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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is the kind of YA that I really like, and should probably stick to. It's the kind that brings up so many questions and morality issues, and it really makes you stop and think. Or at least, you'll take time to think about things after you're done, because you definitely won't want to stop reading this one. It's a page turner for sure.
My one complaint on this book was that it was way too short. I wanted more story, and felt like we were just getting started. There is a lot more story to tell here. It was hard to get a great feel for the characters, mostly because it's told in first person narration, so we only ever get to know what Mason is thinking, and it's really the other characters who are the most interesting, and who have the most to tell us. I would have like to see this story in third person narrative, told from different perspectives. But I guess no book is perfect. It would be nice to read more books set in this world, but it's unclear if this is a start of a series.
I would highly recommend this one, and will be looking for more by this author.
My one complaint on this book was that it was way too short. I wanted more story, and felt like we were just getting started. There is a lot more story to tell here. It was hard to get a great feel for the characters, mostly because it's told in first person narration, so we only ever get to know what Mason is thinking, and it's really the other characters who are the most interesting, and who have the most to tell us. I would have like to see this story in third person narrative, told from different perspectives. But I guess no book is perfect. It would be nice to read more books set in this world, but it's unclear if this is a start of a series.
I would highly recommend this one, and will be looking for more by this author.
jennabri0913's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is a nostalgic re-read from my childhood and it's pretty much exactly how AI remembered it. As an older reader, I wouldn't necessarily say I enjoyed it, but it was written for kids so I can't be too picky. I thought the last few chapters were slightly rushed and I wished we would've had more focus there rather than on the run.
cornmaven's review against another edition
3.0
This was a so-so dystopian fiction story - I liked the setting and premise about creating humans who can live on photosynthesis, as a response to famine, turning sinister. However, Bodeen just misses in his delivery of the story. I found some of the dialogue 'unriveting', and kept wishing someone like Patrick Ness had written it, because it could have presented so many discussion threads if he had done it.
I listened to this on audio, and liked the reader's voice. For me, the audio format is still in its infancy; I tend to lose track of the story if I am doing something like driving, and I miss things. With this story, I could pick up where I 'left off', and that tells me the lines I missed weren't as crucial as perhaps they should have been.
I listened to this on audio, and liked the reader's voice. For me, the audio format is still in its infancy; I tend to lose track of the story if I am doing something like driving, and I miss things. With this story, I could pick up where I 'left off', and that tells me the lines I missed weren't as crucial as perhaps they should have been.
jebba_debba_doo's review against another edition
3.0
i met the author of this book during the school year and i knew i wanted to read her book. i never got around to it until now. i liked the story the basis of it was good i just didntn feel the depth the emotions to me didnt go deep enogh i guess. i liked the ending i am one for sappy endings. it was one of those endings that kind of leave you to decide what will happen in the end, and i usually hate those endings. but i really liked it. she gave it nice closer.
dayoldtea's review against another edition
2.0
I wish the cover hadn't spoiled the premise of the book; it would have been a much more fascinating story if it were. While the premise was great, and interesting, I felt that it was executed rather poorly. This book could've easily been much longer and better written. It wasn't the scifi book I was looking for. Like a lot of "teen" books, the 'romance' is rushed and rather choppy, and I guessed all of the major plot twists pages before they happened. While it's an alright story, I was disappointed since I'd enjoyed Bodeen's other book, [b:The Compound|2696181|The Compound|S.A. Bodeen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267032281s/2696181.jpg|2721510].
reader4evr's review against another edition
2.0
S.A. Bodeen has a strange imagination. The whole idea of "growing" humans is really gross and I think the cover is great. If you have read The Compound and you thought that was weird, wait until you have read The Gardener.
Mason is a good guy character because he is not perfect because he is not your stereotypical good looking guy because of the scars from the dog attack. I like how he is book smart (science) and a football player.
The book was predictable and many students will enjoy the twists and turns of the story. I'm a big fan of cliffhangers at the end of chapters and this book did that all the time. I liked this story but I didn't totally enjoy it.
Mason is a good guy character because he is not perfect because he is not your stereotypical good looking guy because of the scars from the dog attack. I like how he is book smart (science) and a football player.
The book was predictable and many students will enjoy the twists and turns of the story. I'm a big fan of cliffhangers at the end of chapters and this book did that all the time. I liked this story but I didn't totally enjoy it.
stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
I have not yet read S.A. Bodeen’s first book, THE COMPOUND, although I’ve heard it’s excellent in an almost creepy way. And after reading THE GARDENER, I’m willing to read anything she writes. THE GARDENER is a high-quality sci-fi thriller that will appeal to both male and female readers.
Mason is a readily understandable and likable protagonist. Scarred from a young age, this hulking football player nevertheless has something akin to a hero complex: he will go to great lengths to help others out, and once he starts helping he won’t stop until it’s finished. The uniqueness of his character makes his subsequent adventures with the girl and TroDyn follow almost naturally. He’s the perfect protagonist, with bits of both underdog and hero in him.
THE GARDENER rides the line between sci-fi and dystopian. The futuristic aspects of this novel are well-researched and presented in a reasonably comprehensible manner: the book isn’t striving to educate us on biotechnology, but it also doesn’t plop us into the middle of a woefully underdeveloped world. We can figure out everyone’s motivations—with the exception of the story’s true villain, who pops up rather suddenly and with little preparation.
THE GARDENER isn’t perfect, with its caricaturesque villain and uneven pacing, but it is nevertheless a satisfying read that had me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages far into the night. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a unisex “softcore” sci-fi thriller.
Mason is a readily understandable and likable protagonist. Scarred from a young age, this hulking football player nevertheless has something akin to a hero complex: he will go to great lengths to help others out, and once he starts helping he won’t stop until it’s finished. The uniqueness of his character makes his subsequent adventures with the girl and TroDyn follow almost naturally. He’s the perfect protagonist, with bits of both underdog and hero in him.
THE GARDENER rides the line between sci-fi and dystopian. The futuristic aspects of this novel are well-researched and presented in a reasonably comprehensible manner: the book isn’t striving to educate us on biotechnology, but it also doesn’t plop us into the middle of a woefully underdeveloped world. We can figure out everyone’s motivations—with the exception of the story’s true villain, who pops up rather suddenly and with little preparation.
THE GARDENER isn’t perfect, with its caricaturesque villain and uneven pacing, but it is nevertheless a satisfying read that had me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages far into the night. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a unisex “softcore” sci-fi thriller.
evie_0108's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
w3tiger13's review
3.0
This was an interesting idea for a book... I enjoyed how the ending was realistic (not many books are like that anymore).
vidhi26p's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty solid younger YA sci-fi novel, I don’t have many complaints here! I read this as a child & it was just as worth re-reading now.
I loved how grounded in science this novel was, really adding to the overall book. I was definitely annoyed at how little character the main female lead had here. Coupled with the classic “protagonist fancies himself in love after 24 hours” I wasn’t a huge fan of the interpersonal relationship between the two of them. That being said, the plot was engaging & the mystery was haunting enough to keep you going.
Really easy to read, this was a nice & quick book after some heavier reads recently!
I loved how grounded in science this novel was, really adding to the overall book. I was definitely annoyed at how little character the main female lead had here. Coupled with the classic “protagonist fancies himself in love after 24 hours” I wasn’t a huge fan of the interpersonal relationship between the two of them. That being said, the plot was engaging & the mystery was haunting enough to keep you going.
Really easy to read, this was a nice & quick book after some heavier reads recently!