aparker89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a slow burn story with an over-arching creep to it. The primary plot isn't where the big twist lies and the resolution seemed hasty. Overall not a bad story, but definitely not at the same level as her other books. I still need to dwell on this one I think.
readingwithgee_'s review against another edition
3.0
3. 5
I enjoyed this book,I mean the Garden of Bewitchment is just a fantastic idea, who would have thought of the horror that could be being held in a board game designed for children! I've never read a book with anything like it... Totally creepy!
Full review on my blog
https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/
I enjoyed this book,I mean the Garden of Bewitchment is just a fantastic idea, who would have thought of the horror that could be being held in a board game designed for children! I've never read a book with anything like it... Totally creepy!
Full review on my blog
https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really enjoying discovering the books released by Flame Tree Press. It's re-awakened by love of horror stories and this one is no exception. A fascinating tale of supernatural and the tricks the mind can play on us.
I love the setting. I don't lie that far from the Moors and having seen them the bleakness is a brilliant setting for this story. I love the Victorian time period and all their superstitions and beliefs (from a distance, not sure I would love it if I lived then) and I think it all comes together perfectly here. The board game if flat out creepy. It makes Jumanji seem almost sane. It's weird and a little scary and did leave me feeling a little bit disturbed which is no mean feat.
Overall really enjoyed this and will definitely go and read the authors other works.
I love the setting. I don't lie that far from the Moors and having seen them the bleakness is a brilliant setting for this story. I love the Victorian time period and all their superstitions and beliefs (from a distance, not sure I would love it if I lived then) and I think it all comes together perfectly here. The board game if flat out creepy. It makes Jumanji seem almost sane. It's weird and a little scary and did leave me feeling a little bit disturbed which is no mean feat.
Overall really enjoyed this and will definitely go and read the authors other works.
johnlynchbooks's review
4.0
The Garden of Bewitchment is the latest novel by Catherine Cavendish, are you ready to be haunted?
Sisters Evelyn and Claire leave their home to set down stakes in a quieter area. They’re looking for a fresh start and somewhere they are less known and can work on their writing together. But something is amiss, will the sisters make it out alive?
This was a fun period piece, Cavendish has a wonderful style of writing that draws you in, and makes you feel like you’re reading something from a past era. This is a book that gets more complex as it goes on, and Cavendish expertly weaves numerous plot points together for a fun, yet creepy read.
The Garden of Bewitchment will sit well with fans of historical horror, if that’s not your flavor, its still worth a shot.
Sisters Evelyn and Claire leave their home to set down stakes in a quieter area. They’re looking for a fresh start and somewhere they are less known and can work on their writing together. But something is amiss, will the sisters make it out alive?
This was a fun period piece, Cavendish has a wonderful style of writing that draws you in, and makes you feel like you’re reading something from a past era. This is a book that gets more complex as it goes on, and Cavendish expertly weaves numerous plot points together for a fun, yet creepy read.
The Garden of Bewitchment will sit well with fans of historical horror, if that’s not your flavor, its still worth a shot.
indrad173's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked:
- The dark atmosphere that Cavendish created out on the dreary moors in the UK felt genuine and even cozy. To me, this is the main ingredient in any gothic novel. As hot summer temperatures carry on unfairly into September in real life for me, the rainy and moody ambiance of the book muted the heat outside perfectly.
- The pacing was excellent and easy to get through. Except for one part (I’ll get to later), it mostly held my attention consistently, especially during the first half.
- The first half of the book established such a strong sense of intriguing mystery. It kept me hooked and I was excited to know what was going to happen next.
What I didn’t like:
- The last third in the book (apart from the epilogue). I felt there were a couple of needless events that weren’t useful to the plot. It felt like the storyline lost its way a bit and some of the repetitive back and forth wasn’t necessary as it confused me at times.
- It had a fantastical, Alice in Wonderland-like vibe that I wasn’t expecting. I think if I knew it had this wild, outlandish, almost ridiculous quality, I could have managed my expectations better but instead, I was looking forward to diving into what I thought was a straightforward haunted and spooky tale. I guess this element just wasn’t for me.
Overall:
Three stars as I’m not entirely sure I liked this book. My interest took a nosedive after reading the more bizarre and weird elements in the second half. I found myself begrudgingly waiting for the ending after I felt misled by the built-up mystery and suspense in the first half.
- The dark atmosphere that Cavendish created out on the dreary moors in the UK felt genuine and even cozy. To me, this is the main ingredient in any gothic novel. As hot summer temperatures carry on unfairly into September in real life for me, the rainy and moody ambiance of the book muted the heat outside perfectly.
- The pacing was excellent and easy to get through. Except for one part (I’ll get to later), it mostly held my attention consistently, especially during the first half.
- The first half of the book established such a strong sense of intriguing mystery. It kept me hooked and I was excited to know what was going to happen next.
What I didn’t like:
- The last third in the book (apart from the epilogue). I felt there were a couple of needless events that weren’t useful to the plot. It felt like the storyline lost its way a bit and some of the repetitive back and forth wasn’t necessary as it confused me at times.
- It had a fantastical, Alice in Wonderland-like vibe that I wasn’t expecting. I think if I knew it had this wild, outlandish, almost ridiculous quality, I could have managed my expectations better but instead, I was looking forward to diving into what I thought was a straightforward haunted and spooky tale. I guess this element just wasn’t for me.
Overall:
Three stars as I’m not entirely sure I liked this book. My interest took a nosedive after reading the more bizarre and weird elements in the second half. I found myself begrudgingly waiting for the ending after I felt misled by the built-up mystery and suspense in the first half.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction mixed with magical realism, plus a Bronte obsession? Ok. I'll bite. To be honest, the blurb made me hope for an adultish version of Octagon Magic (one of my favorite childhood books) - this doesn't quite meet that, but there are some interesting quirks. Like who Matthew is, and what he wants. Like the appearance of the house/game, and the gardens. Oddly, the middle section was better than the opening or the ending.
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
dave_holwill's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely bit of gothic folk horror. Set on the Yorkshire moors, with an eldritch children's game, a terrifying Wyrm and a nod or two to the Brontes, what's not to love?
inciminci's review against another edition
4.0
Catherine Cavendish had me fooled throughout the bigger part of this book, had me thinking I had figured it out, rolling my eyes at the ostensible Victorian banality of it all... And then she sped up the story toward the end and came up with that bombshell in the last quarter that I can only applaud. "The Garden of Bewitchment" is an exquisitely crafted, wonderfully astonishing, plain fantastic book! Forget all you know about cozy Gothic fiction because Cavendish is here to push the boundaries of convention and rewrite it all in letters of dread! Love it!
Full review: https://proteandepravity.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-gothic-novel-of-different-kind-garden.html
Full review: https://proteandepravity.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-gothic-novel-of-different-kind-garden.html
karlakayjenniges's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Twins, Evelyn and Claire, spinster women, wanting to hide from society move to a remote location. A sweet little cottage in the Yorkshire Moors. A place for peace and quiet where they can avoid prying eyes and write their stories.
Settling into their new home, they discover a toy box called “The Garden of Bewitchment”. It appears to be magic and they are quite enamored by the box's ability to create an alternate world that feels all too real but disappears and causes even more confusion and fear.
Things become very sinister as there are appearances of ghosts of the past and strange occurrences begin happening in the sisters home.
The neighbors become involved and want to help the sisters to solve the mystery and yet their intentions do not seem to be trustworthy.
The blend of reality and the supernatural gives the story a quality of nothing is as it seems and a sense of being isolated and confused. What is real and what is really happening to these poor sisters? Steeped in deep gothic imagery and the isolated misty moors creates an unsettling feeling of being watched and wanting to look around corners to see if something is lurking. Appearances of sinister presences with evil intentions, the howling of wolves, walking along dark paths, and being trapped in an abandoned cottage were spine tingling.
Suspenseful , mysterious, and creepy with an unexpected ending!
catsluvcoffee's review against another edition
4.0
Catherine Cavendish brings us yet another atmospheric read with The Garden of Bewitchment. While the Victorian Gothic style is one with which many authors flounder, Cavendish's prose flows, clearly proving her niche. The country cottage set on the bleak and remote Yorkshire Moors—as well as a connection to the Brontës—simultaneously romanticizes and grounds the novel. She gently prods the story onward while still exhibiting an acute awareness of the period. While at times the Garden reads like a tenuous laudanum dream, it doesn't take long for the encounters to turn menacing, evoking uncertainty and dread. Cavendish has dreamt into being our two female protagonists, whose impassioned individuality surely establishes them as unique as the Brontës sisters themselves. Surprisingly, the subject matter is never given a chance to become cumbrous as the increasing presence of the sinister game exerts its influence. As is often the theme with gothic fiction, neurosis versus actual paranormal is at first difficult, if not impossible to discern. It's up to the reader to decide if the Garden of Bewitchment and its inhabitants are all in the mind or if there truly is an esoteric or even demonic power at hand.
Reviewed for Unnerving Magazine
Reviewed for Unnerving Magazine