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disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.0
amk13's review against another edition
Writing style ain’t holding my attention. Will try again.
kylielace's review against another edition
2.5
If a book like this was around when I was a teen, I would have loved it. That is why I rounded up.
That being said, this book was just okay.
Honestly, it could have been way shorter and just as good, possibly better. The book repeats information so much it drove me insane. Sometimes even in the same paragraph.
The pacing is also pretty weird.
I'm still glad I read it tho and I can see younger readers LOVING it.
That being said, this book was just okay.
Honestly, it could have been way shorter and just as good, possibly better. The book repeats information so much it drove me insane. Sometimes even in the same paragraph.
The pacing is also pretty weird.
I'm still glad I read it tho and I can see younger readers LOVING it.
malintoria's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
solanaceae's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
jayybug's review against another edition
I really wanted to love this and it was okay but I think it was a little too young for me? I haven't felt compelled to pick it up in a few days and the reviews I've seen have voiced some of the concerns I already had for my personal enjoyment so. I will donate it though because I'm positive someone else will enjoy this! ❤️
netslummer's review against another edition
4.0
Quill is unique. He's seventeen and has barely stepped foot outside his house. His family is a bit overprotective and homeschools him and is slowly teaching him to tend the family garden. Oh and he's the first male dryad ever to be born. He hasn't quite come into his powers yet so, really, all he feels like is a sheltered weirdo with leaf-green hair. Until a new boy moves into the apartment next door and Quill's entire life flips upside down. Liam is adventurous and nice and flirty and,...cute. So much so that Quill starts to silently rebel and sneaks out to have adventures with Liam: going to the movies for the first time or going swimming after dark.
Letting his defenses down around Liam, he brings him into the family garden (set in a secret pocket dimension in the closet) which sets off a series of events that no one could have seen coming.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Evergreen and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't super realize it was a retelling of [b:The Secret Garden|2998|The Secret Garden|Frances Hodgson Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327873635l/2998._SY75_.jpg|3186437] at first and I'll be honest I'm not overly familiar with the source material (I think I saw the movie when I was super young?). I devoured this in two days. I could've finished it in one night if I had wanted to be a bit more reckless with my sleep. Liam and Quill are charming and Quill, while being a petulant teenager rebelling, feels real and not obnoxious. I'm an old curmudgeon now and often get exhausted by "put-upon teen" characters but really liked Quill. The story is engaging and the characters are lovable. Quill's mom feels a bit flat for most of the book but I think that's maybe a bit intentional as we only see her from Quill's perspective.
All-in-all this was a really fun time and definitely would recommend it to people who enjoy queer YA books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Letting his defenses down around Liam, he brings him into the family garden (set in a secret pocket dimension in the closet) which sets off a series of events that no one could have seen coming.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Evergreen and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't super realize it was a retelling of [b:The Secret Garden|2998|The Secret Garden|Frances Hodgson Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327873635l/2998._SY75_.jpg|3186437] at first and I'll be honest I'm not overly familiar with the source material (I think I saw the movie when I was super young?). I devoured this in two days. I could've finished it in one night if I had wanted to be a bit more reckless with my sleep. Liam and Quill are charming and Quill, while being a petulant teenager rebelling, feels real and not obnoxious. I'm an old curmudgeon now and often get exhausted by "put-upon teen" characters but really liked Quill. The story is engaging and the characters are lovable. Quill's mom feels a bit flat for most of the book but I think that's maybe a bit intentional as we only see her from Quill's perspective.
All-in-all this was a really fun time and definitely would recommend it to people who enjoy queer YA books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
jmmcarter's review against another edition
3.0
I was provided with an eARC for this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off, while this book is sold as being a reimagining of The Secret Garden, this isn't the case. Is there a garden? Yes. Is it secret? Yes. That's where the similarity ends, so don't go into this expecting an urban fantasy version of the classic story as it's not the case.
While I did enjoy the book once things got going (the pacing is a bit slow at the start), it is very YA. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just got a lot of teenage angst, which means the fantasy aspect doesn't get built upon. You're only given a vague idea of the magic system, history and world as more of the focus is on the teenager side of things and young love.
Most of the fantasy side of things happens towards the end of the book and while it's enjoyable, it feels a bit rushed. This results in the stakes feeling relatively low, even with something big to deal with.
While I enjoyed this book, it's not one I'll reach for again. However, the romance side of things was sweet and it was an easy read to start my year off. I definitely think a younger audience will enjoy it much more.
First off, while this book is sold as being a reimagining of The Secret Garden, this isn't the case. Is there a garden? Yes. Is it secret? Yes. That's where the similarity ends, so don't go into this expecting an urban fantasy version of the classic story as it's not the case.
While I did enjoy the book once things got going (the pacing is a bit slow at the start), it is very YA. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just got a lot of teenage angst, which means the fantasy aspect doesn't get built upon. You're only given a vague idea of the magic system, history and world as more of the focus is on the teenager side of things and young love.
Most of the fantasy side of things happens towards the end of the book and while it's enjoyable, it feels a bit rushed. This results in the stakes feeling relatively low, even with something big to deal with.
While I enjoyed this book, it's not one I'll reach for again. However, the romance side of things was sweet and it was an easy read to start my year off. I definitely think a younger audience will enjoy it much more.
faithd's review against another edition
3.0
Ugh I'm torn with this book. On the one hand, I absolutely adored the plot and the main character (Quill). A teenage dryad who is the only male dryad and doesn't have any powers so he kinda feels like an outcast in his family, but he's also been sheltered from the world - I LOVE it! And then he meets a human boy and has an adorable and sweet coming of age sort of romance?? This just has loads and loads of potential. But as other reviewers have stated, it really needed some developmental edits.
For one thing, there is a lot of cliché dialog. I mean, it's YA so I expect some cliché dialog, but this was...excessive. Also, the pacing felt a little...inconsistent maybe? Or unrealistic? For example (slight spoiler): Also, I felt Liam's character was underdeveloped compared to Quill and his sister, and even his mother. And as the love interest with so much on page time it hurt the development of the romantic relationship.
Overall though, I'm glad I read this. I think it's really good for a debut book. I hope Devin Greenlee continues to put out books because he has some wonderful and creative ideas.
For one thing, there is a lot of cliché dialog. I mean, it's YA so I expect some cliché dialog, but this was...excessive. Also, the pacing felt a little...inconsistent maybe? Or unrealistic? For example (slight spoiler):
Spoiler
there was this very concerning thing happening with Quill's family garden (and the LIFESOURCE of the dryads), but Quill just seemed content to put that on the back burner while he worried over his new relationship with Liam. And the resolution of the whole lifesource-garden-break-in mystery felt a bit rushed and strange to meOverall though, I'm glad I read this. I think it's really good for a debut book. I hope Devin Greenlee continues to put out books because he has some wonderful and creative ideas.