A review by woodsybookworm
In the Garden of Monsters by Crystal King

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In The Garden Of Monsters is a love letter to surrealism and fine cuisine. Part mythology retelling, part artistic experience this novel was a unique experience. 

The story follows Julia, a young woman with no past but a keen knowledge of history and a passion for art. Julia finds herself invited to the Garden of Monsters - the Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo, Italy - as the great Salvador Dali's muse. She is to act as Persephone, his Proserpina, modeling as the goddess among the stone creatures of the mysterious garden. 

But odd things begin to happen upon the arrival of Dali's group to the small village's grand estate overlooking the garden. Their host, Ignazio, smells of smoke and seems to mesmerize everyone around him, the servants don't speak, earthquakes shake the land, and every dish of food seems to contain pomegranate seeds. 

Will Julia let herself fall into the sway of Ignazio's charms or will the terror of the monstrous garden be her downfall?

This was a unique take on the Hades and Persephone story. I enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of the garden, the food, and art - though at times there seemed to be more exposition than character development. I was thoroughly invested in the overarching story and will definitely be picking up the Crystal King's other works, as her prose was vivid and delectable - she has an obvious passion for food, art, and history that is entirely engaging.
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