Tuesday 24 February 2009

Garden Spells by Sarah Eddison Allen

SYNOPSIS
Living in the old Waverley home, Claire Waverley chases folks away from her backyard apple tree, and its unusual fruit, while she runs a successful catering company using ingredients from the magical family garden. But, when her prodigal sister Sydney returns after ten years, Claires quiet world is turned upside down.

MY VIEW
This book is about 2 sisters - Claire and her younger sister Sydney. Claire lives in the big, ancient house that has been lived in by her family for generations with a very special apple tree which if you eat the apple revelas something very important in your life, and its not advised to eat it!

Claire takes ingredients from her gardening to make food that affects the eater, unfortunately this makes her seem quite odd to the locals. But, its not just Claire that seems rather strange. Enter Claire's aunt Evanelle who predicts peoples needs, they may not know at the time she gives them things why they would need it but, it soon becomes clear later.

And then there is Sydney, she left Bascom (where Claire lives) many years ago but, returns after leaving a very abusive boyfriend and brings with her her six year old daughter Bay and Bascom is the one place Sydney feels safe but, he comes looking for her only Sydney is known to him as a different name.

I loved this book it kinds of has a feel of Joanne Harris novels to this so if you love her books I think you will love this the characters are brilliant and with a nice storyline beautifully told with lots of magic and a touch of humour.

5 comments:

Marg said...

I have only read one book by Joanne Harris and I really didn't enjoy it all. I did however LOVE this one, and I am looking forward to reading Sugar Queen in the next few weeks. Maybe I should try another Joanne Harris book.

BTW, my word verification is 'magicu' which seems kind of fitting for this book!

Clare said...

Oh which Joanne Harris book was it? I must admit I wasn't entirely mad about Chocolat but, this did remind me a bit of it but, this was better.
Spooky about the word verification and veryfitting!

Marg said...

The book I did read was Holy Fools.

Anonymous said...

I've seen so many great reviews of Garden Spells - I've added it to my wish list.

Anonymous said...

This is another one on my list of books to read in 2009. I have only read Chocolate by Harris but am pleased you compared the two authors. There are so many great reviews out of this one and am glad yours is another to add to the list.