The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Summary from Borders.com –

A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book—a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday, they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and very little to go on, "Nell" sets out to trace her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell’s death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. A spellbinding tale of mystery and self-discovery, The Forgotten Garden will take hold of your imagination and never let go.

Rhia’s Review – I borrowed this book from one of my teachers, and I must say, it’s the best recommendation I’ve gotten in a long time. While the book is neither fantasy, nor YA, it is an engaging mystery, and is, at some times, historical. The story takes place at multiple points in time, which can be a little confusing at first, but the book wouldn’t have been as fun if it had been written any other way. I really enjoyed piecing together the mystery, and watch the present-day characters do the same. Now the book is over, I find I quite miss them all.

The Recommendation –  I’d recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mystery and escapist reads. Historical fans might also find this is a good read, as much of the story takes place in the past. I wouldn’t recommend this book for reading over long stretches of time (I probably took nearly a  year to read it), you need to stick with it, it’s much less confusing.

The Other Books – While The Forgotten Garden is not part of a series, and as I far as I know there are no plans for a companion novel, I am interested in reading Kate Morton’s other novels, The House at Riverton and The distant Hours.

The Vitals* – The list price seems to be $15.00 paperback, but Borders apparently has it for $9.00 right now. Get it! It’s worth it!

The Links – Kate Morton's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Summary from Borders.com – Gabry lives a quiet life. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry's mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry.

Rhia’s Review – This books picks up several years after the events of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and the protagonist of that book has become a minor character in this one. That was a concept I really loved, and it hasn’t disappointed me yet in this series. Another thing I loved about this book this book was that it kept you in suspense to hear the answers to questions left at the end of FOHAT, as well as keeping you in suspense with a whole new story and characters.

Carrie Ryan really expanded on the world she created in The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by introducing new places, new rules and peoples, and also new concepts (Concealing a spoiler here) that really keep the story going, and stop it from becoming a clone of the first book. There are plenty of tense, zombie filled fights and escapes to an action lover happy,  but there is so much more to this book than a monster factor. Gabry’s emotional journey is really captivating and enjoyable to read.

The Recommendation – All zombie fans will love this series, and fans of Ryan’s first book will not be disappointed by this one. In fact, it may be even better than the first!

The Other Books – The Dark and Hollow Places came out March 22nd. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, and the review is coming soon!

The Vitals* – The Dead –Tossed Waves is available in hardcover for $17.99 and paperback for $8.99. Go get a copy!!

The Links – Carrie Ryan's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.