The Twisted Tree is an impressive YA debut from Rachel Burge. Martha has an unusual gift; by touching a person’s clothes she can tap into their emotions and memories. It began after she was injured falling from the tree in her Grandmother’s garden, and subsequently lost the sight in her left eye. Martha wants to find out more about her unusual and unwanted gift and is sure that her Mother could help her, but she is remaining tight lipped. Determined to find answers, Martha takes off to visit her grandmother – Mormor – in Norway, but finds even more to question when she arrives. Where is Mormor, and who is the stranger living in her house? The Twisted Tree is a dark and atmospheric book, a welcome addition to any YA library. I liked the way Martha struggled with her new found ability; torn between not disappointing her Grandmother, and wanting to return to a normal life, away from the Norse legends that have dictated much of her Grandmother’s life. Unlike many books where the hero embraces their new found ‘superpower’, Martha’s fear and curiosity is much more believable. The secondary characters are also well drawn, with Martha’s new friend Stig causing conflicting emotions, at times clouding her judgment. Mormor’s faithful dog Gandalf is also well portrayed and his loyalty is integral to the adventure. If only everyone could have a dog like Gandalf. A huge feature of the book is the stark Nordic landscape. Burge’s descriptions are so vivid that the reader can visualise the miles of bleak beauty and feel the cold of the snow. The plot is tense and thrilling, and this combined with such evocative writing makes the book extremely hard to put down. Intertwined with Nordic myths, ghosts and Norwegian snow, is a burgeoning romance, but don’t worry, this is much more than a typical love story. The climax is thrilling and does not disappoint after the gradual build in tension. Some elements of the tale are left open, but as much as I enjoyed the book, I hope Burge does not write a sequel. The beginning of Martha’s new life has been shared, and now she should be left to find her way in the world.