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Forget-Her-Nots
Something — some power — is blooming inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love.
Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.
Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?
Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.
Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2010
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3335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
May 12, 2010
I want to make clear that though my review is going to sound like a bad one this really was not a bad read. It was enjoyable and you can tell that the author and the team around her definitley put a lot of thought and effort into this book. Each part starts with a nice quote and the author sprinkles in poetry and mentions other stories that are well known into the book. It is well written but ratings do not have to do with how a book is written, but how much the reader enjoyed it.
Laurel is a new girl at Avondale School and her mother just died the past year. She is having a bit of a hard time adjusting but once she joins the soccer team she starts getting friends but also enemies. She is noticing how flowers have a certain effect on her but not on others and she is crushing on a cute boy named Justin; suffice to say kind of confusing time for Laurel. To imagine it all started on her presentaion on the language of flowers.
What really hooked me was the gorgeous cover. The book is not as serious as the cover makes it look like, but it certainly has it's serious undertones. It was cool to read about the meaning of the differnet flowers and the effect they have on people. I guess it was too much of an overload for me. There is not one page I think that flowers are not mention in some way. I actually kind of got sick of reading about flowers to be honest. I think the book would have a better setting in the past maybe, I'm not sure. The thing is it didn't seem that the flowerspeaking and the setting Laurel was in went together. I know it wasn't necessarily suppose to go hand in hand, but they should be haramonious in some way. I just didn't get that from this. The book is slow to get to the point and there is one point where I wanted to slap Laurel, but I had to remember she is a 14 year-old girl with lots of growing up to do still.
Like I said it is enjoyable and I commend the author for trying something unique. Clean and nice ending.
Laurel is a new girl at Avondale School and her mother just died the past year. She is having a bit of a hard time adjusting but once she joins the soccer team she starts getting friends but also enemies. She is noticing how flowers have a certain effect on her but not on others and she is crushing on a cute boy named Justin; suffice to say kind of confusing time for Laurel. To imagine it all started on her presentaion on the language of flowers.
What really hooked me was the gorgeous cover. The book is not as serious as the cover makes it look like, but it certainly has it's serious undertones. It was cool to read about the meaning of the differnet flowers and the effect they have on people. I guess it was too much of an overload for me. There is not one page I think that flowers are not mention in some way. I actually kind of got sick of reading about flowers to be honest. I think the book would have a better setting in the past maybe, I'm not sure. The thing is it didn't seem that the flowerspeaking and the setting Laurel was in went together. I know it wasn't necessarily suppose to go hand in hand, but they should be haramonious in some way. I just didn't get that from this. The book is slow to get to the point and there is one point where I wanted to slap Laurel, but I had to remember she is a 14 year-old girl with lots of growing up to do still.
Like I said it is enjoyable and I commend the author for trying something unique. Clean and nice ending.
May 4, 2010
I was truly tempted to give this book a higher rating. The concept of Flowers having a language and some sort of power seemed interesting.
What I didn't like so much about it was the way Laurel goes about the flower situation. Laurel does have a unique ability with flowers but she keeps insisting that "My flowers are special." As if she liked her power not just because it helped people but because it made her special. And for some reason Laurel doesn't try to hide it. She even gets upset when people don't believe her flower powers. Another thing, she made thing a bit melodramatic, but I know I probably blew things out of proportion at 14 too.
But Laurel isn't bad; she is well rounded and not insecure. She does learn and grow during her time at the girl school. She tries to amend relationships that went astray because of her focus on flowers. The flower parts were good and it was perfect timing since I read this during the spring and I could look at flowers differently (I've never thought much about flowers to be honest). The plot was woven in well enough but I would've liked it if she didn't spend so much time on the flowers.
The book didn't captivate me but I was interested in Laurel's story and liked how it all turned out, so it’s worth a try.
What I didn't like so much about it was the way Laurel goes about the flower situation. Laurel does have a unique ability with flowers but she keeps insisting that "My flowers are special." As if she liked her power not just because it helped people but because it made her special. And for some reason Laurel doesn't try to hide it. She even gets upset when people don't believe her flower powers. Another thing, she made thing a bit melodramatic, but I know I probably blew things out of proportion at 14 too.
But Laurel isn't bad; she is well rounded and not insecure. She does learn and grow during her time at the girl school. She tries to amend relationships that went astray because of her focus on flowers. The flower parts were good and it was perfect timing since I read this during the spring and I could look at flowers differently (I've never thought much about flowers to be honest). The plot was woven in well enough but I would've liked it if she didn't spend so much time on the flowers.
The book didn't captivate me but I was interested in Laurel's story and liked how it all turned out, so it’s worth a try.
June 6, 2009
Okay, I'm totally biased having spent a large portion of my life writing this novel, but I do hope YOU love it. Even on the umpteenth rewrite, I never stopped loving the story, the setting, or my characters. I'm still in love with Justin, too. I am thrilled to share Laurel's world with you all! And I wish you lots of magic scents swirling through your life.
- Amy Brecount White (the author)
- Amy Brecount White (the author)
July 8, 2009
I'm one of the lucky ones to have been able to read this pre-published. It is a unique fantasy that will delight all readers with a compelling mystery and lots of fun romance! You will also come out learning a lot about the Victorian meaning to tussy mussies (or flower bouquets) that has stayed with me ever since I read the manuscript. If you love historical romance as well as contemporary YA plotlines, this is the book for you.
March 6, 2013
Undeniably original, inspired and evocative this stunning tale will ensnare the senses and illuminate the mind.
This beautiful book contains such exquisite thought and interesting concept, which I found to be thoroughly intriguing and quite unusual within this genre. ‘Forget-her-nots’ is a fabulously fun teenage read, full of warmth and sincerity whilst remaining true to its central focus point – flowers. Laurel’s journey of self-discovering is enchanting, as you observe her blossoming and blooming into a confident and striking character whose inner strength is commendable. Delicately interweaving fantasy themes with a light sprinkling of young adult romance, this delightful story is enlightening and entirely engrossing.
Something – some power – is blooming…
Unlike using flowers for decoration, fragrance (pressed) or their properties in herbal remedies Laurel’s ‘gift’ with them is extraordinary. She can bring back memories that were thought to have been lost forever, and she can even make people fall in love… This ability stems from an ancient secret, and so to uncover the truth she must peel back the layers one by one and open her eyes to those hidden clues that surround her. Avondale School holds a special place in Laurel’s heart, for it harbors a consequential connection to her family and to her power (which increases in potency daily). This timeless mystery is a truly magical and mystical delight, which captivates so as to draw you in until the very end...
I felt that this tale was a combination of spinechilling suspense within a cleverly complex narrative that was shrouded in secrets (not dissimilar from an Agatha Christie). The magical, dreamlike quality and nuance was almost akin to Harry potter or the secrets of Immortal beings that one encounters within the fantasy genre. Complete with a perfect balance of teen romance to tug at the heartstrings, I was deeply mesmerized by this intoxicating, addictive book that I would recomend to the younger YA reader.
I do believe that flowers hold ‘magical’ properties and each individual type of flower contains meaning and singular significance. I loved how Amy Brecount White highlights this and embraces flowers in this wonderful tale, encompassing the past, present and future all in one.
This beautiful book contains such exquisite thought and interesting concept, which I found to be thoroughly intriguing and quite unusual within this genre. ‘Forget-her-nots’ is a fabulously fun teenage read, full of warmth and sincerity whilst remaining true to its central focus point – flowers. Laurel’s journey of self-discovering is enchanting, as you observe her blossoming and blooming into a confident and striking character whose inner strength is commendable. Delicately interweaving fantasy themes with a light sprinkling of young adult romance, this delightful story is enlightening and entirely engrossing.
Something – some power – is blooming…
Unlike using flowers for decoration, fragrance (pressed) or their properties in herbal remedies Laurel’s ‘gift’ with them is extraordinary. She can bring back memories that were thought to have been lost forever, and she can even make people fall in love… This ability stems from an ancient secret, and so to uncover the truth she must peel back the layers one by one and open her eyes to those hidden clues that surround her. Avondale School holds a special place in Laurel’s heart, for it harbors a consequential connection to her family and to her power (which increases in potency daily). This timeless mystery is a truly magical and mystical delight, which captivates so as to draw you in until the very end...
I felt that this tale was a combination of spinechilling suspense within a cleverly complex narrative that was shrouded in secrets (not dissimilar from an Agatha Christie). The magical, dreamlike quality and nuance was almost akin to Harry potter or the secrets of Immortal beings that one encounters within the fantasy genre. Complete with a perfect balance of teen romance to tug at the heartstrings, I was deeply mesmerized by this intoxicating, addictive book that I would recomend to the younger YA reader.
I do believe that flowers hold ‘magical’ properties and each individual type of flower contains meaning and singular significance. I loved how Amy Brecount White highlights this and embraces flowers in this wonderful tale, encompassing the past, present and future all in one.
July 24, 2010
t I was somewhat aware of, but didn't realize the intensity of the subject. The history behind the language is incredibly fascinating. I loved the hidden meanings behind flowers and how they were used to convey a message when words couldn't be shared privately. I think that was my favorite aspect of the entire novel. And I thought it was brilliant of of Amy Brecount White to incorporate the 'Flowerspeak' dynamic from such a simple element. It's a realistic story with just a little dust of magic, love.
After reading Forget-Her-Nots, I'd say it's geared more toward a middle grade audience then a young adult one. Not that young adult's wouldn't enjoy reading this novel, but it's definitely a novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to younger ya readers.
Laurel the main character is supposed to be fourteen years of age, but she seemed a lot younger than that to me... as the reader. I didn't really relate or sympathize with Laurel much either initially, she seemed very whiny, even though most of her problems were because of the lousy choices that she made. I would have liked to seen her say no, perhaps just one time! It seemed like she never grasped that it was her actions causing most of the turmoil. I can say, however, that by the end of the novel, she started to come into her own.... personal growth is something I always admire in a character. The other characters felt a little flat for me as, I just didn't get a distinct voice from any one of them. Kate, Tara, Justin... they just all sort of run together. The only character that really stood out to me was Laurel's cousin Rose. I always enjoyed reading a scene that she was in. That Rose, she has some spunk.
The overall pacing was a little slow, but the writing and overall mystery was enough to keep my interest in tact.
Forget-Her-Nots was a fascinating debut, full of mystery, friendship and flowers!
After reading Forget-Her-Nots, I'd say it's geared more toward a middle grade audience then a young adult one. Not that young adult's wouldn't enjoy reading this novel, but it's definitely a novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to younger ya readers.
Laurel the main character is supposed to be fourteen years of age, but she seemed a lot younger than that to me... as the reader. I didn't really relate or sympathize with Laurel much either initially, she seemed very whiny, even though most of her problems were because of the lousy choices that she made. I would have liked to seen her say no, perhaps just one time! It seemed like she never grasped that it was her actions causing most of the turmoil. I can say, however, that by the end of the novel, she started to come into her own.... personal growth is something I always admire in a character. The other characters felt a little flat for me as, I just didn't get a distinct voice from any one of them. Kate, Tara, Justin... they just all sort of run together. The only character that really stood out to me was Laurel's cousin Rose. I always enjoyed reading a scene that she was in. That Rose, she has some spunk.
The overall pacing was a little slow, but the writing and overall mystery was enough to keep my interest in tact.
Forget-Her-Nots was a fascinating debut, full of mystery, friendship and flowers!
March 7, 2010
When I received an ARC of FORGET-HER-NOTS from a friend, I peeked past its pink cover, a little unsure whether I'd connect with fourteen-year-old Laurel's story--I usually read novels with older characters and edgier plots. After giving FORGET-HER-NOTS a try, I'll say two things: (1) Yes, Forget-Her-Nots will likely appeal to younger girls, though older readers looking for a sweet story about friendship, flowers, and first romance will find this book a treat. (2) I must confess to staying up late reading it. Really late. Because apparently I'm a sucker for all three of those things.
Amy Brecount White skillfully explores the tangle of relationships between Laurel and her friends at school; I'm so glad to read a book where the main character isn't an odd outsider who has maybe one or two equally quirky friends and constantly battles the Evil Popular Clique. While Laurel definitely has some quirky flower powers--pun intended--she spends a healthy amount of the book learning how to lovingly tend to her friendships and family as well. Also, I love how she doesn't let romance overrule her own passions in life. Beautiful quotes at the beginnings of the chapter deepen these themes, as does poetry throughout. Finally, the language of flowers itself lends itself wonderfully to messages of compassion.
Why wouldn't I give this book five stars? I did zip through it in two days, but I had problems keeping track of the plethora of similarly-described girls; also, there was teen slang that sounded off, and some basil-related silliness that could have been a little dealt with more lightly. On the other hand, the flower descriptions in this book sang with beautiful colors and scents. FORGET-HER-NOTS made me want to get up and garden. After, of course, I finished reading it.
Amy Brecount White skillfully explores the tangle of relationships between Laurel and her friends at school; I'm so glad to read a book where the main character isn't an odd outsider who has maybe one or two equally quirky friends and constantly battles the Evil Popular Clique. While Laurel definitely has some quirky flower powers--pun intended--she spends a healthy amount of the book learning how to lovingly tend to her friendships and family as well. Also, I love how she doesn't let romance overrule her own passions in life. Beautiful quotes at the beginnings of the chapter deepen these themes, as does poetry throughout. Finally, the language of flowers itself lends itself wonderfully to messages of compassion.
Why wouldn't I give this book five stars? I did zip through it in two days, but I had problems keeping track of the plethora of similarly-described girls; also, there was teen slang that sounded off, and some basil-related silliness that could have been a little dealt with more lightly. On the other hand, the flower descriptions in this book sang with beautiful colors and scents. FORGET-HER-NOTS made me want to get up and garden. After, of course, I finished reading it.
March 10, 2010
Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com
Laurel is starting over at a new school after her mom's death. She's attending her mom's alma mater, Avondale Prep School, and she's finding that the school holds more and more keys to her past.
It all starts with a speech on the language of flowers in her English class. When Laurel gives the bouquet she made to her English teacher and soon after Ms. Spenser finds love, Laurel starts to discover she has a gift with flowers. When rumors start to fly about Laurel's gift, all the girls want them, especially before prom.
Being a matchmaker isn't easy, and Laurel has a lot to discover about the language of flowers.
FORGET-HER-NOTS is a light, refreshing read. It incorporates magic without being over the top, and I finished the book believing in the language of flowers. I know I won't be looking at flowers the same way!
The story takes a bit to pick up, but once it does, it's a fun read. Laurel and her friends are fun to read about - Avondale Prep School sounds like such a fun place, I wish I could visit. Some of the characters weren't completely fleshed out - I had a hard time keeping track of the numerous girls that were mentioned. But Laurel and her teachers were great to read about, and I loved that Laurel got along with her teachers and had great relationships with them.
FORGET-HER-NOTS does a great job of giving a nod to classics such as ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and THE SECRET GARDEN. This story has the same warm fuzzy feel of those books, and Laurel is definitely a kindred spirit.
Laurel is starting over at a new school after her mom's death. She's attending her mom's alma mater, Avondale Prep School, and she's finding that the school holds more and more keys to her past.
It all starts with a speech on the language of flowers in her English class. When Laurel gives the bouquet she made to her English teacher and soon after Ms. Spenser finds love, Laurel starts to discover she has a gift with flowers. When rumors start to fly about Laurel's gift, all the girls want them, especially before prom.
Being a matchmaker isn't easy, and Laurel has a lot to discover about the language of flowers.
FORGET-HER-NOTS is a light, refreshing read. It incorporates magic without being over the top, and I finished the book believing in the language of flowers. I know I won't be looking at flowers the same way!
The story takes a bit to pick up, but once it does, it's a fun read. Laurel and her friends are fun to read about - Avondale Prep School sounds like such a fun place, I wish I could visit. Some of the characters weren't completely fleshed out - I had a hard time keeping track of the numerous girls that were mentioned. But Laurel and her teachers were great to read about, and I loved that Laurel got along with her teachers and had great relationships with them.
FORGET-HER-NOTS does a great job of giving a nod to classics such as ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and THE SECRET GARDEN. This story has the same warm fuzzy feel of those books, and Laurel is definitely a kindred spirit.
February 19, 2024
I read this book in high school and forgot the title for YEARS and I finally found the right combination of words to look it up DAMN
December 28, 2010
This review is also posted on my blog, In The Good Books.
Something - some power is blooming inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love.
Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.
Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?
The premise of this book was what drew me in. I'm always up for something different, and flower magic seemed just that. Laurel's mother was a flower enthusiast and always spoke about the Victorian language of flowers. Laurel took up learning the language after her mother's death, and through that, she discovered the magic of flowers.
Laurel was a fairly likable character. Though she gave off a naive air, she could do what needed to be done and act when need be. The secondary characters had personalities that were realistic and unique from each other.
The writing style was nice, though it felt a little...babyish? Which I suppose should be expected when reading a book about characters younger than yourself. The plot was fairly straight forward: introduction, conflict, resolution.
Overall, it was a light read: which I could appreciate after reading a series dramatic paranormal novels. It told a sweet story about first love, friendship (both creating new ones and strengthening the old) and flowers. I recommend Forget-Her-Nots to younger readers than I, and give it 3 out of 5.
Something - some power is blooming inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love.
Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.
Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?
The premise of this book was what drew me in. I'm always up for something different, and flower magic seemed just that. Laurel's mother was a flower enthusiast and always spoke about the Victorian language of flowers. Laurel took up learning the language after her mother's death, and through that, she discovered the magic of flowers.
Laurel was a fairly likable character. Though she gave off a naive air, she could do what needed to be done and act when need be. The secondary characters had personalities that were realistic and unique from each other.
The writing style was nice, though it felt a little...babyish? Which I suppose should be expected when reading a book about characters younger than yourself. The plot was fairly straight forward: introduction, conflict, resolution.
Overall, it was a light read: which I could appreciate after reading a series dramatic paranormal novels. It told a sweet story about first love, friendship (both creating new ones and strengthening the old) and flowers. I recommend Forget-Her-Nots to younger readers than I, and give it 3 out of 5.
June 27, 2011
This book sadly (like many other YA books) suffers from Disappearing Parent Syndrome where parents are just kind of out the picture. But this book gets through it and is truly interesting.
Laurel's mother has passed away due to cancer and know her father has sent her/allowed her to go away to boarding school (what is up with boarding school and YA books?) and suddenly those odd little songs her mother used to sing are causing odd things to happen with flowers.
Honestly I'm not usually the one to fall for more girly, lovey dovey books. Which this one manages to pull off and make interesting. These flowers depending on their meaning (there is a very nice guide in the back of the book) and with Laurel's help can guide emotions. But Laurel is new at all of this which causes some problems which she must solve. Even though at points I wanted to smack her, I ended up really enjoying the book.
Laurel's mother has passed away due to cancer and know her father has sent her/allowed her to go away to boarding school (what is up with boarding school and YA books?) and suddenly those odd little songs her mother used to sing are causing odd things to happen with flowers.
Honestly I'm not usually the one to fall for more girly, lovey dovey books. Which this one manages to pull off and make interesting. These flowers depending on their meaning (there is a very nice guide in the back of the book) and with Laurel's help can guide emotions. But Laurel is new at all of this which causes some problems which she must solve. Even though at points I wanted to smack her, I ended up really enjoying the book.
August 27, 2011
I liked how this book had romance,sadness,and moments where I could rlate to this book. I loved how some parts wanted me to throw the book because of what someone did. I loved how I could really get in to the book and really understand it. When I was reading this book it gave me power and strength, and everything I needed to know about life right now. How it is going to be rough in the beginning and people are goin to talk about you and hurt you. You can't give up on faih, you have to push through the pain and never look back. I like books that teaches me life lessons. Lessons that I could use in the future. This book is not just about romance it is MUCH more then that. This book will really open your eyes and show you how the world really lives from my understanding. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Read
April 25, 2010What a beautiful, unique story!
I am a flower person, so this book spoke volumes to me. The main setting of this book is a girls' private boarding school with magnificent grounds and a conservatory. I loved the relationships between teachers and students, especially the main character, Laurel and the spinster English teacher. Flowers and spices can lead to romance or create mischief, both equally fun. There IS something magical about flowers... we just need to pay a little more attention to them. Brecount White's book will help open that door and I'm certain give every reader a new appreciation of the beauty and power of flowers.
I am a flower person, so this book spoke volumes to me. The main setting of this book is a girls' private boarding school with magnificent grounds and a conservatory. I loved the relationships between teachers and students, especially the main character, Laurel and the spinster English teacher. Flowers and spices can lead to romance or create mischief, both equally fun. There IS something magical about flowers... we just need to pay a little more attention to them. Brecount White's book will help open that door and I'm certain give every reader a new appreciation of the beauty and power of flowers.
May 1, 2010
I really enjoyed this fantasy debut from Amy Crecount White. The story was told in just the right tone and set the stage for a believable account of one girl and her ability to create magic from flowers. This book is appropriate for everyone and I think all teens and adults will enjoy it. I liked Laurel and the fact that she grew as a person, didn't let mistakes overwhelm her and developed into a good person. She makes good and bad choices and learns from everything she does. There is a nice amount of romance and the fact that the story uses the common elements of flower and plants in a unique way that is credible.
April 3, 2010
Cute idea somewhat lacking in the execution. I really really liked the concept of Flower-speaking and using that as a backdrop for a coming of age story. Overall, I liked the plot but the characterizations were very weak (and in some cases, utterly incomprehensible to me) and stereotypical (e.g., mean girl, jock, nerdy girl, etc.). What could have been a fantastic and deep YA story ended up shallow and fluffy.
June 26, 2017
I read this book mainly for the magic system- how they use flowers based on their symbolic meaning was interesting. See the system described here (not really a spoiler):
The book itself was okay, the characters fairly typical high school drama. The main difference was that unlike most high-school-student-discovers-magical-powers stories, in this one Laurel makes little to no attempt to hide her abilities. Luckily for her, her powers are subtle and unsuccessful enough for it to pass off as just talent really, but there is no struggle of "what will people say when they find out?" and it was more focused on "how to use this power ethically.... or just how to use this power"
Not perfect, but a passable enough story. The flower system was interesting, but not enough to make this book anything special.
The book itself was okay, the characters fairly typical high school drama. The main difference was that unlike most high-school-student-discovers-magical-powers stories, in this one Laurel makes little to no attempt to hide her abilities. Luckily for her, her powers are subtle and unsuccessful enough for it to pass off as just talent really, but there is no struggle of "what will people say when they find out?" and it was more focused on "how to use this power ethically.... or just how to use this power"
Not perfect, but a passable enough story. The flower system was interesting, but not enough to make this book anything special.
July 25, 2023
This was very repetitive and a lot of the situations should have been either taken out, or the characters ages should have been upped. This is about a 14 year old girl named Laurel who's mother has passed away from cancer and she ends up getting sent to her mother's and grandmother's private school. She also comes to find out that she is a Flowerspeaker. She can make flowers "speak" to people when she gives them in a bouquet and says words over them. Each flower has a different meaning.
As things progress, certain situations are really much older. I'm not saying dating, boys, drugs and so forth are for much older people. We had all that and a lot more when I was 12. However, the writing style just made the characters at times seem much older than what they were, and at other times, much younger. It just didn't match.
As things progress, certain situations are really much older. I'm not saying dating, boys, drugs and so forth are for much older people. We had all that and a lot more when I was 12. However, the writing style just made the characters at times seem much older than what they were, and at other times, much younger. It just didn't match.
February 11, 2018
It deserves more than 3, but l am confused about the rating.
The idea was tempting, a girl speaking literaly the language of flowers, having a sensitive nose and being able to make bouquets that help tune up emotions. It was a sweet story, with a strange behaving 14yrs old little teen who was a bit annoying and irresponsible, so l had to remind myself that she is only 14 so practically a kid. The love line was lame, distracting - and c’ mon: love line at 14?! LOL so if you like flowers its a sweet story. I had no expectations and found it okay. But don’t expect big drama or burning secrets, huge magic or magnificent emotions. Just something nice, writtem for 14yrs olds.
The idea was tempting, a girl speaking literaly the language of flowers, having a sensitive nose and being able to make bouquets that help tune up emotions. It was a sweet story, with a strange behaving 14yrs old little teen who was a bit annoying and irresponsible, so l had to remind myself that she is only 14 so practically a kid. The love line was lame, distracting - and c’ mon: love line at 14?! LOL so if you like flowers its a sweet story. I had no expectations and found it okay. But don’t expect big drama or burning secrets, huge magic or magnificent emotions. Just something nice, writtem for 14yrs olds.
February 1, 2020
Le tenía fe porque la descripción me llamó la atención ya que nunca había leído algo con esta temática. Lamentablemente la historia no me convenció y me pareció bastante aburrida, rescato un par de cosas interesantes pero nada más. Además los personajes tampoco me gustaron mucho, Rose y Kate fueron las únicas que me agradaron. Una lástima la verdad.
January 9, 2025
3.5 Stars
I like this book. Cute idea, cute story. It was a little slow at times and some of the characters were a bit annoying but overall I liked it enough to keep reading. Nothing really stood out that much to me so I don’t think I would reread it but for what it was I enjoyed my time spent.
I like this book. Cute idea, cute story. It was a little slow at times and some of the characters were a bit annoying but overall I liked it enough to keep reading. Nothing really stood out that much to me so I don’t think I would reread it but for what it was I enjoyed my time spent.
May 18, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. What a fascinating subject couched in a well rounded storyline with fantastic characters.
April 24, 2010
Amy Brecount White's debut novel, Forget-Her-Nots, is a sweet contemporary fantasy that will make you want to step outside to smell the flowers and feel their intoxicating power yourself. This coming-of-age story follows 14-year-old Laurel to an all-girls boarding school where she discovers she has a special talent related to the secret language of flowers. It is a light and hopeful novel with a unique magical premise.
What I Liked:
- The flowers! Laurel's exploration of the language of flowers made me long to take my daughters outside to drink in the lovely colors and fragrances & prepare some tussie-mussies (bouquets) together.
- I enjoyed the simplicity of the magic in this book. The magical language of flowers is an ancient, quiet kind of alchemy. It does not require wands or pixie dust, but its components are found all around us in the trees, in our cooking herbs, in our yards and our parks, and in each bouquet of wildflowers picked along a sidewalk. I liked the straightforward and believable nature of the book's magical elements, and I think readers will find it easy to relate to and accept.
- I also enjoyed the historical references the characters uncover to support their growing belief in the magical properties of plants. In any novel with fantasy elements, the ways in which supporting characters react to newly-discovered supernatural elements can be just as critical to the plot's success as the protagonist's initial reaction. I think that aspect of Forget-Her-Nots was handled very nicely. Characters you would expect to be skeptical were skeptical, and characters who were only interested in the magic as it could be used to their own personal advantage also behaved precisely as you might expect.
- Laurel is charmingly normal. She faces several difficult challenges - dealing with the loss of her mother, adjusting to a new school, and learning a lot about the power of flowers. But through it all she comes across as a fairly average daughter, friend, and student, which makes her very easy to relate to and like. Despite her unusual talents and floral experiments, her daily life still revolves around keeping up with very typical responsibilities like schoolwork and soccer practice.
- Laurel's grief is moving and realistic, but she doesn't spend the majority of the book moping around and crumbling under the weight of her loss. It colors her actions and influences her choices, but her personality gravitates toward hopefulness, and so does the overall tone of the book.
What I Wished:
- A couple of the supporting characters seemed under-developed to me, and I wanted them to have more depth and play larger roles in the story.
- I wanted a bit more suspense. I don't mean to imply that Laurel doesn't have mysteries to solve or difficulties to overcome. She is grieving over the loss of her mother, experimenting with newly discovered abilities, trying to build and maintain friendships at her new school, feeling abandoned by her grandmother, making an attempt to deal with her distant dad, and hoping to capture the attention of her crush. But no one conflict or challenge feels like it is pulling the plot toward a particularly climactic moment. In some ways, I liked that there was no 'big bad' (villain) because the challenges Laurel faces are more internal & realistic. They require her to summon strength of character & heart rather than physical strength or might. But occasionally, I found myself craving a bit more tension or suspense.
Forget-Her-Nots is a unique contemporary fantasy with a likable heroine. The lovely floral magic will encourage readers to see flowers in a whole new way and may leave them longing for the old-fashioned charm of using flowers to express themselves. This book will appeal to some middle grade readers as well as to its target YA audience. The sweet story and multi-generational nature of Laurel's flowerspeaking talent would make this book a wonderful choice for mother-daughter book clubs. Fans of relatively innocent YA fantasies, like Aprilynne Pike's Wings or Jaclyn Dolamore's Magic Under Glass, should definitely check out Forget-Her-Nots. I look forward to reading more from debut author Amy Brecount White.
What I Liked:
- The flowers! Laurel's exploration of the language of flowers made me long to take my daughters outside to drink in the lovely colors and fragrances & prepare some tussie-mussies (bouquets) together.
- I enjoyed the simplicity of the magic in this book. The magical language of flowers is an ancient, quiet kind of alchemy. It does not require wands or pixie dust, but its components are found all around us in the trees, in our cooking herbs, in our yards and our parks, and in each bouquet of wildflowers picked along a sidewalk. I liked the straightforward and believable nature of the book's magical elements, and I think readers will find it easy to relate to and accept.
- I also enjoyed the historical references the characters uncover to support their growing belief in the magical properties of plants. In any novel with fantasy elements, the ways in which supporting characters react to newly-discovered supernatural elements can be just as critical to the plot's success as the protagonist's initial reaction. I think that aspect of Forget-Her-Nots was handled very nicely. Characters you would expect to be skeptical were skeptical, and characters who were only interested in the magic as it could be used to their own personal advantage also behaved precisely as you might expect.
- Laurel is charmingly normal. She faces several difficult challenges - dealing with the loss of her mother, adjusting to a new school, and learning a lot about the power of flowers. But through it all she comes across as a fairly average daughter, friend, and student, which makes her very easy to relate to and like. Despite her unusual talents and floral experiments, her daily life still revolves around keeping up with very typical responsibilities like schoolwork and soccer practice.
- Laurel's grief is moving and realistic, but she doesn't spend the majority of the book moping around and crumbling under the weight of her loss. It colors her actions and influences her choices, but her personality gravitates toward hopefulness, and so does the overall tone of the book.
What I Wished:
- A couple of the supporting characters seemed under-developed to me, and I wanted them to have more depth and play larger roles in the story.
- I wanted a bit more suspense. I don't mean to imply that Laurel doesn't have mysteries to solve or difficulties to overcome. She is grieving over the loss of her mother, experimenting with newly discovered abilities, trying to build and maintain friendships at her new school, feeling abandoned by her grandmother, making an attempt to deal with her distant dad, and hoping to capture the attention of her crush. But no one conflict or challenge feels like it is pulling the plot toward a particularly climactic moment. In some ways, I liked that there was no 'big bad' (villain) because the challenges Laurel faces are more internal & realistic. They require her to summon strength of character & heart rather than physical strength or might. But occasionally, I found myself craving a bit more tension or suspense.
Forget-Her-Nots is a unique contemporary fantasy with a likable heroine. The lovely floral magic will encourage readers to see flowers in a whole new way and may leave them longing for the old-fashioned charm of using flowers to express themselves. This book will appeal to some middle grade readers as well as to its target YA audience. The sweet story and multi-generational nature of Laurel's flowerspeaking talent would make this book a wonderful choice for mother-daughter book clubs. Fans of relatively innocent YA fantasies, like Aprilynne Pike's Wings or Jaclyn Dolamore's Magic Under Glass, should definitely check out Forget-Her-Nots. I look forward to reading more from debut author Amy Brecount White.
August 14, 2016
Laurel's mother passes away and leaves Laurel, her dad, and her grandmother devastated. Laurel's father tries to start over by promptly moving out of the house Laurel grew up in and the expansive gardens her mother tended. She is unhappy and decides to attend Avondale School, which is a boarding school where not only her cousin attends, but her mother and grandmother attended as well. Laurel may act like a typical fourteen year old, but she is hardly "normal." During her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, she finds out that she holds special powers when she interacts with flowers. Strange things start happening, for example, she presents her lonely English teacher with the "love" bouquet from her presentation and now her teacher, who classmates called Spinster Spencer, finds love! She even helps her friends do better on tests by providing them with rosemary, which is for remembering. But things start to get out of hand when she realizes that although she holds some power over flowers, things don't always go well with the magic and there are consequences to transforming people's love lives. Amy Brecount White's debut novel is a cute read that I know my middle school students will love as well as any fans of flowers and nature. Readers will bask in its beautiful descriptions and be enchanted by the language of flowers.
White incorporates many touches of poetry, such as e.e. Cummings and references many classics like Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and the myth of Demeter and Persephone, which was especially exciting for me since I actually teach those stories. I also found the language of flowers to be captivating. I knew about this beforehand, but learned so much more about it through this novel and Laurel's adventures. Another aspect of this novel that I enjoyed was the fact that it was innocent. It was one of the most charming and sweet young adult novels that I've read in a long time. I could easily recommend it to my students without hesitating, which as of late, is rare in young adult literature. Usually there's either more cursing, sexual references, or violence, but readers can rest easy that this novel is very PG. Lastly, I truly enjoyed White's descriptions of nature and of the flowers themselves. I know this might annoy some readers, but I love nature and gardening so I fell in love with White's use of imagery. It made me want to go out and buy a bouquet of gardenias or peonies, which are some of my favorites. Plus, there's a glossary in the back of the book that includes the language of flowers, which is especially fun and I referenced it many times while reading the novel.
There were only a few things that I didn't enjoy in this novel, but I know my middle school students probably wouldn't mind. First, there is some teen speak. There wasn't as much as other novels, but be forewarned, it's there. For example, "love" is "luv" at times. Also, Laurel tends to be corny at times and I think some of my "cooler" students may have a problem with this. For example, she includes an e.e. Cummings poem in her email to her crush and while I love Cummings, many fourteen year old girls wouldn't dream of doing that. Unfortunately, more might quote the immortal words of Justin Bieber before they quote classic love poetry. I also felt like Laurel was a bit of a doormat and that frustrated me to witness her interactions with fellow classmates. Thankfully, her cousin Rose is anything but a doormat and I truly appreciated her character. She often came to Laurel's rescue when involved in awkward social situations or if she simply needed a friend. But by the end of the novel, Laurel gets it together and things come full circle.
All in all, Amy Brecount White's Forget-Her-Nots is a delightful debut novel that I will be recommending to my female middle school students this coming school year. I am also excited that Amy will be at Bring YA to PA, which is coming to my neighborhood this August. Also, I think it's really awesome that she was a former English teacher! (WOO HOO!) According to her website, she is currently working on her second novel which is tentatively titled String Theories. I will have to keep my eye out for that one!
White incorporates many touches of poetry, such as e.e. Cummings and references many classics like Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and the myth of Demeter and Persephone, which was especially exciting for me since I actually teach those stories. I also found the language of flowers to be captivating. I knew about this beforehand, but learned so much more about it through this novel and Laurel's adventures. Another aspect of this novel that I enjoyed was the fact that it was innocent. It was one of the most charming and sweet young adult novels that I've read in a long time. I could easily recommend it to my students without hesitating, which as of late, is rare in young adult literature. Usually there's either more cursing, sexual references, or violence, but readers can rest easy that this novel is very PG. Lastly, I truly enjoyed White's descriptions of nature and of the flowers themselves. I know this might annoy some readers, but I love nature and gardening so I fell in love with White's use of imagery. It made me want to go out and buy a bouquet of gardenias or peonies, which are some of my favorites. Plus, there's a glossary in the back of the book that includes the language of flowers, which is especially fun and I referenced it many times while reading the novel.
There were only a few things that I didn't enjoy in this novel, but I know my middle school students probably wouldn't mind. First, there is some teen speak. There wasn't as much as other novels, but be forewarned, it's there. For example, "love" is "luv" at times. Also, Laurel tends to be corny at times and I think some of my "cooler" students may have a problem with this. For example, she includes an e.e. Cummings poem in her email to her crush and while I love Cummings, many fourteen year old girls wouldn't dream of doing that. Unfortunately, more might quote the immortal words of Justin Bieber before they quote classic love poetry. I also felt like Laurel was a bit of a doormat and that frustrated me to witness her interactions with fellow classmates. Thankfully, her cousin Rose is anything but a doormat and I truly appreciated her character. She often came to Laurel's rescue when involved in awkward social situations or if she simply needed a friend. But by the end of the novel, Laurel gets it together and things come full circle.
All in all, Amy Brecount White's Forget-Her-Nots is a delightful debut novel that I will be recommending to my female middle school students this coming school year. I am also excited that Amy will be at Bring YA to PA, which is coming to my neighborhood this August. Also, I think it's really awesome that she was a former English teacher! (WOO HOO!) According to her website, she is currently working on her second novel which is tentatively titled String Theories. I will have to keep my eye out for that one!
November 14, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Cute YA book filled with magic, new love, and a fun story.
Opening Sentence: Lily reread the letter to her daughter and signed her name at the bottom.
The Review:
14 year old Laurel has just started her freshman year at a new boarding school. Her mother passed away a few years ago and she couldn’t stand living with her dad since he started dating again. She begged him to let her go to the school her mother attended as a young girl. It is an all girl school, and most of the students have known each other since kindergarten. Being the new girl, Laurel would love to fit in but that’s easier said than done.
For one of her first assignments she has to give an English presentation and she chooses to do it on the language of flowers. Every flower has a meaning and if you put them together properly it can relay a special message. Laurel and her mother have always had a special love for flowers, and she found a book in the school library about their language. As Laurel learns more about the flower language she starts to realize that flowers have a magical power that she can control. Certain flowers enhance love; others help your memories and so on. Laurel starts to experiment and soon others start to notice and ask for her help. At first the attention is nice and she really is able to help some people, but soon she realizes that there are some things that should be left alone.
Laurel is a sweet girl, but she was pretty naive at times. She is young and has a lot to learn about life and love. She was a little too nice at times and didn’t stick up for herself very well, which was a little frustrating. She tried to be a good friend and she really tried to help others as much as she could. Some of the time her efforts were successful and other times they were hurtful. But she learns and grows from her mistakes which made her a very likable heroine. Overall, I thought that she had a good voice and I really ended up liking her even with her flaws.
This was a really cute and fast read for me. The characters were fun and easy to connect with. I loved learning all the different things that flowers can represent; it was an interesting addition to the story. The plot wasn’t anything unique, but it was still fun. The romance was sweet and honest. There were a few moments that dragged, but for the most part the pacing was good. Overall, this was a good read for me. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a clean coming of age story with magic and cute characters.
Notable Scene:
Now! She thought. Her right hand seemed to lift on its own and reach toward the bouquet. “Bright cut flowers,” she whispered, “leaves of green, bring about what I have seen.” What the last word left her tongue, her whole body tingled and hummed, as if a note was reverberating deeply inside her. She closed her eyes and pictured the bow-tie man walking hand in hand with Miss Spenser … him taking her in his arms. That was what she wanted to see.
When Laurel’s eyes opened, the air around the vase seemed to shimmer-like heat rising-with the sudden explosion of fragrance. Someone sneezed twice, and the professor slowly straightened and blinked at the flowers.
At the far end of the table a tall woman with olive-toned skin stood up and looked around urgently. She lifted her nose and then turned toward Laurel, who dropped her hand. The woman’s eyes met hers in a question, but Laurel took a step backward.
FTC Advisory: Greenwillow/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Forget-Her-Nots. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Cute YA book filled with magic, new love, and a fun story.
Opening Sentence: Lily reread the letter to her daughter and signed her name at the bottom.
The Review:
14 year old Laurel has just started her freshman year at a new boarding school. Her mother passed away a few years ago and she couldn’t stand living with her dad since he started dating again. She begged him to let her go to the school her mother attended as a young girl. It is an all girl school, and most of the students have known each other since kindergarten. Being the new girl, Laurel would love to fit in but that’s easier said than done.
For one of her first assignments she has to give an English presentation and she chooses to do it on the language of flowers. Every flower has a meaning and if you put them together properly it can relay a special message. Laurel and her mother have always had a special love for flowers, and she found a book in the school library about their language. As Laurel learns more about the flower language she starts to realize that flowers have a magical power that she can control. Certain flowers enhance love; others help your memories and so on. Laurel starts to experiment and soon others start to notice and ask for her help. At first the attention is nice and she really is able to help some people, but soon she realizes that there are some things that should be left alone.
Laurel is a sweet girl, but she was pretty naive at times. She is young and has a lot to learn about life and love. She was a little too nice at times and didn’t stick up for herself very well, which was a little frustrating. She tried to be a good friend and she really tried to help others as much as she could. Some of the time her efforts were successful and other times they were hurtful. But she learns and grows from her mistakes which made her a very likable heroine. Overall, I thought that she had a good voice and I really ended up liking her even with her flaws.
This was a really cute and fast read for me. The characters were fun and easy to connect with. I loved learning all the different things that flowers can represent; it was an interesting addition to the story. The plot wasn’t anything unique, but it was still fun. The romance was sweet and honest. There were a few moments that dragged, but for the most part the pacing was good. Overall, this was a good read for me. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a clean coming of age story with magic and cute characters.
Notable Scene:
Now! She thought. Her right hand seemed to lift on its own and reach toward the bouquet. “Bright cut flowers,” she whispered, “leaves of green, bring about what I have seen.” What the last word left her tongue, her whole body tingled and hummed, as if a note was reverberating deeply inside her. She closed her eyes and pictured the bow-tie man walking hand in hand with Miss Spenser … him taking her in his arms. That was what she wanted to see.
When Laurel’s eyes opened, the air around the vase seemed to shimmer-like heat rising-with the sudden explosion of fragrance. Someone sneezed twice, and the professor slowly straightened and blinked at the flowers.
At the far end of the table a tall woman with olive-toned skin stood up and looked around urgently. She lifted her nose and then turned toward Laurel, who dropped her hand. The woman’s eyes met hers in a question, but Laurel took a step backward.
FTC Advisory: Greenwillow/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Forget-Her-Nots. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
June 7, 2010
Forget-Her-Nots revolve around a young girl’s affinity for materializing emotions through the language of flowers. Laurel, in an effort to feel closer to her dead mother, transfers her mom’s old boarding school. In a class project, she discovers that her tussie-mussies seem to bring out whatever emotion or feeling the bouquet represents. The premise had a lot of potential and a lot of charm. The use of flower symbolism is unique and definitely intriguing. When the concept of Flowerspeakers came up, I was definitely drawn into the story.
One thing I had trouble with was the characters. I did not like Laurel. I am sympathetic towards her character, but I could not connect to her. She seems to bounce around being lonely and wanting friends to having friends, but ditching them. In my perspective, Laurel seemed very self-involved and in certain points of the story, very whiny. My problem with Laurel also stems from her misuse of power. She seems to understand that her powers can go wrong (hello, basil incident anyone), but she cannot stop making bouquets for people. I do understand that she is only a fourteen year old girl and do make allowances for that. One aspect I did liked about Laurel was that despite her crush, she did not abandon her passion for flowers.
The secondary characters also seemed very generic. My favorite secondary character was Rose – who was smart, sharp and super rational that at first, could not wrapped herself around the concept of Laurel’s flower magic. Other characters however, like Tara, seemed to be very stereotypical and 2D. And I really wanted to strangle Tara because she got on my nerves every time she appeared.
The language of flowers is what I liked about this story. I loved the references to literature and the hidden allusions to flower meanings. Also, I enjoyed the flower dictionary at the back of the book. Throughout the story, I felt like I learned a lot about flower meanings. White’s invention of Flowerspeakers held my interest and I wished the story explored more of that world then delving into the romance.
The romance in Forget-Her-Nots is adorable, but not realistic. My problem with the romance is that it lacked development. The romance happens quickly over the course of the book, but the characters barely had any interaction time. The romance also seemed just thrown out there as a plot mover versus having any major impact on the overall story. However, the romance is light and clean and therefore, can appeal to the younger YA readers.
Overall, Forget-Her-Nots has promise. While I did not love it, I did not hate this book either. The story has a certain charm that will appeal to girls that want to enjoy something light and fun with a hint of magic. I also probably recommend it to readers who are crossing over from middle readers to YA because it’s clean, fun reading.
One thing I had trouble with was the characters. I did not like Laurel. I am sympathetic towards her character, but I could not connect to her. She seems to bounce around being lonely and wanting friends to having friends, but ditching them. In my perspective, Laurel seemed very self-involved and in certain points of the story, very whiny. My problem with Laurel also stems from her misuse of power. She seems to understand that her powers can go wrong (hello, basil incident anyone), but she cannot stop making bouquets for people. I do understand that she is only a fourteen year old girl and do make allowances for that. One aspect I did liked about Laurel was that despite her crush, she did not abandon her passion for flowers.
The secondary characters also seemed very generic. My favorite secondary character was Rose – who was smart, sharp and super rational that at first, could not wrapped herself around the concept of Laurel’s flower magic. Other characters however, like Tara, seemed to be very stereotypical and 2D. And I really wanted to strangle Tara because she got on my nerves every time she appeared.
The language of flowers is what I liked about this story. I loved the references to literature and the hidden allusions to flower meanings. Also, I enjoyed the flower dictionary at the back of the book. Throughout the story, I felt like I learned a lot about flower meanings. White’s invention of Flowerspeakers held my interest and I wished the story explored more of that world then delving into the romance.
The romance in Forget-Her-Nots is adorable, but not realistic. My problem with the romance is that it lacked development. The romance happens quickly over the course of the book, but the characters barely had any interaction time. The romance also seemed just thrown out there as a plot mover versus having any major impact on the overall story. However, the romance is light and clean and therefore, can appeal to the younger YA readers.
Overall, Forget-Her-Nots has promise. While I did not love it, I did not hate this book either. The story has a certain charm that will appeal to girls that want to enjoy something light and fun with a hint of magic. I also probably recommend it to readers who are crossing over from middle readers to YA because it’s clean, fun reading.
May 26, 2010
Don't let three stars fool you, I really liked this book, and truth be told I didn't expect to. I almost turned it down entirely when I heard the main character was fourteen, because I've read too many books where the thirteen/fourteen character is annoying, weak, shallow, and I could go on and on. Thankfully, this book wasn't like that. I liked Laurel.
Plot: Fairly predictable and simple, but enjoyable. The only part I didn't like was that the climax had to be at prom (how many YA novels have I read where the climax is at prom? Too many. I never found prom particularly important or exciting.) And the Tara-steals-the-orchid-out-of-spite thing wasn't very believable, but I liked the plot in general. The flowerspeak thing was creative, and I loved the whole concept of flowers boosting (or influencing) emotions.
Characters: I didn't like Laurel very much in the beginning, but I liked her later. She got stronger and more sure of herself later, and grew on me. I didn't like her while she was in the basil-phase (those who have read the book know what I'm talking about), but I knew she was being influenced by the plant, so I looked past that blip. I liked Kate, but didn't understand why she had some kind of loyalty to Tara (who had loyalty to no one). I liked Miss Spencer, and Professor Featherstone. I thought Justin was okay, but I didn't quite get why Laurel liked him so much. He sort-of defended her during class, but not much and not really, and suddenly she's head-over-heels? I thought he could have been introduced better, and his character could have been much more three-dimensional. I really liked Rose, because I related most to her. She said things I would say. And I really, really loved Ms. Suarez. (I related to her a little bit as well). This book was definitely driven by its characters.
Ending: The ending was okay. The bit with Justin was a little awkward, because I felt like Laurel hardly knew him at all and suddenly they're in "luv". However, I really liked the scene in the Epilogue where all the Flowerspeak people are coming from all directions in the garden with things to give Laurel for her welcoming into their little society.
Writing: Good. I felt like the side characters could have had much more depth (Justin, Kate, Tara, Ally), but that the writing in general was very, very good. It kept my interest really well, and there were parts where I literally could not stop reading for a solid 100 pages or so. I didn't even want to look up. Plus, the idea was amazingly creative. And the title is awesome.
Overall: I really liked it. It's a good read, and fairly fast. And the flower concept is really, really cool. I finished this morning while rushing to classes because I didn't want to wait until later to finish. I recommend this to anyone who likes flowers (and even some who don't think they do).
Plot: Fairly predictable and simple, but enjoyable. The only part I didn't like was that the climax had to be at prom (how many YA novels have I read where the climax is at prom? Too many. I never found prom particularly important or exciting.) And the Tara-steals-the-orchid-out-of-spite thing wasn't very believable, but I liked the plot in general. The flowerspeak thing was creative, and I loved the whole concept of flowers boosting (or influencing) emotions.
Characters: I didn't like Laurel very much in the beginning, but I liked her later. She got stronger and more sure of herself later, and grew on me. I didn't like her while she was in the basil-phase (those who have read the book know what I'm talking about), but I knew she was being influenced by the plant, so I looked past that blip. I liked Kate, but didn't understand why she had some kind of loyalty to Tara (who had loyalty to no one). I liked Miss Spencer, and Professor Featherstone. I thought Justin was okay, but I didn't quite get why Laurel liked him so much. He sort-of defended her during class, but not much and not really, and suddenly she's head-over-heels? I thought he could have been introduced better, and his character could have been much more three-dimensional. I really liked Rose, because I related most to her. She said things I would say. And I really, really loved Ms. Suarez. (I related to her a little bit as well). This book was definitely driven by its characters.
Ending: The ending was okay. The bit with Justin was a little awkward, because I felt like Laurel hardly knew him at all and suddenly they're in "luv". However, I really liked the scene in the Epilogue where all the Flowerspeak people are coming from all directions in the garden with things to give Laurel for her welcoming into their little society.
Writing: Good. I felt like the side characters could have had much more depth (Justin, Kate, Tara, Ally), but that the writing in general was very, very good. It kept my interest really well, and there were parts where I literally could not stop reading for a solid 100 pages or so. I didn't even want to look up. Plus, the idea was amazingly creative. And the title is awesome.
Overall: I really liked it. It's a good read, and fairly fast. And the flower concept is really, really cool. I finished this morning while rushing to classes because I didn't want to wait until later to finish. I recommend this to anyone who likes flowers (and even some who don't think they do).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2011
En deux mots, c'est mignon et touchant.
Laurel possède un don transmis depuis des générations, le flowerspeak, qui lui permet de comprendre le langage des fleurs et d'éveiller leur pouvoir, mais elle ne le découvre qu'au fil du roman. Elle fait quelques erreurs facilement pardonnables, s'enthousiasme un peu trop facilement (oh, mais allons fabriquer des bouquets magiques et faire tomber tout le monde amoureux, voyons !) mais il faut dire qu'elle n'a que 14 ans, aussi, et c'est pour ça que je dis que le roman est mignon, j'avais le regard d'une grande sœur envers elle. Mais Laurel n'est pas immature (et quand elle jure, elle dit merde en français), sa mère vient de mourir, ça se sent dans ses réflexions – voilà le côté touchant de l'histoire, ça serre vraiment le cœur quand Laurel pense à sa mère – et elle vit maintenant dans un pensionnat où elle a choisit d'aller car sa mère y avait étudié.
Là bas, à Avondale, la vie se passe à notre époque et aux États-Unis mais elle m'a rappelé au moins à cause d'un détail un des livres des Chroniques de Chrestomanci que je lisais au collège cependant, on nous cite Harry Potter ce qui aurait été bien impossible à l'époque ou Diana Wynne Jones a écrit ces livres ! À Avondale, Laurel apprend le latin, il y a plein de jardins, une serre où poussent des fleurs tropicales et les filles sont séparées des garçons la plupart du temps, ça donne une ambiance particulière au roman, qui avec ses descriptions à tendance lyrique est très plaisant à lire.
Quant à l'intrigue en elle-même, bon il ne faut pas s'attendre à quelque chose de très innovant mais c'est plaisant, le langage des fleurs, c'est vraiment sympa et j'ai trouvé la romance tellement mignonne entre Laurel et Justin que je me suis bien vite laissée emporter jusqu'à la fin du livre.
Le gros bémol en fait, c'est la fin en tout est bien qui finit bien, tellement convenue... Laurel s'était emportée contre son père (après avoir respiré l'odeur du basilic, plante de la haine, mais les plantes ne font qu'accentuer les sentiments déjà présents) car il avait ramené sa petite amie à son match de football du dimanche. Sa mère est morte depuis très peu de temps, quand même. Mais à la fin, tout est bien qui finit bien donc, la Laurel finit par accepter la présence de l'amie de son père, comme ça. Ouais, ben non, je ne suis pas d'accord, rien n'est résolu de ce côté-là, je crois que Laurel avait toutes les raisons du monde d'être en colère, de voir son père se ramener en cabriolet rouge avec sa petite amie si peu de temps après la mort de sa mère... Amy Brecount White a un peu noyé le poisson là.
Laurel possède un don transmis depuis des générations, le flowerspeak, qui lui permet de comprendre le langage des fleurs et d'éveiller leur pouvoir, mais elle ne le découvre qu'au fil du roman. Elle fait quelques erreurs facilement pardonnables, s'enthousiasme un peu trop facilement (oh, mais allons fabriquer des bouquets magiques et faire tomber tout le monde amoureux, voyons !) mais il faut dire qu'elle n'a que 14 ans, aussi, et c'est pour ça que je dis que le roman est mignon, j'avais le regard d'une grande sœur envers elle. Mais Laurel n'est pas immature (et quand elle jure, elle dit merde en français), sa mère vient de mourir, ça se sent dans ses réflexions – voilà le côté touchant de l'histoire, ça serre vraiment le cœur quand Laurel pense à sa mère – et elle vit maintenant dans un pensionnat où elle a choisit d'aller car sa mère y avait étudié.
Là bas, à Avondale, la vie se passe à notre époque et aux États-Unis mais elle m'a rappelé au moins à cause d'un détail un des livres des Chroniques de Chrestomanci que je lisais au collège cependant, on nous cite Harry Potter ce qui aurait été bien impossible à l'époque ou Diana Wynne Jones a écrit ces livres ! À Avondale, Laurel apprend le latin, il y a plein de jardins, une serre où poussent des fleurs tropicales et les filles sont séparées des garçons la plupart du temps, ça donne une ambiance particulière au roman, qui avec ses descriptions à tendance lyrique est très plaisant à lire.
Quant à l'intrigue en elle-même, bon il ne faut pas s'attendre à quelque chose de très innovant mais c'est plaisant, le langage des fleurs, c'est vraiment sympa et j'ai trouvé la romance tellement mignonne entre Laurel et Justin que je me suis bien vite laissée emporter jusqu'à la fin du livre.
Le gros bémol en fait, c'est la fin en tout est bien qui finit bien, tellement convenue... Laurel s'était emportée contre son père (après avoir respiré l'odeur du basilic, plante de la haine, mais les plantes ne font qu'accentuer les sentiments déjà présents) car il avait ramené sa petite amie à son match de football du dimanche. Sa mère est morte depuis très peu de temps, quand même. Mais à la fin, tout est bien qui finit bien donc, la Laurel finit par accepter la présence de l'amie de son père, comme ça. Ouais, ben non, je ne suis pas d'accord, rien n'est résolu de ce côté-là, je crois que Laurel avait toutes les raisons du monde d'être en colère, de voir son père se ramener en cabriolet rouge avec sa petite amie si peu de temps après la mort de sa mère... Amy Brecount White a un peu noyé le poisson là.
June 1, 2012
I read the summary of the book and I thought it was interesting enough with the flowers as a language and Laurel having some power over them. But when I actually read the book, my interest started to dwindle.
First thing's first. Laurel was a very flat and boring. She didn't do anything that moved me or made her likable whatsoever. Laurel seemed to have potential to be a more deep, dynamic character but as the story progressed, I realized that her character wasn't going anywhere. She was also a weak person, afraid of standing up for herself and making bad choices because of it. The only thing that I found kind of cool about her was the power she had because it was unique and I've never heard anything quite like it. Besides that, her character was as dull as (possibly more dull than) watching paint dry.
The writing was very simplistic. It made Laurel sound like she was maybe in sixth or seventh grade. I usually don't have an issue with simple writing styles but it just didn't work for this kind of vivid story. It just made everything seem superficial and less believable.
Laurel's crush on Justin wasn't too captivating. Justin was described as some plain nice guy who didn't seem to have any other attractive features except for being nice. If you're going to add some romance to your story, you should emphasize it at some point. The thing between Laurel and Justin was only mentioned slightly with little to no significant progress on it. Then all of a sudden, they're together? How does that work?
I also really hated Laurel's friend, Kate. There were times when she was a truly good friend to Laurel but then other times it just seemed like she was a total stranger. And what disgusted me more was that Laurel still considered her as a friend! They're either with you or they're not. There's no in between. I just got confused on whether she was on Laurel's side or on Tara's side.
And that brings me to Tara. What a jerk! But that kind of jerk doesn't seem too believable to me. Excuse me if I'm wrong but most jerks (especially at 14) are at least sensitive to other people. Tara was just right out heartless. Yeah, there were times when you could say she was "nice" but she was mainly the definite bad guy. In real life, there is no definite bad guy. Sure there are people who seem more antagonistic than others but they're not like that ALL THE TIME!
I really wanted to like this book, I truly did but I just couldn't. It was so bland, boring, and unrealisitc to the extent that the story became shallow. It ended up being an almost bearable, okay book for me. I apologize to those who loved the stroy but this didn't suit me.
First thing's first. Laurel was a very flat and boring. She didn't do anything that moved me or made her likable whatsoever. Laurel seemed to have potential to be a more deep, dynamic character but as the story progressed, I realized that her character wasn't going anywhere. She was also a weak person, afraid of standing up for herself and making bad choices because of it. The only thing that I found kind of cool about her was the power she had because it was unique and I've never heard anything quite like it. Besides that, her character was as dull as (possibly more dull than) watching paint dry.
The writing was very simplistic. It made Laurel sound like she was maybe in sixth or seventh grade. I usually don't have an issue with simple writing styles but it just didn't work for this kind of vivid story. It just made everything seem superficial and less believable.
Laurel's crush on Justin wasn't too captivating. Justin was described as some plain nice guy who didn't seem to have any other attractive features except for being nice. If you're going to add some romance to your story, you should emphasize it at some point. The thing between Laurel and Justin was only mentioned slightly with little to no significant progress on it. Then all of a sudden, they're together? How does that work?
I also really hated Laurel's friend, Kate. There were times when she was a truly good friend to Laurel but then other times it just seemed like she was a total stranger. And what disgusted me more was that Laurel still considered her as a friend! They're either with you or they're not. There's no in between. I just got confused on whether she was on Laurel's side or on Tara's side.
And that brings me to Tara. What a jerk! But that kind of jerk doesn't seem too believable to me. Excuse me if I'm wrong but most jerks (especially at 14) are at least sensitive to other people. Tara was just right out heartless. Yeah, there were times when you could say she was "nice" but she was mainly the definite bad guy. In real life, there is no definite bad guy. Sure there are people who seem more antagonistic than others but they're not like that ALL THE TIME!
I really wanted to like this book, I truly did but I just couldn't. It was so bland, boring, and unrealisitc to the extent that the story became shallow. It ended up being an almost bearable, okay book for me. I apologize to those who loved the stroy but this didn't suit me.
April 19, 2010
Fourteen year old Laurel is understandably grieving her mother's death from cancer and leaves home to attend a boarding school called Avondale. It just so happens that Avondale is the school that many of the females on her maternal side attended. And the family history with the school seems to involve the magical powers they have with flowers.
Here at Avondale, Laurel starts off as the loner student, but things quickly change after she does a report on Victorian flower lore for her English class. The bouquets she made (better known as tussie-mussies) seem to have a magical affect on the people she gives it to. First she gives one to her fave English teacher to find love and when others notice the specialness of Laurel's flowers everyone wants them.
Laurel uses The Language of Flowers book to look up meanings of flowers and to arrange them in tussie mussies. Then when she says her special mantra for the flowers and their recipients, the magic seems to happen. Poor Laurel uses her special abilities to help the girls in her school get dates, to avoid boys, and even for their schoolwork. But is she truly understanding the gift that she has and what happens when the flowers get in the hands of the wrong people? Who will help guide Laurel?
I've been wanting to read this book since I saw it around the blogosphere on other peoples Waiting on Wednesday memes. The cover is just beautiful and has this beautiful feel to it. And I have to say...it really is a beautiful and sweet story.
This novel just isn't about flowers. We also get the fun (and sometimes not so much fun) high school life. The high school dramas of dating, school work, and sports tryouts are in here. It's interesting to read how Laurel will use her powers to work into the high school lifestyle and how she can use it to the advantage for teenagers. But I do need to say that Laurel had a few "diva" like moments that did get annoying. However, when I really thought about it, every girl has these moments in high school and it made it a little bit more realistic and relatable.
This is such a sweet book and the idea of flowers and their meanings really stayed with me days after reading this novel. Laurel also references a few of my favorite childhood books (Anne of Green Gables is just one) and I love it when book characters reference such great books.
I totally want to go out and buy some flowers and make my own floral arrangements ASAP. I recommend this book to everyone...it is a great read and I'll even buy my own copy soon.
Here at Avondale, Laurel starts off as the loner student, but things quickly change after she does a report on Victorian flower lore for her English class. The bouquets she made (better known as tussie-mussies) seem to have a magical affect on the people she gives it to. First she gives one to her fave English teacher to find love and when others notice the specialness of Laurel's flowers everyone wants them.
Laurel uses The Language of Flowers book to look up meanings of flowers and to arrange them in tussie mussies. Then when she says her special mantra for the flowers and their recipients, the magic seems to happen. Poor Laurel uses her special abilities to help the girls in her school get dates, to avoid boys, and even for their schoolwork. But is she truly understanding the gift that she has and what happens when the flowers get in the hands of the wrong people? Who will help guide Laurel?
I've been wanting to read this book since I saw it around the blogosphere on other peoples Waiting on Wednesday memes. The cover is just beautiful and has this beautiful feel to it. And I have to say...it really is a beautiful and sweet story.
This novel just isn't about flowers. We also get the fun (and sometimes not so much fun) high school life. The high school dramas of dating, school work, and sports tryouts are in here. It's interesting to read how Laurel will use her powers to work into the high school lifestyle and how she can use it to the advantage for teenagers. But I do need to say that Laurel had a few "diva" like moments that did get annoying. However, when I really thought about it, every girl has these moments in high school and it made it a little bit more realistic and relatable.
This is such a sweet book and the idea of flowers and their meanings really stayed with me days after reading this novel. Laurel also references a few of my favorite childhood books (Anne of Green Gables is just one) and I love it when book characters reference such great books.
I totally want to go out and buy some flowers and make my own floral arrangements ASAP. I recommend this book to everyone...it is a great read and I'll even buy my own copy soon.
May 20, 2019
I read the first six chapters online and was really looking forward to continuing it. I'm not really into flowers (I like them just as much as the next person), but the idea of reading about something new other than my usual paranormal/fantasy characters plus the language of flowers interested me.
I took a very long break half way through because there was just so much malevolence towards Laurel. Even Kate, who's suppose to be her friend, made her life harder. Laurel did enough of that on her own. One of the reasons I've rated it so low is the ending. It was so abrupt and unrealistic, just like that everything was solved. The other reason is, after the first hundred and fifty pages, the more I read the less I wanted to know because the story moved at a very slow pace. I hate being negative, but I was just so disappointed in this book. A positive is that it's well-written and I'm more interested in flowers than I ever was before and might even buy a book about the language of flowers.
I took a very long break half way through because there was just so much malevolence towards Laurel. Even Kate, who's suppose to be her friend, made her life harder. Laurel did enough of that on her own. One of the reasons I've rated it so low is the ending. It was so abrupt and unrealistic, just like that everything was solved. The other reason is, after the first hundred and fifty pages, the more I read the less I wanted to know because the story moved at a very slow pace. I hate being negative, but I was just so disappointed in this book. A positive is that it's well-written and I'm more interested in flowers than I ever was before and might even buy a book about the language of flowers.
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