Book Reviews of Garden Spells

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.

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.

What an enjoyable book! I loved the characters, loved the light touch with magic, and loved the story.

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.

Intriguing, engaging and enchanting. A fun read about the bonds of women. I thoroughly enjoyed this and also her newest one, The Sugar Queen.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

I don't usually go for chick lit but this was surprisingly good.

This book was enchanting. I hope Ms. Allen does other book like this storyline. I wonder if you can actually use some of the flowers within her storyline. I can't wait to read Sugar Queen.

Loved this book, looking forward to reading The Sugar Queen

I dearly loved this book..............didn't want it to end!

This is a wonderful book, I loved it. If you have read and enjoyed Practical Magic you would probably like this book.

I enjoyed this book, it made me laugh out loud in places and was very touching in spots too. BUT - it's hard to view it as an independant work. It's "Practical Magic - The Next Generation". The tale of the daughters of the red-headed sister. The 'world' is borrowed from the other, with subtle changes, yes, but almost as if it had originally been a work of fan fic that was polished up for publication. But it's good, it's light, it's enjoyable, and if you liked Practical Magic, you will likely enjoy this as well.

Magical fun story. Easy and enjoyable read. Ready to read Allen's next book.

LOVE, LOVE LOVE this book!

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.

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