Mary Twomey

This book was completely adorable! I really enjoyed the switching between the two main character's POV, allowing the reader to see and understand their relationship; it provided much needed background information and emotional situation. The characters of this book consist of the classic group of friends, which makes it only too easy to become part of the gang as they make their wild cross country journey. Also, the fact that the main character likes and visits the places of all my favorite show more books is so relatable, even the twilight parts because I can remember fangirling over that like no other. I am very jealous of all the places our leading lady Yani traveled to, but like they say books take you places so now I guess I can claim to have gone to this places as well, jk. Not only did this book have a great plot and theme and cast, it was written beautifully. It was hilarious and charming and heartfelt. even though I only kind of see the relevance of the candy blog I still really enjoyed reading the commentary each time. Lastly, I would just like to ask the author one question 'does Robbert Patternson know he is in your book?' can you even do that without his permission? show less

When I like the first book in a series, as I did with Mary Twomey's Undraland, I usually pick up the second with some trepidation. The first book always gives me a clear vision of what the second should tackle, and I worry that the Author won't see it as clearly as I do. I also worry that the Author will forget or miss what was interesting, unique, and important about the story. Mary Twomey's Nokken (Undraland Book 2) does not disappoint in any way. Nokken is the perfect Book 2.

Nokken is show more fast paced, fun, and deep. Each character progresses realistically along their dynamic change arcs, the story's arcs progress just how they should, and the pacing is perfect. In Nokken, Twomey's writing becomes spellbinding, and her subject matter matures as her characters do.

While I will admit that Twomey has a distinctly feminine voice in the Undraland series, and that many of her characters are hot guys (YAY), thinking either book is a romance or 'just for girls' would be a mistake on the part of the reader. The Fantasy is fascinating, and the Theme of Nokken seems, to me, to be about Respect. Knowing what I do of the world now, in my late 30's, I have developed a soft spot for writers who not only know what they want to say to improve the conditions in the world we live in, but who, like Mary Twomey, do so with grace and skill.

As a parent, I would suggest Nokken is appropriate for girls 14 & up. There are some intense scenes, and younger girls should read it WITH their parents, but I don't know a woman who hasn't been effected by the rough side of misogyny, and it is something they need to learn how to deal with. Nokken walks a fine line, like the best of books, and handles the subject with incredible integrity.

For all of that, and more you will have to read Nokken to fully appreciate, I'm giving Nokken one of my very rare 5/5 Star ratings! show less

This book was absolutely adorable and so, so, so much fun. I totally geeked out on it. I saw my friends and myself in Yani and 100% saw us making this road trip. As a matter of fact, I was thinking of the places we'd visit if we did this. But what was even more fun was seeing the books (and the places) from Yani's friends point-of-view. I laughed and loved every minute of that because I know that most times when I do get one of my friends to read one of my lowly YA books they come away show more admitting that it's "really not that bad."

I bought this book as an ebook but definitely will order a paper copy just so I can put it on my shelf and tell people that they have to read it when they ask me about it - which is the one advantage to have paper copies of books over ebooks on shelves. I highly recommend this fun, light and easy read to all fans of YA books - especially older fans that take some ribbing from your friends for still reading YA books. show less

The best of books, like the best of Authors, take on the responsibility of speaking up and out and about the important things. Elvage, the 4th book in Mary Twomey's Undraland series, like the previous books, does the same. In this very entertaining and readable installment, Twomey takes on misogyny, among other things. Twomey's powerful, frequently playful, and more often than not, profound voice sweeps me away into the story. I never find a point in any of Twomey's books where I want to put show more the book down, or get bored! Hot, tall guys aside, Mary Twomey writes with purpose and grace and Elvage is a great read.

I highly suggest you begin this series at the beginning, with Undraland, and Elvage is appropriate for 14 & up, when it is important for boys, and girls, to start seriously considering many of the issues Twomey tackles. show less