This book man. THIS. BOOK.

This is the easiest five stars I've given for ages. There is so much to love about this book. So much. Oh and this is absolutely chock full of spoilers so...yeah if you are gonna read this book, which you definitely should, perhaps don't read this. Here's some spoiler free points for you as to why you should read this book: it is full of strong female characters, Norse mythology and magic; there is a lovely slow burn romance with an uncertain outcome; not everything is as it seems and the creep factor is strong with this one, especially the main big bad. Perfect.

When I decided to read only spooky books for October, this is the kind of book I was after.

<Em>"You write the story of you every day with your thoughts, words and deeds. You create yourself. You get to decide your story. No one else. You."</em>

I loved the Norse mythology used as a basis for this story. It's so rich, with so many creepy possibilities but also this strong sense of family loyalty that seems to have bound generations of Martha's family to hold their ancestors agreement.

I just loved the strong female characters in this book. All of Martha's ancestors have looked after the tree to guard the world of the dead and stop things like the Draugr walking our earth. They have done this since Odin hung from the tree to gain wisdom from the Well of Urd. They have all been women and all of them have had the ability to read clothing, to see people's thoughts, feelings, motives and dreams. It's just such a magical concept and I love it.

Martha is one of my all time favourite heroines. She is so strong and yet so full of self loathing and doubt. She is beautiful and scarred. She is dealing with so much: her accident, her mum's betrayal, the death of her grandmother, the sudden onset of her abilities and then everything that happens once she gets to Norway. But she is incredible. She takes it all in, and yes she is sceptical and it takes her some time to come to terms with it but damn does she pull through. She absolutely owns her ability and her legacy. I just love her, I love everything about her.

Even Martha's mum is strong. She thought she was going crazy. Can you imagine how you would cope with that? She had visions that she could only work through by painting terrifying pictures, doctors told her it was because of what her mother had told her when she was growing up, she wanted to protect her daughter...what would you do? Probably the exact same if we're honest. Because you do anything to protect your kids. Even though she knew Martha might hate her, even though she had terrifying visions, when she realised Martha might be in danger so was straight on a plane to be with her and protect her as best she could.

Plus we get to meet Hel and she was bloody awesome. Oh and the Norns, the three women that weave fate...perfect. Just perfect. Oh and Ysra, this powerful, strong, bear like woman that I would have loved to see more of. She had so much presence in her scenes and I was so sad when her and her husband, Olav, were killed.

Also, amongst all these amazing female characters we have Stig. I adored Stig even though by the end I had no idea if he was who he said he was or not. I want to know so much more about him. Just one of the reasons I would love a sequel. I think one of the main things I like about Stig is that he isn't your average love interest, just like Martha isn't your average heroine. He's good looking but in his own way, he takes everything that is thrown at them and even though he struggles with it, he always helps Martha and wants to protect her. He marches into a snowstorm to help her even though he is scared. That's courage. But also...I mean did he do something to Nina? If that was her ghost, did she follow him there? Why? Does she blame him? Why? I need to know!!! I also want to know what happens next between him and Martha. Can she trust him? I don't know but I want there to be a future for them somewhere.

I really hope that Martha and her mum do end up moving to Norway. I think it's what's best for them and they will be able to look after the tree and fix their relationship at the same time.

Damn, I really want a second book. This review is just so much gushing but honestly, I loved it.

Ten out of ten would reccomend.

As October is the spookiest month of the year, I wanted to read all *almost* spooky, gothic or halloween related books this month and this cover naturally made me want to pick it up for October. It's described as 'part ghost story, part nordic thriller' which definitely drew me in but since reading it I only really agree with the first part of the description as it is very creepy, eerie and ghost tale-like in parts but it is not really a thriller, in my opinion.

We follow Martha who has travelled from London to a remote Norwegian island to visit her grandmother but she discovers that something is wrong, there are creatures in the forrest and her long deceased ancestors are more than she bargained for. The main thing I loved about this book was the cold, remote setting which is perfect for autumn/winter, I loved the countless references to norse gods/myths and I really enjoyed some of the very creepy and eerie sections of the book! The strength of this book for me is definitely the setting, atmosphere and the spookier elements.

However, I found the romance quite cliche and it was predictable from the beginning, I didn't really like the insta-love and I found some of the action or supposedly quite scary scenes towards the end of the book to be cheesy and completely unbelievable. I'm the kind of reader that when something doesn't feel believable to me, I find it cheesy or ridiculous and then I can't connect to the story anymore. It's not the magic, supernatural or mythology elements that I have a problem with, it's how it is told, in an unbelievable way - if that makes any sense at all. I did enjoy it overall, it was an extremely quick read and perfect for the halloween season but I don't know if I'd whole heartedly recommend it to everyone, if I'm honest.

I do love a book about Norway and legends so this fitted the bill perfectly. It’s a YA title and I often find so many hidden gems in this category which introduce the reader to legends, mysteries and more. This one was particularly chilling though and even if I’m *slightly* older than the target audience *cough* , it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!

The landscape and mythology make this novel. So does the writing and the peppering of Norwegian phrases throughout. It ticked all the boxes in one go!

It was the way the mysterious side of the story linked to the legends and the ghostly aspects which really made the book sing for me. The story of a girl who can tell things about a person just by touching their clothes made me shiver from the get go. Once this girl Martha gets to her grandmother’s cabin in the woods, I was on edge!

I was SO impressed this was a debut and that when I chatted with the author on TheBookTrail, she told me she’s never been to Norway! How to get the tone and setting this right without going is genius. Imagine where she will take us next!

Then the spinning wheel starts creaking, books move around and terror creeps in . .

It’s a brilliantly evocative read and I loved everything about it. The cover is one of my favourites of 2018 too.

The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge was such a conflicting book for me. I thought it would possibly be a little spooky or a bit creepy, which in all honesty it was at times. I found myself keeping an eye on shadowy corners!
I loved the concept of different clothing offering visions of feelings or facts depending on their material. The protagonist has these powers from the beginning of the novel, she seems fairly knowledgeable about what is discovered by touching clothes.
However the main character came across as very naive, she's a young girl who has run away from home to the house of her Grandmother, not an easy journey but she battles through. When she discovers a stranger after initially throwing him out she begins to care for him within a matter of hours and then after a day or two they're in love. Inst-love is a very common thing in YA books currently and it drives me mad.
This novel also lacked detail in many areas, the protagonist spent majority of her time in the house however there were hardly any descriptions of the layout or visuals to aid the reader.
It was enjoyable one off read leading up to October with a few creepy moments, but nothing worthy of a horror fan.

Reading the blurb of The Twisted Tree I was instantly sold, it has so many elements I love, set in the Nordics, Norse mythology, a dark tale and ghosts and luckily this book did not disappoint!

The atmosphere of a remote Norwegian island during winter is great for a suspenceful and spooky tale and I think Rachel Burge does a great job of getting across just how dark and cold the Nordics is during winter. I've visited quite a few Nordics countries during summer and winter and the difference between seasons is huge. I think the description of how lovely the summer is creates a great contrast to the winter and adds to the despair Martha feels.

There is one plot point that I was very dubious though and that was Stig. I am not a fan of instalove and it seemed quite predictable which is the only point of this book I didn't enjoy, however the ending completely changed my mind and I loved the way that part ended, although I kind of wish we could find out more!

For me this was a very enjoyable read and the pacing for a thriller was great. Would definitely recommend to my friends.

If you like mythology, mystery, intrigue and a little bit of romance then this is a book for you. The story flows easily, giving little away, we discover the secrets along with Martha, peeling back more and more layers. Well written and the ending left me stunned and wanting more.

This was beautifully written, mysterious and original. A sleep agent in terms of what I was expecting, it was inspired by Norse mythology blending seamlessly with a contemporary setting. Excellent characterisation and an engaging, page turning read. Highly recommend.

Absolutely raced through this dark and twisted tale centred on Martha, now blind in one eye after an accident, and Stig, a boy she meets at her grandma’s house in Norway under unusual circumstances. The tension builds up brilliantly and I loved the Norwegian settings and dip into folklore and fantasy. The characters are well drawn and I genuinely felt sad to leave them behind. Can’t wait to see what Rachel writes next! Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Martha spends summers in Norway with her grandmother. One day, following a catastrophic accident, she sneaks away to visit her grandmother. Her secret journey covers hundreds of kilometres and involves just a little subterfuge. When she arrives, she finds her grandmother's home empty. The beautiful landscape she loves during summer looks a lot more sinister in winter. Worse still, there's someone in her grandmother's house. Stig. He heard that the place was empty and decided to stay. Over the course of the following days, in a spectacularly supernatural way, things start to unravel for Martha and Stig...

I really liked the way that Burge explored Martha's injury and her missing eye, with it becoming central to the story. The way that Stig helped Martha to see herself as beautiful and regain her self-confidence once again made me smile. He was very sweet. I only wish that the hints of his past that came through towards the end of the novel had came up earlier.

The way that Martha was able to read emotions in clothing was something else I really enjoyed as I don't think I've seen something like that in a YA novel before. If there is a sequel it's something I'd love to see explored. In the outside world that might have some interesting consequences, especially if someone is wearing cashmere.
The use of Nordic mythology was also very impressive, especially the way it geared up so the reader uncovered details right alongside Martha. Likewise, the Nordic landscape was utilised incredibly. The atmosphere in the cabin and its surroundings really added to the creepiness in the middle of the book.

I wish The Twisted Tree had started earlier than when Martha was heading to Norway to visit her grandmother. I wanted to know more about her, about the friend back home who she was texting on arrival, what her hobbies were other than jewellery making. Likewise, I feel like the most exciting bit of the novel was crammed up into a short space. The final showdown was very quick, compared to the long scenes in the cabin, and it disappointed me a bit. Although exciting, I felt at times that the pace towards the end took away from the emotional impact of some scenes. Once everything was tied up, the novel ended pretty quickly. I think a little more time spent on those final scenes would have been great.

I finished reading The Twisted Tree quite quickly. As another reviewer mentioned, it's a wonderful book for a cold evening (as we're sadly already experiencing in my area!). It wasn't quite for me, for the reasons I've mentioned and perhaps as I was expecting something a little heavier on the ghosts, but I'm going to round up my review to four stars. For The Twisted Tree's target audience, which I wonder if might be the slightly younger end of YA, this could be a beautiful read. At that age, I think I would have loved the mystery, the unresolved threads, the hopeful ending.

I received this arcs which I requested from NetGalley, so thank you!!

This novel is incredibly atmospheric, it’s a perfect book to read on a rainy fall, winter or just grey day. The main character Martha begins the story on her way to see her grandmother who may be able to help with some changes that have happened to her ever since a freak accident left her blind in one eye. This books combines Norse myths, paranormal beings, monsters and romance in a way that just pulls you in and takes you to the cabin. It is an incredibly interesting book with some very mysterious characters and lots of twists and turns.
I’m really hoping there is going to be a sequel as there are a few unanswered questions and some which were raised right at the end!
I can’t wait until it comes out, I can read it again and give a full review!

Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnie Zaffre and Rachel Burge for my arc of The Twisted Tree.

Martha feels more than a little out of place since she lost her eyesight in one eye after falling from a tree in her grandmother's garden. Ever since it happened, Martha has been able to read people's thoughts, emotions and memories just by touching their clothes. Determined to find out the truth and not getting any answers from her mother. Martha concocts a story about where she'll be and catches a flight back to Norway to visit her grandmother.

But when Martha arrives, she is devastated to discover her grandmother is dead and a strange boy has taken up residence in her cabin. Oh yeah and there's some big scary creature on the loose and it seems Martha is the key to putting everything right again. Trapped in the money cottage as the snow begins to fall, Martha must face her fears and save the day. Or rather the world.

This was a wonderful and relatively short fantasy/reality story. Martha was a great heroine and I loved the combination of fantasy, Norse mythology, creepiness and romance. That doesn't sound like it would work but it really did!

I really enjoyed this and I'm hoping there's going to be a sequel after some questions were left unanswered in the end!

I had a feeling I was going to love The Twisted Tree (Norse mythology in a Norwegian setting with a stunning cover to boot) and it more than lived up to my expectations. I even got to practice my Norwegian in places!

The story of Martha's post-accident trip to Norway, seeking answers from her beloved grandmother regarding her strange new 'gift', had me hooked right from the start. I was naturally drawn to both Martha and Stig, admiring their bravery in the face of such grizzly creepiness. The sense of menace they experience during their time in the cottage was palpable and the visceral quality to the descriptions of other-worldly creatures was spot on. This would be a great winter read to hunker down with. Du vil elske 'The Twisted Tree'... det er deilig!!

This is catogorised as a "Teens and Young Adult" book so I'm certainly not part of the intended demographic but nevertheless as someone who enjoys a well written spooky tale I must admit that I found this a most enjoyable read. Combining such diverse themes as romance, disability, Nordic mythology, ghosts, monsters and broken families the story ultimately is about redemption and coming to terms with the past and who you are.

The story begins with Martha, a young adolescent girl who has deceived her parents and is now rushing through the airport on her way to a remote Norwegian island where her grandmother lives. We quickly learn two key things about Martha that are central to the story, firstly she has been disfigured and blinded in one eye due to an accident which appears to have occurred at her grandmother's and secondly that as a result of this accident she is now in possession of some kind of supernatural power that enables her to read a person's memories and what emotions they feel by touching their clothing. When arriving at her grandmother's isolated cabin location she discovers that it is now inhabited by a rather strange boy who like her appears to have run away and is also search for something.

The story basing itself on Nordic Mythology and with enough chilling moments will I think entertain most readers and can be comfortably completed in one or two sittings. At its heart this is essentially a rather quirky love story between two rather troubled young people but the somewhat enigmatic ending leaves open the possibility of a further story. I especially liked how the tension was built up and the supernatural element at the cabin was slowly introduced. As the book progresses to its conclusion it become increasingly fantastical which is fine but perhaps I would have preferred a more psychological and enigmatic telling of the tale. Nevertheless the writing is descriptive and the plot line thought out and I'm sure it will appeal to its targeted audience.

The Twisted Tree combines Nordic Mythology, a contemporary setting and a ghost story together in what is a twisted tale that involves romance, secrets and lies, the underworld and a remote island in Norway!

We meet Martha who is desperately unhappy after an accident left her blind in one eye and with a scar on her face. A bizarre result of this accident was that she can ‘read’ people from touching their clothes. She can sense feelings and memories and see a part of them when she connects with their clothes.

She believes her Grandmother will be able to help her understand what’s happening to her and she packs a bag and heads to a remote island in Norway to visit her. After an interesting journey Martha arrives on the Island to find a strange boy living in her grandmother’s cabin. After the strange boy tells her that Mormor is dead and she’s missed the funeral things get even more peculiar.

I’m not going to tell you much more at this point as there is no way to tell you more without being a completely spoilers based review

The Positives:
• The mythology. For me this is one of the aspects of this story that made it stand out to me. I really enjoyed once we got into the actual mythology and the way the story was intertwined with it I felt like the story really took off and came into its own. The way of intertwining the mythology with the ghost story aspect makes this book stand out.
• The fact that this is a debut novel. I know that’s not really a positive about the book itself but I feel like this author has a real point of view and it excites me that there could be more to come.
• The writing style- This is linked to both of the above points. The way that the author pulls all of this together is done in such a natural way that it really draws you in
• The use of the Norwegian language. The way that it became natural in the story to have so many mentions of words and phrases was so well written. I actually feel like I learned something!
• THIS WOULD MAKE SUCH A GOOD FILM!!
• Stig and Martha – I really liked both of these characters, I felt like the author went outside the box for them. They were different, unique, had an interesting story and it was nice to see someone who was slightly alternative without being ‘OMG THEY ARE A GOTH’


The Negatives
• Mormor – I just wish we had seen more of her. Without making this a spoilers review, for someone who is so key to the story I didn’t feel like I got much of an idea of who she was, her own personality and just her.
• The pacing – while I really enjoyed this book I did feel like the scene setting and getting Martha to the Island and getting to the cabin and essentially the story itself took too long. The ‘events’ of the story then felt rushed a little bit.
• Events that added little to the story – there were a few things that felt a bit ‘non-eventy’ to me that dragged out that first portion of the story and kinda added to the bit above ^^^
• The fact that its YA. Okay so this isn’t *really* a negative but more of a ‘God damn I wish…’ from me. I would LOVE to see this story written as an adult story with even more spookiness and more in depth psychological aspects to it


Overall this was a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I enjoyed it and would absolutely read something else by the same author. I found it an engaging read and something slightly different for me. I’d recommend this if you want to get away from fantasy while still having some fantastical elements to it.

I've rounded up to a 4 for Good Reads as it was a positive 3.5