What do you think?
Rate this book
Sisters of Glass #1
Sisters of Glass
Two girls. Two worlds. Only magic can bring them together, in this fantastical middle grade adventure for fans of the Descendants and School for Good and Evil series.
Halan is a powerless princess. She is heir to the Magi Kingdom, a blazing desert land ruled by ancient magic. But unlike every royal before her, Halan has no magical powers of her own.
Nalah is a powerful pauper. The glassblower’s daughter, she lives in the land of New Hadar, where magic is strictly outlawed. But Nalah has a powerful force growing within her—one she can’t always control.
One girl fears magic, one worships it. But when a legendary mirror connects them, Nalah and Halan finally meet—and must work together to save their two worlds, before everything they know is shattered forever.
Halan is a powerless princess. She is heir to the Magi Kingdom, a blazing desert land ruled by ancient magic. But unlike every royal before her, Halan has no magical powers of her own.
Nalah is a powerful pauper. The glassblower’s daughter, she lives in the land of New Hadar, where magic is strictly outlawed. But Nalah has a powerful force growing within her—one she can’t always control.
One girl fears magic, one worships it. But when a legendary mirror connects them, Nalah and Halan finally meet—and must work together to save their two worlds, before everything they know is shattered forever.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2017
25 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 3, 2020
I really like this book because first of all,a girl named Nalah who is not a princess and has powers which can turn fabric,wood,metal and glass into any shape she wants,jumps through a mirror to a whole new world and meets her
Tawan(means mirror twin),a girl named Halan who is a princess and has no powers of her own.Second of all of why I love this book is because the book
has many,awesome adventures and mirrored worlds and mirrored people.Another reason I like this book,is because of the dramatic scenes and all the action that the characters do.Sisters of glass is a great book because it made me feel like I’m in two different worlds.
Tawan(means mirror twin),a girl named Halan who is a princess and has no powers of her own.Second of all of why I love this book is because the book
has many,awesome adventures and mirrored worlds and mirrored people.Another reason I like this book,is because of the dramatic scenes and all the action that the characters do.Sisters of glass is a great book because it made me feel like I’m in two different worlds.
December 7, 2017
YES, I loved this so much. (It might be because reading this after a bad book made it that much better, but I really liked this one.) We get the power of alternate universes, magic and brute strength/power, doppelgängers, and a beautiful magical fantasy world that feels new and authentic in the middle grade space.
Our two main characters are Nalah and Halan (note the PALINDROMES), Nalah is a girl with uncontrollable magical abilities living in a world where magic is strictly forbidden, and Halan is a princess, living in a magical realm where all the previous royals have had incredible magical talent, but she has none. Both of these girls are connected even though they live in separate worlds, and when Nalah is drawn into Halan’s world to save her father, they learn all about their dark connected pasts, and what their existence means for the both of them.
The world-building, magic, and characters were all A+ for me, and I think this author has this book set up for the perfect sequel. I will note this also could read a little older, like a young YA, but should be fine for 4th grade and up.
Our two main characters are Nalah and Halan (note the PALINDROMES), Nalah is a girl with uncontrollable magical abilities living in a world where magic is strictly forbidden, and Halan is a princess, living in a magical realm where all the previous royals have had incredible magical talent, but she has none. Both of these girls are connected even though they live in separate worlds, and when Nalah is drawn into Halan’s world to save her father, they learn all about their dark connected pasts, and what their existence means for the both of them.
The world-building, magic, and characters were all A+ for me, and I think this author has this book set up for the perfect sequel. I will note this also could read a little older, like a young YA, but should be fine for 4th grade and up.
November 26, 2017
I was surprised how fast I got captivated, and wanted to read more! This is very well written, great for any avid readers! My daughter is 9yo and enjoyed it too, but she already reads young adult books.
I got my copy from the giveawys on goodreads.
I got my copy from the giveawys on goodreads.
September 23, 2019
Clasica bătălie între dreptate și nedreptate, între bine și rău, alegeri nu întotdeauna inspirate, dar făcute cu bună credință.
Autoarea a creat un spațiu cu note clare orientale, atât în New Hadar, cât și în orașul magic de la marginea deșertului. În New Hadar, rămășițele magiei conviețuiesc cu tehnologia modernă, însă în vechiul oraș de dincolo de oglindă, artefactele Tauma își arată întreaga putere. Bazar, arome, condimente, văluri fine de mătase, aceasta e lumea propusă de autoare pentru desfășurarea acțiunii, o lume foarte plăcut conturată.
După cum spuneam, se exploatează foarte frumos diversele mituri legate de oglinzi și de proprietățile lor magice, putând fi folosite drept portaluri de legătură între lumi paralele. Ceea ce este interesant este modul în care autoarea a mers mai departe pe ideea de oglindă, folosind-o nu numai ca punte între lumi, dar chiar și în creionarea lumilor-oglindă. Veți vedea că cele două fete, Nalah și Halan (observați scrierea în oglindă a numelor alese), nu sunt singurele astfel de gemene, fenomenul este specific celor două lumi și poartă numele de tawam.
Finalul este bine gândit și deschide calea către al doilea volum al seriei.
Mai multe detalii in articol, aici: https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/sur...
Autoarea a creat un spațiu cu note clare orientale, atât în New Hadar, cât și în orașul magic de la marginea deșertului. În New Hadar, rămășițele magiei conviețuiesc cu tehnologia modernă, însă în vechiul oraș de dincolo de oglindă, artefactele Tauma își arată întreaga putere. Bazar, arome, condimente, văluri fine de mătase, aceasta e lumea propusă de autoare pentru desfășurarea acțiunii, o lume foarte plăcut conturată.
După cum spuneam, se exploatează foarte frumos diversele mituri legate de oglinzi și de proprietățile lor magice, putând fi folosite drept portaluri de legătură între lumi paralele. Ceea ce este interesant este modul în care autoarea a mers mai departe pe ideea de oglindă, folosind-o nu numai ca punte între lumi, dar chiar și în creionarea lumilor-oglindă. Veți vedea că cele două fete, Nalah și Halan (observați scrierea în oglindă a numelor alese), nu sunt singurele astfel de gemene, fenomenul este specific celor două lumi și poartă numele de tawam.
Finalul este bine gândit și deschide calea către al doilea volum al seriei.
Mai multe detalii in articol, aici: https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/sur...
August 27, 2017
In a kingdom far away, a poor girl with magical talents she cannot control, practices her family's craft by making glass. Once, those with magical talents were allowed to infuse crafts openly and sell them at market. But times have changed and now artisans are arrested and persecuted. Her father fears for her life. She challenges him, gets caught, he is hauled away and...is pulled through a magic mirror that she made. She grabs a friend and they follow a few days later. Imagine her surprise when she realizes that on the other side of the mirror is a place where those with magic are revered and those without are arrested and penalized. This is a story that has fun with the ideas implicit in mirror images and what that might mean in ways both systemic and individual. The tale itself is a good one: the characters are compelling and engaging, the action is strong and the twists and turns keep the reader engaged. This is a really good middle grade reader for those seeking adventure stories with fantasy elements. I received my copy from the publisher through edelweiss.
July 9, 2019
***3.5***
I actually mostly enjoyed Sisters of Glass. The premise of two worlds was cool, the characters were real/flawed and the magic was interesting. There was something that I can't quite put my finger on though. The book was fairly predictable, but that is expected for me in MG novels, so it wasn't that. I just couldn't quite give it a full 4 stars. Still a good book though and recommended for anyone who enjoys magical MG novels with female protagonists and an interesting setting (it has a middle-eastern feel to it) and things that aren't quite what they seem.
I actually mostly enjoyed Sisters of Glass. The premise of two worlds was cool, the characters were real/flawed and the magic was interesting. There was something that I can't quite put my finger on though. The book was fairly predictable, but that is expected for me in MG novels, so it wasn't that. I just couldn't quite give it a full 4 stars. Still a good book though and recommended for anyone who enjoys magical MG novels with female protagonists and an interesting setting (it has a middle-eastern feel to it) and things that aren't quite what they seem.
March 28, 2025
I decided to read this book again for the nostalgia, and it definitely served its purpose. I enjoyed reading the plot and loved the end of it! It is definitely meant for a younger audience, and that is certainly reflected in the writing. However, I did still enjoy the read!
June 6, 2022
Pretty fun middle-grade Middle-East-inspired fantasy book. A dash of the multiverse mixed with a scoop of The Prince and the Pauper and a hefty dollop of the Grishaverse.
June 26, 2017
"Then let's go get them!" Not quite the call to arms of Theoden of Rohan in Return of the King or William Wallace in Braveheart, but when 12 year old Halan bellows out those words and gets ready to storm the castle, that's what came to this reader/reviewer's mind! My fifth grade library patrons will love this magical fantasy of two worlds, one filled with powerful magic and the other trying to stamp out all signs of it. Halan and Nolan are great female characters who are both trying to figure out just who they are supposed to be and to deal with their oddities. Evil and magic bring them together and if they can manage to sort out a few misconceptions, they just may be able to bring peace to a troubled kingdom. Supporting male characters Soren and Marcus round out an outstanding group of young people that will have 5th-8th graders cheering and hoping for a book 2. (Review of digital ARC from EdelweissPlus)
August 25, 2021
To tell you if the book is good or not I must tell you Why!!!
Good storyline? Check
Interesting characters? Check.
The main characters thrown into mortal danger? Check.
soo yeah that's why l think the book is great now let me tell you a bit about this book.
Two worlds, two people so different yet so similar.
One a powerful pauper who wields magic so fierce so uncontrollable that just her touch destroys or breathes life into items. Yet, she is forced to hide it.
Another born into the Magi kingdom where having magic is a blessing and is respected but she does not posses it. To make matters worse she is the princess of the kingdom.
When a threat arises and threatens to destroy The Magi kingdom. Can these two work together and save a world? Or will they perish trying????
Good storyline? Check
Interesting characters? Check.
The main characters thrown into mortal danger? Check.
soo yeah that's why l think the book is great now let me tell you a bit about this book.
Two worlds, two people so different yet so similar.
One a powerful pauper who wields magic so fierce so uncontrollable that just her touch destroys or breathes life into items. Yet, she is forced to hide it.
Another born into the Magi kingdom where having magic is a blessing and is respected but she does not posses it. To make matters worse she is the princess of the kingdom.
When a threat arises and threatens to destroy The Magi kingdom. Can these two work together and save a world? Or will they perish trying????
September 20, 2021
Sisters of Glass is such an exciting fantasy novel about two very different girls in two very different worlds. Nalah lives in a kingdom where magic is dangerous and forbidden. She lives with her father and their only way of staying alive is by selling the glass trinkets they make. However, Nalah feels a strange power rising within her ... one she might not be able to keep hidden for long. Halan is a princess, and in her kingdom, magic is everything. Without magic, one is weak, unprotected, and scorned. Without her powers, Halan is overprotected and feels like a caged bird. She begins to plan to run away. When Nalah is asked by the ominous Mr. Tam to create for him a forbidden Translucent mirror, little does she know that she is about to change everything. Troubles arise, and Nalah feels like she's reached the end. Then she meets Halan.
I honestly loved this book. The author has an amazing talent for describing such vivid imagery, you feel like you are right in the story. I recommend this novel to girls ages 10 to 12, as a few of the plot lines would be better understood and enjoyed by children in this age range. There are a few traumatic elements throughout this story but it isn't gory and there are no curse words. Overall it's a really great read!
I honestly loved this book. The author has an amazing talent for describing such vivid imagery, you feel like you are right in the story. I recommend this novel to girls ages 10 to 12, as a few of the plot lines would be better understood and enjoyed by children in this age range. There are a few traumatic elements throughout this story but it isn't gory and there are no curse words. Overall it's a really great read!
March 13, 2018
Cyprus, Naomi Sisters of Glass, 377 pages. Harper Collins, 2017. $ 17. Language: ( 0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G.
The story starts out with Nalah trying to create a magical piece of glass. She has to hide away because magic is forbidden in her world. Through a series of exciting events she finds her way through a looking glass into a world opposite of hers. She finds her doppelganger and discovers her doppelganger’s world values magic above everything. However, where Nalah is a powerful wizard, her “twin” from the world where magic has so much value has no magical ability at all. Lots of secrets are revealed and both girls learn to value the things they are blessed with or cursed with.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were intriguing, and I kept wondering what would happen next. It is well written. There are hints at adultery and murder, but light handedly handled.
EL, MS - ADVISABLE Reviewer: Lisa Moeller/ English Teacher and Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
The story starts out with Nalah trying to create a magical piece of glass. She has to hide away because magic is forbidden in her world. Through a series of exciting events she finds her way through a looking glass into a world opposite of hers. She finds her doppelganger and discovers her doppelganger’s world values magic above everything. However, where Nalah is a powerful wizard, her “twin” from the world where magic has so much value has no magical ability at all. Lots of secrets are revealed and both girls learn to value the things they are blessed with or cursed with.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were intriguing, and I kept wondering what would happen next. It is well written. There are hints at adultery and murder, but light handedly handled.
EL, MS - ADVISABLE Reviewer: Lisa Moeller/ English Teacher and Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
February 14, 2019
Nalah is the daughter of a glassmaker in a world where magic is outlawed. She should be a glassmaker like her father, but somehow her magic has gone wrong and she breaks things uncontrollably. Halan is the daughter of a king in a world where magic rules all. She has no magic. There worlds collide when Nalah is forced to enter Halan's world to find her father. It surprises them both when they discover that they are the same person from different worlds. Together they will defeat the evil magic wielders and save the people.
I liked the concept of mirror worlds that were divided by a magical cataclysm. I like the fact that there are people in both worlds that mirror each other and complement each other as well. Of course that system can be abused by those with power. It is interesting how the girls both have to come to terms with their family situations and their magical abilities. It is a wonderful fantasy world that I hope still has stories to tell.
I liked the concept of mirror worlds that were divided by a magical cataclysm. I like the fact that there are people in both worlds that mirror each other and complement each other as well. Of course that system can be abused by those with power. It is interesting how the girls both have to come to terms with their family situations and their magical abilities. It is a wonderful fantasy world that I hope still has stories to tell.
October 30, 2021
Sisters of Glass is a book series by Naomi Cyprus. In the first book, We meet Nalah, a powerful glassworker thauma (magical power whether in fabric work, metal work, wood work or glass work), in New Hadar, where thauma work is illegal and Nalah’s powers seem to be constantly getting out of control.
In the next chapter, we meet Halan, a princess in the Magi kingdom, where she is expected to be a thauma because she has royal blood but she isn’t. Because of this, everyone worries for her and she is not allowed to go beyond the palace gates.
Nalah and Halan are tawams. Tawams are when you have a twin or a mirror image. Together, Nalah and Halan save the Magi kingdom by ridding their king, Asa Tam, who killed his tawam to get more power.
I like this book because it has a lot of adventure, magic and I think this book is for 9+.
Each chapter’s title switches from Nalah to Halan.
-- Meera Rohith
In the next chapter, we meet Halan, a princess in the Magi kingdom, where she is expected to be a thauma because she has royal blood but she isn’t. Because of this, everyone worries for her and she is not allowed to go beyond the palace gates.
Nalah and Halan are tawams. Tawams are when you have a twin or a mirror image. Together, Nalah and Halan save the Magi kingdom by ridding their king, Asa Tam, who killed his tawam to get more power.
I like this book because it has a lot of adventure, magic and I think this book is for 9+.
Each chapter’s title switches from Nalah to Halan.
-- Meera Rohith
February 4, 2022
A fost chiar o carte bună. Doar că nu m-a prins pe mine deloc într-o perioadă în care să mă pot dedica cititului cât aș fi vrut, dar nu a fost o carte greoaie. Începutul m-a ucis prin omorâre, a mers greu tare. Dar, pe parcurs, chiar am căpătat mai multă pasiune și curiozitate pentru desfășurarea acțiunii. Povestea și ideea de la care a pornit totul au fost chiar bine gândite. Pot spune că autoarea, Naomi Cyprus, e chiar foarte creativă. A creat două lumi legate între ele, dar atât de diferite, cu o poveste impresionantă în spate.
Am stat cu sufletul la gură, am plâns chiar (sau, cel puțin, am vărsat niște lacrimi), m-am enervat pe personaje și mi-am luat brain crash-uri🤯.
Cartea chiar are muuult potențial și mi-ar face mare plăcere să mai citesc ceva de la această autoare.
E un fantasy copilăreasc, adică fără romance, dar în rest, chiar e o carte foarte foarte bună. Mi-a plăcut. Mult.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 pentru că m-a plictisit la început, pentru că nu a avut niciun strop de romance și pentru că m-a pierdut în unele fragmente prea complexe pentru mintea mea🤣
Am stat cu sufletul la gură, am plâns chiar (sau, cel puțin, am vărsat niște lacrimi), m-am enervat pe personaje și mi-am luat brain crash-uri🤯.
Cartea chiar are muuult potențial și mi-ar face mare plăcere să mai citesc ceva de la această autoare.
E un fantasy copilăreasc, adică fără romance, dar în rest, chiar e o carte foarte foarte bună. Mi-a plăcut. Mult.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 pentru că m-a plictisit la început, pentru că nu a avut niciun strop de romance și pentru că m-a pierdut în unele fragmente prea complexe pentru mintea mea🤣
April 6, 2018
Enjoyable read. The worldbuilding is interesting and I liked the thaumaturgy. Wished we'd seen it more in depth. Liked the platonic friendship between Nalah and Marcus a lot. Pacing felt a bit off, and it's not until past the halfway mark that Nalah and Halan actually meet. I appreciate that both Nalah and Halan hold strongly to their convictions, but are also mindful/try to be understanding of where the other is coming from.
Leaves itself open for a sequel which...I'm ok with, but the big bad's cronies read very flat for me. Hard to get too excited about them.
Leaves itself open for a sequel which...I'm ok with, but the big bad's cronies read very flat for me. Hard to get too excited about them.
January 22, 2023
I was looking for fantasy oortal book and the library only suggested book 2 in series. I was one chapter in and didn’t get it so I took it back and got book one.
This book was easy to get into. This dual perspective alternating characters between 2 dimensions. I loved it being told by an ethnic perspective it really enhanced the pleasure of something different.
It is a prince and pauper tale a twist and rollercoaster emotions. I cried in the last chapter. I think I’ll read #2 since there is impending action, but this is also complete by itself.
This book was easy to get into. This dual perspective alternating characters between 2 dimensions. I loved it being told by an ethnic perspective it really enhanced the pleasure of something different.
It is a prince and pauper tale a twist and rollercoaster emotions. I cried in the last chapter. I think I’ll read #2 since there is impending action, but this is also complete by itself.
November 20, 2018
It was a great book, with an engaging plot. The only problem I had while reading it was the fact that the beginning was a bit slow. I loved the twist and turns the characters had to face to get to where they wanted to be, and how it the characters really relate to us readers emotionally. Overall this was an amazing book that I would recommend to those who brave different realms and love magic.
December 15, 2020
Beautiful, well written novel that captivated my attention for hours at a time. I have read it several times, and each time I feel as though I am reading it for the first time. Naomi Cypress is a wonderful author and did a phenomenal job writing this book. Her words are intricately woven together to fabricate an exciting story that made me hungry for what would happen beyond the next turn. I highly recommend reading this book, but I warn you that you might not be able to put it down. :)
August 19, 2018
What a fantastic little 9-12 book. The magic in this story is so beautiful and fun! A world split in half, a girl from each world! I loved the relationship between Nalah and Halan, it is so lovely to see healthy female relationships at such a young age! Also nice representation! I am so excited for the second book! This was just so cute, fun, thought provoking and easy! Good read.
October 24, 2018
Two girls live in two parallel worlds-One is a princess, the other a pauper- one wishes she had magic- one is trying to control the magic she has- when a magic mirror brings them together they have to cooperate to save their kingdoms. A fun adventurous middle readers with two enjoyable female protagonists.
November 10, 2019
I enjoyed this book, but didn't find anything particularly amazing about it. I thought most of it was fairly predictable. And, I got really hung up trying to figure out how to pronounce some of the names (Halan, New Hadan, etc.) It really made it hard to stay with the flow of the story when I couldn't make up my mind how to pronounce one of the main characters' names!
January 25, 2018
I was finally getting into the book towards the middle, but the ending soured me on the book. It's rather ridiculous and wraps up with a deus ex machina. There's room for a sequel, but I'm not sure I would read it.
June 26, 2025
My 11 year old daughter loved it and wanted me to read. I definitely enjoyed it as well, even more so than some of my adult mystery books because it flows nicely and didn't give useless details to fill in pages. Onto Daughters of Steel.
January 23, 2018
This was really interesting. I forgot when I read it, but I know it was 2018.
May 6, 2018
I had heard really good things about this book but it took me a while to get into it. I found it a little slow and confusing. As it got to the middle, I liked it more.
June 7, 2018
I loved this book. Beautiful description and realistic characters. I would recommend it to ages 10+.
:P
:P
August 15, 2018
Two different people who turn out to be an awesome pair. Trust each other to do the right thing.
February 9, 2019
A really solid middle grade fantasy!
July 12, 2019
Cute children’s fantasy novel about two girls who are identical but live in mirror worlds.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews