Mirror worlds and alternate realities are the setting for this fantastic fantasy novel by Angelina J. Steffort. Immerse yourself in a world that sits parallel to our own, yet is ruled over by a cruel leader, hellbent on destroying her own family for her continued reign. A great young adult read for 16+, this book will, without doubt, have you lost in its magic.
Two Worlds of Provenance follows 16-year-old Maray, an instantly likeable character, who believes that her mother abandoned her some years previous. However, on meeting the rude and irksome Jemin, she finds herself taken against her will to Allanin, a town running alongside her home of Vienna yet in a completely different dimension. The strength of this novel lies within Steffort’s well-explained plot line that slowly but surely develops – nothing is given away too quickly and yet there isn’t a period in the book where the reader finds themselves wanting. Instead, each chapter reveals a new twist, a shady character, a lie or a truth. Similar in construct to J.K. Rowling novels, Steffort has the reader slowly building up intrigue and questions through the initial half of the novel and then answers them in great detail at the same time as Maray deepens her understanding of Allanin politics and her true heritage. I did find the climax to the action as the book closed slightly underwhelming; the actual scene itself had a lot of potential but I just felt it was slightly short and resolved itself much more quickly than I perhaps would have liked. Nevertheless, the story leaves us on a happy cliffhanger; an initial reprieve from the darkness of the story line but with the reader suitably enticed for the sequel.
Steffort’s ability to create strong female leads has clearly shone through again: Maray is both vulnerable and headstrong, determined to forge her own path and make her own choices, and young readers will look up to the well-written heroine. In contrast, Jemin is initially dislikable and yet Steffort manages to weave her magic once more and take us on a journey as his character develops and changes in the perspective of the reader. There is of course, the more comical sidekick, and various villains that it seems Maray has little chance of beating, along with a fantastic helping of characters who aren’t quite what they seem. Other paranormal and mythical beings are incorporated into the other world of Allanin and much like other great fantasy writers before her, Steffort has developed fearsome and ferocious beasts that one can vividly picture and imagine haunting the citizens of the city.
This was my second dive into the world of Angelina and yet again, it did not disappoint. Steffort has the ability to whisk the reader away into another entirely-believable reality, and The Book Dragon is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with her. A fully deserved 4 stars is awarded to Two Worlds of Provenance.
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