Scan barcode
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
3.0
“Death is a part of life, Pipes. We all greet it eventually.”
iannec's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
4.5
Such a cute, fast, magical read with just enough heart. Apparently books with just a touch of magic are my thing.
cmsemonco's review against another edition
4.0
This book was soooo fun! It has magic, found families, and intense subjects like sick parents and adoption. I can't wait for my daughter to read this so we can dive deeper into it
starshine1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
kajh23's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. The story and setting were unique, but I wasn’t hooked by the characters.
jessica_8675's review against another edition
This cover is giving off a lot of Studio Ghibli vibes and I am here for it!
sunflowerscottie's review against another edition
5.0
With her father dying from cancer, Piper Peavey is sent to live with her grandmother and estranged mother at Mallory Manor. Strange stories and rumors circle the large estate. When Piper arrives, she's shocked to see that her mother and grandmother have been fostering children, three of them, in fact. They aren't just any children, and Piper finds out that there's more to the rumors than she thought.
The cover art doesn't lie, this is a very studio-Ghibli-esque story. I had fun with this one. The magic system is fun, and who doesn't love a hidden garden? The puzzles the children have to solve to reach the Immortality Elixir are fun and clever, and the imagery in the garden is gorgeous. There is genuine character growth with Piper, especially as she works her way through grief over her father. That being said, there is serious material covered in this. Piper's father is suffering from late-stage cancer, and it's clear from the beginning that he's dying. Although there may be magic in this novel, this is one area where it's more realistic, and [SPOILER ALERT] Piper's father does die. I, personally, cried.
I'd recommend this for fans of books about children discovering their magic. It's firmly middle grade, appropriate for children as young as eight, in my opinion. There are heavy topics like death, dying, grief, neglect, and abandonment, but they are addressed in a way that feels distinctly child-appropriate.
The cover art doesn't lie, this is a very studio-Ghibli-esque story. I had fun with this one. The magic system is fun, and who doesn't love a hidden garden? The puzzles the children have to solve to reach the Immortality Elixir are fun and clever, and the imagery in the garden is gorgeous. There is genuine character growth with Piper, especially as she works her way through grief over her father. That being said, there is serious material covered in this. Piper's father is suffering from late-stage cancer, and it's clear from the beginning that he's dying. Although there may be magic in this novel, this is one area where it's more realistic, and [SPOILER ALERT] Piper's father does die. I, personally, cried.
I'd recommend this for fans of books about children discovering their magic. It's firmly middle grade, appropriate for children as young as eight, in my opinion. There are heavy topics like death, dying, grief, neglect, and abandonment, but they are addressed in a way that feels distinctly child-appropriate.
stephaniepoli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75