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June 4, 2008 11:24 AM
BOOK REVIEW: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
I've had Garden Spells in my possession for some time now, but it has taken me ages to get around to it. I think the reason why I was put off reading it was because there is a sticker on the front saying "Adored Chocolat? Be enchanted by Garden Spells." The thing is, I didn't adore Chocolat. I found it hard to get into and actually gave up on it. I guess I felt Garden Spells would be the same and it just felt like hard work. But then I opened it.
Garden Spells is the story of the Waverley women in North Carolina and the magical house they have lived in for generations. The flowers that grow in the garden are used by Claire in her catering business and they are known throughout Bascom to have magical properties. Then there is the apple tree. Eating one of its apples - and the tree is insistent that you will - creates visions.
Claire lives on her own in the Waverley house visited often by old Evanelle, a distant relative and the only other Waverley left in Bascom. Evanelle has a gift for giving people objects when they don't even know they'll need them. The peace is interrupted by Claire's new neighbour Tyler along with the return of her long lost sister, Sydney, bringing with her a young daughter and a secret.
I really have the urge to gush with this novel, I enjoyed it so much. It was evocative, engaging, magical, warm, inspiring, romantic. It was an enchanting feast of a fairy tale for women. I completely believed in it, I still do.
Sarah's descriptions transported me into the garden and it felt like I was there watching the story unfold before me. She has such a beautiful way of writing, "it smelled strongly of lavender and peppermint, like walking into a Christmas memory that didn't belong to her," that the book is simply a pleasure to read.
I can't wait to read her next book, The Sugar Queen, which is out now in the US and 7 August in the UK. I will definitely read that one straight away.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Like this? Try Chocolat (I'm going to give it another go)
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Posted by Helen Redfern on June 4, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink
Comments
I adored Garden Spells. I have The Sugar Queen to read and hope it lives up to Garden Spells. Glad you enjoyed it.
Posted by: Julie | June 4, 2008 5:07 PM
Feel free to gush - I have to everyone who will stand still long enough to listen, and a few that I had to chase down. And Sugar Queen is every bit as good!
Posted by: Tami | June 4, 2008 5:45 PM
I do feel that gushing was the only way to go with this book!
Posted by: Helen | June 4, 2008 5:48 PM
Ooh! This was the book I won with the April give-aways. I sat down to read it the night it arrived and I stayed up WAY past my bedtime to finish it the same night! I completely agree with the review--it's a fantastic and magical story, and I can't wait to read the author's next book. :)
Posted by: Carrie J | June 5, 2008 2:02 AM
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