BOTM for December - THE TWISTROSE KEY

[Jemima]

It was very close voting between the four contenders this month, but I didn't need my casting vote as The Twistrose Key came out ahead with 29.8%, two votes ahead of the second, who was one vote ahead of the third, who was one vote ahead of the fourth!

My copy is on order from the library, so I hope to join in before the month is out.

Meanwhile, enjoy your holidays and I look forward to reading your comments in this thread. As always, put an alert in for a spoiler if you're going to give away plot points.

Voting is also open for the book for January, choosing from the runners-up in our monthly polls during 2016 (excluding the tied books where both were picked).

Add your comments about the Book of the Month when you've read it (or during, if you're busting to say something!)

[Justine]

Sort of Narnia-like, this book. It pulled me in quite quickly at the start. But then the "call to action" was too abrupt and I did not get on board with the mission. So I was detached from the story for a large part. A bit of a shame, really, coz the book does has some magical parts. But when I finally accepted the mission, I enjoyed it more.

[Elizabeth]

Just started reading it (Xmas Prezzie from son) and will continue!

[Rebecca]

I warmed to it a little slowly, but it did pull me in. The time-stretching thing bugged me, because it didn't seem integral, just a way of making enough time to do the whole adventure in one night.

[Jemima]

I'll comment now, because I have officially finished it, since I read a whole chunk of it last night after languishing during the festivities. I wanted to get it off my list for my 2016 challenge!

I liked the start, although was surprised that people like the anthropomorphism, since I thought that was well out of favour. Made me reconsider being open about my books' heroes. But then its seemed to get very slow, even though she was going through so many different aspects of the new world. By the time I finished last night I reckon the problem is that while it's very inventive, it's also relentless about throwing in just about every wondrous thing the author could think of.

If it wasn't BOTM I wouldn't bother finishing, it, I think. I'll have a go tonight and see :)

[Rebecca]

I think you put your finger on it, Jemima. I gave it a lukewarm review, though I maybe liked it a little better. There is too much jammed into a single night to be convincing, for me.

[Elizabeth]

I thought it was too like a CS Lewis/Phillip Pullman cross-over to deserve a hugely complimentary review.

However, I really liked the (pb) cover - and also appreciated that the vocabulary wasn't so simplistic that I lost interest.

[Ju]

Curious. How are the books selected for BOTM?

[Jemima]

Ju wrote: "Curious. How are the books selected for BOTM?"
Nominations will open for the book for February next week. Later this month you'll be able to vote on which nomination you want to read.

[Jemima]

Jennifer wrote: "This is my review I just posted. Happy to have a more in-depth discussion if people don't mind spoilers?

"I wanted to love this book but it just didn't generate "the feels" for me. The timeline of..."

Yes, I think I used the word 'relentless', too.

[Rebecca]

"Relentless" is the perfect word. I think I commented that the author used a time warping thing in a way that felt too much like a handy device. It's too bad, because I really did want to like it. And I'm another who loved the cover!

[Jemima]

Jennifer wrote: "Yes Jemima, sorry about that. I had read your comment several days before I wrote mine, and I guess your word must have stuck in my head in association with this book - because it was such an appro..."

No I was just thinking we felt the same way about it. In fact if I'd bothered to check my post from a few days earlier, I'd have seen it too!

[Georgie]

A very belated review from me.
I enjoyed the Narnia-like feel to this book.
I liked the relationship between Lin and Rufus, and thought the whole concept of Sylver as a world where much loved pets go when they die a nice way to look at things.
The plot was easy to read and fairly gripping.
I also struggled with the timeline of the book, though it did have a sort of Christmas-Carol feel to it, so appropriate for a December read. The fox-guy (I forget his name) made for quite a nasty and creepy villain.
8/10 stars.