hailbop's review against another edition
5.0
Just as wonderful as the sugar queen, Sarah Addison Allen's debut novel envelops you in a warm sense of magic. The small town setting, the apple tree with a mind of it's own, and reading as Claire realizes you need to take chances in life, make this book the delightful read it is.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Garden Spells has all the elements I loved in Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic (I think the comparison is somewhat inescapable): two sisters with a magical family, a bad man coming back to get them, a child to be protected, and love to be found for both of them.
The Waverleys all have a special magic talent. Claire uses herbs and flowers to influence people who eat her food. Her aunt has the need to give things to people they will end up using later in fateful ways. When Claire's estranged sister, Sydney, comes back to town with a child in tow, and a handsome art teacher moves in next door, Claire's routine, safe world will have to expand to include love in her life.
I loved the characters. I loved the idea of the romances for the two sisters. However, this was a case of a book where the ideas in the book while terrific, never quite played out as they should, in my opinion. The romance here between Claire and the art teacher, for example, was too fated, too a given, too forceful and passionate from the very beginning (he looks at her and gets light headed, etc) which in its very force makes me less able to invest myself in the doubtfulness and discovery of love I enjoy in romance so much.
I highly enjoyed it, but at the end felt it was a bit too...tame.
The Waverleys all have a special magic talent. Claire uses herbs and flowers to influence people who eat her food. Her aunt has the need to give things to people they will end up using later in fateful ways. When Claire's estranged sister, Sydney, comes back to town with a child in tow, and a handsome art teacher moves in next door, Claire's routine, safe world will have to expand to include love in her life.
I loved the characters. I loved the idea of the romances for the two sisters. However, this was a case of a book where the ideas in the book while terrific, never quite played out as they should, in my opinion. The romance here between Claire and the art teacher, for example, was too fated, too a given, too forceful and passionate from the very beginning (he looks at her and gets light headed, etc) which in its very force makes me less able to invest myself in the doubtfulness and discovery of love I enjoy in romance so much.
I highly enjoyed it, but at the end felt it was a bit too...tame.
antidietleah's review against another edition
3.0
It's sweet and whimsical, just not my favorite kind of book. I do think SAA has a way with descriptions, especially food, but sometimes it lost me. Something about this feels very unfinished but perhaps because it's just the start of a series. I don't feel called to continue.
andy5185's review against another edition
3.0
I read this while on vacation... it was a good "by the pool" book to read.
lines__lines's review against another edition
3.5
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/1196djk/fif_bookclub_garden_spells_final_discussion/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
For all that I have pointed out several complaints in other comments on this thread, I honestly did enjoy reading this book! Even though there was some heavy stuff in here, especially at the start when Sydney was getting away, it still overall felt like a light and cozy read. I really enjoyed the concept of magical realism in the South, it's a good pairing. I liked the magical food and the the whole concept of slightly magical catering. The sister bonds were the highlight of the plot points and the overall vibes and their relationship carried the book.
I would maybe pull this out as a cozy HEA recommendation? (with the abuse caveat). Good for someone looking for family and low-magic.
Book 2 is a maybe for me. I'd like to hear more about Bay growing up, but since the romance relationships were kinda meh to me, I'm not as invested in knowing how they go - especially since this book had a happily ever after feeling at the end.
For all that I have pointed out several complaints in other comments on this thread, I honestly did enjoy reading this book! Even though there was some heavy stuff in here, especially at the start when Sydney was getting away, it still overall felt like a light and cozy read. I really enjoyed the concept of magical realism in the South, it's a good pairing. I liked the magical food and the the whole concept of slightly magical catering. The sister bonds were the highlight of the plot points and the overall vibes and their relationship carried the book.
I would maybe pull this out as a cozy HEA recommendation? (with the abuse caveat). Good for someone looking for family and low-magic.
Book 2 is a maybe for me. I'd like to hear more about Bay growing up, but since the romance relationships were kinda meh to me, I'm not as invested in knowing how they go - especially since this book had a happily ever after feeling at the end.
hellokcampbell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trankin's review against another edition
2.0
I almost did not finish this book. I put it down several times, but decided to finish it because it was short. Interesting story idea, but not well-written. The characters are a little too much like the people who drove you crazy in high school. It was way to predictable and there were some language and sex issues.
elenajohansen's review against another edition
5.0
This is definitely going on my comfort-read list, it's so sweet and enchanting and soothing. Much better than some of my earlier forays into magical realism.
badmc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Magical realism focused on identity, family, and perserverance with a side plot of romance done right. Whimsical, soothing, and perfect for summer. It was a bit too predictable, but delicious and didn't play too close to the stereotypes.
sueann's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet, well-paced story, likable if stereotypical characters, with a bit of fantasy thrown in. I’m not sorry I read it.