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nbwessler's review against another edition
3.0
This was a disappointment. As a lifelong lover of the Secret Garden, I really wanted to love this book. I mean, finally a Secret Garden adaption that gives us the (romantic plot line spoilers) But I just couldn't get into it. The characters just aren't the characters aside from the barest trappings of their situations, which ultimately throws off their entire arcs. The Colin character could never be described as sour or behaving like a princess, and Mary, while sad and lonely, is never all that bratty or miserable and only a tad sullen. (We're told she yells but never see it.) This robs them of any true growth. The Secret Garden was a story about neglect, and while most adaptions have chosen to focus on the characters' grief instead, this one fails to really delve into either. Honestly, the bits of the plot that are pulled from the original feel tacked on rather than organically transplanted.
Into the Bright Open fares between when taken as its own story. It's alright then. And while I could do without the inclusion of the wicked stepmother (Is she meant to be Medlock??), the sweet friendships, grin-inducing romances, and beauty of the setting are all enjoyable. I think plenty of younger teens and anyone who has liked the other remixes will happily enjoy this one as well. I will be adding it to my library's collection. Really a 2.5, but I rounded up.
Spoiler
Mary/Dickon romance every kid who imprinted on the swing scene in the '90s has been waiting for. (Seriously, why have adapters been so averse to this???)Into the Bright Open fares between when taken as its own story. It's alright then. And while I could do without the inclusion of the wicked stepmother (Is she meant to be Medlock??), the sweet friendships, grin-inducing romances, and beauty of the setting are all enjoyable. I think plenty of younger teens and anyone who has liked the other remixes will happily enjoy this one as well. I will be adding it to my library's collection. Really a 2.5, but I rounded up.
caidyn's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was quite a cute and lighthearted read. It has some difficult and tough topics, but overall it shines as a sweet read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Medical content, Racial slurs, and Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
books_songs_tea's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
citrus_seasalt's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
At some times endearing, at others on-the-nose. The cast of characters was charming, but I can see the story working better if Mary was just a year younger. If you're a fan of the author, I recommend you still check it out, but I can't say it'll be the strongest work in her catalog. I also have not read the original Secret Garden story, some of the negative reviews came from aging Mary up but I cannot comment on (most of) it for that reason.
I did, however, really like the pacing of the queer romance. I was appropriately happy when Mary realized her feelings for Sophie, the two's dynamic was genuinely cute, and I liked that unlike a few YA novels, this wasn't a first love scenario. Mary's sapphic identity was revealed earlier on in the story, she originally spent the time thinking about a former crush-slash-almost-friend(which doesn't go anywhere, lol, it's just nice to see childhood crushes represented like that), but later on she develops an actual love for Sophie.
Easily, the Indigenous characters were the most fleshed-out besides Mary. (Which isn't surprising, considering the author.) Flora was a fun addition of much-needed snark when Rebecca was introduced.
Some of the story notes felt repetitive, though, like the titular "bright open" motif. I get that it was used only when needed, but my annoyance came from the tell-not-show writing. Some of the themes of community, loneliness, and different kinds of love could've been gathered from analysis and not spelling them out imo.
Works very well as a children's/middle-grade book, though, if you remove the occasional cursing.
I did, however, really like the pacing of the queer romance. I was appropriately happy when Mary realized her feelings for Sophie, the two's dynamic was genuinely cute, and I liked that unlike a few YA novels, this wasn't a first love scenario. Mary's sapphic identity was revealed earlier on in the story, she originally spent the time thinking about a former crush-slash-almost-friend(which doesn't go anywhere, lol, it's just nice to see childhood crushes represented like that), but later on she develops an actual love for Sophie.
Easily, the Indigenous characters were the most fleshed-out besides Mary. (Which isn't surprising, considering the author.) Flora was a fun addition of much-needed snark when Rebecca was introduced.
Some of the story notes felt repetitive, though, like the titular "bright open" motif. I get that it was used only when needed, but my annoyance came from the tell-not-show writing. Some of the themes of community, loneliness, and different kinds of love could've been gathered from analysis and not spelling them out imo.
Works very well as a children's/middle-grade book, though, if you remove the occasional cursing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
islandbookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
obsessivenerdylady's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.25
I really liked this remix on a classic story that I've loved since I was a child. The spin, adding in a Sapphic substory line and the inclusion of Indigenous peoples made me love this story even more. I really enjoyed the writing style, and the title of this book was perfect.
She uses this phrase a few times within the story, and I love the little heart swell that happened each time.
Truly a lovely retelling.
She uses this phrase a few times within the story, and I love the little heart swell that happened each time.
Truly a lovely retelling.
keith_weir's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ebbie_casuallereading's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sapphic_book_dragon's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0