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ash_ton's review against another edition
3.0
What a trip man. At first, I dreaded picking this book up to continue reading. The writing style just seemed so tedious to me. I can't say I agree with the demographic that the book picked. Eleven plus? If I, a 19-year-old English major, was trudging through this book, I can't imagine how an eleven year old would do it.
It got better around page 72. I can't say it was amazing, but it was at least bearable. The plot was thickening, things were happening. I found myself not really feeling a connection to Thomas, the main character. Just wasn't doin' it for me. He seemed the least 3D to me. Other's might feel differently, this is just my opinion, obviously.
I really liked that the author was able to incorporate such a futuristic idea into an earlier time period (1800s). That actually worked out pretty well.
As for who dunnit, I can honestly say I never saw it coming. I'm sure a lot of people did, but as I've said before, I can be a little dense sometimes. As for my prediction that Karsch didn't actually die and somehow escaped into the box, I was at least half right and I'm so proud of myself for that.
All in all, I liked the ending. I think it wrapped up pretty nicely. I might even give it 3.5 stars.
I hope this review was cohesive enough. I think it's my first real one I've ever written, and my thoughts tend to be all over the place (it's also 2:30am soooo). Thank you for reading, if you've come this far.
It got better around page 72. I can't say it was amazing, but it was at least bearable. The plot was thickening, things were happening. I found myself not really feeling a connection to Thomas, the main character. Just wasn't doin' it for me. He seemed the least 3D to me. Other's might feel differently, this is just my opinion, obviously.
I really liked that the author was able to incorporate such a futuristic idea into an earlier time period (1800s). That actually worked out pretty well.
As for who dunnit, I can honestly say I never saw it coming. I'm sure a lot of people did, but as I've said before, I can be a little dense sometimes. As for my prediction that Karsch didn't actually die and somehow escaped into the box, I was at least half right and I'm so proud of myself for that.
All in all, I liked the ending. I think it wrapped up pretty nicely. I might even give it 3.5 stars.
I hope this review was cohesive enough. I think it's my first real one I've ever written, and my thoughts tend to be all over the place (it's also 2:30am soooo). Thank you for reading, if you've come this far.
ellenannmary's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, it took until about 50 pages before the end before I had any clue what was going on, even now I'm not so sure what read.
This book is pretty good, and certainly didn't deserve to be lumped in with the box of teenage Dark Romance novels it came with.
This book is pretty good, and certainly didn't deserve to be lumped in with the box of teenage Dark Romance novels it came with.
llucian98's review against another edition
4.0
this book is filled with mystery, adventure, fantasy and magic. the story is unique, vibrant and creative—i've never read anything like it! it gets dark at times which i actually admired. definitely worth a read!!
booktrotting's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, it took until about 50 pages before the end before I had any clue what was going on, even now I'm not so sure what read.
This book is pretty good, and certainly didn't deserve to be lumped in with the box of teenage Dark Romance novels it came with.
This book is pretty good, and certainly didn't deserve to be lumped in with the box of teenage Dark Romance novels it came with.
traditionson's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book as it seemed to be a really interesting idea. I found it a slow read, and struggled a lot due to the internal politics taking a bigger role than the garden itself. The book only really started to become interesting in the last 75 pages or so.
jacobsjeknox's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t usually write reviews, but this book was dull and predictable. I had a hard time making myself finish it. YA is usually my favorite genre, but this one just didn’t keep my attention.
kazgriki's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic story, fabulously written. The author's prose is magical. A wonderful read.
biblio_becca085's review
4.0
Interesting novel - I loved the idea of secret gardens hidden inside plain boxes that were bigger on the inside, that took on aspects of whoever controlled the garden; their dreams, their memories, their imagination. What wonderful places those gardens could be, and what terrible places.
The mystery of the murders was enthralling, but I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. We never learned where the garden came from, or what the other members of the previous guild had created. Still, an entertaining and well-written novel.
The mystery of the murders was enthralling, but I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. We never learned where the garden came from, or what the other members of the previous guild had created. Still, an entertaining and well-written novel.
booktrotting's review
3.0
Honestly, it took until about 50 pages before the end before I had any clue what was going on, even now I'm not so sure what read.
This book is pretty good, and certainly didn't deserve to be lumped in with the box of teenage Dark Romance novels it came with.
This book is pretty good, and certainly didn't deserve to be lumped in with the box of teenage Dark Romance novels it came with.