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Search - Garden Spells
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Garden Spells Author: |
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Book Information
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Book Description:
In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit. In this luminous debut novel, Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of that enchanted tree, and the extraordinary people who tend it.… The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures. A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before. When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other. Enchanting and heartfelt, this captivating novel is sure to cast a spell with a style all its own…. From the Hardcover edition.
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Top Member Book Reviews
Joanna C. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have to admit that I do agree with some of the other reviewers about the book echoing a little of Alice Hoffman's book Practical Magic as the premise is similar. I did, however, find the characters in this book to be very engaging and interesting. The sisters in this story played well with the secondary characters which did help give this book an individual feel. I particularly liked the way the author made the apple tree in the garden a character (in its own way) in the story.
The book is well thought out, but there is more internal conflict rather than external conflict in this book. If you are a reader who prefers their books with a lot of fast paced action than this book will probably read a little too slowly for you.
I personally loved this book. It was sweet, smart, and had some lovely lines in it that made me want to read more from this author. I can see how it could have been fleshed out a little more, but as this is a fresh author I think this will probably come with time.
Bonnie S. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Absolutely delightful book. A treasure of light fantasy, some romance without the usual romance plot. This book is a nice break from all the heavy, serious, thinking books many of us read. I recommend it for even the hardcore non-fiction readers.
Susan R. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
What an enjoyable book! I loved the characters, loved the light touch with magic, and loved the story.
K.m. G. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found garden Spells to be similar in flavor to Practical Magic. I enjoyed the mystical elements of the book, but the people are what kept me reading. Seeing a family come back together and learn about themselves made for a good read.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Intriguing, engaging and enchanting. A fun read about the bonds of women. I thoroughly enjoyed this and also her newest one, The Sugar Queen.
Latricia F. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a truly great book. This was a new author to me, and I am considering buying her next book new to go around the (hefty) wish list. I loved this.
Magic is woven in this book, and the apple tree is a character - both a very important and pivotal character in the book, and a 'character' in the 'TNT' sense of the word (we welcome characters').
The main character has denied her hertage for magic, until she must run from an abusive ex. Back home, to the house where the magic her family held made her feel like a freak as a child - back to the sister who has embraced her own magic to the hilt, running a catering company that weaves spells on clients and their guests from her magic garden.
This is a story full of character and characters.
Chris B. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a little too fluffy and predictable. The sisters never face anything that they can't resolve quickly and easily and the story is, well boring. Its nice and sweet and the story is blemished only by one small black spot that could have made for an interesting read but was pushed aside and dealt with like an after thought. It was if the author couldn't bear to do anything bad to her characters but knew she needed some sort of conflict. That said the characters are solid and writing is pretty good but it was just boring. It gets a 3 out of 5
Debra M. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Unlike any book I've read in the past twenty years and that's a lot of books! Absolutely mesmerizing and incredibly persuasive. Loved it. New author I'll definitely be watching for more!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I, too, was a bit reminded of "Practical Magic", but this story completely sucked me in - I was desperate to learn more about that backyard garden - especially the tree.
I would recommend this book to most, although I found a slight turnoff in the violent car scene between Sydney and her to-be ex-husband, but I recognize that it wasn't supposed to be pretty. Thankfully, this episode is only briefly visited. I did find Claire a little too narrow-visioned to be believable, but again, the author's timing and story-telling won me over.
"Garden Spells" is a must read for those of us who miss those childhood fairy tales and still believe in make-believe and magic.
Kim (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a wonderful book! Well thought out, sprinkled with a little magic, and the bond shared between sisters and families shows that old, and young dogs can learn new tricks, and there's nothing wrong with letting a little love into your life. I can't wait to read more from this author.
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Please Rate these Book Reviews
Magical fun story. Easy and enjoyable read. Ready to read Allen's next book.
Denise C. (from back cover
"In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, nicked away behind a small house in the smallest of towns, is an apple tree rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit. In this luminous debut novel, Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of that enchanted tree, and the eextradordinary people who tend it."
Wonderful book, characters that you can relate too, and feel sympathy for too.
Highly recommend this story.
Read All Book Reviews of "Garden Spells"
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