Garden Spells (Waverley Family, #1) in 2017 Reading Challenge

Jan 27, 2017 Madison rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites

Before picking up Garden Spells, I was worried that it I wouldn't like it much - that it would be too similar to the movie Practical Magic and dull in comparison. Now I realize how ridiculous my concern was because they are really nothing alike.

Okay, maybe that's a tiny lie... but really, even though the plots are somewhat similar, the tone and atmosphere and feeling from the two are completely different. Whereas Practical Magic (again, I'm talking about the movie as I haven't read the book), w Before picking up Garden Spells, I was worried that it I wouldn't like it much - that it would be too similar to the movie Practical Magic and dull in comparison. Now I realize how ridiculous my concern was because they are really nothing alike.

Okay, maybe that's a tiny lie... but really, even though the plots are somewhat similar, the tone and atmosphere and feeling from the two are completely different. Whereas Practical Magic (again, I'm talking about the movie as I haven't read the book), was dark and more obviously about witches, Garden Spells was much lighter in tone and a little more ambigous about what the Waverley women really were.

I'm kind of having a hard time thinking of how to describe this book, which tells you exactly how much I loved it. I think it's become one of my official favorites, which was entirely unexpected. Sarah Addison Allen is an author who has created such a rich story, full of complex characters (whether they be primary, secondary or minor) and has somehow turned such a simple story of the wayward daughter returning home into something that is not at all cliche or boring.

Often I finish a book and have one character that far and away is my favorite. With Garden Spells, though, I simply can't choose. I loved Claire for how much she transformed in this story, and Sydney for how she finally realized where she really belonged. But then there's also Evanelle with her old lady humor and super awesome gift... and Bay with her wisdom that far surpasses her years, and desire for everyone to be happy. Then we have Tyler who... gosh, was just everything Claire needed and more, and the same holds true for Henry who finally figured out where he was running to. I even grew to like Emma, which I certainly wouldn't have thought was possible after her introduction. So you see where my dilemma is. Maybe I'll just pick the only non-human character in the book. Yes, I'll just say the apple tree was my favorite. And everyone who has read this book knows exactly what I'm talking about.

Someone in another review referred to this as a cross between the movie versions of Sleeping with the Enemy and Practical Magic which I feel is a very accurate comparison. I had the same thought while reading and was actually looking through reviews to see if anyone else had felt the same.

So... if you like books with themes if magical realism (that truly seem like they could be real), well drawn characters that you can't help but root for and fall in love with, and a vibrant setting that makes you wish was a real place, then go pick this up pronto. ...more

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Mar 15, 2015 Catharine rated it liked it

pretty much the same story as practical magic, but a cute read.

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Mar 05, 2014 Jai Rahim rated it liked it

enjoyed.

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Oct 09, 2014 Natalie [genreneutralreader] rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-books

Great light listen after heavy books prior. I am not a huge fan of chick lit, but turn to it for a break from the heavier themes I usually read and listen to. The narrator was excellent. As a Southern girl, I appreciate the mythical magic associated with the region. Probably would give this 3.5 stars.

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