Review of Twixt by Sarah Diemer

[jeweledeyes]

I wanted to share my review of this book because it really made an impact on me. Usually when I rate something a 5, I just base it on pure enjoyment, not necessarily on literary merit; but no, this is a good book, enjoyable and quality. It's a story that really makes you think.

Twixt is different from Diemer's first novel, which was more slow-moving and episodic. It's as beautifully written as The Dark Wife was, but this novel is heavily plot-driven and action-packed, filled with mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The world-building is stellar, taking us to a setting that reminded me of the modern-yet-old-fashioned version of Wonderland we encounter in the 2009 Syfy miniseries Alice (an all-time fave of mine), mixed with a little bit of the gritty Victorian world of Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy.

The romance is slow-building and gradual, giving the reader plenty of time to get invested in the characters and their love story. The characters themselves are also well-rounded and developed, and I grew very attached not only to Lottie and Charlie, but to their friends in the world of Twixt. As the suspense built and developed into a shocking twist (and this one was really a shocker; even though I thought I'd figured it out, I was still thrown for a total loop by the reveal), I grew really anxious for the characters I'd gotten so attached to.

Everything built up to a gripping climax and a moving, powerful ending. I got all emotional at the end, and I'm not usually someone who cries when I read.

I went into this book expecting a paranormal romance novel, and what I found was much more. (I'm trying to keep this vague to avoid spoilers, but I guarantee Twixt will surprise you. Nothing is what you expect.) Twixt was an absolutely beautiful book.