Olivia Abtahi’s Twin Flames is a heartwarming and hilarious exploration of love, identity, and self-discovery. With witty dialogue and relatable characters, Abtahi crafts a story that feels refreshingly modern yet deeply emotional. The blend of romance and personal growth makes this a delightful read that will leave readers smiling and reflecting on their own journeys.

Thank you to Netgalley and RBMedia for sending me an early copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!

If you've been looking for a diverse fantasy, this might just be the book for you! It definitely feels more middle grade than YA, but I think that aspect is perfect for the storyline of sisterly love and the way this book is truly a coming of age tale. It takes two strong young women and teaches them that what they think they want isn't always what is best for them or what their future selves will prioritize. It takes two sisters who feel more like strangers and shows them the power of blood and the gift of family.

It's a great, quick read that will make you think about life and family and love all while giving you an exciting fantasy journey to go on!

When I initially saw the cover of the book as well as the premise, Twin Flames peeked my interest in a story about Persian mythology and sibling bonding taking priority. It didn’t disappoint with interesting and developed characters, a fast paced and twisty plot, and intriguing fantasy elements.

We follow twin sisters, Leila and Bianca, starting from when a strange fire breaks out on their 18th birthday, and discover shortly after that it's linked to djinn activity and have to figure out the mystery and repair their fractured relationship before their small Virginia town is lost. I loved the main pairing of Leila and Bianca, with the two basically being the polar opposite in personalities and thoughts, and haven't been getting along since puberty. Their development was realistic and hit me in the feels as they think things through about their paths in life.

The other characters were fleshed out and rather interesting, even if a lot of them don't show up for more than a few chapters. Each played their role and didn't feel like cardboard cutouts.

While it did take me a little bit to get into the fantasy world building at first, I was really immersed and by the end, had a good understanding of it. The main aspect was the djinn, which were more of a malicious force in this story. It delved into aspects of Persian culture and the Middle East that are rarely covered in Western media, and I really enjoyed it. While it mostly explores Persian culture and mythology, the twins are also Argentinian on their mother's side and there's nods to it throughout.

The plot was very engaging. It is a bit slow going at first, but still rather intriguing as the sisters discover more about their new situation and reflecting on their lives and relationships, but when we get to around the halfway point, it gets very twisty and much more engaging. The twists don't really stop either, and it made the book next to impossible to put down. It all made sense and I loved how the ending played out in a satisfactory manner, especially hard in a fantasy standalone. And considering that the story mainly takes place in about a week's time, it was great.

The prose flowed well and was easy to follow. The narrator, Dalia Ramahi, was easy on the ears and packed an emotional punch once those twists started coming. Total 10/10 and I will listen to more books she narrates.

In a way, Twin Flames reminded me of a book I read last year, The Sunlit Ruins, which focused on opposite personality family members plunged into a magical situation.

If you're looking for a Contemporary Fantasy standalone with mythology that's not as common, check this out!

**I RECEIVED A FREE ARC OF THE AUDIOBOOK FROM NETGALLEY. THANK YOU A TON. THIS HAS NOT IMPACTED MY REVIEW IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. **

*NO MAJOR SPOILERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS REVIEW**

So the vibes were real for this one. I really enjoyed it! I requested this book on a whim, and I had no expectations. But wow, I was sucked into the experience and journey of these twins. The writing was a blend of contemporary mixed with mythical elements, not unlike percy jackson. It had a similar vibe and that is perhaps why I enjoyed it. While this is on the middle grade/young adult side, this book did deal with some heavier topics such as racism, cultures, belonging, etc. But it also was rich with themes such as found family, you choose your own destiny, etc. I also liked the bit of myth splashed into it. I was not familiar with any of it, so I loved learning more.

I liked the main characters, though with audio, it was a bit difficult to discern between the two. The only real way to tell them apart was through their hopes for the future and attitude. One embraced their culture and one wanted to be a stay at home mom caretaker. And you know what, I admire the author for originally writing that into the story. Because while it might not be a glamorous or flashy dream, it is still something that the main character thought would make her happy. Until it didnt.

Since this is middle grade ish, there was not much romance, but there were a few alludes to some teen fooling around and crushes. That was cute, but not the center of the story. I definitely think family was the center of this story and what one is willing to sacrifice to go after their dreams.

Overall, i liked the fast paced adventure, could relate to the characters (being a minority myself) and I learned some stuff. All in a good days read. Remember, this is all my own opinion. if you want your own, read/listen to the book.

When I saw the cover of this book on NetGalley, I just knew I had to read it! The twins look strong and powerful and reading through the description really intrigued me. I know a little about djinn from other books I've read but I wouldn't say I'm an expert of any kind but found the book provided enough information through the story that everything made sense. I also took some time to google a few things to get a clearer picture of what they were up against.

Leila and Bianca couldn't have been more different. It isn't explained until later on in the book why their relationship is strained but it brings some drama to the first half. I really enjoyed the fact that they had both Iranian and Argentinian traditions and culture in their home and both were celebrated by the famliy. There was definitely some interesting parts about living in such a small town where no one looked like them and how each sister felt differently about how to handle that.

The second half is really action packed filled with powers and battles and the mysterious Zahra who really opens things up for Leila especially. I don't know if I quite bought the way the battle/bargain was resolved but sometimes you have to go with the flow and just enjoy the fantasy of it all.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator. She brought the story to life with her dramatic reading and voice work. With the alternating point of view, it was helpful that the author put the name of the twin we would be following. I might have gotten lost if not since it was an audiobook and the voices were somewhat similar for the main characters.

I received an audiobook copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Leila and her twin sister Bianca cannot be more different. One is a girly girl - the other a goth, and they definitely don’t hang out. On their 18th birthday, things get weird. A barn fire, evil djinn, and magical powers definitely weren’t what these girls had in mind when it came to birthday gifts! When they find out the truth about why the djinn are there to begin with, the sisters are forced to set aside their differences in order to save not only their family but also the town they call home.

I thought this book was pretty well written. I love djinn and all of the various ways they are portrayed in literature, so this was a fun read. I do feel that it reads more as middle grade fiction, personally, but since it includes some mild spice, it lands firmly in the YA category. Though different content-wise this story gave me Magisterium (by Holly Black) vibes.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. When listening to it on audio, the voice that the narrator used for Bianca was weirdly babyish considering they were supposed to be 18 years old. Other than that, she did a great job as well. 3.5 stars rounded up!

🧚🏻 Thank you to NetGalley, Recorded Books, and author Olivia Abtahi for providing me with a free audio version of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.

Fast paced and action packed YA fantasy!!!

Absolutely loved every moment of this! The sisterly bond shines bright in the novel, as we see Bianca and Leila go from being distant and not talking much to one another for the past four years to joining hands in overthrowing the enemy and saving their town. It warmed my heart to witness them opening up to each other, and showing the sides they've always hid.

The characters are unique, and interesting, and the author has done a wonderful job of portraying their inner struggles and their transformation throughout the plot. The audiobook narrator brought out the uniqueness of both sisters perfectly, and I was able to tell whose pov it was, without even having to read the chapter title!!

Bianca is more edgy and rebellious, and is so relatable. She loves manga, Taylor Swift, pies, and adores her Iranian - Argentinian side. She's outgoing and full of energy, and she feels trapped in this small town. All she wants is to complete her high school and travel around the world. But she starts to learn more about her inner wants as she tackles the djinn problems. She realises how wrong she has always been, and moves forward to making her new goals come true.

On the other hand, Leila is a homebody, she's soft-spoken and loves crocheting and gardening. She wants nothing more to marry her boyfriend, and have a family of her own. She hates change, and tries to not associate herself with her ethnicity, but it all changes on the night of her 18th birthday. She's thrust into a new world which opens her eyes to the whole wide world that exists out of her small town. And it was interesting to see her come to terms with what she really wants, and also who she really wants to be with!! I liked the way the author explored Leila accepting her sexuality and embracing this new side of her.

The book is also rich in Persian mythology, as we encounter countless creatures being mentioned in it - djinns, mareed, giants, etc. And as someone who's a die-hard fan of the Daevabad trilogy, I ate that up!!! And it was so exciting to learn more about the Iranian cuisine, which left me hungry every time I read the book (the platter that their mom made for the Christmas Eve dinner still haunts my mind and makes my stomach grumble🤤🤤)

Overall, a solid YA fantasy debut that's rooted in Persian mythology, with a touch of sisterly bond, self discovery and the struggles of belonging to mixed ethnicity in a small town.

Despite the challenges of bicultural (Argentine and Iranian) identity in a small town, twins Bianca and Leila have chosen very different paths from each other. But they are about to discover that a common challenge will force them into situation where they must work together, or pay the price...

This is an entertaining story that brings in interesting cultural elements of magic and fantasy, drawing on the twins' biracial identities. The themes examined in the book include those of sibling relationships, immigration, and common values vs conflicting priorities. It gets 3.5 stars.

Rating: 2.5 stars

I fell between feeling like this was an OK read and enjoying some parts of it.

Pros: I enjoyed the blended family depicted in the book, which included a mix of Argentinian and Iranian parents, cultures, and home life.

Cons: I felt like the characters were very one-dimensional, even after they had their "growth" throughout the plot of the book. I am also skeptical about the resolution of the book.

Neutrals: this is a YA book which would work for a younger audience, mainly tweens and teens.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. i love the character development, and especially the relationship development between the sisters. and then the fantasy and action parts are pretty interesting and impressive as well. though the characters, especially at the beginning weren't very likeable to me, i think throughout the book they grew on me more, and i enjoyed the reading. overall pretty good read!

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

A great story, loved the jinn storyline and the relationship between the twins, the characters growth was incredible. I especially loved learning more about there family as half Iranian and half Argentinian. I love learning more about other cultures in such a fun way like this. I really enjoyed it and I’d recommend this book!

I'll be publishing my review on Goodreads and StoryGraph 12th October and on Tik tok most likely will add to a monthly wrap up post with review the beginning of November.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I loved this book. I loved the dynamic between the sisters, how they each came into their own power and discovered what they actually wanted, and learned to accept themselves for who they are.

The story itself held my attention (which is a feat with ADHD).

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio copy of this book. This was such a fun YA magical realism book!! I loved it and had a good time listening to it. The characters and story were unique and interesting and the magic-y parts were easy to understand but not boring or predictable. This will be perfect for fans of Harry Potter, Lobizona, Percy Jackson, etc.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this audiobook. It was a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, culture, magic, and love. The narrator did a fantastic job capturing the unique voices of the characters, making them feel even more alive.
The Argentinian and Iranian heritage makes the twins unique and adds a splash of culture. Bianca and Leila are so different, yet they go through the same doubts about their future, love life, and identity. They seem like normal teenagers until their connection to the djinn comes to life. Abtahi weaves elements of Middle Eastern mythology into a modern-day context, giving the story both a magical and contemporary feel.
The pacing of the audiobook is excellent, making it easy to listen to. I highly recommend it for fans of young adult fantasy.

I received an audiobook arc from NetGalley.

Flame on! This is such a cool book with descriptive visuals. The narrator has a great voice and you can get a feel of the characters nationality with how she speaks.

Oh, this was delightful! I love all the different djinn and the different ways and directions Bianca and Leila grow. Leila’s queer awakening gave me such giddy delight, especially as this wasn’t like a central element of her story, but just another layer of her and her experiences, I also really loved the contrast in Bianca and Leila’s attitude towards where they grew up, and how those attitudes shifted as they grew into their powers and abilities. This also has so many sweet moments and great moments of friendship. Also, cannot forget about the dynamic between the twins shifting and them finding their way back towards each other after being estranged. I loved so many elements of this story, and wouldn’t mind more with these characters, though overall this felt like a solid standalone and while there’s space to grow the world, this story feels solidly completed.

The narration is also really good and I liked that the different characters had distinct voices.

Thank you RBmedia, Recorded Books, & NetGalley for the electronic audio review copy of this book. This is a nice multicultural story with magic, adventure, and sibling, friends, and family relationships. Very interesting writing and great description of the immigrant experience.

Overall this isn't a bad story. Definitely laking in some areas. I think it would have been nice to see the sisters interact a bit more especially be shown earlier why they don't like each other that much, more showing and less telling overall. I did enjoy the plot with the jin ~definitely needed more though. I probably would still recommend this to people, especially if they like simple stories and don't mind the telling instead of showing.

Bianca and Leila are biracial, Iranian and Argentinian. They are polar opposites. Leila wants to "fit in" and avoids her heritage while Bianca embraces it fully. On their eighteenth birthday a "random" fire in a barn causes the twins lives to be thrown into chaos as djinns cause issue in their hometown. The twins must set aside their differences and work together to save their hometown.

Being a twin myself I am such a sucker for twin books, I really enjoyed the fact both of the twins are very different, most of the time we are. Bianca was probably my favorite of the two, but I really liked Leila too and understood why she acted how she did. The audio was done VERY well, and I really enjoyed hearing how the names/places were properly pronounced. I think the narrator did a fantastic job.

I think this YA novel is great for anyone who enjoys a multi- cultural action-packed adventure where family and community is important.