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    The Twistrose Key

    Author Tone Almhjell
    Illustrated by Ian Schoenherr
    Ebook
    Penguin Young Readers | Puffin Books
    On sale Oct 22, 2013 | 384 Pages | 9781101592083
    Grade 5 & Up
    Reading Level: Lexile 710L
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    Something is wrong in the house that Lin's family has rented; Lin is sure of it. The clocks tick too slowly. Frost covers the flowerbed, even in a rain storm. And when a secret key marked "Twistrose" arrives for her, Lin finds a crack in the cellar, a gate to the world of Sylver.
     
    This frozen realm is the home of every dead animal who ever loved a child. Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with Rufus, the pet she buried under the rosebush. But together they must find the missing Winter Prince in order to save Sylver from destruction.
     
    They are not the only ones hunting for the boy this night. In the dark hides a shadow-lipped man, waiting for the last Winter Prince to be delivered into his hands.
     
    Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic.
    Tone Almhjell grew up, then quickly un-grew up. In a fit of bravery, she quit her job as a journalist to become a fantasy writer. Almhjell lives in Oslo, Norway with her two wonderfully stubborn kids, a boy and a girl. View titles by Tone Almhjell
    Ian Schoenherr View titles by Ian Schoenherr
    On the desk, next to the typewriter, lay the parcel. It was still heavy, and when Lin shook it, something slid around inside. She emptied it into her palm.

    Out tumbled two keys, held together by a thin metal band.

    One was a little old and had an orange plastic tag that said “cellar.” The other was large, as large as the length of her hand, and blackened, as if someone had tried to burn it. Its head was fashioned as a petal, and the stem was that of a rose, with three curved, sharp thorns. Across the petal, there was a name engraved: “Twistrose.”
    Copyright © 2013 by Tone Almhjell. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Rave reviews for The Twistrose Key

    A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

    “This jewel of a story will capture your heart and your imagination…Readers should take their time and read with care to fully grasp and decipher the fresh mythology of the land of Sylver. It’ll leave you gasping, laughing, and maybe shedding a tear or two.” —The New York Journal of Books

    “Beguiling.” —New York Times Book Review

    “This debut novel will captivate readers…Fantasy that evokes the classics of yore and stands proudly among them.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

    “This book is pure magic. I want to live in it.” —Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy
     
    “This debut novel has Narnian charm and troll-fire high adventure. I’ve never read anything quite like it, and I hope Tone Almhjell writes many more books for me to fall in love with.” —Erin Bow, author of Plain Kate

    “Children entranced by animal tales and in love with snowy fantasy lands will delight in Lin’s magical journey and triumphant determination.” —Booklist
     
    “Her story feels complete even as the world of Sylver contains enough unexplored territory to invite subsequent volumes.” —Publishers Weekly

    About

    Something is wrong in the house that Lin's family has rented; Lin is sure of it. The clocks tick too slowly. Frost covers the flowerbed, even in a rain storm. And when a secret key marked "Twistrose" arrives for her, Lin finds a crack in the cellar, a gate to the world of Sylver.
     
    This frozen realm is the home of every dead animal who ever loved a child. Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with Rufus, the pet she buried under the rosebush. But together they must find the missing Winter Prince in order to save Sylver from destruction.
     
    They are not the only ones hunting for the boy this night. In the dark hides a shadow-lipped man, waiting for the last Winter Prince to be delivered into his hands.
     
    Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic.

    Author

    Tone Almhjell grew up, then quickly un-grew up. In a fit of bravery, she quit her job as a journalist to become a fantasy writer. Almhjell lives in Oslo, Norway with her two wonderfully stubborn kids, a boy and a girl. View titles by Tone Almhjell
    Ian Schoenherr View titles by Ian Schoenherr

    Excerpt

    On the desk, next to the typewriter, lay the parcel. It was still heavy, and when Lin shook it, something slid around inside. She emptied it into her palm.

    Out tumbled two keys, held together by a thin metal band.

    One was a little old and had an orange plastic tag that said “cellar.” The other was large, as large as the length of her hand, and blackened, as if someone had tried to burn it. Its head was fashioned as a petal, and the stem was that of a rose, with three curved, sharp thorns. Across the petal, there was a name engraved: “Twistrose.”
    Copyright © 2013 by Tone Almhjell. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

    Praise

    Rave reviews for The Twistrose Key

    A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

    “This jewel of a story will capture your heart and your imagination…Readers should take their time and read with care to fully grasp and decipher the fresh mythology of the land of Sylver. It’ll leave you gasping, laughing, and maybe shedding a tear or two.” —The New York Journal of Books

    “Beguiling.” —New York Times Book Review

    “This debut novel will captivate readers…Fantasy that evokes the classics of yore and stands proudly among them.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

    “This book is pure magic. I want to live in it.” —Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy
     
    “This debut novel has Narnian charm and troll-fire high adventure. I’ve never read anything quite like it, and I hope Tone Almhjell writes many more books for me to fall in love with.” —Erin Bow, author of Plain Kate

    “Children entranced by animal tales and in love with snowy fantasy lands will delight in Lin’s magical journey and triumphant determination.” —Booklist
     
    “Her story feels complete even as the world of Sylver contains enough unexplored territory to invite subsequent volumes.” —Publishers Weekly

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