Hey guys, and happy Monday! Today I am excited to be sharing with you another book review, this time of a brand new middle-grade/YA fantasy novel, The Trilogy of Two by Juman Malouf. When I read the blurb for this book it sounded so interesting and unique and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! The Trilogy of Two follows twins Sonja and Charlotte, who live at a circus and entertain crowds every night with their beautiful, haunting music. However, recently, things have started to become a little... odd. Like, the audience levitating when the girls play their instruments. They soon have no choice but to set off on a dangerous journey to find out the truth behind their powers, and to stop the people trying to take it away.
I was kindly sent a copy of The Trilogy of Two by Pushkin Press in exchange for an honest review :)
Intrigued? Check out the blurb here...
Identical twins Sonja and Charlotte are musical prodigies with extraordinary powers. Born on All-Hallows-Eve, the girls could play music before they could walk. They were found one night by Tatty, the Tattooed Lady of the circus, in a pail on her doorstep with only a note and a heart-shaped locket. They’ve been with Tatty ever since, roaming the Outskirts in the circus caravans, moving from place to place.
But lately, curious things have started to happen when they play their instruments. During one of their performances, the girls accidentally levitate their entire audience, drawing too much unwanted attention. Soon, ominous Enforcers come after them, and Charlotte and Sonja must embark on a perilous journey through enchanted lands in hopes of unlocking the secrets of their mysterious past.
The premise for this story was so interesting, and I'm pleased to say that it lived up to expectations. I think Sonja and Charlotte were fantastic characters and had a great chemistry. I also loved their relationship with Tatty as well, and I think this aspect of the text was brilliantly explored. It definitely was not your average orphan tale, which worked well in avoiding cliché, and made the story that much more unique.
Like all good fantasy stories, the setting was gorgeously and intricately described, and this really added to how much I enjoyed this novel. The journey that Charlotte and Sonja embark on was so interesting to read about, and the fact that I could visualise all the parts of their journey and the places they visit definitely added to this enjoyment. The illustrations were beautiful and made the whole novel that much more magical.
The writing itself was very polished and the descriptions were wonderful; it very much tied the brilliant characterisation and the setting descriptions all together to create a brilliant story. Malouf perfectly masters the art of creating a story for children that is sophisticated, yet with a certain air of playfulness. The mystery at the heart of the novel surrounding Charlotte and Sonja's background was maintained well throughout the story, culminating in an ending I was not expecting! Even though fantasy is not my favourite genre, overall, I very much enjoyed this book, and I'm intrigued to find out what Malouf comes up with next!
Buy The Trilogy of Two here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trilogy-Two-Juman-Malouf/dp/0399171142
Check out Juman Malouf here: http://www.jumanmalouf.com/about-juman-malouf/
Until next time :)
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