Been going through my old netgalley requests and seeing what I have forgotten to give a review to and what I still need to read. I don't recall requesting this book or why and reading the synopsis present me doesn't have the same interest in this title as past me did.

Such a promising premise this one has, unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The first FEW pages were good, which made my expectations higher. But as I dive deeper, I just lost interest and attachment at all. I've given it additional points for its distinct writing style, and for the concept. Too bad it was not well-executed. My main issue was the world-building, it's not just confusing, There's something missing in the story that even I couldn't fathom. I almost thought that I am now reading a second installment. Confused as I was when I started reading the 1/4 part of the book, confused I still am when I finished it.

This one could have been better is the world-building was managed properly. None of it made sense.

Jey's twin has never had a name. She doesn't officially exist. When she was born, her parents should have killed her, but they couldn't bear to, even though Jey's twin was a dangerous Redwing demon. Despite the demons' reputations, the hidden twin never felt that she was very dangerous or evil. When threatened while on an errand for her father, she discovers she can summon fire. Now, the temple knows a Redwing is out there, and they are looking for her.
The setting in this story is fascinating, with volcanoes and ash and gardens. There's a creepy temple, a mysterious prince, and an underground rebellion. The Hidden Twin by Adi Rule is a clever genre-bender.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

For eighteen years a girl with no name, a Redwing, has been hidden away in a small attic room within a city of hissing pipes and curving temples perched on the side of the great volcano, Mol, while her sister, Jey-identical except for her eyes-has lived her life in public as an only child. Their father had hoped the hidden girl would one day grow up to be a normal human girl and not the wicked creature mythology has promised, so he secretly spared her life as an infant.
But when she switches places with her sister, striking up a flirtation with the son of the Empress while working in the royal gardens and gets attacks by two suspicious priests on her journey home, she is forced to call forth fire to protect herself, unleashing her previously dormant powers and letting her secret out. She soon catches the attention of a cult with a thousand year old grudge as well as a group of underground rebels, both seeking her for their own gain. But when her sister goes missing and the Redwing uncovers a great plot to awaken Mol and bring fiery destruction upon them all, she is forced to embrace her powers.

*3.5 stars*

What a great surprise this little gem turned out to be. While it wasn't perfect, I quite enjoyed a number of aspects of this book.

There are some things in YA fantasy that really needs to be good to be a hit with me - some mythology/history is important for me; I also like some cool hidden secret/mystery that brings a challenge to the MC. And this book really does deliver on those things. Also, characters really need to be well-fleshed out and actually important to the story - not just added as a love interest for the sake of having a romantic sub-plot. And, sadly, most of the characters were a little bland - except "no Name" our main character. She is tough, no-nonsense and, quite fun. As much as I would have enjoyed more rounded cast, this MC carried this book quite well.

What I also find important, but this failed to deliver, is world-building. I felt like this was halfway done and all a bit vague. Whether that was intentional or not, I don't know, but I never felt like we were getting everything that we should have in that regard.

So, a very good story that suffered from a few flaws for me - but there is enough in this writing for me to try more by this author.


Paul
ARH

Jey’s sister is a twin, a nameless Redwing which is forbidden in their Empire. The Redwing sister is hidden in the attic, at the father’s hope that she grow into a normal child and not a monster.

When the Redwing sister takes Jey’s place working in the gardens, she unknowlingly flirts with the son of the Empress, and puts herself in the dangerous path of fanatical priests. The Redwing unleashes her powers to save herself, putting her and her sister in grave danger.