Posts Tagged 'twin'

Small Favors by Erin A. Craig

Published April 18, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Fantasy

Eighteen-year-old Ellerie has lived her entire life in the small town of Amity Falls, which is protected from monsters by a rudimentary alarm system that was installed around the border by the original town settlers. No one has seen or heard of a monster in many years and many believe it was just an old legend, but when a routine supply run ends in disaster the town is left scrambling as to how to proceed. If they stay within the confines of the town they will run out of supplies and medicine, but if they wander out they run the risk of facing a terrible fate. Meanwhile, a mysterious new young man has begun hanging around the town and has taken an interest in Ellerie. As things begin to fall apart, Ellerie is left to take on more responsibility for her younger sisters and her twin brother proves to be less than trustworthy to help out. Can she trust this new stranger? Is he somehow involved in the town’s new found bad luck? When she has the opportunity to make her wish come true does it come with unacceptable strings?

This engaging story is based on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, but the characters and setting really add a lot to that original story. Plus, even if you are familiar with Rumpelstiltskin this story is modern enough that you don’t necessarily expect what is going to happen. The motivations of the townspeople are easily explained as resources get more scarce and people become more scared and desperate. The plot takes many unexpected turns as well and not all is explained, which seems to be on purpose as the author wants to leave some things open ended. This open endedness works in this story as it makes it feel more believable and realistic that not all would be perfectly explained or solved by the story’s end. Recommended for anyone looking for something bold and unique.

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Published May 29, 2013 Award Winners , Mystery , RAC , Realistic Fiction Leave a Comment
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lying game

Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Mystery

# of Pages:  307

RAC:  Yes

Emma is a foster child who was abandoned by her mother at a young age.  Sutton is Emma’s long lost twin sister she didn’t know she had until Sutton had already mysteriously vanished.  Emma is lured to Sutton’s town thinking she is going to meet Sutton and instead she is threatened and told if she doesn’t pretend to be Sutton she will die.  As Sutton begins to learn more about the kind of person Sutton is she wonders if this is some kind of elaborate prank or if something terrible really has happened to her twin.  Whom can she trust among Sutton’s friends and family?  Would one of them hurt her and threaten her twin into taking her place?

Fans of Sara Shepard will enjoy this title as much as her others.  The story is intriguing, there are many characters who have reason to hate Sutton, and the plot constantly twists and turns.  The only thing readers might not like it waiting for the next one in the series!  Recommended for high school girls.

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Published July 18, 2011 RAC , Realistic Fiction , Romance 5 Comments
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Genre:  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  323

RAC Book:  Yes

Melody has been groomed her entire life by her overzealous adoptive parents to be a desirable candidate for college, jobs, and everything in life.  They even predicted the potential of selling her fertility as soon as a deadly virus made it impossible for anyone over the age of 20 to procreate.  Melody received a very lucrative offer that included a signing bonus and college tuition, but her clients have taken almost two years to find her a mate to “bump” with.  Meanwhile, her twin sister, Harmony, has learned that her and Melody were separated at birth and wants to find her sister.  Harmony was taken in by those who follow the religious life and do not believe in “selling” babies.  She hopes to save Melody from her choices before it is too late.

This book is unique and memorable, which can be difficult in this genre.  The characters are interesting, but it’s the story that will grab readers’ attention.  This society is so well crafted and the conclusion that there are professional babymakers may sound crazy, but the media and propaganda in the book are so similar to ours that it makes it seem possible.  The ideas of religion and how it plays into such a society are handled nicely with no quick fixes or preaching, but merely questions for the reader and characters to think about.  The sanctity of life is also another overarching theme that many young readers do not take time to think about, but should.  The relationship between the twin sisters has some unbelievable moments, such as when Melody forgives Harmony for something a bit too easily.  However, the book sets up nicely for a sequel and readers will be dying to learn what happens to these characters.

Alvor by Laura Bingham

Published August 21, 2009 Adventure , Fantasy , RAC Leave a Comment
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Genre:  Fantasy

Age Level:  13 and up

# of pages:  274 p.

RAC:  Yes

Fifteen-year-old twins Erin and Bain grew up living with their grandfather after their parents died.  One day while walking in the woods, they come across a secluded cabin and decide to enter.  They soon discover that this cabin is a bridge to another magical world.  In this world they each possess a special gift.  In addition to this, they have incredible power and begin training in magic and swordplay in order to live in this new world that has been expecting them for many years.  They love the new world, but do not know if they can leave their grandfather and everything they knew their whole lives in order to be a part of it.  Plus, the new world has some dangers that they do not immediately know about.  In other words, not everyone is happy to see their arrival.

This fantasy story is well written and creates two characters that most readers will be able to connect to in some way.  The story takes a leisurely pace, but the adventure is intriguing enough that most readers will follow.  The story felt original in many ways and did not feel like it repeated elements found in many other fantasy stories.  An impressive fantasy story that I will be introducing my students to.

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