This was such an interesting read! Although I never quite got engrossed in it, I liked the combined fantasy, thriller and sci-fi elements, as well as the similarities to Romeo and Juliet. I loved Aissa and Zandria’s relationship, and I think that fans of almost any genre will find something to enjoy in Twin Daggers.

I was a little late in finishing this as Twin Daggers published during my busy season at work and I fell off my review schedule for a few months.

Unfortunately, I DNF’d Twin Daggers.

I don’t normally review DNFs, and as is my normal policy I won’t rate the book any lower than 2.5 stars because I feel like authors work very hard on their books and deserve recognition for finishing.

I also acknowledge, that while the book may not be for me, others may enjoy it.

Twin Daggers Review

Twin Daggers started off extremely dull for me. Stilted writing combined with a huge tendency to info-dump really just ruined the mood for me.

I have another policy where I give a book at least 100 pages before giving up on it, and I’m sorry to say that I broke my rule for the first time.

I finished around 5 chapters, and it was enough for me to get a good handle on what was going on.

This is very much a hidden Rebel Alliance against the The Empire type scenario. I’ve read it also carries Romeo and Juliet undertones but they are very light.

One major downfall, for me, was that the author tries to hard to make Twin Daggers sound original.

The Rebels are called “Magi” and the ‘Empire’ is portrayed by the Technocrats.

Magi is just another term for “magic user” and I have a hard time breaking the connotations of that term from what I already know of it from history.

And a Technocrats is, by definition, “a member of a technically skilled elite.” Except in this story it’s just meant to be someone who accepts machines and technology.

These clash of terms really grated on me anytime they were used. Which is a lot.

I mean a lot a lot.

That and the info-dumps bothered me so much I went to Goodreads to see if it got better. But when several reviews told me the beginning was the best part, and that it was really difficult to get through, I threw in the towel.

Life is too short and I still have such a big backlog of books for me to read something that just wasn’t working for me.

If you like steampunk-ish type settings, this might be the perfect book for you.

I had a great time reading this book. The world was so great, I loved reading about the hidden Magi, and the Technocrats. It was such an interesting world, and there were some really great characters that populated it! 

As this is a fictional world, and so I'm not a Technocrat or a Magi, well, it was easy to see some of the prejudices. Each side basically thought the other was evil. And that's just not true. Sure, both sides had evil members, but there's good and bad in both sides. Even if Aissa couldn't see that, because she's in it, it was there. 

Aissa did have a journey in this book, I loved watching her striving to complete her mission, and getting to know Aro, to fall in love. To see what the curse the caused the Heartless really does. It showed her that the Technocrats do have humanity, and that was a great step forward, and I loved it! 

I did have a suspicion about Aro, there were some hints that things weren't what they seemed. But Aissa also had secrets, even ones about herself that she didn't know, why she and her sister are more powerful than other Magi. So that was great to read! 

But that ending? Oh, man, it was so fantastic! I love where these characters are, there is hope for the future, but there's also a lot of threats, and I can't wait to see them face it down, it's going to be so exciting and entertaining! 

This was such a great book, I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait for the sequel!

I really enjoyed this book, despite a lull in the middle of the book where I felt as though we were waiting for more to happen; I found it easy to attach and carry on with the characters. 
Each character had their own captivating personality and views on the concepts in the books The spunkiness of the girls particularly really brought life into the story. 
I found the relationship between the sisters to be very relatable to the sort of relationship I have with my own sister; making it easier to connect with them.

**Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I absolutely loved this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat and I never wanted to put it down. This was a fantastic read.

Such a beautiful cover and equally beautiful story! I had an absolute blast reading this one! Fun read!

This book blew me away.

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, this author is new to me, and I was a little put off by the low average rating on the reviews that I had seen floating around. But let me tell you, this book worked for me. I read it all in one day, which is rare for me these days. 

Aissa and her twin sister Zandria are Magi, and they have been in training their whole lives to take down the Technocrat empire that has oppressed and persecuted their people. Aissa is the more serious and reserved of the sisters, while her sister is impulsive and charming. The story is told through Aissa's eyes, and the closer that she get's the enemy the more she finds everything that she was taught may be a lie. 

This book is fast paced and engaging, with fantastic speculative, fantasy steampunk worldbuilding. I loved uncovering the layers of this fresh and imaginative setting, how it juxtaposes the powers of the Magi against the cold science of the Technocrats, as well as the dark and light sides of both. This book has intrigue, mystery, and many twists along the way, which made me not want to put it down. 

This book was marketed as a Romeo and Juliet re-telling, and while there were shades of forbidden love, sacrifice, and betrayal, as well as two warring peoples, I think that this story takes that inspiration and makes it something completely its own. I also saw that it drew comparison to Marissa Meyer's Renegades Trilogy, to which I wholeheartedly agree. 

Aro is a very intriguing character, he is compassionate and determined. He is willing to make up his own mind, and not just follow what he is told. I loved the layers in his character. Remy is also a very interesting character, a lifelong friend of Aissa and Zandria, he is at times brooding and secretive, and there were times when I didn't know what to think of him. The side characters were not as fleshed out, and even though Zandria was Aissa's twin, I felt that she could have been explored more to give me more than just Aissa's feelings to go on.  


As for content I would say that it is PG-13 for violence, disturbing scenes. There are a few heated kisses, and two characters fall asleep together, but it doesn't go any further than that. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this speculative fantasy, with its excellent worldbuilding, fantastic tension throughout, and strong, likable, and mysterious characters. I loved learning about the world, the differences in culture between the Technocrats and Magi, and as the book progressed, everything started to fall into place, while simultaneously raising more questions, all leading up to the explosive climax that left me wanting more. I will definitely be picking up its sequel when it releases. Can it be June  2021 already?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I wanted to love this one but it just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t relate to any characters and that is a huge part for me.

This book had so much potential but it lacked for me. Slow paced, one dimensional characters, meh ending. It took all I had not to DNF.

Initial Thoughts

I was excited to read this book. I really liked the idea of a Romeo and Juliet retelling as well as the twin main characters.

Some Things I Liked

Technology vs. Magic. I loved the contrast between the two as well as that those themes represented the Capulet and Montague element of the story. I also was intrigued by the idea of the Heartless and their mechanical hearts.
Final Fantasy-esque world building. I also really loved the setting and the world building of this story. I found it to be a perfect balance of fantasy and science fiction and really enjoyed that.
Plot twists. Once again, I applaud the use of plot twists that I didn’t see coming.

One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About

The romance. I found it to be lacking. I wish the romance element had been more fleshed out. Hopefully, it will be expanded upon in later sequels.

Notes on the Audiobook

I listened to half of this book and read half. I used the NetGalley Shelf app for the audiobook function and unfortunately, there is a very metallic quality to the narration when you speed it up. I don’t think that’s the case in the actual audiobook recording but it was distracting as an ALC (advanced listener copy). I would probably not apply for more ALCs in NetGalley because of this.
Overall, I thought the narrator’s voice fit the title well and acting was well done.
Lastly, I didn’t find a difference between listening and reading. Sometimes, books come to life much more strongly in one medium over the other. I didn’t find that to be the case here. Each medium was equally vivid and I’d recommend the reader choose the medium of their preference here.

Series Value

This book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger and I am eager to read more. I would continue this series. It’s not a “drop everything” kind of series, but it’s good and I’d continue.

Final Thoughts

I liked this book. I think it has aspects that can appeal to fans of multiple genres and created a very interesting world. I’d continue with the series and I’d keep reading MarcyKate Connolly’s writing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong – if you liked the Romeo and Juliet vibes, try this November 2020 release.
Sisters of Shadow and Light by Sara B. Larson – if you liked the element of sisters who are opposites in many ways but also very similar, try this duology. Zuhra and Inara are some of my favorite literary siblings.

This was a okay read. I was expecting a bit more from it but it was still fun to read. It had good writing and it was a quick read to spend time.

I tried to read this book, I really did. It was a slow start for me and just continued to be slow. I tried reading this book for WEEKS. Nothing about it made me desire to pick it up and finish the story. It wasn't that it was a bad book, because it wasn't. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset to read a Romeo/Juliette-esque romance. 

I stopped a few times and it took me days to pick it back up again. This final time, I honestly thought I was close to the end and going to finish it. Then I looked at the percentage and saw I was only at 58%. Yeah, probably not going to happen. This is not a DNF for me. This is I'm going to try again when I'm in a better headspace and give a better review. 

Thank you for NetGalley and Blink for allowing me the review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc. I have really loved this book.

People are divided into two factions, the Technocrats, and the Magi you the first class tough by most to be instinct. But they are still there and into hidding.  Because if caught they're send into the dungeons. With no way to escape or to use their magic.

 Aissa and her twin sister Zandria are Magi spies. By day they play the role of normal young Technocrats and fufill the duties of their apprenticeships. But at night they are looking for a librairie under the Technocrats city that had probably survive the war.  One day Aissa is given a new mission, to find the Heir to the Technocrat throne. Rumors is that this Heir is one of the Heartless. Those people are born without a heart. Their only way to survive is  a mechanical replacement but even with that, they don't live long. Aissa is suppose to once she find the heir, to kidnap her. But think don't goes well for her sister and this one is capture by the Technocrats and Aissa will do anything to get her sister back whether it will be risking the whole revenge of the Magi againts the Technocrats.

Really looking for the sequel of this book.

i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I had a great time going through this book. I look forward to more from the author.

Twin Daggers by MarcyKate Connolly is about twin sisters that are trying to find their way in society. They have a scary secret. They are part of a magical race that is hunted and tortured. This race is imprisoned just for existing. Let's just say that these twins already have a tough go at it.

I found the first half of this book to be extremely good. I loved the characters. The world was great. It was super fast paced. Then everything slowed down. Nothing was happened. I was reading chapter after chapter wondering if the book was over but I still had several chapters left. I really don't' feel like any of the problems in the book were resolved by the end of it. This book just feels very incomplete.

Twin Daggers is essentially a Romeo and Juliet retelling.  I enjoyed this fantasy take on the story.  You have two warring factions, the mages, and the technocrats.
I enjoyed reading about Aissa and her family.  I have to admit that between Aissa and Zandria, I am glad that Aissa was the narrator.  She seemed more level headed and much less rash than Zandria.  The other characters, Remy and Aro were also well written and enjoyable.  
Much like Romeo and Juliet, I felt like the love between Aissa and Aro blossomed a little too quickly.  I would have liked a little more between the two of them to cement their feelings.  I enjoyed the story and I thought the world-building was good if maybe a bit much.  There was a lot of reiteration of the feud between the Mages and the Technocrats that I didn’t think needed to be repeated.  
This book was interesting, and I liked the characters, but I think it could have moved a little faster.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy of Twin Daggers. As a fantasy this book did not disappoint.

MarcyKate Connolly’s Twin Daggers is billed as a fantasy spin on Romeo and Juliet, but it doesn’t quite live up to the source material.

I wish that we could stop promoting books as “a cross between this or that” or a retelling or reimagining of something else. When this happens, the book starts at a deficit. I already have an idea of what might happen, and my expectations are based on the previous story/stories.

This is definitely the case with Twin Daggers. I wouldn’t have necessarily have tied it to Romeo and Juliet without the above reference, and it would have been better for it. That’s not to say that I would have fallen in love with the book, but I would have appreciated it more overall.

Connolly is a strong world builder, though it took a while to fully understand her vision. I found the machine/technology elements particularly interesting. There are a few things that are never completely explained, leaving me to wonder if the author forgot about them or if she plans to expand on them in the book’s sequel.

Twin Daggers is not a dynamic read, and there are moments that seem to drag. However, the story was compelling enough that I wanted to see where Connolly was heading. I have a feeling the second book will be the stronger of the two. I’d recommend this as a library read.

DNF @ 25%

The writing style of this book is not enjoyable to me. The pacing is very slow, and so far not a lot has happened in the book. I lost interest in this one.

Super enjoyable and fast paced. Really enjoyed the characters and their personalities really came to life and felt real. Connolly really knows how to make a fantasy read rich as well as transport her readers into the world she has created for them. This was a great YA read for me.