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The China Garden
When Clare moves with her mother from London to Ravensmere, an historic English estate, she can't shake the feeling that the residents already know her, especially Mark, a maddeningly attractive biker. Clare also feels compelled to take midnight walks in Ravensmere's abandoned China Garden. Then her mother reveals that their own past is tragically linked to the estate. But when Clare discovers that Ravensmere is in grave danger, will she risk her future-and Mark's-to save it?
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1996
30 people are currently reading
3030 people want to read
About the author
Liz Berry
28 books127 followersLiz Berry was born and lives in London. She worked in offices, magazines, politics and for a well-known examination body, before becoming a careers guidance advisor, helping young people plan their futures and finding employment opportunities for them. Then, for twenty-two years, she was Head of Art in an East London Comprehensive school.
At the same time she started and ran the East London Gallery for four years
Liz Berry is an artist in oils and mixed media. She also makes experimental embroidered textiles. She exhibits her work mainly in London and southeast England and sells her paintings through Gallery 41.
At the same time she started and ran the East London Gallery for four years
Liz Berry is an artist in oils and mixed media. She also makes experimental embroidered textiles. She exhibits her work mainly in London and southeast England and sells her paintings through Gallery 41.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
April 18, 2007
I read this as a teenager, and it has always been one of my favorites. It's fresh, young, mysterious, and even a little magical, and it's got a perfect love story.
January 26, 2015
I'm trying to remember now where I first ran across a reference to this book. It may have been on Meg Cabot's blog a few years ago, come to think of it. She's always dropping good recommendations here and there and I often pick up on them. This one I ran down at my local library, where they fortunately had this gorgeous cover. And not the hideously awkward hardback cover. I adore this cover. It's really perfect for the book itself, evoking all the adjectives that spring to my mind when I think of it: shadowy, romantic, autumnal, and somewhat foreboding. And still it holds some secrets in reserve. In fact I always think of it as a fall read. One for someone in the mood for not having the storyline and the history of the characters totally spelled out for you. For those who like figuring things out along the way and enjoy something slightly different from the standard paranormal fare that is on display so much these days. This was my first experience reading a Liz Berry book. She is an artist and author from London and, from what I can tell, her books are not widely available on this side of the pond. Always a shame.
Clare Meredith is in a bit of a holding pattern as she prepares to go off to university. Finished with her classes, awaiting exam results, she finds herself a little disconcerted to be suddenly uprooted by her mother and unceremoniously moved from London to the remote estate of Ravensmere. Her mother has taken a position as private nurse to the owner of Ravensmere--a Mr. Aylward. Making the best of her new surroundings, Clare strikes out and familiarizes herself with the people and places of nearby Stoke Raven village. It is there she meets Mark, a somewhat rakish young biker boy fetchingly clad in leather, and the two of them strike up a friendship of sorts. At the same time, her new life begins to take on an eerie tone as it appears everyone in Stoke Raven feels like they know her already. One too many people comment on being happy to have her "back" and from there the situation only gets odder as Clare's mother reveals a few pertinent details about her past and her connection with Ravensmere itself. Then Clare discovers the China Garden and she, her mother, Mark, and Mr. Ayward find themselves thrust into a headlong rush to discover the link that binds them across time to this place.
THE CHINA GARDEN is part mystery, part fantasy, part historical fiction and it kept reminding me on a regular basis of a short Mary Stewart novel. Particularly Touch Not the Cat. The rambly old English estate, the family inextricably tied to the land, the ESP. Add some exploration of ancient pagan rites meets early Christianity and you have THE CHINA GARDEN. I liked that Clare was a little bit older at seventeen and thinking about college and somewhat more mature issues. I liked her offbeat and leisurely developing relationship with dark Mark. I enjoyed her complicated relationship with her mother. I felt like the story never pandered to me and that I never quite knew for sure how it was going to unravel. In fact, it ended up quite more intricate and grand than I was expecting. But Clare and her intent nature grounded it all for me nicely. This one does not move along at a fast clip, but unfolds slowly and on its own time table. But the descriptions of the crumbling old manor and the small village surrounding it are lovely and I, for one, didn't at all mind sliding in alongside the characters and taking it as it came. For fans of Margaret Mahy, Libba Bray, and Mary Stewart.
Clare Meredith is in a bit of a holding pattern as she prepares to go off to university. Finished with her classes, awaiting exam results, she finds herself a little disconcerted to be suddenly uprooted by her mother and unceremoniously moved from London to the remote estate of Ravensmere. Her mother has taken a position as private nurse to the owner of Ravensmere--a Mr. Aylward. Making the best of her new surroundings, Clare strikes out and familiarizes herself with the people and places of nearby Stoke Raven village. It is there she meets Mark, a somewhat rakish young biker boy fetchingly clad in leather, and the two of them strike up a friendship of sorts. At the same time, her new life begins to take on an eerie tone as it appears everyone in Stoke Raven feels like they know her already. One too many people comment on being happy to have her "back" and from there the situation only gets odder as Clare's mother reveals a few pertinent details about her past and her connection with Ravensmere itself. Then Clare discovers the China Garden and she, her mother, Mark, and Mr. Ayward find themselves thrust into a headlong rush to discover the link that binds them across time to this place.
THE CHINA GARDEN is part mystery, part fantasy, part historical fiction and it kept reminding me on a regular basis of a short Mary Stewart novel. Particularly Touch Not the Cat. The rambly old English estate, the family inextricably tied to the land, the ESP. Add some exploration of ancient pagan rites meets early Christianity and you have THE CHINA GARDEN. I liked that Clare was a little bit older at seventeen and thinking about college and somewhat more mature issues. I liked her offbeat and leisurely developing relationship with dark Mark. I enjoyed her complicated relationship with her mother. I felt like the story never pandered to me and that I never quite knew for sure how it was going to unravel. In fact, it ended up quite more intricate and grand than I was expecting. But Clare and her intent nature grounded it all for me nicely. This one does not move along at a fast clip, but unfolds slowly and on its own time table. But the descriptions of the crumbling old manor and the small village surrounding it are lovely and I, for one, didn't at all mind sliding in alongside the characters and taking it as it came. For fans of Margaret Mahy, Libba Bray, and Mary Stewart.
November 15, 2016
This book is written quite well but I don't like stories where the female lead falls in love with a guy who kidnaps, robs, and sexually harasses her, oddly enough. He is unapologetic about it too, and two pages later she's holding hands and hanging out with him, as if the previous chapter didn't happen. It's the bad boy trope taken to an unhealthy degree. Would not recommend.
December 15, 2007
I need to stop reading worthless books. I wasted a whole day with Liz Berry’s The China Garden and will make this review short because I don’t want to waste your time.
Berry has an interesting premise. Clare moves with her mother to an old English estate and discovers both the people and the land have secrets.
However, the book can’t decide what it wants to be: a mystery, a romance, a treastise on ecological responsibility, or a guide to paganism. One moment Clare wants to save the planet; the next she’s frolicking in the grass with her boyfriend Mark. I was surprised by several rather graphic sex scenes in an otherwise tame young adult novel.
I found this book because it was on Amazon’s bestsellers list, so someone is reading it. I just wish I’d spent my time on something a little more worthwhile.
Berry has an interesting premise. Clare moves with her mother to an old English estate and discovers both the people and the land have secrets.
However, the book can’t decide what it wants to be: a mystery, a romance, a treastise on ecological responsibility, or a guide to paganism. One moment Clare wants to save the planet; the next she’s frolicking in the grass with her boyfriend Mark. I was surprised by several rather graphic sex scenes in an otherwise tame young adult novel.
I found this book because it was on Amazon’s bestsellers list, so someone is reading it. I just wish I’d spent my time on something a little more worthwhile.
September 19, 2009
I was both disappointed and grossed out by this book. How is that possible? Well, here it is. The writing was pretty good for the most part with great descriptions when the book needed it and the premise/some of the plot ideas were fun and cool to dig through BUT you know that premise up there? Yeah, the one that mention a hot biker dude named Mark? It took over 132 pages to introduce him. The amount it took to introduce one of the major players in the novel in a 254 paged book was far too long.
You have this interesting beginning with the whole set-up of this beautiful place hiding a lot of mysteries and you’re just eager to dig in and get into the meat, right? I certainly was, but that’s where the structure of this novel let itself down. What could’ve been a great book was bogged down by a long meandering section which could have been shortened and made faster if Mark was introduced much earlier.
Now, that’s not the worst of it. Later on, there was a plot twist that had me yuck. I know it’s in my policy not to reveal major plot spoilers but ugh, there was a slight touch of incest added to “enhance” the story. I’ve read quite a few of Nabokov’s books so I’m not a stranger to this taboo topic but he treats it with the proper respect he should, and he’s a bloody damn amazing author who blows my brains out with his awe-inspiring way with prose, which wasn’t done for this book. The older characters in the book thought this was perfect fine and it was expected. Tradition or not, that’s just yech.
Anyway, I loved the whole searching for the treasure of Ravensmere, and the quest to find it. And the added plus of a curse if characters refused to protest it was a fun twist. But... meh. So in short, took too long to set up the romance and just no on the other thing.
You have this interesting beginning with the whole set-up of this beautiful place hiding a lot of mysteries and you’re just eager to dig in and get into the meat, right? I certainly was, but that’s where the structure of this novel let itself down. What could’ve been a great book was bogged down by a long meandering section which could have been shortened and made faster if Mark was introduced much earlier.
Now, that’s not the worst of it. Later on, there was a plot twist that had me yuck. I know it’s in my policy not to reveal major plot spoilers but ugh, there was a slight touch of incest added to “enhance” the story. I’ve read quite a few of Nabokov’s books so I’m not a stranger to this taboo topic but he treats it with the proper respect he should, and he’s a bloody damn amazing author who blows my brains out with his awe-inspiring way with prose, which wasn’t done for this book. The older characters in the book thought this was perfect fine and it was expected. Tradition or not, that’s just yech.
Anyway, I loved the whole searching for the treasure of Ravensmere, and the quest to find it. And the added plus of a curse if characters refused to protest it was a fun twist. But... meh. So in short, took too long to set up the romance and just no on the other thing.
September 19, 2012
I first read this book when I was about 16, and I still love it many years later. It's a great example of YA fiction, and it was before its time really as it would fit in perfectly with the current trend for supernatural romance. No monsters here, but definitely an element of the supernatural, and a great teen romance. There are so few good YA books written by British authors and based in Britain, I think The China Garden should be re-marketed and re-released so that the current generation can enjoy it as much as I did. This book inspired me to be an author!
August 13, 2007
please please don't reach the age of 19 without reading this coming of age book about summer love, ancient power, pagan culture and mythology.
mind blowing!
mind blowing!
Want to read
December 14, 2020Sierra Simone sent me here
December 14, 2015
SLIGHT SPOILERS
I'm honestly surprised at how high the average rating is for this book.
Within the first few pages I could tell Liz Berry's writing style wasn't for me, but that didn't bother me too much. I understand that everybody likes different writing styles.
However, as I pressed on I discovered that there wasn't a whole lot I did enjoy about this book. One of the major characters is introduced about halfway through the book, which is far too long, in my opinion, considering the short length of the book.
His introduction scene is also slightly horrifying. His bikie gang and himself surround Clare, refuse to let her leave, throw intimidating verbal abuse at her, steal her things, and proceed to kidnap her. What's worse is when she finally escapes back to her mother, her mother's response is that SHE SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THE STRANGE MAN AND LET HIM BRING HER HOME. A very unlikely reaction from a mother. Especially one who is so very intent on keeping secrets from her daughter for her protection.
Which brings me to the next major issue I have. Clare's mother makes it clear that she does not want her Daughter at Ravensmere. Yet she never enforces her authority and actually stops her from going.
But even when Clare arrives her mother refuses to explain anything to her. Somehow she assumes that Clare will talk to no one and find out nothing. But of course the reader needs information. Why not strategically place informative locals to spill just the right amount of plotline and then barely come up again in the rest of the book?
Another infuriating feature is how early the main gist of the story line becomes clear to the reader, and how long it takes Clare to stop saying "No, it's not true, won't happen to me, just superstition".
I can't forget to mention the inconsistency of Mark's character (one minute he's an intimidating, flirtatious, kidnapper, next minute he's a caring, loving man talking about environmental issues?)
I don't recommend this book.
I'm honestly surprised at how high the average rating is for this book.
Within the first few pages I could tell Liz Berry's writing style wasn't for me, but that didn't bother me too much. I understand that everybody likes different writing styles.
However, as I pressed on I discovered that there wasn't a whole lot I did enjoy about this book. One of the major characters is introduced about halfway through the book, which is far too long, in my opinion, considering the short length of the book.
His introduction scene is also slightly horrifying. His bikie gang and himself surround Clare, refuse to let her leave, throw intimidating verbal abuse at her, steal her things, and proceed to kidnap her. What's worse is when she finally escapes back to her mother, her mother's response is that SHE SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THE STRANGE MAN AND LET HIM BRING HER HOME. A very unlikely reaction from a mother. Especially one who is so very intent on keeping secrets from her daughter for her protection.
Which brings me to the next major issue I have. Clare's mother makes it clear that she does not want her Daughter at Ravensmere. Yet she never enforces her authority and actually stops her from going.
But even when Clare arrives her mother refuses to explain anything to her. Somehow she assumes that Clare will talk to no one and find out nothing. But of course the reader needs information. Why not strategically place informative locals to spill just the right amount of plotline and then barely come up again in the rest of the book?
Another infuriating feature is how early the main gist of the story line becomes clear to the reader, and how long it takes Clare to stop saying "No, it's not true, won't happen to me, just superstition".
I can't forget to mention the inconsistency of Mark's character (one minute he's an intimidating, flirtatious, kidnapper, next minute he's a caring, loving man talking about environmental issues?)
I don't recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2011
I love this book! I've read it twice...and then I lost it. My plans of buying another copy have been hindered by my habit of buying books I haven't read yet.
Update: They are now also hindered by the book being out of print.
Update: They are now also hindered by the book being out of print.
November 25, 2015
I don't know why this isn't on kindle. Let me get my one and only frustration out of the way.
Now onto what matters: the exquisite awesomeness of this book. The Secret Garden, Rebel Without a Cause, Greek Mythology and Fairy Tale all rolled into one.
While I'm biased for sentimental reasons, these reasons are grounded originally on why i loved this book in the first place when I read it as a teenager. I was in a strange phase of would-be discovery, adventurousness in a boxed up, overly sheltered world and needed an escape, needed something magical, something beautiful, something with deep emotion and mystery and drama and whatever it would take to really and truly make me fall in love with reading JUST right before I discovered Harry Potter.
This was that book.
From the first page extract-teaser, I could almost feel what was about to happen when I began reading. I could feel the worlds, the almost shimmering words, lush history, alluring mystery, and resonating approach of a truly exemplary love story as all-consuming as it was dangerous. Like an old jewelry box inlaid with crafted compartments and hidden folds, this story unfolds layer after hidden layer.
It sort of begins with a seemingly practical girl, Clare, whose smart and dedicatedly hardworking, but a little aimless, a little lost and uncertain as to why, since it would SEEM she's getting everything she ever wanted--top marks in her exams so there was hope for placement in her choice Universities and a boyfriend who's everything a girl could want on paper. But always something feels wrong, an instinct telling her to brace herself, something was coming, an instinct that Clare can't explain but doesn't find too strange since a small predilection for telepathy has always been present between herself and her mother, something she stopped thinking much about and expected nothing to ever come of the secret oddity they shared. And then her mom drops the bomb.
"I have to go back. I owe."
To Ravensmere.
The second Clare hear's this enigmatic declaration that her mother had taken a job as a personal caretaker in a small town out of London that has ties to her family's history--a family that supposedly wanted nothing to do with her or her mother--it becomes an indescribable urging need to go with her. No matter her mothers downright alarming warnings to stay away, to not come with her, such was the unyielding strength of her decision.
I won't go into further detail of the story, since I want to leave the mystery of this mystery a mystery still. But imagine a town with ancient secrets, where magic and therefore curses still exist, family legends, lies, revelations, cover ups, tragedy's, and a destiny waiting to either welcome her or possibly destroy her. First it takes having faith in something bigger than herself, something impossible, be it the truth, the man in leathers waiting for her, or something else and refuse it.
Seriously, WHY ISN'T THIS ON KINDLE??????
Now onto what matters: the exquisite awesomeness of this book. The Secret Garden, Rebel Without a Cause, Greek Mythology and Fairy Tale all rolled into one.
While I'm biased for sentimental reasons, these reasons are grounded originally on why i loved this book in the first place when I read it as a teenager. I was in a strange phase of would-be discovery, adventurousness in a boxed up, overly sheltered world and needed an escape, needed something magical, something beautiful, something with deep emotion and mystery and drama and whatever it would take to really and truly make me fall in love with reading JUST right before I discovered Harry Potter.
This was that book.
From the first page extract-teaser, I could almost feel what was about to happen when I began reading. I could feel the worlds, the almost shimmering words, lush history, alluring mystery, and resonating approach of a truly exemplary love story as all-consuming as it was dangerous. Like an old jewelry box inlaid with crafted compartments and hidden folds, this story unfolds layer after hidden layer.
It sort of begins with a seemingly practical girl, Clare, whose smart and dedicatedly hardworking, but a little aimless, a little lost and uncertain as to why, since it would SEEM she's getting everything she ever wanted--top marks in her exams so there was hope for placement in her choice Universities and a boyfriend who's everything a girl could want on paper. But always something feels wrong, an instinct telling her to brace herself, something was coming, an instinct that Clare can't explain but doesn't find too strange since a small predilection for telepathy has always been present between herself and her mother, something she stopped thinking much about and expected nothing to ever come of the secret oddity they shared. And then her mom drops the bomb.
"I have to go back. I owe."
To Ravensmere.
The second Clare hear's this enigmatic declaration that her mother had taken a job as a personal caretaker in a small town out of London that has ties to her family's history--a family that supposedly wanted nothing to do with her or her mother--it becomes an indescribable urging need to go with her. No matter her mothers downright alarming warnings to stay away, to not come with her, such was the unyielding strength of her decision.
I won't go into further detail of the story, since I want to leave the mystery of this mystery a mystery still. But imagine a town with ancient secrets, where magic and therefore curses still exist, family legends, lies, revelations, cover ups, tragedy's, and a destiny waiting to either welcome her or possibly destroy her. First it takes having faith in something bigger than herself, something impossible, be it the truth, the man in leathers waiting for her, or something else and refuse it.
Seriously, WHY ISN'T THIS ON KINDLE??????
March 30, 2012
The China Garden
by Liz Berry
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Fantasy / Young Adult
'Remember, I tried to stop you. Don't blame me. Remember I tried to warn you.'
Clare is chilled by her mother's warnings to stay away from Ravensmere, the large country house where her mother has taken a private nursing job. But Clare knows she has to go there - it is not a choice but a compulsion. And she only intends to stay a few weeks, anyway, just until she goes to university in the autumn. Ravensmere is a strange, enchanting place, but she grows increasingly disturbed. How come the local villagers appear to know her? Why is she having these odd visions? And who is the attractive, leather-clad stranger who is watching her? What is the power of the Benison and why must she visit the China Garden in the middle of the night? Ravensmere casts a magical spell over Clare, drawing her into a mystery that stretches back over thousands of years. She knows that Ravensmere and the valley are in danger and that time is running out - but will she risk her future to save it? The China Garden is a haunting novel of an ancient legend, family secrets and young love. A heady mixture of romance and mystery.
Basic Summary = Clare, moves out to the country to Ravensmere and leaves London and Adrian, her controlling boyfriend behind. There, she meets Mark, and falls in love with him and begins to discover the secrets behind the saying . . .
Guard Ravensmere well
Its stones and hollows,
Health and prosperity
Always doth follow.
Let Ravensmere die,
Let the land be torn open,
The end of the world
Is surely betokened.
It's a remarkably likable plot full of myth, history, mystery and a little romance. Wasn't too thrilled with the ending since it got a little too Sci-Fi'ish for my taste. The beginning was brilliant though. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of the hidden English estate, an ancient family secret, and the cryptic way the superstitious villagers just "knew" Clare was coming to Ravensmere. I found the whole unraveling of the mother's dark past fascinating as well. Yet, I sadly found myself skipping whole pages to jump ahead in the story. It didn't capture my attention and basically the book had too many sections that just . . . dragged along and then at the end, the story picks up WAY too quickly.
Likes: The mythical vibe the countryside created.
Dislikes: The love story seemed a bit too far fetched/shallow and the fact that Clare and Mark are really cousins . . . um, ew! Too taboo to overlook that one!
by Liz Berry
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Fantasy / Young Adult
'Remember, I tried to stop you. Don't blame me. Remember I tried to warn you.'
Clare is chilled by her mother's warnings to stay away from Ravensmere, the large country house where her mother has taken a private nursing job. But Clare knows she has to go there - it is not a choice but a compulsion. And she only intends to stay a few weeks, anyway, just until she goes to university in the autumn. Ravensmere is a strange, enchanting place, but she grows increasingly disturbed. How come the local villagers appear to know her? Why is she having these odd visions? And who is the attractive, leather-clad stranger who is watching her? What is the power of the Benison and why must she visit the China Garden in the middle of the night? Ravensmere casts a magical spell over Clare, drawing her into a mystery that stretches back over thousands of years. She knows that Ravensmere and the valley are in danger and that time is running out - but will she risk her future to save it? The China Garden is a haunting novel of an ancient legend, family secrets and young love. A heady mixture of romance and mystery.
Basic Summary = Clare, moves out to the country to Ravensmere and leaves London and Adrian, her controlling boyfriend behind. There, she meets Mark, and falls in love with him and begins to discover the secrets behind the saying . . .
Guard Ravensmere well
Its stones and hollows,
Health and prosperity
Always doth follow.
Let Ravensmere die,
Let the land be torn open,
The end of the world
Is surely betokened.
It's a remarkably likable plot full of myth, history, mystery and a little romance. Wasn't too thrilled with the ending since it got a little too Sci-Fi'ish for my taste. The beginning was brilliant though. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of the hidden English estate, an ancient family secret, and the cryptic way the superstitious villagers just "knew" Clare was coming to Ravensmere. I found the whole unraveling of the mother's dark past fascinating as well. Yet, I sadly found myself skipping whole pages to jump ahead in the story. It didn't capture my attention and basically the book had too many sections that just . . . dragged along and then at the end, the story picks up WAY too quickly.
Likes: The mythical vibe the countryside created.
Dislikes: The love story seemed a bit too far fetched/shallow and the fact that Clare and Mark are really cousins . . . um, ew! Too taboo to overlook that one!
January 3, 2025
* I work hard on these pieces and do not want empty like button clicks. Comments from friends and readers are my reward. *
When we were little, specific stories awestruck us: adventures in mysticism and ‘non crime mysteries’ for me, set in the present day. We have been seeking similar invigoration ever since. Stories that delight us have some of our most ecstatic qualities, or if we are lucky: all of them. “The China Garden” by an amazing Englishwoman, Liz Berry, is the new grail fulfilling my constant goal!
What the heroine, Clare, learns is more profound and intricate than a ‘mystical mystery’ sounds. Thank God, Liz did not waste it in on a ‘historic’ fabrication. I savoured this present day, 1996 adventure! Gradually increasing layers of action are so ingeniously thought out, it would make a compelling film!
I waited four months to express my feelings right: telling the public this is no ordinary novel but not revealing any of it. Proclaiming it is one of my favourite stories of all time, is a start!
A few imperfections do not downgrade this spectacular feat of originality. Readers wince at town resident, Mark, startling Clare when they met. I am no fan of love arising from dislike. With a Mom who preserved every inch of our history, I regard anyone hiding family details with disbelief. Forewarned is forearmed. This was a legacy town that needed a lift soon. Taking exactly the right steps was dangerous and tricky for the unprepared but rewarding, after an intuitive and loyal person knew what they were doing.
With a guardian dying and clues scattered around which only a perceptive, persistent person would piece together; it was breathtaking just to see characters succeed at this introductory part! A seeming family drama, increases in complexity and scope. The action changes and rises colourfully. Quests involving the mind, reminded me of Margaret Mahy’s “The Changeover”. The revelations were spectacularly sublime!
When we were little, specific stories awestruck us: adventures in mysticism and ‘non crime mysteries’ for me, set in the present day. We have been seeking similar invigoration ever since. Stories that delight us have some of our most ecstatic qualities, or if we are lucky: all of them. “The China Garden” by an amazing Englishwoman, Liz Berry, is the new grail fulfilling my constant goal!
What the heroine, Clare, learns is more profound and intricate than a ‘mystical mystery’ sounds. Thank God, Liz did not waste it in on a ‘historic’ fabrication. I savoured this present day, 1996 adventure! Gradually increasing layers of action are so ingeniously thought out, it would make a compelling film!
I waited four months to express my feelings right: telling the public this is no ordinary novel but not revealing any of it. Proclaiming it is one of my favourite stories of all time, is a start!
A few imperfections do not downgrade this spectacular feat of originality. Readers wince at town resident, Mark, startling Clare when they met. I am no fan of love arising from dislike. With a Mom who preserved every inch of our history, I regard anyone hiding family details with disbelief. Forewarned is forearmed. This was a legacy town that needed a lift soon. Taking exactly the right steps was dangerous and tricky for the unprepared but rewarding, after an intuitive and loyal person knew what they were doing.
With a guardian dying and clues scattered around which only a perceptive, persistent person would piece together; it was breathtaking just to see characters succeed at this introductory part! A seeming family drama, increases in complexity and scope. The action changes and rises colourfully. Quests involving the mind, reminded me of Margaret Mahy’s “The Changeover”. The revelations were spectacularly sublime!
November 3, 2009
This was my absolute favorite book when I was in middle school through high school. I thought I would go back and re-read it since it had been quite a while. I admit that it definitely fits into the teenage angsty mystery/fantasy genre nonetheless it's still a fun read. I can't claim it as my all time favorite anymore but it is still up there on my favorite books list.
Clare Meredith spends the summer with her mother at Ravenswood in the countryside of England. As she spends her time there she finds out more and more about the guardians and the mystery of the China garden that keeps a secret only she is meant to figure out. Romance is not forgotten and there just so happens to be a connection to a very handsome biker named Mark mixed into the story.
Clare Meredith spends the summer with her mother at Ravenswood in the countryside of England. As she spends her time there she finds out more and more about the guardians and the mystery of the China garden that keeps a secret only she is meant to figure out. Romance is not forgotten and there just so happens to be a connection to a very handsome biker named Mark mixed into the story.
December 17, 2012
This book is a modern-day reinvented holy grail fiction work in many ways, as our protagonist Clare learns of her history, fate, and duty. While not the most scholarly work nor the most thought-provoking, Liz Berry's use of language and characterization made this book leap off page when I was a young teen. I have reread this novel many times and love it just the same each time; the message seems to even get fresher with the passage of time. I will always adore this book. You will love this if you love the idea of soulmates, mysterious legend, or English countryside.
February 4, 2012
When Clare and her mother move from London to a historic English Estate Ravensmere, she can,t shake the feeling the residents already know her, especially Mark. Clare feels compelled to take midnight walks in the China Garden. Then her mother reveals that their past is tragically linked to the estate. Beautiful story about care takers of a well kept secret between familys that has been kept for centuries. T he eldest son marries the eldest daughter and together they guard the secret from outsiders and keep the village safe. Beautifully written, The story draws you in and keeps you enthralled till the very end.
January 15, 2009
Light summer "teen fiction" reading. I was a little disappointed that the "maddeningly attractive biker" who was raved about on the back cover didn't appear till at least half way through and it was pretty easy to predict the plot after about 30 pages. Still, though, it was kind of decent, with lots of those endearingly silly psychic and ancient female ritualistic themes.
June 22, 2008
Ah, YA. Subtlety is not your strong point. You make points using train wrecks, and not being satisfied with beating the dead horse, you mangle and dessicate the body. Let me not even get started on certain YA tropes that makes me want to throttle things, because parents aren't *THAT* oblivious. I'm going to have to have a moratorium on reading the genre for a bit; I've reached my limit.
March 27, 2007
amazingly well-written, and a great story. It can be a little bit confusing sometimes, though, with a complex family history. all in all, an excellent read.
August 21, 2023
This was not as good as Liz Berry's Easy Connection and Easy Freedom duology. Without going into too much detail the romance was barely there and not super developed between Clare and Mark. Too much time was spent talking about British history and lore, much of which I think you need to live in the UK to be able to understand and appreciate. The ending was super confusing and kind of creepy as well. I'm still confused on the purpose of the male Guardian role, and why female Guardians were only needed for thousands of years before the Normans invaded England. However, I think the main issue it that it took awhile for the plot to get anywhere, and then when it did it felt really rushed and the ending left me with more questions than answers. I can appreciate that Liz wanted to do something different with this story, but it just didn't work for me.
February 3, 2016
Let Ravensmere die,
Let the land be torn open,
The end of the world
Is surely betokened.
Clare’s mother wanted Clare anywhere this summer except where she herself had to go, home to Ravensmere. Not knowing anything about her mothers past she goes with her mother to this mysterious town that tries to keep out visitors. When Clare meets the residents of the town they seem to already know her including an extremely hot biker named Mark. Oddly she is compelled to take midnight walks in a Garden that has been walled off until she got there. Ravensmere has many mysteries and soon Clare will realize that she is at the heart of them all.
This is an ultimate love story set in England with mystery, magic, and much more to entice the reader to never put it down. The main twist of the story made me shudder a bit (trust me you will understand if you read it) but the story is a good one if you can get over that one shudder inducing part.
Let the land be torn open,
The end of the world
Is surely betokened.
Clare’s mother wanted Clare anywhere this summer except where she herself had to go, home to Ravensmere. Not knowing anything about her mothers past she goes with her mother to this mysterious town that tries to keep out visitors. When Clare meets the residents of the town they seem to already know her including an extremely hot biker named Mark. Oddly she is compelled to take midnight walks in a Garden that has been walled off until she got there. Ravensmere has many mysteries and soon Clare will realize that she is at the heart of them all.
This is an ultimate love story set in England with mystery, magic, and much more to entice the reader to never put it down. The main twist of the story made me shudder a bit (trust me you will understand if you read it) but the story is a good one if you can get over that one shudder inducing part.
July 24, 2011
Clare is about to embark on her university studies, prodded into business by her boyfriend rather than into medicine or history which are her greater interests. She is surprised by her mother's plan to return to her home village to be a private nurse. While her mother does not want her to go, Clare convinces her to let her come as well. When she arrives she is astonished that everyone knows not only her mother, but also knows about her and are jubilant in her return. There is mention of mysterious Guardians and Clare discovers a locked China Garden on the estate which draws her in. The estate manager wants her gone so he can implement his vision for the estate as a nuclear dump site and there is a handsome motorcyclist that gives her the shivers. Will Clare be able to solve the mysteries of Ravensmere in time? I found this to be a delightful English romance/mystery/mystic tale and it kept my interest throughout the story.
June 14, 2015
Edit: I have now read the book a third time through and I still love it so much! It is still a favorite of mine, and wouldn't be surprised if I re-read it again. (Read in 2006/7, 2012, 2015).
I read this book for the first time about 6 years ago. I remembered I fell in love with it. I often listed it as a favorite novel. However, I realized I didn't remember the story anymore. Luckily my school library had a copy (I borrowed it there the first time I read it as well). Now, after having, literally, devoured the novel, I remember why I loved it so much (and still do). It's full of mystery, history, beauty, romance, suspense, self-discovery and many intertwining storylines, including the important notion of forgiveness.
I am really upset that this novel is out of print. It's a powerful novel with strong messages that I believe resonate with people of all ages.
I read this book for the first time about 6 years ago. I remembered I fell in love with it. I often listed it as a favorite novel. However, I realized I didn't remember the story anymore. Luckily my school library had a copy (I borrowed it there the first time I read it as well). Now, after having, literally, devoured the novel, I remember why I loved it so much (and still do). It's full of mystery, history, beauty, romance, suspense, self-discovery and many intertwining storylines, including the important notion of forgiveness.
I am really upset that this novel is out of print. It's a powerful novel with strong messages that I believe resonate with people of all ages.
September 28, 2012
I read this a few years ago and recently reread it. I enjoyed it then; I enjoyed it now. It's a good, quick novel set in present day England. The book has a lot of good mythology in it (which I loved). One thing I didn't like about the book is that after about the middle of the story (when the two main characters have sex), the story seems to change. The tension in their relationship, that was building up in the first half of the book, (obviously) drops off. The characters then think: "Oh, right. We have to find this Benison thing...soon...or else." Still it's a great story, but the focus drastically changes in the end--especially in the last third of the book. Overall, it's a good story and entertaining. Definitely worth a read :)
Grades 9+
Grades 9+
October 31, 2014
I am not sure how many times I have read this book, but I can tell you that it is too many to count. A coming-of-age novel with some Greek mythology woven in, The China Garden combines romance and the challenges a young woman faces as she transitions from being a teenager to an adult, all while maintaining the "fantasy-fiction genre plot" (if that makes sense). I love how Liz Berry develops her characters and their individual stories; it adds depth to the story and connects the reader with the characters and the town of Ravensmere. I loved watching Clare grow into the person she was always meant to be and realize that sometimes our fates are larger than we are.
Love, fantasy, and life lessons abound in The China Garden.
I would, and will, read it again!
Love, fantasy, and life lessons abound in The China Garden.
I would, and will, read it again!
August 2, 2021
This was one of my favorite books in high school and it seems long overdue for a re-read. Plus, I recently found a used hardback copy online to replace my original paperback that has definitely seen better days. I loved the setting of this story, the mystery, and the characters. Plus I recall a mysterious cat companion. Yep, need to reasons this again asap.
Update 8/1/2021: I finally picked up hardcover copy I bought in 2014 maybe? Wasn't sure how I would feel about it after all this time, but it was so much fun revisiting an old favorite. Still enjoyed it quite a bit and so glad I spent the afternoon reading this.
Update 8/1/2021: I finally picked up hardcover copy I bought in 2014 maybe? Wasn't sure how I would feel about it after all this time, but it was so much fun revisiting an old favorite. Still enjoyed it quite a bit and so glad I spent the afternoon reading this.
March 22, 2018
This has been a favorite of mine for years. Probably since I first discovered it while in college. I love mythology and this book is rich in it. I also love the way that there is a slight mystery (Clare and Mark's discovery of what exactly Ravensmere is guarding), rich characters, tragedy, and romance all tied together. Both Mark and Clare have to come to the realization that they must accept their destinies or die.
I read this for fun and for the cover Green in Book cover Bingo.
Update 3/22/18. I still love this book. Every time I read it, I seem to enjoy it more and more. It's still a five star rating for me.
I read this for fun and for the cover Green in Book cover Bingo.
Update 3/22/18. I still love this book. Every time I read it, I seem to enjoy it more and more. It's still a five star rating for me.
March 8, 2010
A student referred me to this book and I read it to see what students like. It is a romantic/mystery set in the English countryside. Clare and her mother move to Ravensmere and there they discover that Mr. Aylward is dying and the Guardianship will go to Clare and the romantic, mysterious Mark. Together, they must find the Benison and promise to protect it with their lives. They fall madly in love, try to fight to keep the land free of nuclear waste, and find the secrets of the ancient pull this land has for them.
November 7, 2010
I described this to a friend as being the perfect YA romantic angsty fantasy novel to give to a pagan/gothy/freaky teen ager. As a non-pagan freaky adult, I loved it. The plot was interesting and kept my attention, the romantic subplots were also great in an angsty star crossed lovers kind of way. I liked how Berry handles a topic which would become very silly: a secret group of magic workers who keep a region well off and environmentally OK. I really enjoyed this book and have recommended it to others who have also had fun with it.
January 29, 2015
Clare Meredith is a student on the verge of self discovery. With college ahead of her she is ready to take on the world. One tiny problem, Clare moves away to her mothers birth place with her. And mysteries unfold. All the towns people seem to know something that they wont tell her. She steps into a church and the vicar says that all the preparations have been for her and her mother. When Clare meets Mr. Aylward some of the peices begin to fall in place. Then she meets Mark and everything becomes complicated. Find out how when you pick up this book.
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