Reviews

It is as if L.M. Montgomery has come back with one last story, a prequel we had never know we wished for. From the very first word until the last heartbreak I was hooked, it seemed impossible to put the book down, much like how I had felt when I first began to read Anne of Green Gables. I applaud Sarah McCoy for reviving a story I so very dearly loved even if the revival was only one book.

cdjdhj's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

To anyone who enjoyed the original Anne of Green Gables stories by L.M. Montgomery, this is a well-done prequel by Sarah McCoy, that captures the spirit of the the original books. Quite an enjoyable read.

odurant8's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Finally - a book in the Avonlea world that’s well done! Very much in the spirit of Montgomery’s writing and it fleshes out Marilla’s (and Matthew’s) past. A book I wasn’t angry at for despoiling Montgomery’s legacy. :)

kellian901's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

nbgarrett's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

As a book on its own, I enjoyed it. But tied to Anne of Green Gables, it was disappointing. There were inconsistencies that bugged me.

spoorman20's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Until

Lizzie’s return with her “distinguished guests,”

I was really enjoying this. It felt like going back to my childhood and reminiscing with characters I dearly loved. There were a few minor things I didn’t care for in the first ~half, but I was willing to overlook those for the same reason I overlook changes made when a book is adapted into a movie: I view fan fiction like this (not written by the original author) as a sort of impressionist painting of the original. The first part of this book was that for me. The remaining portion just felt so unnatural and forced, and it was made worse by the narrator’s awful portrayal of dialect. Ugh. I’m rating it as high as I am, because the first part was truly lovely and enjoyable, and that is what I will remember from this book. I think it would have been better as a short story or novella, or if some of the other familiar Avonlea characters had been given more attention to fill it out.

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I loved the backstory with Mr. Blythe and that this book piqued my curiosity about how the history of Canada, especially how that country was affected by the antebellum years and the Civil War. However, that storyline felt contrived.

More...