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Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1)
Garden Spells - Waverley Family, Bk 1
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit... The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North C...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780553590326
ISBN-10: 0553590324
Publication Date: 4/29/2008
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 374

4.1 stars, based on 374 ratings
Publisher: Bantam Discovery
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Bonnie avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
Absolutely delightful book. A treasure of light fantasy, some romance without the usual romance plot. This book is a nice break from all the heavy, serious, thinking books many of us read. I recommend it for even the hardcore non-fiction readers.
ColdSnap avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I have to admit that I do agree with some of the other reviewers about the book echoing a little of Alice Hoffman's book Practical Magic as the premise is similar. I did, however, find the characters in this book to be very engaging and interesting. The sisters in this story played well with the secondary characters which did help give this book an individual feel. I particularly liked the way the author made the apple tree in the garden a character (in its own way) in the story.

The book is well thought out, but there is more internal conflict rather than external conflict in this book. If you are a reader who prefers their books with a lot of fast paced action than this book will probably read a little too slowly for you.

I personally loved this book. It was sweet, smart, and had some lovely lines in it that made me want to read more from this author. I can see how it could have been fleshed out a little more, but as this is a fresh author I think this will probably come with time.
farfella68 avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This is an absolutely wonderful book filled with intrigue and magic. It is about two sisters, Claire and Syndey who have not seen each other in ten years. Syndey and her daughter Bay suddenly show up at Claire's house one dy, needing a place to stay. Claire has an enchanted garden in her backyard complete with an apple tree that will tell you your future or the greatest moment in your life when you eat an apple. I don't want to mention anything else in the book because I am afraid that I will give the good parts away. It is an absolutely amazing book. For me it was a quick read (about 3 hours) but it was positively wonderful. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who has a childlike innocence about the world we live in.
Sue-in-AZ avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 108 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
What an enjoyable book! I loved the characters, loved the light touch with magic, and loved the story.
reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I loved this book. From the first page I connected with the characters and felt a part of the story. The characters in the book are believable and lovable, even the ones you don't want to like. And Evanelle is the Aunt I wish I had! I'd adopt her in a minute!
I think most of us can relate to not feeling like we fit in and as we grow up and mature learning how to become who we are and be happy with and embrace that person. I found the characters to be real people, with real thoughts and emotions, and liked how the relationships were not handled as though easily dismissed or uncomplicated.
Read All 85 Book Reviews of "Garden Spells Waverley Family Bk 1"

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reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Would definitely read more from this author - very enjoyable!!
reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on
An enjoyable read for an airplane trip. Was hoping for a sequel when I finished as I would like to see what fate brings the charaacters next.
naryne avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on
This book was a little difficult to "get into," but after a couple of chapters, the reader is taken to a neighborhood where sisters unite with the help of their exclusive gifts involving the garden. The book is a good, light read and I enjoyed it.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 1472 more book reviews
Charming little novel about family, starting over, trusting in love, and believing in magic, all tangled up around the most mischievous apple tree since Eden.
katchy avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
I love these fanciful tales that Sarah Addison Allen writes. A little dysfunction, a little love, a little magic spun together in a relaxing fun read. This is her first and it is good, her second is great!
reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on
I found this to be an entertaining book, but felt it didn't merit more than 3 stars. Much of the storyline was just too silly for me (an apple tree that hurls its apples, wraps its branches around picnic table legs, causes people to know the future, plants that cause you to have night vision, etc., etc.). I enjoy books that incorporate gardens in their stories, but this was just too over the top for me, though I did enjoy much of the story and wanted to see how it all panned out. Not one I'd readily recommend to others, though.
Jitterbug3 avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 198 more book reviews
Loved this story...I wish it hadn't sat on my bookshelf so long...if it is on yours, get it down now and read it! What a lovely, lyrical story. I was hooked from page one by the sisters' stories and read it every chance I had until I finished it...then I was sad there wasn't anymore. Will be looking for other books by this author. Excellent!
reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Loved the characters! Everyone needs an apple tree like this and an herb garden.
reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Great beach read... Couldn't put it down!
justreadingabook avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 1726 more book reviews
Wonderfully magical and makes you long for a small town of your own. A beautiful story about how life can change for the good and to be mindful of small gestures that can have a big impact. Loved it. The reader did a great job with the pace and voices.
lucky7 avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on
I'd describe it as a novel of magical fantasy set in contemporary realism.
Two sisters reconnect, one a gardening introvert whose "persuasive" ways with herbs and flowers made for fun reading, and the other, a rebellious teen now grown and with her own child, looking to escape an abusive relationship. Their relationship with each other develops and moves forward in this story of misunderstandings, forgiveness, love, and trust.
Two secondary characters I loved... an old aunt with the perpetual need to gift small, "seemingly useless" items to individuals and the old apple tree in the back of the garden....
A quick read that I highly recommend.
caterpuff avatar reviewed Garden Spells (Waverley Family, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
This book kind of reminded me of Practical Magic, two sisters in a big house, trying to avoid (or not) their family legacy. But it was so much more than that, obviously these women are more than just Waverlys, each one sort of has their own power. It really made me think about my own sister, and how rifts in family relationships can be fixed if you try.
If you come across this book, buy it. It's amazing.

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