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reka111's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
At least, when it comes, the black night of death will not frighten a creature still blind from being born. That is some comfort, is it not?
Basically, I came across this book on goodreads and I didn't regret reading it (exceptionally). It was intresting to say at least. I mean I fell in love with herbs/poisons because of this book.
Jessamine was a very interesting character, a real independent and wild protagonist, I loved her personality.
Weed was very interesting, not only because he could talk with plants, but because he emerged from nothing and left into nothing.
Oleander is one of my very loves, I fell in love with him immediately and Jessamine is definitely stronger than me, because if he wanted me as queen I would have fallen on the spot.
The plot was okay (but nothing special) easy to follow and enjoyable. I definitely recommend it to those who love the Middle Ages and are interested in the strange world of plants and poisons.
Jessamine was a very interesting character, a real independent and wild protagonist, I loved her personality.
Weed was very interesting, not only because he could talk with plants, but because he emerged from nothing and left into nothing.
Oleander is one of my very loves, I fell in love with him immediately and Jessamine is definitely stronger than me, because if he wanted me as queen I would have fallen on the spot.
The plot was okay (but nothing special) easy to follow and enjoyable. I definitely recommend it to those who love the Middle Ages and are interested in the strange world of plants and poisons.
emilyambers's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a good read. I found it interesting and original as i have not read anything quite like it. The magical element running through the book is fascinating. The book got better the more i read, i could imagine the the location and i could relate to the characters. The fact that there was an element of mystery and suspense throughout the book was also great. All in all i liked this book.
charlottet21's review against another edition
4.0
It is no surprise that I was drawn to the male character in this book, Weed, but he is a peculiar but interesting character that I have become attached to. He seems to progress through the book, going from something like a weed (as his name suggests) to turn into this strong, handsome man. My favourite quote, which I think shows how much of an influence Jessamine has on him, is :
"Jessamine." His voice warms me, deep inside. "What would you have me do?"
Overall this book was different, but I liked it. I've never met a character like Weed before.
"Jessamine." His voice warms me, deep inside. "What would you have me do?"
Overall this book was different, but I liked it. I've never met a character like Weed before.
alexandraemmaalaska's review against another edition
2.0
This story started as a good one. Unfortunately it changed into an unrealistic and bad book.
**********Spoilers ahead***************
Don't read further if you do not wish to learn about the content of this story.
I really liked Jessamine and her innocence as she knew nothing apart from her father's knowledge because he kept her at home at all times. Since her mother's death she lived alone with him. She looks after the house and tends the garden (except the poison garden) and her father locks himself in his study to write about his poisonous plants and ways to cure sickness and ailments or travels to help patients.
Some day a stranger appears at their doorstep and leaves a mysterious boy for them to take care of. Jessamine does so willingly as she has longed for someone to talk to besides the few words she exchanges with her father at the times he is at home. This task proves difficult however as Weed which is the boy's name doesn't say much at first. They slowly get to know each other and their relationship develops into a fragile love.
Weed's character starts from being unable to describe to a somewhat normal boy who is able to communicate with plants. This proves useful whenever there is someone that needs to be cured. Jessamine's father however soon sees this as his opportunity to be able to learn about all of Weed's ways to cure patients as he suspects his secret. He even goes so far as to poison his own daughter.
While Weed tries to rescue Jessamine from her sudden illness, she meets the Poison Prince in her dreamlike state. He shows her what kind of tasks Weed fulfills in order to save her and she doesn't approve of them. He even breaks his promise to never go inside the poison garden again.
In the end Weed almost kills Jessamine's father as he would like to punish him for what he did to his daughter. The Poison Prince however prevents him to do so as he can only receive the herbs to cure Jessamine as long as he leaves her and doesn't kill her father.
Conclusion:
If the story had continued throughout the book as it had started I would have loved it. However, it got worse the farther I read.
Therefore I can only give the book 2 stars.
**********Spoilers ahead***************
Don't read further if you do not wish to learn about the content of this story.
I really liked Jessamine and her innocence as she knew nothing apart from her father's knowledge because he kept her at home at all times. Since her mother's death she lived alone with him. She looks after the house and tends the garden (except the poison garden) and her father locks himself in his study to write about his poisonous plants and ways to cure sickness and ailments or travels to help patients.
Some day a stranger appears at their doorstep and leaves a mysterious boy for them to take care of. Jessamine does so willingly as she has longed for someone to talk to besides the few words she exchanges with her father at the times he is at home. This task proves difficult however as Weed which is the boy's name doesn't say much at first. They slowly get to know each other and their relationship develops into a fragile love.
Weed's character starts from being unable to describe to a somewhat normal boy who is able to communicate with plants. This proves useful whenever there is someone that needs to be cured. Jessamine's father however soon sees this as his opportunity to be able to learn about all of Weed's ways to cure patients as he suspects his secret. He even goes so far as to poison his own daughter.
While Weed tries to rescue Jessamine from her sudden illness, she meets the Poison Prince in her dreamlike state. He shows her what kind of tasks Weed fulfills in order to save her and she doesn't approve of them. He even breaks his promise to never go inside the poison garden again.
In the end Weed almost kills Jessamine's father as he would like to punish him for what he did to his daughter. The Poison Prince however prevents him to do so as he can only receive the herbs to cure Jessamine as long as he leaves her and doesn't kill her father.
Conclusion:
If the story had continued throughout the book as it had started I would have loved it. However, it got worse the farther I read.
Therefore I can only give the book 2 stars.
lunaartemis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
peppamint's review against another edition
3.0
getting through this book was a bit of a struggle at the beginning, but I had already read the second book which had a faster pace and wanted to see how it all began. I was not disappointed. the only problem I really had was the beginning,which didn't include any real sort of magic. I will say it did a wonderful setup for the characters and definitely set the tone for things to come.
breannamorgan's review against another edition
4.0
I really special and unique book, it started kind of dull and unassuming but kept getting better and better toward the end.
puzumaki's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this while visiting Alnwick Castle and gardens, where the duchess has her gardens. I enjoyed the fact that I had experienced the inspiration for this novel, and overall it is a decent read.
magpi3's review against another edition
3.0
This may not be relevant to the review but I read this book as a bedtime story so it isn’t very long or requires much thought. However I have been told I read abnormally fast. Also I seriously love the poison gardens and if you can I would highly recommend a visit. I have been three or four times and can practically remember the talk.
Okay onto the actual review.
It was a good book. Nothing in particular really shone out in it in my opinion. Jessamine was a bit of a cardboard cut out in the beginning who really began to be developed later on in the book though that was mainly because of certain events which transpired. It got a bit weird towards the end and everything was a bit confusing but where the book really began to shine, both plot and moral wise was in the end of the book. The interactions between Weed and the poison garden was (for lack of a better word) sweet, good writing combined with moral lessons. Favourite character was only directly involved in the last section but I love them as I love all my morally grey characters.
Okay onto the actual review.
It was a good book. Nothing in particular really shone out in it in my opinion. Jessamine was a bit of a cardboard cut out in the beginning who really began to be developed later on in the book though that was mainly because of certain events which transpired. It got a bit weird towards the end and everything was a bit confusing but where the book really began to shine, both plot and moral wise was in the end of the book. The interactions between Weed and the poison garden was (for lack of a better word) sweet, good writing combined with moral lessons. Favourite character was only directly involved in the last section but I love them as I love all my morally grey characters.