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matasatan's review against another edition
2.0
So disappointed :(
Ok, I’ll give it two stars, just for the good looking cover
Ok, I’ll give it two stars, just for the good looking cover
readbyashleyd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
2.0
This one was fucking rough. The only thing I remember about it is that I really struggled to get through it.
franklyfrank's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
theduchess93's review against another edition
4.0
The plot twist was somehow both predictable and unbelievable, but it was well written and the bewitched game concept was uniquely executed.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
When you sit down with a Catherine Cavendish story, you are guaranteed three things – a haunting atmosphere, a wild imagination, and fascinating characters. Each book is a fanciful, dreamlike, nightmarish read, and one that more often than not leaves you questioning your sanity.
The Garden of Bewitchment is very much a period piece, a work of supernatural Gothic horror that owes as much to Poe, Dickens, Wilde, and Le Fanu as it does to the Brontë sisters. Much to Cavendish’s credit, it feels like a much older book than it is, which may be something to admire or be concerned about, depending on your taste in literature. I’ll be perfectly honest, I was uncomfortable with the first fifty of so pages, not sure I could stand an entire novel about the bickering spinster sisters, but once the horror began emerging from the fog of the moors, I was hooked. It took me the better part of a week to get to the hundred-page mark . . . and but a single evening/night to read from there through to the end.
The cursed old child’s board game is a fantastic invention, having shades of Jumanji to it, but it is far more sinister. It hardly seems like much at first, bu as the story continues and it begins to loom larger over the story, the amount of detail invested in its secrets becomes exceptional. The ghost story aspect of the book is intriguing as well, ranging from a phantom lover who leaves the lingering smell of cigars to an invisible poltergeist that hurls heavy brass beds around like they’re made of cardboard. Add to that the mysteries of an old house, the barren darkness of the moors, the legends of a small village, and the secret burying of trinkets in the peat, and the story becomes very unsettling.
There is a significant point at which the story twists and turns, and while I anticipated part of that (more as an idle wondering than a real expectation), it is how Cavendish follows it up, and how she transforms the story, that makes it so compelling. The last hundred or so pages are intense, with the story growing deeper and darker with each page turn, successfully transforming questions of ghosts, curses, madness, and cruelty into something more than the sum of its parts.
There are so many fantastic moments here, scenes that get your heart racing, or that leave you feeling clammy with claustrophobia, that I could write pages upon pages about them. The first seeming confirmation of terrors in the bedroom, the toy that won’t burn, the garden that should not be there, the cardboard figures, the oddity of the dress shop . . . I could go on, but you really need to experience them in situ in order to appreciate them.
More than any other genre, I find horror often struggles to achieve a climax worthy of the emotions we’ve invested in the story, but that is where The Garden of Bewitchment truly excels. Once that mysterious box is opened, and the web of secrets and lies begins to unravel, there was no way I could stop reading, and once the true horrors are revealed from the darkness . . . well, all you can do is close the book, close your eyes, and say ‘Bravo.’
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/01/27/book-review-the-garden-of-bewitchment-by-catherine-cavendish/
The Garden of Bewitchment is very much a period piece, a work of supernatural Gothic horror that owes as much to Poe, Dickens, Wilde, and Le Fanu as it does to the Brontë sisters. Much to Cavendish’s credit, it feels like a much older book than it is, which may be something to admire or be concerned about, depending on your taste in literature. I’ll be perfectly honest, I was uncomfortable with the first fifty of so pages, not sure I could stand an entire novel about the bickering spinster sisters, but once the horror began emerging from the fog of the moors, I was hooked. It took me the better part of a week to get to the hundred-page mark . . . and but a single evening/night to read from there through to the end.
The cursed old child’s board game is a fantastic invention, having shades of Jumanji to it, but it is far more sinister. It hardly seems like much at first, bu as the story continues and it begins to loom larger over the story, the amount of detail invested in its secrets becomes exceptional. The ghost story aspect of the book is intriguing as well, ranging from a phantom lover who leaves the lingering smell of cigars to an invisible poltergeist that hurls heavy brass beds around like they’re made of cardboard. Add to that the mysteries of an old house, the barren darkness of the moors, the legends of a small village, and the secret burying of trinkets in the peat, and the story becomes very unsettling.
There is a significant point at which the story twists and turns, and while I anticipated part of that (more as an idle wondering than a real expectation), it is how Cavendish follows it up, and how she transforms the story, that makes it so compelling. The last hundred or so pages are intense, with the story growing deeper and darker with each page turn, successfully transforming questions of ghosts, curses, madness, and cruelty into something more than the sum of its parts.
There are so many fantastic moments here, scenes that get your heart racing, or that leave you feeling clammy with claustrophobia, that I could write pages upon pages about them. The first seeming confirmation of terrors in the bedroom, the toy that won’t burn, the garden that should not be there, the cardboard figures, the oddity of the dress shop . . . I could go on, but you really need to experience them in situ in order to appreciate them.
More than any other genre, I find horror often struggles to achieve a climax worthy of the emotions we’ve invested in the story, but that is where The Garden of Bewitchment truly excels. Once that mysterious box is opened, and the web of secrets and lies begins to unravel, there was no way I could stop reading, and once the true horrors are revealed from the darkness . . . well, all you can do is close the book, close your eyes, and say ‘Bravo.’
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/01/27/book-review-the-garden-of-bewitchment-by-catherine-cavendish/
aparker89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a slow burn story with an over-arching creep to it. The primary plot isn't where the big twist lies and the resolution seemed hasty. Overall not a bad story, but definitely not at the same level as her other books. I still need to dwell on this one I think.
readingwithgee_'s review against another edition
3.0
3. 5
I enjoyed this book,I mean the Garden of Bewitchment is just a fantastic idea, who would have thought of the horror that could be being held in a board game designed for children! I've never read a book with anything like it... Totally creepy!
Full review on my blog
https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/
I enjoyed this book,I mean the Garden of Bewitchment is just a fantastic idea, who would have thought of the horror that could be being held in a board game designed for children! I've never read a book with anything like it... Totally creepy!
Full review on my blog
https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really enjoying discovering the books released by Flame Tree Press. It's re-awakened by love of horror stories and this one is no exception. A fascinating tale of supernatural and the tricks the mind can play on us.
I love the setting. I don't lie that far from the Moors and having seen them the bleakness is a brilliant setting for this story. I love the Victorian time period and all their superstitions and beliefs (from a distance, not sure I would love it if I lived then) and I think it all comes together perfectly here. The board game if flat out creepy. It makes Jumanji seem almost sane. It's weird and a little scary and did leave me feeling a little bit disturbed which is no mean feat.
Overall really enjoyed this and will definitely go and read the authors other works.
I love the setting. I don't lie that far from the Moors and having seen them the bleakness is a brilliant setting for this story. I love the Victorian time period and all their superstitions and beliefs (from a distance, not sure I would love it if I lived then) and I think it all comes together perfectly here. The board game if flat out creepy. It makes Jumanji seem almost sane. It's weird and a little scary and did leave me feeling a little bit disturbed which is no mean feat.
Overall really enjoyed this and will definitely go and read the authors other works.
johnlynchbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Garden of Bewitchment is the latest novel by Catherine Cavendish, are you ready to be haunted?
Sisters Evelyn and Claire leave their home to set down stakes in a quieter area. They’re looking for a fresh start and somewhere they are less known and can work on their writing together. But something is amiss, will the sisters make it out alive?
This was a fun period piece, Cavendish has a wonderful style of writing that draws you in, and makes you feel like you’re reading something from a past era. This is a book that gets more complex as it goes on, and Cavendish expertly weaves numerous plot points together for a fun, yet creepy read.
The Garden of Bewitchment will sit well with fans of historical horror, if that’s not your flavor, its still worth a shot.
Sisters Evelyn and Claire leave their home to set down stakes in a quieter area. They’re looking for a fresh start and somewhere they are less known and can work on their writing together. But something is amiss, will the sisters make it out alive?
This was a fun period piece, Cavendish has a wonderful style of writing that draws you in, and makes you feel like you’re reading something from a past era. This is a book that gets more complex as it goes on, and Cavendish expertly weaves numerous plot points together for a fun, yet creepy read.
The Garden of Bewitchment will sit well with fans of historical horror, if that’s not your flavor, its still worth a shot.
indrad173's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked:
- The dark atmosphere that Cavendish created out on the dreary moors in the UK felt genuine and even cozy. To me, this is the main ingredient in any gothic novel. As hot summer temperatures carry on unfairly into September in real life for me, the rainy and moody ambiance of the book muted the heat outside perfectly.
- The pacing was excellent and easy to get through. Except for one part (I’ll get to later), it mostly held my attention consistently, especially during the first half.
- The first half of the book established such a strong sense of intriguing mystery. It kept me hooked and I was excited to know what was going to happen next.
What I didn’t like:
- The last third in the book (apart from the epilogue). I felt there were a couple of needless events that weren’t useful to the plot. It felt like the storyline lost its way a bit and some of the repetitive back and forth wasn’t necessary as it confused me at times.
- It had a fantastical, Alice in Wonderland-like vibe that I wasn’t expecting. I think if I knew it had this wild, outlandish, almost ridiculous quality, I could have managed my expectations better but instead, I was looking forward to diving into what I thought was a straightforward haunted and spooky tale. I guess this element just wasn’t for me.
Overall:
Three stars as I’m not entirely sure I liked this book. My interest took a nosedive after reading the more bizarre and weird elements in the second half. I found myself begrudgingly waiting for the ending after I felt misled by the built-up mystery and suspense in the first half.
- The dark atmosphere that Cavendish created out on the dreary moors in the UK felt genuine and even cozy. To me, this is the main ingredient in any gothic novel. As hot summer temperatures carry on unfairly into September in real life for me, the rainy and moody ambiance of the book muted the heat outside perfectly.
- The pacing was excellent and easy to get through. Except for one part (I’ll get to later), it mostly held my attention consistently, especially during the first half.
- The first half of the book established such a strong sense of intriguing mystery. It kept me hooked and I was excited to know what was going to happen next.
What I didn’t like:
- The last third in the book (apart from the epilogue). I felt there were a couple of needless events that weren’t useful to the plot. It felt like the storyline lost its way a bit and some of the repetitive back and forth wasn’t necessary as it confused me at times.
- It had a fantastical, Alice in Wonderland-like vibe that I wasn’t expecting. I think if I knew it had this wild, outlandish, almost ridiculous quality, I could have managed my expectations better but instead, I was looking forward to diving into what I thought was a straightforward haunted and spooky tale. I guess this element just wasn’t for me.
Overall:
Three stars as I’m not entirely sure I liked this book. My interest took a nosedive after reading the more bizarre and weird elements in the second half. I found myself begrudgingly waiting for the ending after I felt misled by the built-up mystery and suspense in the first half.