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Susie J. (Fort Wayne,, IN)
First Frost
In First Frost, Sarah Addison Allen takes us back to the setting of her first novel, Garden Spells, to Bascom, North Carolina, where once again we are under the charm of her protagonists in that novel, Claire and her younger sister, Sydney - the Waverly sisters. The novel's title, combined with a Halloween setting, lends itself perfectly to the magical realism Addison so cleverly weaves into the lives of both girls and their families. But this time, she broadens their circle and provides, through the introduction of a stranger, "an old man...something magnetic about him", a more complete picture of this quirky
…more family, both past and future. This is a happy homecoming to my first introduction to this writer and these people and setting - I felt as comfy and cozy in this book as I did in her first - in spite of its title! Read it in the middle of winter - it will warm you! (less)This was a fun return visit with the Waverleys. The precocious 5-year-old Bay from the original Garden Spells is a teenager, struggling with High School and first love. Claire is immersed and possibly drowning in a new business venture. Sydney is happily married, but not surprisingly, still trying to redeem her past. I enjoyed spending time with these characters again. It wasn't as magical for me as the first book. Probably because much of the story is concerned with Bay's teenaged angst. I did enjoy the way Allen brings the story full circle with the characters in the original book. If you liked the first one,
…more you should enjoy this one.
I had an advanced reader's copy. The book is set to be published in January 2015. (less)Sarah Addison Allen's book, Garden Spells, is one of my all-time favorite novels, so when I had an opportunity to win a free Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of First Frost from Bookbrowse in exchange for my honest review, I jumped at the chance. First Frost picks up the story of the Waverley women of Bascom, North Carolina, ten years after the end of Garden Spells. Bay is now fifteen, her mother is happily married to Henry, and her Aunt Claire is happily married to Tyler. The tension in First Frost, thankfully, isn't due to stress in the marriages--I absolutely hate when sequels ruin love stories just to provide
…more plot points. Rather, each of the Waverley women is struggling with a different issue in her personal life.
I loved being able to revisit the enchanting world of Bascom. The story is delightful--perfect for a cozy fall or winter evening. I didn't want to put it down.
What I did want, however, is for the mysterious stranger subplot to have been better developed. I felt like it started to go in an interesting, magical direction and then sort of fizzled out by the end. Otherwise, though, I loved spending time with these characters and this story.
For readers' advisors: character doorway is primary, language secondary. It's a lovely story about family supporting and nurturing each other. There is no sex (well, mention of it as Sydney focuses on conception but not any real sex scenes), violence, or swearing that I can recall. (less)This was the first book I read by this author and while I enjoyed it, I found myself thinking that the book had more potential to be really great. Too many storylines muddied what would have been a good read about two sisters and the different paths their lives folowed. Still a good read if one can get by the first few chapters.
Barb W. (Mechanicsburg, PA)
First Frost, a magical book
Despite having heard nothing but rave reviews for years, I'm relatively new to Sarah Addison Allen's books. If this book is any indication of the rest of her work, however, I can see what everyone has been raving about. Loved the story, the characters, the setting ... I stayed up way too late reading "just one more chapter" because I simply could not put the book down. If I could, I've give it 4-1/2 stars :)
Deborah D. (Old Forge, NY)
Delightful
Once again an enjoyable read with characters you would like to know. A good book to cozy up with a bit of a mystery, a bit of romance and a delightful dash of magic. The only fault being it ended much to soon.
Kim L. (Park Ridge, IL)
Magical
This book was magical. There was not one character that I did not like. I enjoyed the suspense of the story. I could not put the book down.
Susan G. (Charlotte, NC)
Return to Bascom
The beloved characters from Garden Spells return to entrance us again with their unusual gifts that they themselves barely understand. Addison makes magical realism accessible to readers who love warm and cozy stories. The writing was a bit stilted this time and occasionally repetitive, but still a delight.
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