The Garden (Into Shadow, #1)

by Tomi Adeyemi

when you visit the Garden, there is a promise you must make. a sacred vow you have to take. a toll your soul must pay. when you visit the Garden, you must be prepared to shed all that you are for no false face can enter Sacred Space and return to the old world unscathed when you visit the Garden, you must forget everything you know for only when you have the truth will you see through their coup and realize every lie you hold when you visit the Garden, you must prepare to be changed for none can enter liminal space without being transformed by the original Face.

Angelo looked like he had been born to step into the unknown. Lęina had always been told she was born to stay at home.

“I think people can be cursed,” he finally answered. “I’ve met a few.” “What happened to them?” “Misfortune followed them like a cloud. Bit by bit, it took them down.” “So people can be cursed?” “I think people can be cursed.” “People—but not books?” “I think something has to be alive to be cursed.” “And you don’t feel something alive in books? Haven’t you ever felt the kiss of fabled winds brush across your face?” Lęina whispered. “Haven’t you ever found yourself floating in an infinite space? Haven’t you shed tears for characters you’ve never known? Felt emotions that can’t possibly be your own?” Angelo stared at Lęina as though transfixed. “You don’t know that feeling?” Lęina pushed. “Deep, deep in your heart?” “I think I do . . . ,” Angelo finally answered. “Then you think books can be alive.”

She felt her inner world had formed its own inner world and now she was too far down her own soul to hear.

“I think you are drawn to the familiar.” Angelo smiled. “As people, we all are. We go to what feels the same. Even if that feeling is pain.”

“Do you believe in magic?” Lęina asked. “Real magic?” “Yeah—like the sun and the moon and the stars.”