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Chris G. (New Albany, OH)
Magical Read
Garden Spells was my first introduction to Sarah Addison Allen and she instantly pulled myself and my book club into her magical web with her story of the Waverley sisters and the small town of Bascom, North Carolina. We loved that novel and made it a point to read each of Allen's books since. As much as I have enjoyed each book, I always felt a need to know what became of Claire, Sydney and Bay Waverley. First Frost has provided me with that opportunity and it didn't disappoint!
When we return to Bascom we find the Waverley women living in their family home. Sydney's daughter, Bay, is a teenager and the two are
…more struggling to find footing in their relationship. Bay longs for someone she is not sure knows she exists and Sydney longs for another child to fulfill her new family.
Claire has started her own new ventures as both a mother and a business owner. But she has also begun to question her gifts. As all of this drama unfolds, a stranger arrives in Bascom. One who makes all of the Waverley women question everything they know and the bonds that they feel.
I truly love Addison's stories. The words somehow always feel lyrical and I can almost hear the "music" flow from the books as I read them. I also appreciate the relationships she creates between family members and friends. Always a well done story and a book I look forward to getting my hands on each time. (less)I really enjoyed this book. I love all of Sarah Addison Allen's books! I always hate for any of her books to end. I judge a book by its ability to shock me at the end. The imaginary friend was great. I want a Waverly house and apple tree of my own. I already have the eccentric relatives. Can't wait till next book. Thank you BookBrowse!
Marion C. (Litchfield, NH)
The Year Everything Changed
First Frost is a delightful story about the Waverley women in Bascom, North Carolina. They each have strange powers and the women in the community take wide berths around them so their strangeness does not rub off on them, unless they need something like a special mixture that stops a child's cough. Just before the first frost the Waverley women become restless, unsettled and hope they can last until that frost without making any mistakes. This year the Waverley women question their gifts. Are they really gifts or just stories told many times?
The Waverleys have a large family feast in the back yard the afternoon
…more after the first frost of the season when their apple tree bursts with apple blossoms and then apples that the tree throws at the men if they get too close to it. No one knows why this tree acts that way, and the Waverley women do not know how or why they have special skills. Their family history is sparse but this year's first frost clears the atmosphere, everything settles down, and answers come to some of their questions about their past.
First Frost is a refreshing novel and Sarah Addison Allen's prior books are now on my wish list. (less)First Frost is creative and beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading about the Waverly family and the charmed and magical world they live in. The book description entails a "magical stranger" who I felt added nothing to the story. For more than half the book, his purpose is unclear. The story of Violet, an unwed teen mother, is beautiful; however, the author devotes little to her story. In summary, I enjoyed the writing, but found the story line lacking.
Laure R. (Fresno, CA)
FIRST FROST - WARM IMPRESSION
I found it an enjoyable read. Characters were off-beat and well fleshed out. I found it completely useless to second guess how the plot might unfold, particularly with the author's sprinkling of paranormal activity thrown in. I recommend this to younger readers as well. Several teens play a major role in this story, and the author shows great insight portraying their feelings and conflicts.
Terri O. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Spellbinding sequel
Sarah Addison Allen is back with a charming sequel to her best-selling novel Garden Spells. Once again, she casts a spell over her readers with her seemingly effortless, graceful prose, making us happily suspend our disbelief and enter wholeheartedly into the world of the Waverleys, where each woman in the family has a special gift. What I love about Addison Allen's writing is that she employs magical realism with such a light touch that I always feel that her characters and their gifts could be real. This is a perfect book to read while curled up in front of a fireplace with a cup of tea on a lazy Sunday
…more afternoon. This book would appeal to readers who enjoy gentle magical realism, fairy tales, and stories with small-town Southern charm, as well as all those who loved Garden Spells. (less)First Frost is another good entry about the world of the Waverly women of Bascom, North Carolina. I love their wonderful garden and apple tree. This time the story is about the time of year right before the apple tree blooms, or the first frost of the year. It is also about family, belonging and finding your true self. I enjoyed this story and found it very easy to read. And the ending left us with several questions that sets up nicely for some follow up books to tell us what happens with Sydney, Claire and Bay. All in all, a very pleasant read.
Jo B (LA)
First Frost
I have read many of Sarah Addison Allen's previous books and recommend them to friends. I was disappointed in this one. I only read about the first 75 pages then gave it up. The characters did not interest me and the story line was weak. This book did not keep my interest enough to finish.
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