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The Mansion's Twins
A beautiful, magical world was ravaged by a terrible storm.
Homes were destroyed, families torn apart, and even the sweetest magic twisted by darkness. Even years later, the world remains damaged unbalanced, and dangerous, waiting for someone who might restore what was lost. Only the magic of twins has a chance, but the birth of twins is exceedingly rare.
In our own world, Ellie and Savannah know nothing of this.
They know nothing of other worlds, magic, or even each other. Until suddenly magic blooms inside them, and draws them together.
After years of feeling alone, raised apart in the wrong world, the twin sisters reunite, discovering their home and their destiny. To restore the world, they must overcome the twists and turns of the journey to the Center of Magic, and reset the balance.
Homes were destroyed, families torn apart, and even the sweetest magic twisted by darkness. Even years later, the world remains damaged unbalanced, and dangerous, waiting for someone who might restore what was lost. Only the magic of twins has a chance, but the birth of twins is exceedingly rare.
In our own world, Ellie and Savannah know nothing of this.
They know nothing of other worlds, magic, or even each other. Until suddenly magic blooms inside them, and draws them together.
After years of feeling alone, raised apart in the wrong world, the twin sisters reunite, discovering their home and their destiny. To restore the world, they must overcome the twists and turns of the journey to the Center of Magic, and reset the balance.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
394 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 12, 2016
Rose Channing has been a believer of magic and other worlds since childhood. In her Fantasy novel 'The Mansion's Twins,' we see a bit of her adventurous side. Fourteen year old twins Ellie and Savannah Senka were separated at birth and forced to live with horrid foster families. When the girls find themselves unexpectedly united, they are taken to another world, full of magic, and misery. Although they find the family and friendships they've long craved for, they are also tasked with a mission of grave importance, which could very well be the death of them.
The Senka twins make for refreshing characters. They are bright and determined, with a sense of humour that is sure to put a smile on the grumpiest of faces. We view their exciting journey from their perspectives, through a land of people with magical abilities. I found the pot to be interesting and well formed, with a good amount of action packed into its pages.
There was a strong theme of 'not belonging,' something which I think is easy to relate to. Ellie and Savannah often felt like they were outcasts, having never grown up alongside others with their unusual gifts and strange behaviours. I related on a personal level to the twins and could not put the book down. A delightful read with an enchanting setting. Rated 5/5 stars.
The Senka twins make for refreshing characters. They are bright and determined, with a sense of humour that is sure to put a smile on the grumpiest of faces. We view their exciting journey from their perspectives, through a land of people with magical abilities. I found the pot to be interesting and well formed, with a good amount of action packed into its pages.
There was a strong theme of 'not belonging,' something which I think is easy to relate to. Ellie and Savannah often felt like they were outcasts, having never grown up alongside others with their unusual gifts and strange behaviours. I related on a personal level to the twins and could not put the book down. A delightful read with an enchanting setting. Rated 5/5 stars.
June 4, 2017
A magical story of Ellie and Savannah who grew up in our world before they discovered they were not who they thought they were. they discover their real world and set out on an adventure to rebalance the magic of their world.
An excellent book for fans of Harry Potter as the new world reminded me very much of Hogwarts and I really enjoyed reading about the different types of magic and skills in their new world.
There was a handful of grammatical errors but it didn't spoil the book.
Filled with adventure, magic, action and mystery.
Intriguing and suspenseful.
Highly recommend to fans of Harry Potter, magic and fantasy xx
An excellent book for fans of Harry Potter as the new world reminded me very much of Hogwarts and I really enjoyed reading about the different types of magic and skills in their new world.
There was a handful of grammatical errors but it didn't spoil the book.
Filled with adventure, magic, action and mystery.
Intriguing and suspenseful.
Highly recommend to fans of Harry Potter, magic and fantasy xx
February 15, 2017
You know that feeling of uncertainty, the mixed emotions and the flat feeling of lack of excitement?
Well, that's how I feel about this book. It has a lot going for it - a unique and twisting landscape and world for its characters (of which there were many), magic and mayhem in equal amounts as well as an unusual plot.
What didn't work for me was the level the story was pitched at. We have so many young adult books about magic that this felt like it didn't fit, even for all it's unique qualities. This felt too juvenile to be considered Young Adult and felt more squarely pitched at children, not just those who enjoy the young adult genre.
A few things I noticed:
31% - Anyone who grows to(o) close to them will breath(e) in the magic...
32% - "Shouldn't you (delete massive space) two be out...
52% - "There's a trapdoor her(e),"
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
Well, that's how I feel about this book. It has a lot going for it - a unique and twisting landscape and world for its characters (of which there were many), magic and mayhem in equal amounts as well as an unusual plot.
What didn't work for me was the level the story was pitched at. We have so many young adult books about magic that this felt like it didn't fit, even for all it's unique qualities. This felt too juvenile to be considered Young Adult and felt more squarely pitched at children, not just those who enjoy the young adult genre.
A few things I noticed:
31% - Anyone who grows to(o) close to them will breath(e) in the magic...
32% - "Shouldn't you (delete massive space) two be out...
52% - "There's a trapdoor her(e),"
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
July 27, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me the opportunity to read this book!
Twins Savannah and Ellie have been split a part since birth and have no idea that the other exists, until they run into each other on the playground. They run away from their families and find a tunnel that leads them to another world, one full of magic. They are told that since they are twins, they are rare in this world. They are the only ones who can stop a storm that had made magic different in the world.
I had high hopes for this novel and found myself to be disappointed. This story had already been done, in the book and movie "Twitches". I was hoping that there would be something that Channing would do differently with the novel but as I got farther into the book, it kept reminding me of Twitches. There are some differences between the two books but for the most part, I found the premise almost exactly the same:
Twins who were sent to another world and didn't know each other? Check
A storm of evil that caused the other world to collapse? Check.
A mother who stays behind to take care of the other world? Check.
A dead or missing father? Check.
An evil male character who insists on getting at the twins? Check.
I really did want to enjoy this book, the description was what really drew me to it at first, but I couldn't look past the fact that it was so much like another book I had already read. I felt like Savannah and Ellie were very flat characters and had nothing to add. They didn't feel real at all and I found myself annoyed every time that Ellie talked. She complained a lot, more than I would have thought was capable.
Twins Savannah and Ellie have been split a part since birth and have no idea that the other exists, until they run into each other on the playground. They run away from their families and find a tunnel that leads them to another world, one full of magic. They are told that since they are twins, they are rare in this world. They are the only ones who can stop a storm that had made magic different in the world.
I had high hopes for this novel and found myself to be disappointed. This story had already been done, in the book and movie "Twitches". I was hoping that there would be something that Channing would do differently with the novel but as I got farther into the book, it kept reminding me of Twitches. There are some differences between the two books but for the most part, I found the premise almost exactly the same:
Twins who were sent to another world and didn't know each other? Check
A storm of evil that caused the other world to collapse? Check.
A mother who stays behind to take care of the other world? Check.
A dead or missing father? Check.
An evil male character who insists on getting at the twins? Check.
I really did want to enjoy this book, the description was what really drew me to it at first, but I couldn't look past the fact that it was so much like another book I had already read. I felt like Savannah and Ellie were very flat characters and had nothing to add. They didn't feel real at all and I found myself annoyed every time that Ellie talked. She complained a lot, more than I would have thought was capable.
May 3, 2015
A great book about twins. I always thought it would be cool to have a twin. I won't ever know but the thought of it has been very fun and entertaining over the years. In this story, Ellie and Savannah run away from home and find themselves in a fantastical but dangerous world. If you are a fan of Harry Potter you will like this book. Of course the twins have powers in this book and you will have to read to find out more. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
March 25, 2015
If you are looking a good magical fantasy you will love The Mansions Twin's. I have been getting a bit bored with this genre for a while as there never seems to be anything original but I was pleased to find it wasn't so with this one. The narrative is really good with plenty of intrigue and magic. I think it could become a popular series and I am looking forward to seeing if there is going to be a follow up or not.
January 7, 2016
A MUST READ 5 STAR FANTASY NOVEL!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it for all lover's of fantasy stories, including young adults. The creativity of the story is amazing and I found it very entertaining. It is extremely descriptive and makes you feel like you are there witnessing the events as they happen. This book met all my criteria of what a great book should be and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it for all lover's of fantasy stories, including young adults. The creativity of the story is amazing and I found it very entertaining. It is extremely descriptive and makes you feel like you are there witnessing the events as they happen. This book met all my criteria of what a great book should be and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
January 24, 2016
Well what can I say, not my normal read but I was lost in the twins journey to save the magical world where they were from.
Twins Savanna and Ellie are unknown to each other until forces bring them together. A great story that will captivate and enchant readers of various ages
Magical people and strange creature's prowel through the pages giving just the right balance if frights to keep you on the edge
On the whole an enchanting tale
Twins Savanna and Ellie are unknown to each other until forces bring them together. A great story that will captivate and enchant readers of various ages
Magical people and strange creature's prowel through the pages giving just the right balance if frights to keep you on the edge
On the whole an enchanting tale
May 10, 2016
A very exhilarating read! It was all funny, adrenaline-packed and magical. I have enjoyed the adventures of the Senka twins and honestly I kinda wished there was more but I'm happy with how it ended.
Visit full review on my blog (NO SPOILERS): https://abookishowl.wordpress.com/201...
Visit full review on my blog (NO SPOILERS): https://abookishowl.wordpress.com/201...
August 22, 2017
The Mansion’s Twins, by Rose Channing is definitely a story geared towards teens, and although at first I was slightly annoyed by the rushing through from thing to thing with little to no breaks in between, I eventually got used to the speed of the story.
Channing sets up the beginning of the story to intrigue readers and make them wonder why there are strange things happening in a world that is clearly not magical. However, the quick pace of the story helps the reader get through the initial “why would they just run away from their families” thoughts that plagued me.
The Mansion’s Twins is a story of twins, separated nearly at birth by a storm in their magical world. To keep them safe, they were taken through a portal to our world, but now it’s time for them to return and set things straight. I found it a bit confusing at first as new characters were constantly introduced once Ellie and Savannah reached their home world, but again, I finally adjusted to it and was mostly able to keep people straight.
I found their magical world could use more developing, but Channing did round things out fairly well, and as the story continued, the reader continued to learn new things. There were some grammatical and proofreading errors, such as a missing word here or there or words missing an ‘s’ or other things, but they weren’t so often that I wanted to put the book down. I think a close editing by a professional would catch most of those issues.
I give this book a solid 3 out of 5 stars. I didn’t give it 4 stars because I did have to make myself continue to pick it up to get it finished. I didn’t give it 2 stars because I do feel like it is an interesting story, and the target audience, teenagers, would probably enjoy racing through this story that touches briefly on young love, as well as an epic quest and the struggle between good and evil. Is evil really evil, or is the reader’s perception skewed? Anyone who enjoys magical fantasy written for teens would enjoy this book.
Channing sets up the beginning of the story to intrigue readers and make them wonder why there are strange things happening in a world that is clearly not magical. However, the quick pace of the story helps the reader get through the initial “why would they just run away from their families” thoughts that plagued me.
The Mansion’s Twins is a story of twins, separated nearly at birth by a storm in their magical world. To keep them safe, they were taken through a portal to our world, but now it’s time for them to return and set things straight. I found it a bit confusing at first as new characters were constantly introduced once Ellie and Savannah reached their home world, but again, I finally adjusted to it and was mostly able to keep people straight.
I found their magical world could use more developing, but Channing did round things out fairly well, and as the story continued, the reader continued to learn new things. There were some grammatical and proofreading errors, such as a missing word here or there or words missing an ‘s’ or other things, but they weren’t so often that I wanted to put the book down. I think a close editing by a professional would catch most of those issues.
I give this book a solid 3 out of 5 stars. I didn’t give it 4 stars because I did have to make myself continue to pick it up to get it finished. I didn’t give it 2 stars because I do feel like it is an interesting story, and the target audience, teenagers, would probably enjoy racing through this story that touches briefly on young love, as well as an epic quest and the struggle between good and evil. Is evil really evil, or is the reader’s perception skewed? Anyone who enjoys magical fantasy written for teens would enjoy this book.
June 18, 2017
This is the wonderful story of two young girls who are unsatisfied in their day to day lives, one more than the other, and feel that there's something missing. They meet each other and of course are astonished that they have a twin they didn't know about but more than that... There's a whole other world they didn't know about.
The story line taps into the desire for acceptance and understanding that many young people have and is almost like a wish fulfillment story. Many people want to think that there's something special about them, when in fact there isn't and they'll have to work hard to stand out from the crowd. Ellie and Savannah, the Twins of the title, don't. They were born into it, although they work plenty hard enough later on in the book.
A place of magic and wonder and kindness and evil awaits them. I was most impressed early on when the BBG was revealed and he seemed quite attractive and even tempting and this was a pleasant surprise. Too many books now paint the baddie as unspeakably bad straight away, forgetting that even bad guys have feelings and motivations beyond simply conquering the world.
Anyone interested in YA fantasy, filled with danger and excitement and little twists and turns here and there, should pick this up.
A quick final note, some of the other reviews mentioned the dizzying cast of characters. There certainly are a vast amount of people to get to grips with but Rose handles it well. They all seem integral to the story and for future stories presumably and at least they don't have eight syllable names with multiple apostrophes.
Recommended for genre enthusiasts.
The story line taps into the desire for acceptance and understanding that many young people have and is almost like a wish fulfillment story. Many people want to think that there's something special about them, when in fact there isn't and they'll have to work hard to stand out from the crowd. Ellie and Savannah, the Twins of the title, don't. They were born into it, although they work plenty hard enough later on in the book.
A place of magic and wonder and kindness and evil awaits them. I was most impressed early on when the BBG was revealed and he seemed quite attractive and even tempting and this was a pleasant surprise. Too many books now paint the baddie as unspeakably bad straight away, forgetting that even bad guys have feelings and motivations beyond simply conquering the world.
Anyone interested in YA fantasy, filled with danger and excitement and little twists and turns here and there, should pick this up.
A quick final note, some of the other reviews mentioned the dizzying cast of characters. There certainly are a vast amount of people to get to grips with but Rose handles it well. They all seem integral to the story and for future stories presumably and at least they don't have eight syllable names with multiple apostrophes.
Recommended for genre enthusiasts.
July 12, 2017
I really wanted to like this book but the major problem I had was it seemed as if the essence of the plot was almost exactly the same as from a series of books and movies that were put out about ten years ago called Twitches.
The idea of this being something cool and unique got lost when so much of this story has already been done before; granted there were lots of differences but the similarities just felt overwhelming so I was disappointed in the lack of originality.
In the original story a set of twins was sent from their magical world to a nonmagical one (Earth) because of the threat of an evil darkness which was storming over the world, it seemed to have killed their father as he was trying to save them, was destroying the world and turned out to be the work of a man. The twins were adopted by different families with no idea of each other, their powers or their true home until they were much older. They eventually found each other, discovered their powers and a way home where they found out the truth that only they, together, had the power to overcome the darkness.
Granted this version is a lot more violent, bloody and there are other differences but I just wish the author had used something more unique for her plot outline because the entire time I’m reading this I just kept picturing Tia and Tamara Mowry, the actresses who portrayed the characters in the original movies.
The idea of this being something cool and unique got lost when so much of this story has already been done before; granted there were lots of differences but the similarities just felt overwhelming so I was disappointed in the lack of originality.
In the original story a set of twins was sent from their magical world to a nonmagical one (Earth) because of the threat of an evil darkness which was storming over the world, it seemed to have killed their father as he was trying to save them, was destroying the world and turned out to be the work of a man. The twins were adopted by different families with no idea of each other, their powers or their true home until they were much older. They eventually found each other, discovered their powers and a way home where they found out the truth that only they, together, had the power to overcome the darkness.
Granted this version is a lot more violent, bloody and there are other differences but I just wish the author had used something more unique for her plot outline because the entire time I’m reading this I just kept picturing Tia and Tamara Mowry, the actresses who portrayed the characters in the original movies.
July 9, 2020
This book was a real treat to read and it's the first of a series so more to look forward to. Aimed at teens and young adults but enjoyable to all who enjoy fantasy and magic it tells the story of a beautiful world damaged almost beyond recognition by a terrible storm. Everything is left twisted and spoiled, good magic twisted and even years later the once beautiful world remains a dark and dangerous place. There is only one hope to try and put things right and that is the magic of twins but twins are as rare as hen's teeth. Meanwhile back in our world twins, Ellie and Savannah who are unaware of each other and their true origins are about to be brought together and....
As I said I thought this book was a real treat and Rose Channing has a true gift for involving the reader with her characters. I will definitely be continuing with the series and recommend it for anyone who needs a little magic in their lives
As I said I thought this book was a real treat and Rose Channing has a true gift for involving the reader with her characters. I will definitely be continuing with the series and recommend it for anyone who needs a little magic in their lives
July 9, 2020
This book was a real treat to read and it's the first of a series so more to look forward to. Aimed at teens and young adults but enjoyable to all who enjoy fantasy and magic it tells the story of a beautiful world damaged almost beyond recognition by a terrible storm. Everything is left twisted and spoiled, good magic twisted and even years later the once beautiful world remains a dark and dangerous place. There is only one hope to try and put things right and that is the magic of twins but twins are as rare as hen's teeth. Meanwhile back in our world twins, Ellie and Savannah who are unaware of each other and their true origins are about to be brought together and....
As I said I thought this book was a real treat and Rose Channing has a true gift for involving the reader with her characters. I will definitely be continuing with the series and recommend it for anyone who needs a little magic in their lives
As I said I thought this book was a real treat and Rose Channing has a true gift for involving the reader with her characters. I will definitely be continuing with the series and recommend it for anyone who needs a little magic in their lives
June 29, 2020
I enjoyed the story of this book and what it was about, it gave me real Mary-Kate and Ashley vibes at the beginning!!! However I did find it really confusing at some points, there were so many characters that it was a little hard to keep track of them all, at some points I had no idea who some of them were. I think it would have been beneficial to instead of writing the chapters, write who's point of view or who we are following. There were moments I was reading when suddenly the character was switched to a different point of view and I did not know who I was following, so I think that would have been really helpful.
December 1, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest revi
I found this very difficult to get into and was very slow at the start.
Forcing myself to continue it did improve but most of the characters were bland with very little depth.
Younger teens may enjoy this though.
I found this very difficult to get into and was very slow at the start.
Forcing myself to continue it did improve but most of the characters were bland with very little depth.
Younger teens may enjoy this though.
July 27, 2015
Ellie and Savannah Senka have been raised in separate foster homes, never knowing that they are twins and the offspring of a powerful magician. When their own powers begin to manifest, they miraculously find each other and begin a journey to discover their purpose. When they find themselves drawn to a mysterious mansion, they end up in a different world entirely. This world is full of magic and curiosities beyond their imagination, and they are the long-awaited solution--the twins who will reset the balance of the magical world. They have a lot to learn, and only a little time to learn it in if they wish to thwart the evil threatening to take over their world.
At it's heart, The Mansion's Twins is a sweet, wholesome story about a set of twins who basically live out the weird fantasies all kids have at some point. Finding an identical twin, realizing you have magical power, living in a magical house with all manner of magical secrets... All the details are the sort of things kids love to dream about.
The main story of Ellie and Savannah is pretty good. The style of the book is very imaginative and whimsical, and particularly the tests they face as they set off to the heart of the magic world to reset the balance. I was pretty impressed by the originality in general.
The main part of the book really could use some editing though, and some serious proof-reading. The story has so many subplots and different characters running around that it's difficult to remember them all, let alone try to relate what they are doing to the context of the main plot. Throughout the book, the viewpoints change with reckless abandon. One page we'll be following Ellie and Savannah through the innermost workings of the mansion, and then in the next paragraph we'll suddenly be following some obscure happening back at the main part of the mansion.
The proof-reading is kind of a minor detail, but it really affects the overall readability of the book. I try to be openminded about it, because I certainly know the struggle, but there were quite a lot of typos, grammar issues, and poor sentence structure. It just needs to be fixed. It's the sort of thing that could be completely remedied by a careful read-through and editing session.
As it is, I really felt myself lagging through the middle and towards the end. I wanted to figure out what happened to Savannah and Ellie, and I was really curious about their quest, but it seemed like the story was more focused on the cool inventions and ended up bogged down in details.
Still, there were good things about this book. The relationship between the sisters was really special, and it's not very common to find stories that focus so much on the great relationships that can exist between siblings. I think this book would really appeal to younger teenage girls, probably between the ages of 11 and 14. Plus, it's available for free through the Kindle Unlimited service on Amazon!
Overall, I liked it: 3 out of 5 stars
At it's heart, The Mansion's Twins is a sweet, wholesome story about a set of twins who basically live out the weird fantasies all kids have at some point. Finding an identical twin, realizing you have magical power, living in a magical house with all manner of magical secrets... All the details are the sort of things kids love to dream about.
The main story of Ellie and Savannah is pretty good. The style of the book is very imaginative and whimsical, and particularly the tests they face as they set off to the heart of the magic world to reset the balance. I was pretty impressed by the originality in general.
The main part of the book really could use some editing though, and some serious proof-reading. The story has so many subplots and different characters running around that it's difficult to remember them all, let alone try to relate what they are doing to the context of the main plot. Throughout the book, the viewpoints change with reckless abandon. One page we'll be following Ellie and Savannah through the innermost workings of the mansion, and then in the next paragraph we'll suddenly be following some obscure happening back at the main part of the mansion.
The proof-reading is kind of a minor detail, but it really affects the overall readability of the book. I try to be openminded about it, because I certainly know the struggle, but there were quite a lot of typos, grammar issues, and poor sentence structure. It just needs to be fixed. It's the sort of thing that could be completely remedied by a careful read-through and editing session.
As it is, I really felt myself lagging through the middle and towards the end. I wanted to figure out what happened to Savannah and Ellie, and I was really curious about their quest, but it seemed like the story was more focused on the cool inventions and ended up bogged down in details.
Still, there were good things about this book. The relationship between the sisters was really special, and it's not very common to find stories that focus so much on the great relationships that can exist between siblings. I think this book would really appeal to younger teenage girls, probably between the ages of 11 and 14. Plus, it's available for free through the Kindle Unlimited service on Amazon!
Overall, I liked it: 3 out of 5 stars
December 27, 2016
This is a great book to readThe Mansion's Twins If you love mystery and suspense you are going to love this book.This book has adventure, excitement,and mystery in it. The book starts of with them running away from home and going to a magical world.The plot is about the twins trying to restore the magical world as it once was when they was first born their.If you would like you can see my blog review at http://s611227944.onlinehome.us/bookr... ### I received this as a free ebook from the author for an honest review.###
January 28, 2016
You can find this and other reviews on my blog: Mezzalilys Teen Book Reviews
Thanks to the author Rose M. Channing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ellie and Savannah Senka meet by chance after running away from their unhappy homes. Soon after they find themselves in another world, one with magic that has been disrupted greatly after a magical storm. Ellie and Savannah discover their destiny to save this new magical world but can they?
I really enjoyed this novel, in particular I found the twins discovering themselves very amusing, especially Ellie. The plot moved along at a good pace however some parts did feel a bit rushed. I really liked reading how they journeyed to the center of magic and how obstacles on the way affected them.
I was very happy when I realised the twins had separate personalities and were not carbon copies of each other. Ellie was my favourite as she was more outspoken than Savannah but I felt like I could connect with Savannah more because she was more like me. Another character I liked was June however I just had this feeling throughout the book that she couldn't be trusted.
Thanks to the author Rose M. Channing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Leaving all fear behind, she threw herself into the fight, taking strength from the memories of her family. I will find you again. Whatever happens, I will find a way."
Ellie and Savannah Senka meet by chance after running away from their unhappy homes. Soon after they find themselves in another world, one with magic that has been disrupted greatly after a magical storm. Ellie and Savannah discover their destiny to save this new magical world but can they?
I really enjoyed this novel, in particular I found the twins discovering themselves very amusing, especially Ellie. The plot moved along at a good pace however some parts did feel a bit rushed. I really liked reading how they journeyed to the center of magic and how obstacles on the way affected them.
I was very happy when I realised the twins had separate personalities and were not carbon copies of each other. Ellie was my favourite as she was more outspoken than Savannah but I felt like I could connect with Savannah more because she was more like me. Another character I liked was June however I just had this feeling throughout the book that she couldn't be trusted.
October 27, 2020
EDIT: A lot of reviews say this story is VERY similar to the film Twitches. So... yeah. Thumbs down to unoriginality.
But thanks to this book I'm now interested in watching the movie, lol.
Interesting World, but awkward dialogues.
First, I want to say that this book was really intriguing based on the prologue. I actually thought that this was supposed to be a horror genre. Although, even if I found out it was fantasy the world was still keeping me interested in the story. There are flaws, however, especially in the writing:
1) The characters (aside from the twins) were sometimes hard to tell apart. In my opinion, there were also too much characters introduced who were all not fleshed out enough for me to remember or care.
2) Some conversations were really cringey and awkward. Sometimes it seemed juvenile.
3) The “romance” was really rushed and out of no where and underdeveloped.
Aside from those main things that bugged me, I thought that this really has potential with a little more editing and revision. It’s a very promising fantasy book that can take some interesting twists if the author chooses (if they decide to write a sequel). I recommend this to anyone who likes a not-so-strict magic system but also has some rules to it, but just remember the flaws I listed at the top so it isn’t a surprise and affects your reading experience.
Thank You for giving me an ARC netgalley and publishers.
But thanks to this book I'm now interested in watching the movie, lol.
Interesting World, but awkward dialogues.
First, I want to say that this book was really intriguing based on the prologue. I actually thought that this was supposed to be a horror genre. Although, even if I found out it was fantasy the world was still keeping me interested in the story. There are flaws, however, especially in the writing:
1) The characters (aside from the twins) were sometimes hard to tell apart. In my opinion, there were also too much characters introduced who were all not fleshed out enough for me to remember or care.
2) Some conversations were really cringey and awkward. Sometimes it seemed juvenile.
3) The “romance” was really rushed and out of no where and underdeveloped.
Aside from those main things that bugged me, I thought that this really has potential with a little more editing and revision. It’s a very promising fantasy book that can take some interesting twists if the author chooses (if they decide to write a sequel). I recommend this to anyone who likes a not-so-strict magic system but also has some rules to it, but just remember the flaws I listed at the top so it isn’t a surprise and affects your reading experience.
Thank You for giving me an ARC netgalley and publishers.
May 9, 2015
A sweet and ultimately uplifting tale about twins girls, Ellie and Savannah, who enter an alternative world and discover their destiny. The story has a lovely, otherworldly feel about it, hearking back to a bygone age when many lives were housed beneath a single roof, and there is always the sneaking suspicion that back in that huge house, somewhere, there's a secret passage or room that might lead somewhere amazing. There's an unusual twist in that this quest takes us deep into the inner world of the mansion, to the centre of magic, so there's a sense of movement inward to the great secret at the beginning of it all.
Unlike many twin books the twins come across with distinct personalities. However a plethora of minor characters are not really fleshed out and ultimately confused the storytelling as their multiple points of view interrupted the tale, and the text needs to be proofed. While I found myself wishing for tighter narrative and a stronger sense of place and purpose, I really enjoyed the author's skillful creation of atmosphere and I hope there will be many more adventures in this world!
Unlike many twin books the twins come across with distinct personalities. However a plethora of minor characters are not really fleshed out and ultimately confused the storytelling as their multiple points of view interrupted the tale, and the text needs to be proofed. While I found myself wishing for tighter narrative and a stronger sense of place and purpose, I really enjoyed the author's skillful creation of atmosphere and I hope there will be many more adventures in this world!
January 23, 2016
The Mansion's Twins is a fun tale that can be read by adults both young and mature. Having grown up unaware of each other, Ellie and Savannah met by chance and suddenly their entire reality changed. You see, they each had a secret they couldn't share with anyone else, but once shared with each other they realized how much they had never fit into this normal world. Between this and the fact that they looked identical, they came to the conclusion that they were sisters, twins in fact, and set of to find out more about themselves.
The Mansion's Twins takes you into an alternate world where magic is the "norm" and you can learn to do just about anything. At the heart of the story is the Mansion itself, which is much more than just a house. The twins must quest through this gigantic structure to find it's very center, and they have all sorts of fun, exciting, crazy and scary adventures along the way.
The author built an entire world that was fairly easy to follow, and the history was pretty complete. There were a lot of characters introduced quickly, which I personally can have a hard time with, but each of them were interesting and developed.
I give this story a full 4 stars!
The Mansion's Twins takes you into an alternate world where magic is the "norm" and you can learn to do just about anything. At the heart of the story is the Mansion itself, which is much more than just a house. The twins must quest through this gigantic structure to find it's very center, and they have all sorts of fun, exciting, crazy and scary adventures along the way.
The author built an entire world that was fairly easy to follow, and the history was pretty complete. There were a lot of characters introduced quickly, which I personally can have a hard time with, but each of them were interesting and developed.
I give this story a full 4 stars!
January 30, 2016
This is a wonderful book. It is well written and well thought out. The characters are nicely formed; I feel as if I could imagine (if I wanted to) how each of the characters took their tea. This is very important to me and the author did it very well. I find it crucial that characters appear sufficiently real,to the point that one could easily imagine,and anticipate, their actual likes and dislikes. This makes the book itself seem so very real, and it is as if the book "breathes".
This book gracefully guides the reader into a magical world. The effect is magical, and it is done so beautifully, by means of a story line that entices, and intrigues.
While this is a book about magic, it does in fact touch on very significant life issues, notably, "the bigger the problem, the harder it is to control" which, while attributed here to magic, is generally true in most scenarios, be they every day events or world issues.
Indeed, this is an excellent book, filled with enchantment and wonderful surprises (I absolutely loved the poetry! Nice touch!) that are certain to keep the reader's attention. Well done!
This book gracefully guides the reader into a magical world. The effect is magical, and it is done so beautifully, by means of a story line that entices, and intrigues.
While this is a book about magic, it does in fact touch on very significant life issues, notably, "the bigger the problem, the harder it is to control" which, while attributed here to magic, is generally true in most scenarios, be they every day events or world issues.
Indeed, this is an excellent book, filled with enchantment and wonderful surprises (I absolutely loved the poetry! Nice touch!) that are certain to keep the reader's attention. Well done!
September 18, 2016
I am always drawn to fantasy stories which have a portal element to them and lots of magic, which is why The Mansion's Twins appealed to me. I loved the idea of Ellie and Savannah being separated in their young lives and being reunited when they are older. The twins not only discover that they have magical abilities, but also find out they are the only ones who can restore the magical balance to their original home world.
As a Doctor Who fan, I loved the concept of the mansion being bigger on the inside, with lots of secret rooms and passages, making the twins' journey a difficult one. One of the difficulties I had however, was in the descriptions of the rooms and encounters the twins had. Some of the wording was confusing, making it hard for me to imagine what was really going on.
Because I love magic so much, I enjoyed the overall plot of the story. But several grammar mistakes, a few plot contradictions and the words "center of magic" kept drawing me out of the story. If these were corrected, I believe Channing would have a strong story that would captivate audiences from start to finish.
As a Doctor Who fan, I loved the concept of the mansion being bigger on the inside, with lots of secret rooms and passages, making the twins' journey a difficult one. One of the difficulties I had however, was in the descriptions of the rooms and encounters the twins had. Some of the wording was confusing, making it hard for me to imagine what was really going on.
Because I love magic so much, I enjoyed the overall plot of the story. But several grammar mistakes, a few plot contradictions and the words "center of magic" kept drawing me out of the story. If these were corrected, I believe Channing would have a strong story that would captivate audiences from start to finish.
January 23, 2016
I really enjoyed The Mansion Twins. I love supernatural stories, and this one didn't disappoint in terms of it's take on magic and it's origin storyline. Ellie and Savannah are great characters, who despite being identical twins, have distinct voices and personalities, and I felt the strongest parts of the book and story where when the story was told from their point of view. There are a lot of other characters, however, who are all introduced fairly quickly and things were sometimes confusing. Additionally, I felt the development of these other characters was not as fully realized as Ellie and Savannah. However, I'd like to see the author delve into some of these other storylines more specifically in future works so that we can get a sense of who some of these people are and find out about their backstory, as well as future. Overall, though, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
July 29, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
If you are looking for a new fantasy then you should definitely check this book out. Ellie and Savannah are twins born in an alternate world who are separated as babies in our world. As tweens, they find each other and end up traveling back to their original world and learn that their destiny is to restore and save the Mansion and keep it out of the hands of darkness. It’s a magical coming of age story complete with action, drama and comedy. I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters and it was really interesting to watch the twins grow and get used to their new world.
If you are looking for a new fantasy then you should definitely check this book out. Ellie and Savannah are twins born in an alternate world who are separated as babies in our world. As tweens, they find each other and end up traveling back to their original world and learn that their destiny is to restore and save the Mansion and keep it out of the hands of darkness. It’s a magical coming of age story complete with action, drama and comedy. I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters and it was really interesting to watch the twins grow and get used to their new world.
July 8, 2015
A book for Tweens and Young Teens. Ellie and Savannah met by chance. Surprised by their similarities, and believing that they are twins separated at birth, they run away together. The twins find a magic portal and enter the mystical world of the Mansion. This new world is still suffering from the ravages of the magical storm, which originally separated the twins from their home. The girls must learn about their world, uncover their magical gifts and fulfill their destiny to restore the Mansion to its former glory. The story features a multitude of characters and a whirlwind of subplots, which carry the story to its conclusion.
January 24, 2016
I really enjoyed reading the Mansion's Twins. The idea of having a long lost separated twin, and then finding out you have magical powers is a child's dream. This book really brought out my inner child. It had me laughing, crying and wishing it would never end. The amount of characters at times confused me, but I soon learnt to remember who was who and what powers they had. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who like magic.
Ellie was my favourite of the twins. She's more outgoing than her sister Savannah, but also mischievous. It finished with a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting more.
Ellie was my favourite of the twins. She's more outgoing than her sister Savannah, but also mischievous. It finished with a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting more.
July 10, 2017
I enjoyed reading this story even though there were a lot of different characters, with different magical abilities, which confused me at times, and the confusion pulled me out of being fully immersed in the story, but this is only due to my own personal reading preference because the characters were described perfectly and brought to life well. The plot was well paced and had enough intrigue to keep me interested in reading the story.
April 2, 2015
A very enjoyable book to read with good plot structure and a fast paced narrative that whisks you into a fantasy world of magic. The Mansions Twins made a wet weekend much brighter as I found myself immersed in the adventures. For anyone who loves reading imaginative Fantasy this should be on their reading list.
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