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garden spells

18 years ago

I seem to recall someone mentioning the book Garden Spells so I bought it and I read it. I tried to do a search in this forum for it but nothing came up so I apologize for not knowing who to thank. Anyway, I liked it. It's kind of quirky, not too serious and since the weather here is snowy, icy and cold it was nice to be the south in the summer.

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Comments (15)

veer
18 years ago
deborah, who is this book by, please?
The search thing is most primitive here and seems to look through everything in the whole of Garden Web and beyond and still come up with nothing.
Don't forget you can always add a book you have just read to the monthly thread. The ongoing one is titled 'More Books for the New Year' . . . although you are quite at liberty to start as many threads as you like . . . the more the merrier. ;-)
froniga
18 years ago

deborah, thanks for mentioning this book. I read the reviews by readers (at another site) and it gets some very positive words. They mention similarities to Alice Hoffman and I have enjoyed most of her books. Garden Spells is definitely one I will be trying to find.

Veer, the author is Sarah Addison Allen.
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pam53
18 years ago
froniga-you won't be disappointed-the book is charming. (I like Hoffman too)
rouan
18 years ago
deborah,

I liked this book too. I'm currently listening to it on CD, after reading it a few months ago. I'm looking forward to any more books this author writes in the future. Hopefully, that won't be too long of a wait.
sheriz6
18 years ago
I read this book a few months ago and really liked it a lot. The world the author created is just a tiny bit off kilter and suffused with the best kind of magic. I loved the Aunt who was forever compelled to give things to people, and the little girl, Bay, who had the gift of knowing where things belonged. Really well worth a read, and I'll be looking for her future books.
rouan
18 years ago
I just checked the Fantastic Fiction website and Sarah Addison Allen has a new book coming out in May of this year. It's called The Sugar Queen. The cover looks intriguing; I can't wait to check it out.
phaedosia
18 years ago
Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! Someone had recommended it to me at work, and I loved reading it over Christmas. The Sugar Queen got a favorable review in Library Journal's pre-pub list. I'm looking forward to it.
solstice98
18 years ago
I just purchased Garden Spells for a gardening friend who will be laid up after foot surgery. Unable to resist any book I've got in my hands, I started reading it in line at the book store. Then when I got home I picked it up again. Turns out my friend had to wait a few days for her gift because I couldn't put it down! This is much lighter fare than I normally read (lots of sci-fi, mysteries and autobiographies) but I found it to be absolutely charming. Definitely not a tacky bodice-ripping, chest-heaving romance - this is worth a read!
Chris_in_the_Valley
18 years ago
Try googling ["Garden spells" site:glyphs.gardenweb.com/forums/load/paradise]
pam53
18 years ago
I read The Sugar Queen, but found it somewhat disappointing.
sheriz6
18 years ago
I liked The Sugar Queen, it was different from Garden Spells, but had the same thread of whimsical magic running through it. What I like best about her characters (in both books) is that little bit of magic in each of them -- whether it's knowing how to cast spells with food, or being compelled to keep one's promises, or having books follow you home, I love the way part of her characters' personalities are manifested in a physical, magical way.

Overall, I think Garden Spells was sweeter and more complete than The Sugar Queen, I thought there was a lot more to explore in TSQ before the quick wrap-up at the end. I would definitely read whatever she comes up with next.
blossomgirl
18 years ago
I am putting Garden Spells on my "to read" list.
Thanks for the reviews.
vickitg
18 years ago
Although I really enjoyed "Garden Spells," I felt like it was almost a rewrite of Hoffman's "Practical Magic," which took some of the fun out of it for me. I'm a big Alice Hoffman fan, and although GS was good, I find that most of Hoffman's work has a little more "weight" or something.

In spite of this, I would recommend GS.
woodnymph2_gw
17 years ago
I am not a fan of Hoffman, but I am liking "Garden Spells" very much. The quirky characters and storyline are really holding my attention. I think it is amazing for a first novel. I first heard of it here at RP.
vtchewbecca
17 years ago
Visiting this thread encouraged me to read "Garden Spells." Thank you soooo much! I loved this book (not my usual fair, but it was a great diversion). Evanell was my favorite character - quirky and sweet.

I found the story to be light, but magical and absolutely couldn't put the book down. I will have to try out TSQ at some point.

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