The Twistrose Key, by Tone Almhjell, has many of those endearing elements essential to fantasy:  a magical portal to another realm, a brave protagonist, a quest, and a truly magnificent map.   Unlike many middle grade fantasies, this novel had a unique feel.  Perhaps that is because its author is Norwegian and the story-telling cadence and path diverge from typical American expectations.  The author creates an atmospheric, icy world with action that seems oddly suspended from time.  It is puzzling that although there was plenty of action and magic, this book was remarkably easy to put down and step away from.  Inexplicably, it was not a gripping read.  However, young lovers of animals and Narnia-like fantasy will most likely enjoy.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  An animal is found dead, killed by a thorn in heart; magical condition causing character to bleed from ears and nose and experience pain upon a few separate occasions; animals fight; animal killed by strike to head; character injures foot; character grabbed and cut with thorns resulting in bleeding; verbal death threat; character kidnapped; character cuts wrists on accident resulting in recurring bleeding and stitches; sketches of a machine to inflict pain/torture upon a boy, some details; brief scene of pursuit and attack by fantasy creatures, biting and clawing; report of intentional drowning of an animal; brief struggle with pushing, explosion, and severance of an animal’s tail, mention of blood; evidence of injuries on a character; report of a death; brief description/mention of blood in a magical item.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of a pet

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None