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storytime_with_amy11's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Stars/rating - ★★★
Setting- ☆☆☆☆☆
Character development ☆☆☆
Favourite quote -
'The tress rustled and murmured in the stiff wind; sunlight flickered through the branches which were waving goodbye to their leaves for another year.’
~
Firstly! I have to say the term 'don't judge a book by its cover' really didn't apply to me for this book because the cover is simply beautiful and I did in fact judge it.
I was intrigued with the synopsis of this book anyway but what really bought me into it was the idea of Magic and mystery floating about. Another thing which caught my attention was the setting and era the book was set in - October 1916
I guess, in a way I wanted more, I EXPECTED MORE. Not just the whole Magic, Mystery theme but I thought that the book was missing one or two things and it did get very repetitive and plain in the middle. It also took me a while to actually get into this book as I found myself getting very easily distracted and took me a while to read as it didn't grab my attention.
The last 10- 12 chapters of the book served really really well however, but this could've been structured a lot better and a lot less rushed to get things done when it could've been planned or highlighted earlier on in the book. Additionally, This book is not the most terribly exciting or well-executed. Even though we spend the majority of our time with Clara and also often just Clara, I don't think we end up knowing her that well and I certainly didn't warm to her that much as I would to any of the other characters.
One of the things I did like and kept me continuing on with the story was the War theme and setting of this story. I loved it! I am a massive history nerd and adore historical type books so this book definitely delivered with that as well as the theme of Hope, friendship and mystery. I also love how this book highlights how grief effects people differently especially indicated with the characters of Will and Robert.
Overall, I think this book would be a great read for younger audiences and middle grade readers. I personally wouldn't read again however.
Setting- ☆☆☆☆☆
Character development ☆☆☆
Favourite quote -
'The tress rustled and murmured in the stiff wind; sunlight flickered through the branches which were waving goodbye to their leaves for another year.’
~
Firstly! I have to say the term 'don't judge a book by its cover' really didn't apply to me for this book because the cover is simply beautiful and I did in fact judge it.
I was intrigued with the synopsis of this book anyway but what really bought me into it was the idea of Magic and mystery floating about. Another thing which caught my attention was the setting and era the book was set in - October 1916
I guess, in a way I wanted more, I EXPECTED MORE. Not just the whole Magic, Mystery theme but I thought that the book was missing one or two things and it did get very repetitive and plain in the middle. It also took me a while to actually get into this book as I found myself getting very easily distracted and took me a while to read as it didn't grab my attention.
The last 10- 12 chapters of the book served really really well however, but this could've been structured a lot better and a lot less rushed to get things done when it could've been planned or highlighted earlier on in the book. Additionally, This book is not the most terribly exciting or well-executed. Even though we spend the majority of our time with Clara and also often just Clara, I don't think we end up knowing her that well and I certainly didn't warm to her that much as I would to any of the other characters.
One of the things I did like and kept me continuing on with the story was the War theme and setting of this story. I loved it! I am a massive history nerd and adore historical type books so this book definitely delivered with that as well as the theme of Hope, friendship and mystery. I also love how this book highlights how grief effects people differently especially indicated with the characters of Will and Robert.
Overall, I think this book would be a great read for younger audiences and middle grade readers. I personally wouldn't read again however.
booksandbabble's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alic_is_bored's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, War, Child death, and Death
katilovesthewoods's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
fannisbookland's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
kvegan's review
adventurous
informative
sad
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? No
4.0
Lovely childrens novel with enough emotional depth and action to keep adults entertained. A girl gets sent to relations who run a smallholding during the war and she befriends and solves a mystery with the gardeners boys. The characterisation is excellent, especially the aunt, and the setting comes to life. I wish authors who write for adults wrote as well as childrens authors, they could learn a lot from them,
rcsreads's review against another edition
5.0
I binge read this in one sitting last night. There were so many secrets and mysteries and I needed to know the answers!
.
Clara is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle, who is head gardener of a fancy house, while her father is convalescing from gas poisoning. She arrives with a secret in her pocket and finds lots more. Locked rooms, mysterious meetings, a strange boy who only appears at night and a pineapple thief!
.
It's an excellent mystery story and I imagine I would have loved it even more when I was about ten. It's also a really interesting and accessible look at WWI, and the effect it had on the people, especially children, at home in Britain and the effect of family members returning injured. There are also some lovely passages about grief and how it effects different people.
.
I definitely recommend this one to everyone over eight!
.
Clara is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle, who is head gardener of a fancy house, while her father is convalescing from gas poisoning. She arrives with a secret in her pocket and finds lots more. Locked rooms, mysterious meetings, a strange boy who only appears at night and a pineapple thief!
.
It's an excellent mystery story and I imagine I would have loved it even more when I was about ten. It's also a really interesting and accessible look at WWI, and the effect it had on the people, especially children, at home in Britain and the effect of family members returning injured. There are also some lovely passages about grief and how it effects different people.
.
I definitely recommend this one to everyone over eight!
chelsealouise's review against another edition
2.0
2/5 Stars: ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’ by A.M. Howell.
→ Age Range: Middle Grade.
→ Genre: WWI, Historical Mystery.
→ Trigger Warnings: Chastising, War, Prejudice.
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★
→ Character Development: ★★
→ Setting: ★★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★
→ Writing: ★★
General Comments: Set against the background of the Great War; it transports you to a world of Class Hierarchy and the dangers of Wartime Britain. The issues of WWI are lightly addressed; other themes, including respect and the importance of perspective, are also touched upon well. The air of mystery will keep you engaged and on your toes. Suitable for a younger audience; less so for an older audience.
Favourite Quote: ‘The tress rustled and murmured in the stiff wind; sunlight flickered through the branches which were waving goodbye to their leaves for another year.’
Time Read: Three Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
→ Age Range: Middle Grade.
→ Genre: WWI, Historical Mystery.
→ Trigger Warnings: Chastising, War, Prejudice.
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★
→ Character Development: ★★
→ Setting: ★★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★
→ Writing: ★★
General Comments: Set against the background of the Great War; it transports you to a world of Class Hierarchy and the dangers of Wartime Britain. The issues of WWI are lightly addressed; other themes, including respect and the importance of perspective, are also touched upon well. The air of mystery will keep you engaged and on your toes. Suitable for a younger audience; less so for an older audience.
Favourite Quote: ‘The tress rustled and murmured in the stiff wind; sunlight flickered through the branches which were waving goodbye to their leaves for another year.’
Time Read: Three Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -