Title: The Twisted Tree
Author: Rachel Burge
First published September 27, 2018
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.73
Overview
Get ready to be transported to the snow-covered wilderness of Norway in this spine-tingling YA debut by Rachel Burge. Martha’s strange ability allows her to feel emotions and memories simply by touching a person’s clothes.
But her quest to understand her powers leads her to her grandmother’s cabin, only to find her dead and a mysterious boy inside. As terror grips her, she soon realizes that a terrifying creature is on the loose.
With a creaking spinning wheel and moving books, Martha is in for a rollercoaster of a ghost story that will keep you guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of Coraline and Michelle Paver, The Twisted Tree is a Nordic thriller that will leave you breathless.
Editoral Review
The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge is a mesmerizing and dark YA novel that explores the complexities of grief, loss, family bonds, and Norse mythology. Burge is a British author and journalist who wrote her first novel after being inspired by a visit to a Norwegian island, and her love for the country and its myths is evident in her writing.
The story follows the protagonist Martha, a lonely and grieving teenager who lost her mother and her grandmother in a short period. When Martha travels to Norway to scatter her grandmother’s ashes, she discovers a twisted tree that serves as a gateway to a world inhabited by spirits and monsters from Norse mythology.
With the help of her new friends Stig and Niamh, Martha dives deeper into her family’s secrets and must face her inner demons and the dangerous creatures that want to harm her. Burge’s writing style is spellbinding and atmospheric, making the reader feel like they are in the Norwegian wilderness and the eerie world of the dead.
The imagery and attention to detail make every scene vivid and memorable, from the fermented shark that Martha is offered to the monsters that lurk in the shadows. Burge’s knowledge of Norse mythology enriches the story and adds layers of depth and meaning to the characters’ struggles with identity and belonging.
The characters are well-rounded and believable, with each having their own quirks, strengths, and flaws. Martha is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist who tries to cope with her loss by shutting herself off from others but learns to trust and love again through her adventure.
Stig and Niamh are charming and brave allies who bring lightness and humor to the story but also have their own agenda and secrets. The supporting cast, including Martha’s family members and the mythological creatures, are equally well-developed and add to the complexity of the plot.
The pacing of the book is excellent, with the right balance of action, suspense, and introspection. Burge doesn’t rush the story or reveal everything at once, but gradually unravels the characters’ motivations and history, keeping the reader engaged and invested.
The plot twists are surprising but not contrived, and the ending is satisfying and poignant. The Twisted Tree has some minor flaws, such as a few underdeveloped secondary characters and some repetitive inner monologues, but they don’t detract from the overall quality of the book.
The book is suitable for readers who enjoy Gothic or fantasy novels, particularly those with a mythological or cultural focus. In conclusion, The Twisted Tree is a magnificent debut novel that showcases Rachel Burge’s talent for storytelling, world-building, and character development.
The book is a unique and refreshing addition to the YA genre, and its themes of family, grief, and self-discovery are universal and timeless. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates well-written and imaginative stories that transport them to another world.
The Twisted Tree deserves 4.5 out of 5 stars.
