowing the Crown? ✔️
Twins separated at birth and set against each other? ✔️
Falling for the wrong person???? ✔️
I loved this book so much I read 95% of it in one sitting, and then left it a week before reading that last 5% because I didn't want it to end.
I love the characters, I love the world, I love the use of magic. This is such a fun read infused with real emotion and a romance that will leave you screaming in the last few pages (believe me, I'm still not over it.)
Book 2 cannot come soon enough!
August 29, 2022
� Gorgeous cover
� Pace
🆗 Magic and world-building
🆗 Wren
🆗� Convenient plot and over-simple politics and villains
� Overall predictability and convenience
� Rose
� Romances
Unpopular opinion coming in. It’s not a bad book, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary or memorable, and nothing we haven’t seen before in YA. It’s just overall okay.
Rose Valhart and Wren Greenrock are twins who separated at birth and their lives could not be more different. Rose has no idea that she has a twin, and she was raised to be the perfect demure crowned princess. Wren is a witch and she’d known about her twin for her whole life. Wren’s plan is to take Rose’s place right before the coronation, so she can become queen of Eana and make sure that witches are not hunted anymore.
This book was disappointing. Both main characters felt very juvenile, and the plot was very simple, convenient, and predictable. Both romances were predictable, the politics and the villains� scheming were predictable, and honestly, I felt that not much happened for the first 60% of the story, and then everything was rushed and the ending was just messy and over-the-top cheesy at the same time. The book mostly focuses on romance instead of the plot, and even if there are two romances developing, they both felt overly simple and predictable. The world-building was also simple and your usual YA fantasy book, nothing memorable or original.
I like that Rose and Wren both realized that there was more to the other than they previously thought. Rose realized that witches were not all evil and do not deserve to be hunted and killed, and Wren realized that her sister’s life is not all fancy parties and lavish life. There is politics involved, and Rose is more than just a spoiled princess. Besides that though, I can’t really say that I know the characters, or that I appreciate them. They were both childish at times, stupid at others, and both made me roll my eyes SO MANY TIMES.
Even the secondary characters were bland (except maybe Celeste), and seemed to have no purpose besides supporting the main characters, or being introduced as obvious love interests that we are supposed to like I guess, even though we know nothing about them, and they don’t have much personality. One of the two love interests was SO BLAND, he literally has no personality traits, not one, but that’s okay because he’s handsome and strong. 🙄
I didn’t care much for Wren because she was ordinary and bland, but Rose was SO ANNOYING. I know she grew up as a pampered princess, but she annoyed me so much with her constant reminder that she was the owner of all the land and her demands that the witches obey her when she felt threatened or challenged. I understand that she had no other means to defend herself, but it was made pretty clear from the start that the witches couldn’t care less about her and her status, so why the need to constantly remind everyone that she was their princess? It only made her seem petulant, and spoiled and did not make the witches respect her at all. Quite the opposite actually.
Rose and Wren are complete opposites, they dislike each other very much at first even though they never met. Wren hates Rose because she’s the crown princess who has been raised by the man responsible for the death of so many witches, and she thinks that witches need to be killed. Rose hates Wren because she is a witch, and she plotted against Rose to take her place as the crowned princess. Yet, when they finally meet, it takes a few minutes and a simple discussion and they are suddenly allies. Simple as that, they just trust each other and decide to work together. In general, they both trust other people way too easily. Wren just spilled the beans about the fact that she has a twin to an enemy, but she is not worried about him talking, because “she trusts him�, after knowing him for a few weeks only. They were both asking for trouble, it’s a miracle they managed to both stay alive.
The villains are generic and uni-dimensional. They are both power-hungry, and even worse, one of them just explains all his dark schemes and evil plans to Rose when she suggests that they push back the alliance between their countries for a few weeks or months. Rose and Wren just discovered the whole “evil plan� and pertinent political alliances simply because people accidentally shared information with them, or simply because they asked and somehow people told them everything, and somehow they found a way to resolve everything even though they were both naïve and childish. Of course, there is one “tragic� death that is meant to bring forth sadness and anguish I assume, but considering that this character, like all the others, was bland, boring, shallow, and most important of all, completely useless to the plot, I couldn’t care less if he lived or died.
Overall, this book was really underwhelming. I would probably have enjoyed it at 15 yo, but not at 27. I know it’s a YA, but I do enjoy some YA books even if I’m not considered a young adult anymore, but this one is closer to a middle-grade book than it is to a more mature YA or a NA book. The dialogues were awkward at times, both romances lacked serious development and chemistry to even begin to be believable, and this book as a whole was boring and juvenile. The characters lacked depth (big time) and were generally annoying and useless, and I skimmed the second half because I just didn’t care about any of the characters, the plot, or the cringy romances that were all SO predictable.
🙂
� Pace
🆗 Magic and world-building
🆗 Wren
🆗� Convenient plot and over-simple politics and villains
� Overall predictability and convenience
� Rose
� Romances
Unpopular opinion coming in. It’s not a bad book, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary or memorable, and nothing we haven’t seen before in YA. It’s just overall okay.
Rose Valhart and Wren Greenrock are twins who separated at birth and their lives could not be more different. Rose has no idea that she has a twin, and she was raised to be the perfect demure crowned princess. Wren is a witch and she’d known about her twin for her whole life. Wren’s plan is to take Rose’s place right before the coronation, so she can become queen of Eana and make sure that witches are not hunted anymore.
This book was disappointing. Both main characters felt very juvenile, and the plot was very simple, convenient, and predictable. Both romances were predictable, the politics and the villains� scheming were predictable, and honestly, I felt that not much happened for the first 60% of the story, and then everything was rushed and the ending was just messy and over-the-top cheesy at the same time. The book mostly focuses on romance instead of the plot, and even if there are two romances developing, they both felt overly simple and predictable. The world-building was also simple and your usual YA fantasy book, nothing memorable or original.
I like that Rose and Wren both realized that there was more to the other than they previously thought. Rose realized that witches were not all evil and do not deserve to be hunted and killed, and Wren realized that her sister’s life is not all fancy parties and lavish life. There is politics involved, and Rose is more than just a spoiled princess. Besides that though, I can’t really say that I know the characters, or that I appreciate them. They were both childish at times, stupid at others, and both made me roll my eyes SO MANY TIMES.
Even the secondary characters were bland (except maybe Celeste), and seemed to have no purpose besides supporting the main characters, or being introduced as obvious love interests that we are supposed to like I guess, even though we know nothing about them, and they don’t have much personality. One of the two love interests was SO BLAND, he literally has no personality traits, not one, but that’s okay because he’s handsome and strong. 🙄
I didn’t care much for Wren because she was ordinary and bland, but Rose was SO ANNOYING. I know she grew up as a pampered princess, but she annoyed me so much with her constant reminder that she was the owner of all the land and her demands that the witches obey her when she felt threatened or challenged. I understand that she had no other means to defend herself, but it was made pretty clear from the start that the witches couldn’t care less about her and her status, so why the need to constantly remind everyone that she was their princess? It only made her seem petulant, and spoiled and did not make the witches respect her at all. Quite the opposite actually.
Rose and Wren are complete opposites, they dislike each other very much at first even though they never met. Wren hates Rose because she’s the crown princess who has been raised by the man responsible for the death of so many witches, and she thinks that witches need to be killed. Rose hates Wren because she is a witch, and she plotted against Rose to take her place as the crowned princess. Yet, when they finally meet, it takes a few minutes and a simple discussion and they are suddenly allies. Simple as that, they just trust each other and decide to work together. In general, they both trust other people way too easily. Wren just spilled the beans about the fact that she has a twin to an enemy, but she is not worried about him talking, because “she trusts him�, after knowing him for a few weeks only. They were both asking for trouble, it’s a miracle they managed to both stay alive.
The villains are generic and uni-dimensional. They are both power-hungry, and even worse, one of them just explains all his dark schemes and evil plans to Rose when she suggests that they push back the alliance between their countries for a few weeks or months. Rose and Wren just discovered the whole “evil plan� and pertinent political alliances simply because people accidentally shared information with them, or simply because they asked and somehow people told them everything, and somehow they found a way to resolve everything even though they were both naïve and childish. Of course, there is one “tragic� death that is meant to bring forth sadness and anguish I assume, but considering that this character, like all the others, was bland, boring, shallow, and most important of all, completely useless to the plot, I couldn’t care less if he lived or died.
Overall, this book was really underwhelming. I would probably have enjoyed it at 15 yo, but not at 27. I know it’s a YA, but I do enjoy some YA books even if I’m not considered a young adult anymore, but this one is closer to a middle-grade book than it is to a more mature YA or a NA book. The dialogues were awkward at times, both romances lacked serious development and chemistry to even begin to be believable, and this book as a whole was boring and juvenile. The characters lacked depth (big time) and were generally annoying and useless, and I skimmed the second half because I just didn’t care about any of the characters, the plot, or the cringy romances that were all SO predictable.
🙂
May 23, 2024
4.52!
Wow!! Just when I had lost all hope in good YA romantasies this restored it because it was amazing 😌 I was not expecting it to be this good. The writing was very easy to follow and it kept me intrigued because it was very whimsical and the magical essence of it was something that I loved.
The characters easily stole the show in this book. They were so well written especially the twins because I genuinely couldn't decide which side to be on Rose was so likable and relatable meanwhile Wren was a character that I was rooting for. Both had such different pov's and the and such different ways when it came to their upbringing. Moving on, Tor was fun but Shen stole the show when it came to the MMC. He was so witty and I just loved that and the banter between everyone was amazing.
The plot and action felt like they were perfected because I have not read a plotline like this which has had me so hooked or a book where I actually preferred a lot of politics (I wished there was more 😮�)
The romance was written so well, it wasnt smutty as it didn't have any closed door or open door scenes but the angst and the slow burn was worth ever page. Shen and Rose were superior to Tor and Wren because I shipped wren with someone else. I did however like the forbidden aspect between wren and Tor and the hate to love for rose and shen
Action was minimal but I didn't feel the need for it and book 2 does fill that void and the twists were not that big as I felt them coming but they brought a nice edge to the story
I loved how the author's wrote the sisterly bond considering they are sisters in law 👀
I don't understand why people say it was focused on romance because honestly it wasn't, there was more fantasy than romance.
It was truly a gem of a book with all the tropes that I loved.
Especially the forbidden romance trope between wren and Tor and the enemies to lovers for rose and shen
I just wished we saw more the world and the magic system develop but as it's a trilogy I did understand why they left some things for other books.
Overall I would recommend it!
Wow!! Just when I had lost all hope in good YA romantasies this restored it because it was amazing 😌 I was not expecting it to be this good. The writing was very easy to follow and it kept me intrigued because it was very whimsical and the magical essence of it was something that I loved.
The characters easily stole the show in this book. They were so well written especially the twins because I genuinely couldn't decide which side to be on Rose was so likable and relatable meanwhile Wren was a character that I was rooting for. Both had such different pov's and the and such different ways when it came to their upbringing. Moving on, Tor was fun but Shen stole the show when it came to the MMC. He was so witty and I just loved that and the banter between everyone was amazing.
The plot and action felt like they were perfected because I have not read a plotline like this which has had me so hooked or a book where I actually preferred a lot of politics (I wished there was more 😮�)
The romance was written so well, it wasnt smutty as it didn't have any closed door or open door scenes but the angst and the slow burn was worth ever page. Shen and Rose were superior to Tor and Wren because I shipped wren with someone else. I did however like the forbidden aspect between wren and Tor and the hate to love for rose and shen
Action was minimal but I didn't feel the need for it and book 2 does fill that void and the twists were not that big as I felt them coming but they brought a nice edge to the story
I loved how the author's wrote the sisterly bond considering they are sisters in law 👀
I don't understand why people say it was focused on romance because honestly it wasn't, there was more fantasy than romance.
It was truly a gem of a book with all the tropes that I loved.
Especially the forbidden romance trope between wren and Tor and the enemies to lovers for rose and shen
I just wished we saw more the world and the magic system develop but as it's a trilogy I did understand why they left some things for other books.
Overall I would recommend it!
March 30, 2024
reread
I reread this before reading the second one and it was just as good as the last time I read it! The book flew by once I started getting into it again just like the first time, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared for the second one, I just hope it's as entertaining as this was!
<><><><><><><>
This was better than I thought it was going to be! I've seen people saying that it was good, but not the best, and I can understand that, but honestly, I overlooked all of the issues because this was so much fun!
I actually had to force myself to stop reading so that I could sleep because it is literally so addicting. And I actually put off finishing the book because I didn't want it to end, which never happens to me 🤨
Yes, the book had flaws, like some things were very convenient, some things didn't really make much sense, but as I said, I overlooked everything.
I think the high from originally finishing this book has faded now, so I think instead of 5 stars I'd give it 4.5 (just because of those little issues) but it's not much of a difference.
The plot in this was actually so much fun. I will be using the word "fun" many times throughout this review. There was a lot going on, but it never really felt like there was high-stakes, despite the fact that Wren was in some very difficult situations. It just felt really lighthearted and cozy which is exactly what I wanted.
It's very much a typical YA fantasy, just with a lot of humor and fun packed into it, hilarious moments throughout the entire thing, so if you're looking for something more mature, this book isn't that.
As for the journeys that the two main characters were on, I actually preferred Rose's chapters to Wren's. I was surprised because everyone kept saying they liked Wren's better, but I loved reading through Rose's journey to discover who she is, what she is, her history, and let's not forget her banter with Shen, and honestly, their romance was the main reason I liked Rose's chapters better.
With Wren, I really did enjoy her story-line, navigating everything and all that, so I guess there's that. But nothing really intriguing was happening there, except for all the lies and deception that she was doing (which I love her for) And then there's also her romance, but we'll talk about that later.
Now for the characters, surprisingly again, I liked Rose better than Wren. Don't get me wrong, I love Wren, but I love Rose more. Yes, she's the stereotypical, bratty, "you must bow down to me" princess in the beginning, but she grows immensely from that. She made me cringe a few times, but only one of those times was because of something she did.
I also really enjoyed Wren's character too; I loved her sarcastic, not-a-care attitude, and her snarky personality. She's stronger and fiercer than I could ever be, and her loyalty is very admirable. I sound so stiff when I say all of that compared to Rose's; that's how you know when I have nothing more to say 🤭
Aaand now the romances. I actually loved the romances in this, but I definitely preferred one over the other.
Shen and Rose are just perfection. The banter and "enemies to lovers" (not really but close enough) was so fun and I was giggling over their moments so much. I want MORE.
Tor and Wren are all right. I do really like them together, it just doesn't feel like there's as much chemistry, and it feels a little rushed (Shen and Rose's is kinda rushed too, but I'm a hypocrite) But overall, I still liked them.
Just to add in some critiques because I'm supposed to be a "fair" and "honest" reviewer: some things were just very convenient. Like Rose and Wren became friendly way faster than I would've expected, since Wren literally tried to steal Rose's crown and then Rose just almost instantly forgave her, which was a little confusing. And as I said above, the romances were a tad rushed, like both couples grew to trust each other quite fast, but it's kind of different for both, like Wren told Tor a lot more than she should've after knowing him for not that long.
Anyways, I'm so glad I finally picked this up since I've been putting it off for a while because the size was scaring me a little. Overall, I loved this book more than I should have and it's now going to become a comfort read, and I'd recommend it for people who just want to have fun and don't care about the YA-ish feel. Can't wait for the sequel! 🥰
4.5 stars
(If you're wondering why there are no quotes, it's because there aren't any in the quotes section and I'm too lazy to go back into the book and find any good ones 🤩)
<><><><><><><>
I actually loved this so much more than I thought I would based off of people saying that it was all right. Yes I realize that this book comes with its flaws, but I honestly did not care one bit because I was having such a blast reading it. It was so freaking fun and I didn't want it to end
rtc
I reread this before reading the second one and it was just as good as the last time I read it! The book flew by once I started getting into it again just like the first time, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared for the second one, I just hope it's as entertaining as this was!
<><><><><><><>
This was better than I thought it was going to be! I've seen people saying that it was good, but not the best, and I can understand that, but honestly, I overlooked all of the issues because this was so much fun!
I actually had to force myself to stop reading so that I could sleep because it is literally so addicting. And I actually put off finishing the book because I didn't want it to end, which never happens to me 🤨
Yes, the book had flaws, like some things were very convenient, some things didn't really make much sense, but as I said, I overlooked everything.
I think the high from originally finishing this book has faded now, so I think instead of 5 stars I'd give it 4.5 (just because of those little issues) but it's not much of a difference.
The plot in this was actually so much fun. I will be using the word "fun" many times throughout this review. There was a lot going on, but it never really felt like there was high-stakes, despite the fact that Wren was in some very difficult situations. It just felt really lighthearted and cozy which is exactly what I wanted.
It's very much a typical YA fantasy, just with a lot of humor and fun packed into it, hilarious moments throughout the entire thing, so if you're looking for something more mature, this book isn't that.
As for the journeys that the two main characters were on, I actually preferred Rose's chapters to Wren's. I was surprised because everyone kept saying they liked Wren's better, but I loved reading through Rose's journey to discover who she is, what she is, her history, and let's not forget her banter with Shen, and honestly, their romance was the main reason I liked Rose's chapters better.
With Wren, I really did enjoy her story-line, navigating everything and all that, so I guess there's that. But nothing really intriguing was happening there, except for all the lies and deception that she was doing (which I love her for) And then there's also her romance, but we'll talk about that later.
Now for the characters, surprisingly again, I liked Rose better than Wren. Don't get me wrong, I love Wren, but I love Rose more. Yes, she's the stereotypical, bratty, "you must bow down to me" princess in the beginning, but she grows immensely from that. She made me cringe a few times, but only one of those times was because of something she did.
I also really enjoyed Wren's character too; I loved her sarcastic, not-a-care attitude, and her snarky personality. She's stronger and fiercer than I could ever be, and her loyalty is very admirable. I sound so stiff when I say all of that compared to Rose's; that's how you know when I have nothing more to say 🤭
Aaand now the romances. I actually loved the romances in this, but I definitely preferred one over the other.
Shen and Rose are just perfection. The banter and "enemies to lovers" (not really but close enough) was so fun and I was giggling over their moments so much. I want MORE.
Tor and Wren are all right. I do really like them together, it just doesn't feel like there's as much chemistry, and it feels a little rushed (Shen and Rose's is kinda rushed too, but I'm a hypocrite) But overall, I still liked them.
Just to add in some critiques because I'm supposed to be a "fair" and "honest" reviewer: some things were just very convenient. Like Rose and Wren became friendly way faster than I would've expected, since Wren literally tried to steal Rose's crown and then Rose just almost instantly forgave her, which was a little confusing. And as I said above, the romances were a tad rushed, like both couples grew to trust each other quite fast, but it's kind of different for both, like Wren told Tor a lot more than she should've after knowing him for not that long.
Anyways, I'm so glad I finally picked this up since I've been putting it off for a while because the size was scaring me a little. Overall, I loved this book more than I should have and it's now going to become a comfort read, and I'd recommend it for people who just want to have fun and don't care about the YA-ish feel. Can't wait for the sequel! 🥰
4.5 stars
(If you're wondering why there are no quotes, it's because there aren't any in the quotes section and I'm too lazy to go back into the book and find any good ones 🤩)
<><><><><><><>
I actually loved this so much more than I thought I would based off of people saying that it was all right. Yes I realize that this book comes with its flaws, but I honestly did not care one bit because I was having such a blast reading it. It was so freaking fun and I didn't want it to end
rtc
January 16, 2023
This was a super fun read!! 🤩🤩 I went in with high expectations bc of the stunning cover and interesting synopsis, and it was just as light and entertaining as I hoped it would be! 🥰🥰
Twin Crowns follows two sisters separated at birth- Rose Valhart and Wren Greenrock. Rose is the heir to the throne of Eana and has grown up trained to fear the witches that killed her parents. She will do anything to defend her kingdom. Stolen from the palace at birth, Wren is the sister whose existence is completely hidden. She plans to usurp the princess and seize the throne in order to protect the witches who raised her. In the battle for Eana's crown, where will your allegiances lie?
Twin Crowns is, in many ways, very similar to other YA fantasy books and has pretty low stakes, making it more fun than thrilling. It'll probably not be what you're looking for if you want an action-packed book with high stakes and lots of depth, but if you just want a good time (like I did), then it's great!! 💕💕
Starting with the characters. The book is dual-POV, with alternating chapters between Wren and Rose's POVs, which definitely helps keep the story interesting. The sisters themselves are very different- Wren is very fierce, while Rose acts a lot like a stereotypical princess- very stiff and a lot less laid-back, while also expecting everyone to answer to her.
Wren was definitely my favourite sister- she was just a lot more entertaining to follow than Rose. If I'm being completely honest, I found Rose a bit insufferable and reading her chapters could sometimes be a bit of a struggle 😬😬 The second hand embarassment 😵😵😖😖
Next, the writing. I really liked the writing style- it was super easy to read and to understand, and helped the book fly by 😃 The whole book had an extremely fun atmosphere, which made it very entertaining to read. Although there are serious things happening, with the threat of war on the horizon, it felt a lot more like a fun fantasy romp, with the sisters messing up in hilarious ways and them having their own romances, than a serious book 😚😚
I did like the plot for the most part, but it had its issues. Although it was pretty fast-paced and both sisters' perspectives were equally interesting, I found that it did feel a little less interesting in the middle part of the book. Things were still happening, but it just wasn't holding my interest as much 🥱🥱 However, I really liked the end portion of the book- it was a lot more action-packed and the ending introduces the upcoming sequel really well 🤩🤩 So, definitely, mixed feelings on the plot.
Lastly, the romance. There were two main romances in this- one for Wren, one for Rose. I was actually surprised that I ended up liking both romances!! They were both cute and added a little something to the plot that helped make it a bit more interesting. I really liked the banter in Rose's romance, and the dynamic between Wren and her love interest was really good 💖💖 They definitely weren't the best romances ever, but they were fun and cute! 🥰🥰
Overall, an entertaining read!! 🤩🤩 It's pretty light & fun and a great pick if you want something a little less dark, or a quick read to get you out of a reading slump. I would recommend if you want:
� A quick & fun fantasy read
� Dual POV
� Cute romance subplots
� Witches!
� Easy to read writing
I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it comes out! 💖💖
~ 3.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really enjoyed this!! 😃 A very fun fantasy read 🥰🥰
RTC!
Twin Crowns follows two sisters separated at birth- Rose Valhart and Wren Greenrock. Rose is the heir to the throne of Eana and has grown up trained to fear the witches that killed her parents. She will do anything to defend her kingdom. Stolen from the palace at birth, Wren is the sister whose existence is completely hidden. She plans to usurp the princess and seize the throne in order to protect the witches who raised her. In the battle for Eana's crown, where will your allegiances lie?
Twin Crowns is, in many ways, very similar to other YA fantasy books and has pretty low stakes, making it more fun than thrilling. It'll probably not be what you're looking for if you want an action-packed book with high stakes and lots of depth, but if you just want a good time (like I did), then it's great!! 💕💕
Starting with the characters. The book is dual-POV, with alternating chapters between Wren and Rose's POVs, which definitely helps keep the story interesting. The sisters themselves are very different- Wren is very fierce, while Rose acts a lot like a stereotypical princess- very stiff and a lot less laid-back, while also expecting everyone to answer to her.
Wren was definitely my favourite sister- she was just a lot more entertaining to follow than Rose. If I'm being completely honest, I found Rose a bit insufferable and reading her chapters could sometimes be a bit of a struggle 😬😬 The second hand embarassment 😵😵😖😖
Next, the writing. I really liked the writing style- it was super easy to read and to understand, and helped the book fly by 😃 The whole book had an extremely fun atmosphere, which made it very entertaining to read. Although there are serious things happening, with the threat of war on the horizon, it felt a lot more like a fun fantasy romp, with the sisters messing up in hilarious ways and them having their own romances, than a serious book 😚😚
I did like the plot for the most part, but it had its issues. Although it was pretty fast-paced and both sisters' perspectives were equally interesting, I found that it did feel a little less interesting in the middle part of the book. Things were still happening, but it just wasn't holding my interest as much 🥱🥱 However, I really liked the end portion of the book- it was a lot more action-packed and the ending introduces the upcoming sequel really well 🤩🤩 So, definitely, mixed feelings on the plot.
Lastly, the romance. There were two main romances in this- one for Wren, one for Rose. I was actually surprised that I ended up liking both romances!! They were both cute and added a little something to the plot that helped make it a bit more interesting. I really liked the banter in Rose's romance, and the dynamic between Wren and her love interest was really good 💖💖 They definitely weren't the best romances ever, but they were fun and cute! 🥰🥰
Overall, an entertaining read!! 🤩🤩 It's pretty light & fun and a great pick if you want something a little less dark, or a quick read to get you out of a reading slump. I would recommend if you want:
� A quick & fun fantasy read
� Dual POV
� Cute romance subplots
� Witches!
� Easy to read writing
I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it comes out! 💖💖
~ 3.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really enjoyed this!! 😃 A very fun fantasy read 🥰🥰
RTC!
April 7, 2022
A magical romcom in the vein of The Princess Bride, taking place in a well-realised world of witches and royals. and make a great team, blending their styles and voices seamlessly.
In a time where there's a lot of grimdark around, Twin Crowns –while it has occasional dark moments –is a welcome reminder that fantasy can be escapist, funny and joyful. I also really loved the Irish influences on the setting.
Note: I received a free Advance Reading Copy from the publisher.
In a time where there's a lot of grimdark around, Twin Crowns –while it has occasional dark moments –is a welcome reminder that fantasy can be escapist, funny and joyful. I also really loved the Irish influences on the setting.
Note: I received a free Advance Reading Copy from the publisher.
August 17, 2024
3.75 out of 5 stars.
I wanted to give this book three stars, but at last minute I felt very guilty by it and rounded it up 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, this may feel like a bit cliché YA fantasy, but it also has the charm of the beloved ones from the late 2000's till mid 2010's.
Also, check out this series if you love fairytale-esque fantasy and adventurous books!
—ĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔ�
I was planning to pick up this book last month, but it wasn't the right time for it, unfortunately.
Hopefully, in a couple of months I'll be able to read this.
________________________
I have the other two books of this trilogy in my tbr, and yet I never added the first book even though I’m going to pick it up very soon.
Anyways, I cannot wait to see what the fuss is about. So very excited!
I wanted to give this book three stars, but at last minute I felt very guilty by it and rounded it up 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, this may feel like a bit cliché YA fantasy, but it also has the charm of the beloved ones from the late 2000's till mid 2010's.
Also, check out this series if you love fairytale-esque fantasy and adventurous books!
—ĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔ�
I was planning to pick up this book last month, but it wasn't the right time for it, unfortunately.
Hopefully, in a couple of months I'll be able to read this.
________________________
I have the other two books of this trilogy in my tbr, and yet I never added the first book even though I’m going to pick it up very soon.
Anyways, I cannot wait to see what the fuss is about. So very excited!
July 14, 2022
So much fun!
Shelved as 'tbr-on-pause'
March 27, 2023I’m pausing this bc i read the first couple of chapters and I see the potential but it’s not helping the slump I’m in ugh.
January 11, 2023
Everything I hope to find in a fantasy and more. I love this book so much.
July 17, 2022
5 ⭐️
THIS WAS SOOO FUN TO READ!! It had everything I love in a fantasy and more! 😍 rtc
THIS WAS SOOO FUN TO READ!! It had everything I love in a fantasy and more! 😍 rtc
July 29, 2022
I was hoping to enjoy this as silly, tropey fun, and initially it met those expectations: it’s the written equivalent of a Disney movie, complete with spunky adventuring princesses, cute romances, and a paper-thin setting. Unfortunately, the fun wore off as the book insisted upon good-vs-evil morality while the actual portrayal is anything but. Pro tip: it’s helpful in a goofy fantasy novel if the “good� guys value human life beyond their own, and aren’t simply out to crush the rest of society under their thumb.
Twin Crowns has a totally goofy premise, involving a twin princess switcheroo. Chapters alternate between 18-year-old twins Rose and Wren (but, miracle of miracles for YA, in the third person past tense!): Rose has been raised as princess of Eana, not knowing she has a sister, while Wren was spirited away at birth and raised by her grandmother in a hidden community of witches, preparing to steal Rose’s identity and crown. The book kicks off with Rose’s kidnapping and Wren’s impersonation of her, and follows the twins in each other’s places as Wren tries to make the charade work, Rose discovers facets of her world she hadn’t been taught, and each begins to fall for a smug warrior dude. But the evil regent has plans to get rid of “Rose,� and of course, shenanigans ensue.
Given the premise, I naturally picked this up expecting nonsense, and for the first third or so was thoroughly satisfied. The plot moves briskly, and the alternation between the two viewpoints works well. Yes, it’s far-fetched and silly and works best if you picture it all happening in Disney animation, but it captures the magic of Disney: the princesses are spunky and entertaining, there is humor, the best-known tropes are there, cute animals appear to understand human speech, the dialogue feels right out of Frozen or Tangled, and I loved those movies and was happy to engage with the book on that level.
You do have to overlook a lot, from the horses that gallop for hours to the world’s most easily infiltrated dungeon. The royalty thing and the quasi-medieval thing are both purely aesthetic. All the characters think and behave like modern Americans rather than products of this (very thinly-drawn) setting. And of course the politics make no sense. However, it’s fair to say that the setting of Frozen is also wallpaper and withstands no scrutiny, and while that perhaps works better in a children’s movie than in a fairly chunky novel aimed at an older audience, as long as I was enjoying the characters and their story I was willing to accept it for what it is.
Sadly, it wasn’t to last. Enter the witches.
The witches, we are told, are Good, and anyone opposed to them is Evil.
The problem is, there is nothing actually good about these witches. They are persecuted, yes. But that isn’t the same thing. And what’s more, I can see why. Their powers are terrifying to a regular person, and they have absolutely no notion of ethics. Of the five types of witches, only one (healers) are pro-social, while another (seers) are whatever. Then there are the warrior witches, who are as they sound; the tempests, whose localized weather magic is exclusively shown being used to drag people about against their will, kill them by throwing them off of or into things, and destroy buildings; and the enchanters, whose wide range of powers includes the ability to falsify people’s identities and tamper with their minds. And anything the witches can do, they do in fact do without compunction.
Not only that, witch culture (realistically enough) is incredibly toxic. Their goal is to take over the kingdom for the benefit of themselves, and they talk loudly and often about how the rivers will run red with the blood of anyone who stands in their way. They are one step away from a Master Race theory of why they deserve to rule and no one else matters, and that step consists entirely of vocabulary. Ideologically and emotionally, they’re already there.
Now, I certainly don’t oppose including a dysfunctional group of fascists in a book, and exploring how to reintegrate the witches into society could be fruitful ground for storytelling. I assumed the twins would have parallels arcs in which Rose realized that witches are still human and not 100% evil and need to be incorporated into the kingdom somehow, while Wren realized the dangers of revenge and witch supremacy and that other people matter too. And that while Rose realized that the regent has manipulated her and raised her as a tool for his own ends, Wren would realize that the same is true of her grandmother.
But only one of those arcs happens. Rose has a rapid and complete personal transformation, in which she inexplicably becomes a partisan of the witches despite the fact that most of them—including her own grandmother—treat her poorly, with a youth cadre even trying repeatedly to murder her. Meanwhile Wren doesn’t grow or change at all, because who cares that the witches are violent fascists, they are persecuted and that makes them Good. The double standard is wild: a witch kills people gleefully and we’re supposed to sympathize with her; their enemies kill angrily, and that’s why we should hate them. (Hatred is acceptable, but only if not directed at witches; toward witches it means you’re a bigot, never mind that these people have every rational reason in the world to hate and fear them.) Grandma Stormfront over here orders something that will hurt someone, and she’s a strong leader making a tough but necessary decision; the regent does the same, and it shows that he’s a monster.
So given all that, why should Wren be sorry for helping kidnap her sister and attempting to steal her life? Apparently, there is no need for this, because Rose promptly forgives despite Wren’s lack of repentance, making their relationship feel entirely unearned. And the bad guys don’t seem quite as bad as intended either; there’s a throwaway comment that the regent is “respected across Eana,� which apparently isn’t supposed to affect readers� judgment of him at all but which definitely affected mine, especially when the twins seem wildly unprepared to govern. (Rose at least has good intentions, which in a story like this is meant to be enough, but Wren doesn’t even have that.)
My second biggest disappointment, upon finishing this book, was that it’s definitively not a standalone, so possibly the sequel is meant to unpack all this. But it seems unlikely, when the book pushes the Witches are Good viewpoint so hard that character decisions and feelings only make sense when you accept that as a premise. Also, speaking of the ending: I feel that a book that describes itself as a “rom-com� has some obligation to actually resolve the romances by the end. This book does not.
So in the end, this proved to be a disappointment that I can’t recommend, despite a promising start. I knew it would be nonsense! I was here for nonsense! But nothing ruins my fun faster than moral dissonance, and Twin Crowns failed to keep my sympathy where the authors wanted it.
Twin Crowns has a totally goofy premise, involving a twin princess switcheroo. Chapters alternate between 18-year-old twins Rose and Wren (but, miracle of miracles for YA, in the third person past tense!): Rose has been raised as princess of Eana, not knowing she has a sister, while Wren was spirited away at birth and raised by her grandmother in a hidden community of witches, preparing to steal Rose’s identity and crown. The book kicks off with Rose’s kidnapping and Wren’s impersonation of her, and follows the twins in each other’s places as Wren tries to make the charade work, Rose discovers facets of her world she hadn’t been taught, and each begins to fall for a smug warrior dude. But the evil regent has plans to get rid of “Rose,� and of course, shenanigans ensue.
Given the premise, I naturally picked this up expecting nonsense, and for the first third or so was thoroughly satisfied. The plot moves briskly, and the alternation between the two viewpoints works well. Yes, it’s far-fetched and silly and works best if you picture it all happening in Disney animation, but it captures the magic of Disney: the princesses are spunky and entertaining, there is humor, the best-known tropes are there, cute animals appear to understand human speech, the dialogue feels right out of Frozen or Tangled, and I loved those movies and was happy to engage with the book on that level.
You do have to overlook a lot, from the horses that gallop for hours to the world’s most easily infiltrated dungeon. The royalty thing and the quasi-medieval thing are both purely aesthetic. All the characters think and behave like modern Americans rather than products of this (very thinly-drawn) setting. And of course the politics make no sense. However, it’s fair to say that the setting of Frozen is also wallpaper and withstands no scrutiny, and while that perhaps works better in a children’s movie than in a fairly chunky novel aimed at an older audience, as long as I was enjoying the characters and their story I was willing to accept it for what it is.
Sadly, it wasn’t to last. Enter the witches.
The witches, we are told, are Good, and anyone opposed to them is Evil.
The problem is, there is nothing actually good about these witches. They are persecuted, yes. But that isn’t the same thing. And what’s more, I can see why. Their powers are terrifying to a regular person, and they have absolutely no notion of ethics. Of the five types of witches, only one (healers) are pro-social, while another (seers) are whatever. Then there are the warrior witches, who are as they sound; the tempests, whose localized weather magic is exclusively shown being used to drag people about against their will, kill them by throwing them off of or into things, and destroy buildings; and the enchanters, whose wide range of powers includes the ability to falsify people’s identities and tamper with their minds. And anything the witches can do, they do in fact do without compunction.
Not only that, witch culture (realistically enough) is incredibly toxic. Their goal is to take over the kingdom for the benefit of themselves, and they talk loudly and often about how the rivers will run red with the blood of anyone who stands in their way. They are one step away from a Master Race theory of why they deserve to rule and no one else matters, and that step consists entirely of vocabulary. Ideologically and emotionally, they’re already there.
Now, I certainly don’t oppose including a dysfunctional group of fascists in a book, and exploring how to reintegrate the witches into society could be fruitful ground for storytelling. I assumed the twins would have parallels arcs in which Rose realized that witches are still human and not 100% evil and need to be incorporated into the kingdom somehow, while Wren realized the dangers of revenge and witch supremacy and that other people matter too. And that while Rose realized that the regent has manipulated her and raised her as a tool for his own ends, Wren would realize that the same is true of her grandmother.
But only one of those arcs happens. Rose has a rapid and complete personal transformation, in which she inexplicably becomes a partisan of the witches despite the fact that most of them—including her own grandmother—treat her poorly, with a youth cadre even trying repeatedly to murder her. Meanwhile Wren doesn’t grow or change at all, because who cares that the witches are violent fascists, they are persecuted and that makes them Good. The double standard is wild: a witch kills people gleefully and we’re supposed to sympathize with her; their enemies kill angrily, and that’s why we should hate them. (Hatred is acceptable, but only if not directed at witches; toward witches it means you’re a bigot, never mind that these people have every rational reason in the world to hate and fear them.) Grandma Stormfront over here orders something that will hurt someone, and she’s a strong leader making a tough but necessary decision; the regent does the same, and it shows that he’s a monster.
So given all that, why should Wren be sorry for helping kidnap her sister and attempting to steal her life? Apparently, there is no need for this, because Rose promptly forgives despite Wren’s lack of repentance, making their relationship feel entirely unearned. And the bad guys don’t seem quite as bad as intended either; there’s a throwaway comment that the regent is “respected across Eana,� which apparently isn’t supposed to affect readers� judgment of him at all but which definitely affected mine, especially when the twins seem wildly unprepared to govern. (Rose at least has good intentions, which in a story like this is meant to be enough, but Wren doesn’t even have that.)
My second biggest disappointment, upon finishing this book, was that it’s definitively not a standalone, so possibly the sequel is meant to unpack all this. But it seems unlikely, when the book pushes the Witches are Good viewpoint so hard that character decisions and feelings only make sense when you accept that as a premise. Also, speaking of the ending: I feel that a book that describes itself as a “rom-com� has some obligation to actually resolve the romances by the end. This book does not.
So in the end, this proved to be a disappointment that I can’t recommend, despite a promising start. I knew it would be nonsense! I was here for nonsense! But nothing ruins my fun faster than moral dissonance, and Twin Crowns failed to keep my sympathy where the authors wanted it.
October 1, 2023
�
—� 4.5 stars 👑�
“Since we're trying to avoid suspicion on our way in, I'd rather not leave eighteen bodies behind us.�
————about the book———�
Age: YA
Genres: Fantasy, Teenage Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Witches,
Writing: 8/10
Quotes: 7/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 8/10
My rating: 9/10
trigger warnings: Violence, Kidnapping, Loss of Parents, Murder, Death, Attempted Murder, Poison, etc.
———my thoughts——�
Wren Greenrock has always know she will steal her sister’s place on the throne.
Raised in hiding and trained to avenge her parents, she’ll do anything to protect the community of witches she loves.
Rose, her twin, has no idea Wren exists.
All she knows is the palace and the looming responsibility of the throne.
But now as Wren’s plan is finally in motion, the twins are going to know each other’s lives a lot better...
I read a lot of YA books, and when I tell you “YA� is a large spectrum, I’m not joking.
YA can be many things.
Good, bad, in between, irritating, boring.
But there are YA books that are, quite simply, fantastic.
And Twin Crowns is one of them.
Wren and Rose (our protagonists) are both naive and completely relatable.
They may be twins, but they were raised in such different places, with different people, that they are glaringly different.
And of course, all twins are different.
But it’s especially obvious when you have Rose and Wren in the same room (or on the same page.)
I’ve heard them compared to the Duarte sisters, and while that may be a little true...it’s also not.
Honestly, the only real thing they have in common is that they’re twins.
And apart from that, I love them both.
But in completely different ways.
Wren, I adored from the first moment I saw her.
And Rose? It took longer. She’s definitely a little spoilt, but she’s also the most heartfelt and sweet human ever.
Because the book is told though their alternating POVs, you end up jumping from one parallel plotline to the other.
They might be completely different, but sometimes their similarities are exposed.
For example, Wren’s kinder side is akin to Rose, while Rose’s more dangerous side is close to Wren...
They’re almost mirrors of each other.
And it’s always funny how much my feelings stay the same when rereading.
But it’s also interesting what different things I pick up on.
The first read, I’m always concentrating on the plot, the storyline—but while rereading I focus on the characters and details.
Maybe that’s why I like Rose more now, as I had the chance to just read instead of trying to figure out all the plotlines.
I got to enjoy the relationship more as well, and while Wren and Tor will always be my favourites...Rose and Shen are sweet together.
So if you’re looking to pick up this series (if the gorgeous cover isn’t enough of an endorsement) do so with the knowledge that it’s good
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“Calm your heart, anxious one. Let me heal what is broken.�
“Rose wished her sister were here to see this. What would her life have been like, having fierce and fearless Wren always next to her? Anger flared inside her, as hot as the flames crackling in their cages.�
“She cleared her throat. "I found a new vocation." "Stalking me?" "Wanting you." Wren's cheeks flared. Damn. She looked away sharply.�
“Will you catch me if I fall?" "No, but I'll wave at you on your way down." "Ever the gentleman.�
“Of course I wanted to meet you," said Wren, and when her own tears fell, she scrubbed them away, wishing she could erase the unpleasant feelings that came with them. Guilt and loss, and this new yearning for the life they might have had together if things had been different. If only things had been different. "I thought about you every day of my life.�
———random extra thoughts——�
Tor’s wolf has my heart forever
Thanks for reading! ❤️
—� 4.5 stars 👑�
“Since we're trying to avoid suspicion on our way in, I'd rather not leave eighteen bodies behind us.�
————about the book———�
Age: YA
Genres: Fantasy, Teenage Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Witches,
Writing: 8/10
Quotes: 7/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 8/10
My rating: 9/10
trigger warnings: Violence, Kidnapping, Loss of Parents, Murder, Death, Attempted Murder, Poison, etc.
———my thoughts——�
Wren Greenrock has always know she will steal her sister’s place on the throne.
Raised in hiding and trained to avenge her parents, she’ll do anything to protect the community of witches she loves.
Rose, her twin, has no idea Wren exists.
All she knows is the palace and the looming responsibility of the throne.
But now as Wren’s plan is finally in motion, the twins are going to know each other’s lives a lot better...
I read a lot of YA books, and when I tell you “YA� is a large spectrum, I’m not joking.
YA can be many things.
Good, bad, in between, irritating, boring.
But there are YA books that are, quite simply, fantastic.
And Twin Crowns is one of them.
Wren and Rose (our protagonists) are both naive and completely relatable.
They may be twins, but they were raised in such different places, with different people, that they are glaringly different.
And of course, all twins are different.
But it’s especially obvious when you have Rose and Wren in the same room (or on the same page.)
I’ve heard them compared to the Duarte sisters, and while that may be a little true...it’s also not.
Honestly, the only real thing they have in common is that they’re twins.
And apart from that, I love them both.
But in completely different ways.
Wren, I adored from the first moment I saw her.
And Rose? It took longer. She’s definitely a little spoilt, but she’s also the most heartfelt and sweet human ever.
Because the book is told though their alternating POVs, you end up jumping from one parallel plotline to the other.
They might be completely different, but sometimes their similarities are exposed.
For example, Wren’s kinder side is akin to Rose, while Rose’s more dangerous side is close to Wren...
They’re almost mirrors of each other.
And it’s always funny how much my feelings stay the same when rereading.
But it’s also interesting what different things I pick up on.
The first read, I’m always concentrating on the plot, the storyline—but while rereading I focus on the characters and details.
Maybe that’s why I like Rose more now, as I had the chance to just read instead of trying to figure out all the plotlines.
I got to enjoy the relationship more as well, and while Wren and Tor will always be my favourites...Rose and Shen are sweet together.
So if you’re looking to pick up this series (if the gorgeous cover isn’t enough of an endorsement) do so with the knowledge that it’s good
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“Calm your heart, anxious one. Let me heal what is broken.�
“Rose wished her sister were here to see this. What would her life have been like, having fierce and fearless Wren always next to her? Anger flared inside her, as hot as the flames crackling in their cages.�
“She cleared her throat. "I found a new vocation." "Stalking me?" "Wanting you." Wren's cheeks flared. Damn. She looked away sharply.�
“Will you catch me if I fall?" "No, but I'll wave at you on your way down." "Ever the gentleman.�
“Of course I wanted to meet you," said Wren, and when her own tears fell, she scrubbed them away, wishing she could erase the unpleasant feelings that came with them. Guilt and loss, and this new yearning for the life they might have had together if things had been different. If only things had been different. "I thought about you every day of my life.�
———random extra thoughts——�
Tor’s wolf has my heart forever
Thanks for reading! ❤️
November 23, 2024
Shen needs to date me instead
July 5, 2022
knew it was gonna be a rollercoaster when i saw sarah j maas on the cover. i would have ate this up if i was 12 years old i promise 😭� but this is such a classic dumb YA fantasy that y’all will just go crazy over�
to understand what i’m talking abt let’s play a game
you have to murder someone and you are going to get poison from the market. do you�.
1. secure the bag and run away asap
2. chug beer until you’re so drunk you can’t function! #Lit #Wild
the answer is 2!
you are pretending to be someone else and they are engaged. do you�
1. make an effort to connect with your fiancé to avoid suspicion, then plot his downfall and get rid of him in a quiet manner
2. fuck your fiancé’s bodyguard
the answer is actually 2🤯
here’s some classic YA fantasy tropes this book has!
tyrant that destroyed magic with zero motive, killing witches �
telling instead of showing writing ✅✅✅✅
so predictable that you can guess every plot point �
stockholm syndrome instalove �
badass sassy one dimensional main character �
forced character development �
soft uwu girl turns powerful �
ancient prophecies, chosen one ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅�
things this book lacks
an editor �
an original plot �
3 dimensional characters �
heartfelt moments �
WHY couldn’t this have been middle grade. the writing is for elementary schoolers, so i almost spit out my water when they started talking about dick. authors, WHY DID YOU DO THIS, what went into this decision 💀
in conclusion, this was horrible but the kind of horrible where it gets more fun as you keep reading and laugh at it. ya fantasy do better 👎 maybe i'm just getting older and can't appreciate it anymore but either way it's sad. at least the last 25% was entertaining.
to understand what i’m talking abt let’s play a game
you have to murder someone and you are going to get poison from the market. do you�.
1. secure the bag and run away asap
2. chug beer until you’re so drunk you can’t function! #Lit #Wild
the answer is 2!
you are pretending to be someone else and they are engaged. do you�
1. make an effort to connect with your fiancé to avoid suspicion, then plot his downfall and get rid of him in a quiet manner
2. fuck your fiancé’s bodyguard
the answer is actually 2🤯
here’s some classic YA fantasy tropes this book has!
tyrant that destroyed magic with zero motive, killing witches �
telling instead of showing writing ✅✅✅✅
so predictable that you can guess every plot point �
stockholm syndrome instalove �
badass sassy one dimensional main character �
forced character development �
soft uwu girl turns powerful �
ancient prophecies, chosen one ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅�
things this book lacks
an editor �
an original plot �
3 dimensional characters �
heartfelt moments �
WHY couldn’t this have been middle grade. the writing is for elementary schoolers, so i almost spit out my water when they started talking about dick. authors, WHY DID YOU DO THIS, what went into this decision 💀
in conclusion, this was horrible but the kind of horrible where it gets more fun as you keep reading and laugh at it. ya fantasy do better 👎 maybe i'm just getting older and can't appreciate it anymore but either way it's sad. at least the last 25% was entertaining.
June 5, 2024
Wren supre,acy>>>
Want to read
December 21, 2023well, if sarah janet maas says it’s good! (derogatory)
all jokes aside, they’re hot.
all jokes aside, they’re hot.
May 18, 2022
The fact that the characters weren't replicas of a distinct stereotype filled me with more happiness than I thought it would.
July 26, 2022
Super fun! Although Oonagh for a name� I just can’t take that seriously.
January 11, 2023
� FAVORIS DE L’ANNÉE NUMÉRO 3 �
Moi qui croyais que je n’aimais plus la Romantasy YA…que nenni !!! Celle ci est PARFAITE ! Des chapitres courts, un rythme impeccable, pas une� MAIS DEUX ROMANCES ENEMIES TO LOVERS !! (Shen le nouvel amour de ma vie !!!!) De l’humour et des rebondissements de folie à la fin : PARFAIT !!
Moi qui croyais que je n’aimais plus la Romantasy YA…que nenni !!! Celle ci est PARFAITE ! Des chapitres courts, un rythme impeccable, pas une� MAIS DEUX ROMANCES ENEMIES TO LOVERS !! (Shen le nouvel amour de ma vie !!!!) De l’humour et des rebondissements de folie à la fin : PARFAIT !!
May 8, 2023
8.5/10
There are two sisters who were separated at birth and brought up in completely different domains. One sister, Princess Rose, lives in the royalty of the palace while the other, Wren the Witch, is a practitioner of magic in the wild and hidden land of forbidden witches.
Wren always knows that should take her sister's place in the palace, but Rose has no idea about being kidnapped and discovering their witch grandmother in the wilderness beyond the palace walls.
Switching places was a new experience for both sisters and fun for me! They got to know each other slowly in amusing ways.
Honestly, I was initially drawn to this book solely based on its cover. However, I am pleasantly surprised to find that it has exceeded my expectations. The twin sisters, despite not knowing each other, were not cruel and prioritized their family. They showed care and love towards one another.
Overall, this was an entertaining young adult romance book. The dual POVs are beautifully narrated by Ann Marie Gideon and Ell Potter. The audiobook even included an interview with the authors, which was a nice touch. I am looking forward to listening to the sequel, , as well.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio via NetGalley for giving me a chance to listen to the first book of Twin Crowns by Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle. I have given my review solely based on my personal viewpoint and completely honest.
There are two sisters who were separated at birth and brought up in completely different domains. One sister, Princess Rose, lives in the royalty of the palace while the other, Wren the Witch, is a practitioner of magic in the wild and hidden land of forbidden witches.
Wren always knows that should take her sister's place in the palace, but Rose has no idea about being kidnapped and discovering their witch grandmother in the wilderness beyond the palace walls.
Switching places was a new experience for both sisters and fun for me! They got to know each other slowly in amusing ways.
Honestly, I was initially drawn to this book solely based on its cover. However, I am pleasantly surprised to find that it has exceeded my expectations. The twin sisters, despite not knowing each other, were not cruel and prioritized their family. They showed care and love towards one another.
Overall, this was an entertaining young adult romance book. The dual POVs are beautifully narrated by Ann Marie Gideon and Ell Potter. The audiobook even included an interview with the authors, which was a nice touch. I am looking forward to listening to the sequel, , as well.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio via NetGalley for giving me a chance to listen to the first book of Twin Crowns by Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle. I have given my review solely based on my personal viewpoint and completely honest.
March 3, 2024
princess rose is mother wife and child but this book reminds me of the dusty fantasies at the back of the school library. also, fanfic authors on goodreads, please write a sapphic romance with rose + celeste. (because they're both gorgeous girls but shen and the weird other guy are the human equivalents of raw spam.)
update: too much magic not enough realism
----------------------------------------
magic realism is magic and escapes real realism which is horrible
i’m a twin. this book is literally every day of my tween life,with much higher stakes. but fighting for a kingdom and fighting for your own room is basically the same thing, right?
update: too much magic not enough realism
----------------------------------------
magic realism is magic and escapes real realism which is horrible
i’m a twin. this book is literally every day of my tween life,
April 19, 2024
یه 2ستاره� تقریبا قابل پیشبینی� چکیدها� از عناصر فانتزیا� که خیلی خلاقیت خاصی توش نیست. ولی سرگرمکنند� ست و خوبه... برای یه استراحت بین کتابای دیگه.
August 27, 2023
رِن همیشه میدونست� روزی میرس� که باید جایگاه خواهرش در قصر رو بدزده. اون از بچگی با این هدف بزرگ شده روزی به قصر، جایی که پدر و مادرش در اون به قتل رسیدن برگرده و با به دست گرفتن تاج و تخت از جادوگره� محافظت کنه و اونه� رو دوباره به قدرت برسونه.
رز میدون� که قدرت به همراه خودش مسئولیتهای� میاره... رز در انتظار روز تاجگذار� و ازدواج از قبل برنامه ریزی شدها� هست که ویلیام راثبورن، دست راست پادشاه براش تدارک دیده. ویلیامی که رز تمام عمرش اون رو به عنوان تنها فرد خانواده� میشناخت�...
فقط یک مشکل هست اونم این که یک روز رز به جای بیدار شدن توی اتاقش، وسط صحرا روی یه اسب از خواب پا میش� و تنها کسی که میبین� پسری هست که اونو دزدیده. رز قراره در این سفر با ماجراهای زیادی مواجه بشه و رازهای زیادی رو کشف کنه...
این دو خواهر که تمام عمر جدا از هم و به شکلها� کاملا متفاوتی بزرگ شدن قراره بیشتر با زندگی همدیگه آشنا بشن. روز تاجگذار� نزدیکه اما مشکلات زیادی هم سر راه هست... آیا این دو خواهر بعد از ۱۸ سال دوری و با شخصیتها� متفاوت میتونن� باهم دیگه به این مشکلات غلبه کنند؟
یک داستان فوقالعاد� فانتزی و جذاب.
یعنی فانتزی بودن به معنای واقعی کلمه از این کتاب چکه میکن�. فضا و وایب داستان رو واقعا دوست داشتم. همچنین تاریخچها� که این داستان داشت برام واقعا جالب بود.
نکت� جذاب بعدی برای من اینه که ما دو خط داستانی داریم که میش� گفت کاملا از هم متفاوت هستند. رن که وارد قصر شده و تلاش میکن� تا به هدفش برسه و رز که داره از صحرا عبور میکن� و قراره از جادوگرهایی� که تمام عمرش از اونا میترسید� بیشتر آشنا بشه.
چیز دیگها� که توجه من رو جلب کرده شخصیتها� داستان هستند. به نظرم نویسندهه� خیلی خوب شخصیتها� کتاب رو به ما نشون دادن.
خوندن این کتاب خیلییییی چسبید.
به معنای واقعی کلم� فانتزی بود.
داستان قشنگ با ریتم خوب و شخصیتها� دوستداشتن�.
میش� یه سری ایراداتی بهش گرفت ولی در کل حس خوبی به من داد.
رز میدون� که قدرت به همراه خودش مسئولیتهای� میاره... رز در انتظار روز تاجگذار� و ازدواج از قبل برنامه ریزی شدها� هست که ویلیام راثبورن، دست راست پادشاه براش تدارک دیده. ویلیامی که رز تمام عمرش اون رو به عنوان تنها فرد خانواده� میشناخت�...
فقط یک مشکل هست اونم این که یک روز رز به جای بیدار شدن توی اتاقش، وسط صحرا روی یه اسب از خواب پا میش� و تنها کسی که میبین� پسری هست که اونو دزدیده. رز قراره در این سفر با ماجراهای زیادی مواجه بشه و رازهای زیادی رو کشف کنه...
این دو خواهر که تمام عمر جدا از هم و به شکلها� کاملا متفاوتی بزرگ شدن قراره بیشتر با زندگی همدیگه آشنا بشن. روز تاجگذار� نزدیکه اما مشکلات زیادی هم سر راه هست... آیا این دو خواهر بعد از ۱۸ سال دوری و با شخصیتها� متفاوت میتونن� باهم دیگه به این مشکلات غلبه کنند؟
یک داستان فوقالعاد� فانتزی و جذاب.
یعنی فانتزی بودن به معنای واقعی کلمه از این کتاب چکه میکن�. فضا و وایب داستان رو واقعا دوست داشتم. همچنین تاریخچها� که این داستان داشت برام واقعا جالب بود.
نکت� جذاب بعدی برای من اینه که ما دو خط داستانی داریم که میش� گفت کاملا از هم متفاوت هستند. رن که وارد قصر شده و تلاش میکن� تا به هدفش برسه و رز که داره از صحرا عبور میکن� و قراره از جادوگرهایی� که تمام عمرش از اونا میترسید� بیشتر آشنا بشه.
چیز دیگها� که توجه من رو جلب کرده شخصیتها� داستان هستند. به نظرم نویسندهه� خیلی خوب شخصیتها� کتاب رو به ما نشون دادن.
خوندن این کتاب خیلییییی چسبید.
به معنای واقعی کلم� فانتزی بود.
داستان قشنگ با ریتم خوب و شخصیتها� دوستداشتن�.
میش� یه سری ایراداتی بهش گرفت ولی در کل حس خوبی به من داد.
June 2, 2022
DNF 20%
I was excited when I heard this was a fantasy romcom.
Well, it didn’t last.
The main reason of my almost insta-drop: I found the different situations taking place to be very stupid, bad developed, and far-fetched. Yes. For a fantasy book.
In particular, every dialogue, reaction and behavior from Rose’s side of the story had me eye rolling so hard I ended up with a headache.
This isn’t for me. Bye.
I was excited when I heard this was a fantasy romcom.
Well, it didn’t last.
The main reason of my almost insta-drop: I found the different situations taking place to be very stupid, bad developed, and far-fetched. Yes. For a fantasy book.
In particular, every dialogue, reaction and behavior from Rose’s side of the story had me eye rolling so hard I ended up with a headache.
This isn’t for me. Bye.
November 4, 2022
I loved this book and I am so annoyed that I didn’t pick it up sooner! I can’t wait for the sequel as it was such a fun and captivating YA fantasy
November 11, 2023
� ۴ ستاره نقرها� با اسپارکها� طلایی �
کتاب "تاج دوقلوها" داستان دوتا شاهدخت به اسم "رز و رن" ئه که ۱۸ سال پیش درست وقتی که به دنیا میان و والدینشو� کشته میش� از هم جدا میش�.
"رز" تو کاخ بزرگ میش� و تمام زندگیش رو با نفرت از ساحرانی میگذرون� که والدینش رو کشتن و برای ملکه شدن آماده میش�.
ولی ساحران یکی از خواهران رو از قصر میبر� و "رن" تمام عمر تو صخرهها� بادگیر در میان ساحران بزرگ میش� و یاد میگیر� چهطو� روزی به قصر نفوذ کنه تا جایگزین خواهرش شه...
▪︎داستانِ ما اینطور� شروع میش� و فصله� یکی در میون از زبان رز و رن هستند. فصلها� رز وایب سلطنتی و ماجراجویانه دارند و فصلها� رن پر از جادو و دسیسهچین�.
بهطو� کلی کتاب ساده و خوشخوان� بود، داستان اونقد� گیرایی داشت که دوست نداشتم کنار بذارمش و واقعا غرقش شده بودم با این که چند جاش کاملا برام قابل حدس بود و از همون کلیشهها� همیشگی فانتزیها� عاشقانه� یانگ ادالت پیروی میکر� اما بازم برام دلنشی� بود و فانتزی بودن توی وایب و فضاسازی کتاب حس میش�. چیزی که توی کتاب برام جذابت� بود قصهه� و افسانهها� ساحران بود�. من عاشق کتابایی� که توشون پر از افسانهس� و این کتاب هم از اون دست کتابهاس�. �
شخصیتپرداز� و فضاسازی کتاب رو دوست داشتم و امیدوارم تو جلدای بعدی نویسندهه� ما رو به سرزمین سرد و یخزده� "گورا" ببرن. حقیقتا گورا و پادشاهش، الریک برای من وایب مجموعه "شب زمستانی" رو داشتن و دلم میخوا� برم به سرزمینشو� و ببینم میتون� "موروزکو" رو اونجا پیدا کنم یا نه :)) [ pov: وقتی قیمهه� رو میریز� تو ماستا و کتابای فانتزی رو قاطی میکن� باهم ]
▪︎ فکر میکن� این کتاب، جلد اول یه مجموعه سه جلدی باشه اما پایان تقریبا بستها� بود. حداقل اکثر اتفاقای این جلد همینج� تموم میش� و کلیف هنگر (قلاب :-؟) آنچنانیا� نداره. البته یه سری چیزا بازه که تو جلدهای بعدی قراره مشخص بشه اما آدم تو خماری نمیمون�.
بهطو� کلی "تاج دوقلوها" کتاب سادهای� و ریتم خوبی داره به نظرم برای شروع فانتزیخوند� مناسبه.
از اونجایی که خیلی وایب "شاهزاده و گدا" و کارتونای باربی رو برام داشت، واسه� نوستالژیک و فان بود و از خوندنش لذت بردم.
�
▪︎ کتاب رو با ترجمه خانم پگاه خدادی خوندم، در واقع بازبینی نهایی� برعهده من بود و بهزود� از نشر مجازی چاپ میش� و اخبارش رو میتونی� از پیج کتابم (bookophill) دنبال کنید. اما یه نکته دیگه که دوست دارم در موردش بگم ترجمه� کتابه که بسی تمیز و حرفها� بود. "رن" یه ساحرهس� و وردهاش رو آهنگین اجرا میکن� و این آهنگین بودن و حالت منظوم هم توی متن ترجمه فارسی حفظ شده بود و این هم یه مورد بود که هم داستان رو برام دلچسب کرد و هم باعث شد از ترجمه خیلی راضیت� باشم.
�
�
�
کتاب "تاج دوقلوها" داستان دوتا شاهدخت به اسم "رز و رن" ئه که ۱۸ سال پیش درست وقتی که به دنیا میان و والدینشو� کشته میش� از هم جدا میش�.
"رز" تو کاخ بزرگ میش� و تمام زندگیش رو با نفرت از ساحرانی میگذرون� که والدینش رو کشتن و برای ملکه شدن آماده میش�.
ولی ساحران یکی از خواهران رو از قصر میبر� و "رن" تمام عمر تو صخرهها� بادگیر در میان ساحران بزرگ میش� و یاد میگیر� چهطو� روزی به قصر نفوذ کنه تا جایگزین خواهرش شه...
▪︎داستانِ ما اینطور� شروع میش� و فصله� یکی در میون از زبان رز و رن هستند. فصلها� رز وایب سلطنتی و ماجراجویانه دارند و فصلها� رن پر از جادو و دسیسهچین�.
بهطو� کلی کتاب ساده و خوشخوان� بود، داستان اونقد� گیرایی داشت که دوست نداشتم کنار بذارمش و واقعا غرقش شده بودم با این که چند جاش کاملا برام قابل حدس بود و از همون کلیشهها� همیشگی فانتزیها� عاشقانه� یانگ ادالت پیروی میکر� اما بازم برام دلنشی� بود و فانتزی بودن توی وایب و فضاسازی کتاب حس میش�. چیزی که توی کتاب برام جذابت� بود قصهه� و افسانهها� ساحران بود�. من عاشق کتابایی� که توشون پر از افسانهس� و این کتاب هم از اون دست کتابهاس�. �
شخصیتپرداز� و فضاسازی کتاب رو دوست داشتم و امیدوارم تو جلدای بعدی نویسندهه� ما رو به سرزمین سرد و یخزده� "گورا" ببرن. حقیقتا گورا و پادشاهش، الریک برای من وایب مجموعه "شب زمستانی" رو داشتن و دلم میخوا� برم به سرزمینشو� و ببینم میتون� "موروزکو" رو اونجا پیدا کنم یا نه :)) [ pov: وقتی قیمهه� رو میریز� تو ماستا و کتابای فانتزی رو قاطی میکن� باهم ]
▪︎ فکر میکن� این کتاب، جلد اول یه مجموعه سه جلدی باشه اما پایان تقریبا بستها� بود. حداقل اکثر اتفاقای این جلد همینج� تموم میش� و کلیف هنگر (قلاب :-؟) آنچنانیا� نداره. البته یه سری چیزا بازه که تو جلدهای بعدی قراره مشخص بشه اما آدم تو خماری نمیمون�.
بهطو� کلی "تاج دوقلوها" کتاب سادهای� و ریتم خوبی داره به نظرم برای شروع فانتزیخوند� مناسبه.
از اونجایی که خیلی وایب "شاهزاده و گدا" و کارتونای باربی رو برام داشت، واسه� نوستالژیک و فان بود و از خوندنش لذت بردم.
�
▪︎ کتاب رو با ترجمه خانم پگاه خدادی خوندم، در واقع بازبینی نهایی� برعهده من بود و بهزود� از نشر مجازی چاپ میش� و اخبارش رو میتونی� از پیج کتابم (bookophill) دنبال کنید. اما یه نکته دیگه که دوست دارم در موردش بگم ترجمه� کتابه که بسی تمیز و حرفها� بود. "رن" یه ساحرهس� و وردهاش رو آهنگین اجرا میکن� و این آهنگین بودن و حالت منظوم هم توی متن ترجمه فارسی حفظ شده بود و این هم یه مورد بود که هم داستان رو برام دلچسب کرد و هم باعث شد از ترجمه خیلی راضیت� باشم.
�
�
�
March 9, 2025
#1 Twin Crowns - ★★★★�
Twin Crowns was such a magical read. From the moment I read the synopsis, I wanted to know more about these two sister twins. The action starts from the very first page, and it never stops. Even when it ended, I was immediately craving to read the second book in the Twin Crowns series. Needless to say, I will be pestering and stalking both authors for book spoilers and updates.
Synopsis:
Two sisters. One throne. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?
Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to avenge her parents� murder and usurp the princess, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves.
Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility including marriage into a brutal kingdom. Life outside the palace walls is a place to be feared and she is soon to discover that it’s wilder than she ever imagined.
Twin sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better�
My Thoughts:
The royal theme entwined with magic really hooked me. The stories about the witches were some of my favourite scenes whilst reading this book. All the awful things that happened to them, things that were done to them. How they were forced to go into hiding and give up so many things, the throne being one of them. However, what really made me love them was the willpower for them to keep fighting. They never give up and finally come back to fight for what truly belongs to them.
“When you break open the stone heart of Anadawn Palace and seize your rightful place on its throne, all the winds of Eana will sing your name. May the courage of the witches go with you, my little bird.�
I also loved that this book features twin sisters. I was very glad that we didn’t have any of those stereotypical moments that authors like to do with twins. It was such a relief! Wren and Rose are two completely different people with different personalities, and this book really explores that. They are both so very lovable in their own unique way. I connected with Wren slightly more than I did with Rose. Perhaps due to the fact that Wren is more adventurous, outspoken and sarcastic. However, Rose is also amazing � and her story is very emotional. The development she is going through is inspiring. It’s not easy to suddenly realise that your whole life has been based on lies, and now you are away from home and have to relearn everything from the beginning.
“I imagine the battles a princess must fight don’t often call for knives and swords.�
Everything about this book captivated me. The world, the twin sisters, the witches� Then Tor and Shen, the Cliffs, the desert and the unknown places we are still yet to explore. I can vividly imagine every detail in this world, because it was so perfectly described. The story itself carried excitement and suspense at the end of each chapter. It made me desperate to keep reading. And the chapters swapping between Wren and Rose’s points of view only add up to the fast pace the book has.
The romance in this book is adorable. We have a few slow burn romances entwined with humour. I am so invested in these people’s relationships and I can’t wait to read about their happy ever afters. The bonds that they make are very wholesome and adorable, and I am here for it.
Rose glared at him. “Do you always talk to women the way you talk to your horse?�
“You should be flattered. There’s no one in this world I respect more than Storm.�
I also had the privilege to attend two online meetings and meet both authors. They shared so many incredible details about the book, the places and the motivation behind it. Reading this book with some amazing bookstagrammers as part of a readalong and also whilst chatting with the authors made this book very special to me. I will forever cherish that experience!
To sum up, although I could go on forever, please pick this book up! It’s the magic YA fantasy you’ve been yearning for. As soon as you finish the first chapter and the magic starts working, you won’t be able to put Twin Crowns down. I am sure Wren’s enchantment spells have something to do with this!
| | | | |
Twin Crowns was such a magical read. From the moment I read the synopsis, I wanted to know more about these two sister twins. The action starts from the very first page, and it never stops. Even when it ended, I was immediately craving to read the second book in the Twin Crowns series. Needless to say, I will be pestering and stalking both authors for book spoilers and updates.
Synopsis:
Two sisters. One throne. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?
Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to avenge her parents� murder and usurp the princess, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves.
Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility including marriage into a brutal kingdom. Life outside the palace walls is a place to be feared and she is soon to discover that it’s wilder than she ever imagined.
Twin sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better�
My Thoughts:
The royal theme entwined with magic really hooked me. The stories about the witches were some of my favourite scenes whilst reading this book. All the awful things that happened to them, things that were done to them. How they were forced to go into hiding and give up so many things, the throne being one of them. However, what really made me love them was the willpower for them to keep fighting. They never give up and finally come back to fight for what truly belongs to them.
“When you break open the stone heart of Anadawn Palace and seize your rightful place on its throne, all the winds of Eana will sing your name. May the courage of the witches go with you, my little bird.�
I also loved that this book features twin sisters. I was very glad that we didn’t have any of those stereotypical moments that authors like to do with twins. It was such a relief! Wren and Rose are two completely different people with different personalities, and this book really explores that. They are both so very lovable in their own unique way. I connected with Wren slightly more than I did with Rose. Perhaps due to the fact that Wren is more adventurous, outspoken and sarcastic. However, Rose is also amazing � and her story is very emotional. The development she is going through is inspiring. It’s not easy to suddenly realise that your whole life has been based on lies, and now you are away from home and have to relearn everything from the beginning.
“I imagine the battles a princess must fight don’t often call for knives and swords.�
Everything about this book captivated me. The world, the twin sisters, the witches� Then Tor and Shen, the Cliffs, the desert and the unknown places we are still yet to explore. I can vividly imagine every detail in this world, because it was so perfectly described. The story itself carried excitement and suspense at the end of each chapter. It made me desperate to keep reading. And the chapters swapping between Wren and Rose’s points of view only add up to the fast pace the book has.
The romance in this book is adorable. We have a few slow burn romances entwined with humour. I am so invested in these people’s relationships and I can’t wait to read about their happy ever afters. The bonds that they make are very wholesome and adorable, and I am here for it.
Rose glared at him. “Do you always talk to women the way you talk to your horse?�
“You should be flattered. There’s no one in this world I respect more than Storm.�
I also had the privilege to attend two online meetings and meet both authors. They shared so many incredible details about the book, the places and the motivation behind it. Reading this book with some amazing bookstagrammers as part of a readalong and also whilst chatting with the authors made this book very special to me. I will forever cherish that experience!
To sum up, although I could go on forever, please pick this book up! It’s the magic YA fantasy you’ve been yearning for. As soon as you finish the first chapter and the magic starts working, you won’t be able to put Twin Crowns down. I am sure Wren’s enchantment spells have something to do with this!
| | | | |
May 31, 2023
This is the first instalment in the Twin Crowns series.
Wren resides with the witches, in hiding from the crown and his soldiers, who would kill her people and abolish their practises. Rose lives inside the palace walls, believing herself in training to one day wear this crown but, in reality, as a pawn unwittingly involved in a game she didn't know she was playing.
The two do not cross paths but, instead, exchange them. The decision is made as the alternative, for Wren, is death but, for Rose, this results in her having to face that every facet of the life she has lived is based upon lies. Will she acknowledge the truth and the power within herself? Or will she return to the comfort she has been raised in, cushioned upon the backs of the oppressed?
I loved exploring the magic of this world. It was slow to reveal itself but it aided in my bonding with Rose's character, as both she and the reader often learned the truth in tandem. Wren was an individual immediately loveable for her feisty nature and fierce spirit, whereas Rose felt like a far tamer version and I needed this understanding in order for my love to grow as naturally as it did for the other perspective also presented.
Once this was established I could focus on the mechanics of the world. A political focus was presented with the magical one throughout and I loved garnering an understanding for the kingdom through the eyes of both those in power and those they feared and sought the demise of the most. It became a bleak and bloody read as it progressed due to this.
Romance flourished as blood bloomed. The couples I thought were obviously constructed ones, from the first moment they interacted, and whilst I did root for all I also found that my interests lay more in other areas. This did not impact my overall enjoyment and does have me yearning to return to all characters in the sequel, very soon.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the authors, Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle, and the publisher, Electric Monkey, for this opportunity.
Wren resides with the witches, in hiding from the crown and his soldiers, who would kill her people and abolish their practises. Rose lives inside the palace walls, believing herself in training to one day wear this crown but, in reality, as a pawn unwittingly involved in a game she didn't know she was playing.
The two do not cross paths but, instead, exchange them. The decision is made as the alternative, for Wren, is death but, for Rose, this results in her having to face that every facet of the life she has lived is based upon lies. Will she acknowledge the truth and the power within herself? Or will she return to the comfort she has been raised in, cushioned upon the backs of the oppressed?
I loved exploring the magic of this world. It was slow to reveal itself but it aided in my bonding with Rose's character, as both she and the reader often learned the truth in tandem. Wren was an individual immediately loveable for her feisty nature and fierce spirit, whereas Rose felt like a far tamer version and I needed this understanding in order for my love to grow as naturally as it did for the other perspective also presented.
Once this was established I could focus on the mechanics of the world. A political focus was presented with the magical one throughout and I loved garnering an understanding for the kingdom through the eyes of both those in power and those they feared and sought the demise of the most. It became a bleak and bloody read as it progressed due to this.
Romance flourished as blood bloomed. The couples I thought were obviously constructed ones, from the first moment they interacted, and whilst I did root for all I also found that my interests lay more in other areas. This did not impact my overall enjoyment and does have me yearning to return to all characters in the sequel, very soon.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the authors, Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle, and the publisher, Electric Monkey, for this opportunity.
April 23, 2023
“Fear suddenly consumed by wonder.�
TW: animal death, alcohol, blood, child abuse, confinement, death, death of a loved one, fatphobia (minor but unchallenged), genocide, gore, grief, human sacrifice (mentioned, not shown), injury/injury detail, kidnapping, murder, pregnancy, violence, war.
I had originally tried to read this back in September, but took a break because I was in such a weird reading place and blamed my slump on my inability to enjoy it. Unfortunately, I just don't think this book was for me.
It was reminiscent of early YA, but not in any of the ways that would have made me feel affection or nostalgia. There were so many moments that I wanted to put the book down just because I was cringing so terribly at the dialogue or plot conveniences. This somehow read like a younger YA written for adults, and I don't know how to explain it. (The best examples are pieces of dialogue like, "I must have misinterpreted your moans." vs. very ridiculous, juvenile moments that feel jarring.)
I don't want to sound entirely negative about this, because I do understand why people like it. There were good parts to it, such as a pretty original plot. I liked the witchy aspect and what the sisterly bond could have been if it hadn't felt so rushed; so, I suppose I appreciate what the book could have been.
Overall, it was by no means a terrible book, I just didn't enjoy it.
TW: animal death, alcohol, blood, child abuse, confinement, death, death of a loved one, fatphobia (minor but unchallenged), genocide, gore, grief, human sacrifice (mentioned, not shown), injury/injury detail, kidnapping, murder, pregnancy, violence, war.
I had originally tried to read this back in September, but took a break because I was in such a weird reading place and blamed my slump on my inability to enjoy it. Unfortunately, I just don't think this book was for me.
It was reminiscent of early YA, but not in any of the ways that would have made me feel affection or nostalgia. There were so many moments that I wanted to put the book down just because I was cringing so terribly at the dialogue or plot conveniences. This somehow read like a younger YA written for adults, and I don't know how to explain it. (The best examples are pieces of dialogue like, "I must have misinterpreted your moans." vs. very ridiculous, juvenile moments that feel jarring.)
I don't want to sound entirely negative about this, because I do understand why people like it. There were good parts to it, such as a pretty original plot. I liked the witchy aspect and what the sisterly bond could have been if it hadn't felt so rushed; so, I suppose I appreciate what the book could have been.
Overall, it was by no means a terrible book, I just didn't enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,128 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.