Book Review of #2 The Return of the Evil Twin by Francine Pascal
Author Name: Francine Pascal
ISBN: 0-553-57002-1
Publisher: Bantam
Type of book: Young adult, contemporary
Year it was published: 1995
Summary:
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield have no idea that their world is about to be turned upside down-again. Last christmas, Margo-a girl who looked, talked and dressed exactly like Jessica and Elizabeth-arrived in Sweet Valley to take what she considered her rightful place in the Wakefield home. On a dark winter's night, Margo fell to a violent death, and the Wakefields thought their nightmare was over. But they didn't know about Nora, Margo's own twin sister. Nora, separated from Margo at birth, is outraged when she discovers that the sister she'd never known is dead...and that California's picture-perfect twins are to blame. Now Nora wants revenge-and she's capable of evil beyond anything Margo could have ever dreamed
Characters:
The characters were unrealistic and boring. Ironically Nora was boring, although the book promises her to be exciting. Margo killed lots of people to reach her goal, and the book says Nora is more evil than Margo. Nora simply kills one person and not so many, so how does this make her evil? The twins were their same old unlearned tabula rosa.
Theme:
Erm...let me think. Theme, theme, hmm...well besides the usual survival of the sister bond there's nothing else in there to mention.
Plot:
As mentioned, suspension of belief is really required in this book, and unfortunately this was a pretty boring book. (The twin look alike having a twin...how original...) I do wish that there was more bonding between Margo and Nora, and that Nora would have been smart instead of being a bumbling idiot. Supposedly Sweet Valley series is coming back to life. Here's hoping that there will be more Nora and Margo in the future.
Author Information:
Francine Pascal (born May 13, 1938) is an author best known for creating the Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High was the backbone of the collection, and was made into a popular television series.[2] [3] There were also several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they have remained popular such that several titles have been re-released in recent years. (From Wiki.)
Opinion:
I have to be honest: this is the most unbelievable, hackneyed book I have read! Suspending logic is just, well, unbelievable. (Margo kidnapping Jessica and then bringing her to school instead of killing her like she wanted?! Everything being resolved by twin intuition?! And of course, let's not forget the famous constant sixteen years old!) Strangely enough there was no suspense in this book, but only boredom. Nora, Margo's twin sister cannot hold the candle to her twin, and both are simply unbelievable.
1 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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