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Tender of the Garden - Large Print Paperback
In a world of incredible creatures, lush landscapes, and dark energy, the vestal Tender of the Garden saves the Dark Prince of the Cruel Lands-who is fated to kill her, but falls in love with her instead.
- GenresFantasy
228 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 24, 2017
it's 7:39am and I'm not really coherent because I was up all night reading this so there will be a longer review to come in a few hours when I wake up but I loved this so much and I love lirah and set tyrne very much.
EXTENDED REVIEW EDIT: alright so, i need to express how much i LOVE lirah. she is so, so good and pure and loving even though she grew up in what was more or less a neglectful household/village (if not bordering on abusive). despite that, she did not turn out to be a cruel person by any means. i was so impressed and taken with her
as we all know, i love, love, loooove grumpy characters who are besotted with sunshine characters and set and lirah certainly fall under that category.
there's this scene where set is angrily stomping on lirah's flowers and threatening her with murder and she just laughs and continues growing them and I LOVED IT. it was so cute and heartwarming and it made me smile ridiculously wide.
a summary of that scene--
set: can you and your flowers CHOKE
lirah, while growing more flowers: no :D :D :D
lirah is so CHEEKY and such a little shit (in the best way) but also so compassionate and she didn't see the monster that everyone else saw when they looked at set. she saw all of him, claws and wings, and thought he was magnificent anyways.
it only makes sense that he falls in love with her, doesn't it? but then comes the problem.. he's meant to kill her.
however, the part that ruined me completely would be:
"Nothing can kill me."
"Everyone has a weakness."
He stared at her. "I have no weakness of flesh. Only a weakness of you."
anne zoelle always traps me in these beautiful character's relationships and it results in all nighters and lots of crying on my part. but i was very, very pleased with this ending, rest assured. i loved this story by itself and i also loved it in relation to the ren crown series. i would definitely recommend it as a stand-alone and as a side-novella. <3
PS: the mentions of the world-changer mage, aka ren, my heart and soul? one of my favorite parts of this book.
EXTENDED REVIEW EDIT: alright so, i need to express how much i LOVE lirah. she is so, so good and pure and loving even though she grew up in what was more or less a neglectful household/village (if not bordering on abusive). despite that, she did not turn out to be a cruel person by any means. i was so impressed and taken with her
as we all know, i love, love, loooove grumpy characters who are besotted with sunshine characters and set and lirah certainly fall under that category.
there's this scene where set is angrily stomping on lirah's flowers and threatening her with murder and she just laughs and continues growing them and I LOVED IT. it was so cute and heartwarming and it made me smile ridiculously wide.
a summary of that scene--
set: can you and your flowers CHOKE
lirah, while growing more flowers: no :D :D :D
lirah is so CHEEKY and such a little shit (in the best way) but also so compassionate and she didn't see the monster that everyone else saw when they looked at set. she saw all of him, claws and wings, and thought he was magnificent anyways.
it only makes sense that he falls in love with her, doesn't it? but then comes the problem.. he's meant to kill her.
however, the part that ruined me completely would be:
"Nothing can kill me."
"Everyone has a weakness."
He stared at her. "I have no weakness of flesh. Only a weakness of you."
anne zoelle always traps me in these beautiful character's relationships and it results in all nighters and lots of crying on my part. but i was very, very pleased with this ending, rest assured. i loved this story by itself and i also loved it in relation to the ren crown series. i would definitely recommend it as a stand-alone and as a side-novella. <3
PS: the mentions of the world-changer mage, aka ren, my heart and soul? one of my favorite parts of this book.
December 23, 2017
Oh what a delightful, tantalizing read! I simply adore Anne Zoelle and love her writing style. All her characters are my babies and the incredible world she has built is my dream go to fantasy land. It is always so gratifying to be coming back to the Ren Crown world but doing it in the mysterious magical fourth layer this time feels like a luxury.
Lirah was a wonderful, graceful, innocent, precious gem and my heart ached for her. I cried with her, smiled with her, was terrified for her and absolutely fell in love with her. Set was written as a terrifying beast with the heart of gold and somewhere between his growling and stomping, I started feeling a deep compassion for him and soon enough began to share Lirah’s desire to see him smile. I loved their story. I hated their torture but loved reading about it still! It was beautiful and mesmerizing and so wonderful yet so short. I really hope to read more about them someday.
Glorious 5 stars!
Lirah was a wonderful, graceful, innocent, precious gem and my heart ached for her. I cried with her, smiled with her, was terrified for her and absolutely fell in love with her. Set was written as a terrifying beast with the heart of gold and somewhere between his growling and stomping, I started feeling a deep compassion for him and soon enough began to share Lirah’s desire to see him smile. I loved their story. I hated their torture but loved reading about it still! It was beautiful and mesmerizing and so wonderful yet so short. I really hope to read more about them someday.
Glorious 5 stars!
January 1, 2018
Starting the new year with a Zoelle book :)
Zoelle as always made me cry and love these characters even though it was a very short 160 pages. I really felt for Lirah and Set. I need more about them, about this layer and how Lirah is gonna handle it now.
I would also like a Xeric book, because dude is fascinating :D
Zoelle as always made me cry and love these characters even though it was a very short 160 pages. I really felt for Lirah and Set. I need more about them, about this layer and how Lirah is gonna handle it now.
I would also like a Xeric book, because dude is fascinating :D
December 18, 2016
This novella is an adjunct short story of the Ren Crown series, which is my favorite, and it was interesting to read about this new 'world'. We get to see new characters and new world building while still being close to the Ren Crown world layers, the Fourth layer to be exact, and learn about a different kind of magic and beasts in the world.
It was great to see that there were a few things here and there correlated with things that have happened in the Ren Crown series- the mages, origin magic, Raphael being mentioned (at least I think it's him), and one of the vines (from the series!) gets stolen, and at one point when the magic is being pulled by the "world-changer" all I kept thinking was book 3 when Ren goes to another layer and origin magic was being used.
While the story didn't have anything to do the other series apart from that, the story was very interesting and I found myself pulled into the world of Lirah where she the Tender of the Garden and Set Tyrne, the Berserker of his people become friends, but it's complicated because Set turns into the Berserker who is destined to kill Lirah to sacrifice her to the magic of the garden and their land to keep everything running smoothly. In their world, everyone is able to transform into their other form, from sapfoxes, deldragons, butterflies, bis0n-wolves to eaglegligers of which Lirah was born into but was born an Unchangeling, someone unable to change their form and was thus looked down upon. After being chosen to be the next sacrifice, by being pricked and having golden blood, Lirah for the first time feels needed and like she's meant for something good for once, and that she'll finally be able to transform. But not everything is as it seems in this story. After spending some time together, Set falls in love with Lirah and attempts to save her, while Lirah finally admits to herself and the vines what she truly wants and wishes for and it makes for an enthralling ending. Without giving away the ending, or most of the story, I'll just say that I'm glad for Lirah and Set Tyrne!
Basically I'm obsessed and in love with the Ren Crown series and will gladly take anything given to me. At least it makes the wait for book 5, The Destiny of Ren Crown, a little bit more bearbale. I hope we get more novella's and stories in the future. Maybe something to do with *hint hint* Axer Dare and Constantine's past?? Either way, I'd like to thank Anne Zoelle for introducing another great story and awesome characters.
It was great to see that there were a few things here and there correlated with things that have happened in the Ren Crown series- the mages, origin magic, Raphael being mentioned (at least I think it's him), and one of the vines (from the series!) gets stolen, and at one point when the magic is being pulled by the "world-changer" all I kept thinking was book 3 when Ren goes to another layer and origin magic was being used.
While the story didn't have anything to do the other series apart from that, the story was very interesting and I found myself pulled into the world of Lirah where she the Tender of the Garden and Set Tyrne, the Berserker of his people become friends, but it's complicated because Set turns into the Berserker who is destined to kill Lirah to sacrifice her to the magic of the garden and their land to keep everything running smoothly. In their world, everyone is able to transform into their other form, from sapfoxes, deldragons, butterflies, bis0n-wolves to eaglegligers of which Lirah was born into but was born an Unchangeling, someone unable to change their form and was thus looked down upon. After being chosen to be the next sacrifice, by being pricked and having golden blood, Lirah for the first time feels needed and like she's meant for something good for once, and that she'll finally be able to transform. But not everything is as it seems in this story. After spending some time together, Set falls in love with Lirah and attempts to save her, while Lirah finally admits to herself and the vines what she truly wants and wishes for and it makes for an enthralling ending. Without giving away the ending, or most of the story, I'll just say that I'm glad for Lirah and Set Tyrne!
Basically I'm obsessed and in love with the Ren Crown series and will gladly take anything given to me. At least it makes the wait for book 5, The Destiny of Ren Crown, a little bit more bearbale. I hope we get more novella's and stories in the future. Maybe something to do with *hint hint* Axer Dare and Constantine's past?? Either way, I'd like to thank Anne Zoelle for introducing another great story and awesome characters.
June 3, 2024
“You are Lirah of the Eagligers,” he said, almost gently. “Unchangeling. Tender of the Garden. Guardian of the Five Kingdoms. And you are wanted.”
Anne Zoelle has once again won my heart with her ingenuity and creativity. It is always a delight to read her works because she beautifully writes the development of characters and their relationships with one another. I can truly feel the connections they create and the shifts in every relationship, which always leave me loving the characters. Considering this was a novella, I’m impressed by how deeply she made me feel.
Lirah is an innocent and precious gem, but also cheeky and stubborn. I loved how she kept annoying Set by following him everywhere once she discovered that he could interact with her. When Set started to soften up to Lirah, he tried his best to control his “beast” side so that he wouldn’t hurt her. This had me feel empathy and started rooting for him. I also loved how Set pushed Lirah to choose what she truly wanted, which led her to decide to be free from her responsibilities as the Tender and to live her life. Their dynamic was everything to me.
I also couldn't help but think how brilliant and amazing Anne is for crafting the Pentalayerverse because each layer of the world that she created felt like a whole new world. This story took place in another layer but is still set within the Ren Crown series, making me fall in love with the universe all over again. Anne Zoelle continues to impress and captivate, and I look forward to experiencing more of her enchanting stories.
December 16, 2016
Reading this story was like drinking water after being parched for days (weeks...months?), soul quenching writing! The detail, imagery, descriptions and nuanced interactions between the characters... it is all such a delight to read and I am always looking forward to Anne's next story.
For fans of the The Awakening of Ren Crown world, we are getting a glimpse in to one of the other layers. I am amazed by how much thorough world building the author has done here, when we have only heard mentions of this layer in other books. I'm not a big fan of spoiler posts, so all I will say about the story is that by the end I had connected with our main characters and wanted more of their story...though I'd be just as happy to see them meet up with Ren and team in the The Destiny of Ren Crown.
Love this story and can't wait for many re-reads in the future!
For fans of the The Awakening of Ren Crown world, we are getting a glimpse in to one of the other layers. I am amazed by how much thorough world building the author has done here, when we have only heard mentions of this layer in other books. I'm not a big fan of spoiler posts, so all I will say about the story is that by the end I had connected with our main characters and wanted more of their story...though I'd be just as happy to see them meet up with Ren and team in the The Destiny of Ren Crown.
Love this story and can't wait for many re-reads in the future!
July 29, 2019
Honestly, I'm so glad I've finally reached the point in my heartbreak over what happened with Axer Dare in the Ren Crown series to be able to read this. Time cures all ills, it really does. I only screamed excitedly for a few minutes over the mention of his name in this novella. And over finally understanding where he got that vine. Hot damn.
Anyway, enough of that, I really enjoyed Set and Lirah in this story. Very sweet, and there were a few of the moments of pure gold that I've come to expect from Anne Zoelle.
To summarize:
Lirah is the isolated tender of a bunch of volatile plants and is stuck inside a dome with a countdown looming over her head for the day she becomes a sacrifice. Set is a social outcast trapped in a never-ending cycle of killing and death for his tribe. Lirah, somewhat more put-together emotionally, reaches out to comfort the one person whose situation she recognizes in her own. Met with anger and rejection, she steadfastly ploughs forward in her mission to help Set, all the while becoming more and more fascinated by him. And as her fascination deepens and is reciprocated, Lirah and Set must find a way out of their respective dilemmas to save Lirah before she ends up torn apart by Set's claws.
As I said, super sweet.
Really, I'm dying to find out who Anne Zoelle is so I can read the books she's published under a different name.
Anyway, enough of that, I really enjoyed Set and Lirah in this story. Very sweet, and there were a few of the moments of pure gold that I've come to expect from Anne Zoelle.
To summarize:
Lirah is the isolated tender of a bunch of volatile plants and is stuck inside a dome with a countdown looming over her head for the day she becomes a sacrifice. Set is a social outcast trapped in a never-ending cycle of killing and death for his tribe. Lirah, somewhat more put-together emotionally, reaches out to comfort the one person whose situation she recognizes in her own. Met with anger and rejection, she steadfastly ploughs forward in her mission to help Set, all the while becoming more and more fascinated by him. And as her fascination deepens and is reciprocated, Lirah and Set must find a way out of their respective dilemmas to save Lirah before she ends up torn apart by Set's claws.
As I said, super sweet.
Really, I'm dying to find out who Anne Zoelle is so I can read the books she's published under a different name.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2017
First, let me say that I LOVE the Ren Crown series. This was such a treat to get a glimpse of the 4th Layer. The imagery, character building all drew me into the story of this layer. 4th layer details that were only hinted at, took shape and linked to what was occurring during the series. I enjoyed this thoroughly and it helped bridge the gap until the 5th book comes out.
January 23, 2017
Interesting side story
I thought I would've seen more of the main characters in this story but it was nice that it didn't happened. I'm glad that it author managed to tie in an event in the main story and make something completely different in Tender of the Garden. I'm excited to see how these new developments will mix in the final story.
I thought I would've seen more of the main characters in this story but it was nice that it didn't happened. I'm glad that it author managed to tie in an event in the main story and make something completely different in Tender of the Garden. I'm excited to see how these new developments will mix in the final story.
July 4, 2017
Love the imagination of this series!
Anxiously awaiting the final Ren Crown book. This was a great view into another, complex layer of Ren's world. I liked the final tie-ins with the rest of the series, and brief glimpse of favorite characters.
Anxiously awaiting the final Ren Crown book. This was a great view into another, complex layer of Ren's world. I liked the final tie-ins with the rest of the series, and brief glimpse of favorite characters.
November 19, 2020
I liked seeing this bit of another Layer, since we didn't get any real knowledge of it from Ren Crown. There are minor spoilers for the Ren Crown series, but only if you know what you're looking for. I really love Anne's writing and hope that she makes more stories set in this world.
November 30, 2021
Lirah the purest ray of sunshine
Enjoyed this as much as any other Anne Zoelle book, I'm totally owned by her and this amazing world she created. I loved all the hints to Ren Crown too.
Enjoyed this as much as any other Anne Zoelle book, I'm totally owned by her and this amazing world she created. I loved all the hints to Ren Crown too.
February 9, 2017
Fantastic
Anne Zoelle weaves an amazing story together, with wonderful writing and unexpected plot twists i will recommend again and again
Anne Zoelle weaves an amazing story together, with wonderful writing and unexpected plot twists i will recommend again and again
March 7, 2018
I love these new characters!
Read
September 17, 2017DNF
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