GARDEN SPELLS

Author: Sarah Addison Allen ISBN: 0553805487 9/2007 FICTION Publisher: BANTAM

The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures. A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before. When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Sarah Addison Allen's debut novel, GARDEN SPELLS, is a delightfully bewitching tale of two sisters who are reunited after years of separation. They each have difficulty dealing with issues of abandonment, coming from their mother leaving them as children and never returning. On top of that, they must accept the way the people of the town sees them. They are the "Waverlys", a family known for their magical and seemingly eccentric ways. Ridiculed, envied, and feared by some, they have difficulty finding acceptance. Now, Sydney has returned after years of running away from the stigma of her family. She has come home hoping to protect her daughter from the darkness that pursues them.

This emotionally stirring tale had me laughing one minute and crying the next. It is a story that definitely touches the heart in a magical way. The sisters' many difficult issues take time to be resolved. The fear of abandonment and heartbreak affects so many things in their lives. I quickly became attached to these wonderfully believable characters as they tried to work through their pain. Through laughter and magic they begin to heal and find acceptance, allowing them to open themselves to romance and the chance of finding that special someone to love. I truly enjoyed the humorous way in which Claire tries to avoid becoming emotionally attached to the man that is determined to win her heart.

Unfortunately, just when the sisters begin to settle into their lives, Sydney's past catches up with her. The danger of the situation brings an exciting edge to the story. The action is thrilling and I found myself holding my breath awaiting the outcome. I feared for the sisters and what would become of them if the worst happened. All the progress they had made in their lives, could quickly come to an end.

Sarah Addison Allen has created an atmosphere of the small town that brought her book, GARDEN SPELLS, to life. I felt her North Carolina influence strongly and could easily imagine what it was like for the characters. I loved and was captivated by the many colorful characters scattered throughout this highly imaginative tale. I found myself disappointed that the story came to an end because of the joy I found while reading it. I truly look forward to future books by this author in which she mixes love and magic.

Anita Hartsell