Garden Spells (Waverley Family, #1) in Busy as a Bee Books

Dec 02, 2009 Amy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: _own-home-library, fiction, all-time-favorite, busy-as-a-bee-books-group, read-in-2010, rec-ig-blogs-friends-other, _own-ebook

I'm falling fast in love with Sarah Addison Allen's novels! I love the way she intertwines magic into the everyday in a way that is believable and interesting. I loved all of the characters in this novel - including the tree! I love the way the journey's of each of the sisters were brought together and weaved into a beautiful story about family, friendship, and growing up. I love how Allen took some pretty intense themes but made them feel important but not depressing. She really has a gift for ...more

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Oct 21, 2009 Lisa Hickman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: magical-realism, literary-fiction, library-books, busy-as-a-bee-books

This story cast a spell over me and was an enchanting way to pass an afternoon. From the moment I opened it's beautiful cover and read the first paragraph, I felt as if I had slipped into another world full of magic and possibilities. It appealed to the dreamer inside me. I look forward to reading more of Allen's stories. ...more

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Nov 17, 2014 Margie rated it really liked it

What a fun story! I loved it and the characters.

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Nov 07, 2009 Garlan ✌ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, little-gems, busy-as-a-bee-books

This is the second book by Allen that I've read. I found it a charming story that mixes magic and realism in a way that is "truly spellbinding, beautifully crafted and as bewitching as the title suggests". This book has Southern charm, a delicious love story, and a magical garden unlike any you’ll find in your own backyard.

The Waverley women each have their own special magic, and can influence the lives of others through their unique "gifts". Claire uses ingredients from her garden to concoct d ...more

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Oct 26, 2009 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bees, great-reads, vacation-reading-recommendations

This is one of the most pleasant reading experiences I have had lately. Sarah Addison Allen weaves such a beautiful story of two sisters who possess unique abilities passed down through the Waverley generations. The main character, Claire, has a gift that enables her to cook and bake using ingredients from her magical garden to make those eating her dishes feel or act a certain way. Her sister, Sydney, has another gift that she discovers about halfway through the book. We are also introduced to ...more

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