I have not read Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, so I cannot speak to the similarities mentioned by other reviewers of this book, but I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I find Sarah Addison Allen's writing style to be deliciously easy to read with just enough descriptive detail to tell you what you need to know without wasting precious trees on pages of superfluous narration. Her story of the Waverly sisters is woven with just enough wonder and magic to make it slightly reminiscent of a good old fashion fairy tale without being overladen with supernatural themery. The characters are all a bit quirky, but they are all presented in the author's easy-going light-hearted manner that make them so very loveable and interesting!
While the individual storylines involve real-life trauma and turmoil, the author manages to maintain a light and easy feel throughout the book. Topics that could easily be made into a darker and more foreboding tale are instead presented in a lighter, less overpowering context to allow the positive intentions and inner strength of her characters to shine.
Set in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, the Wavery family has long been considered by their neighbors to be unusual. Waverly family members are special lot: guardians of a seemingly sentient apple tree; weavers of magical culinary dishes created from their own garden; psychicly intuitive gift givers; hair stylists with a knack for bringing out hidden qualities in their clients with the snip of a scissors.
A light and easy read, I would recommend Garden Spells to just about anyone!
It was an awesome read. I had walked by at it Barnes and Noble (it was on an end-cap) for weeks, and finally bought it. I was not disappointed and have recommended this book to lots of people. I love Sarah Addison Allen's writing style. She recently went through treatment for breast cancer and is a very strong lady, for sure! You can friend her on facebook, she posts pretty regularly about her latest works. Her most recent was the Peach Keepers. I loved The Girl Who Chased the Moon as well. I was not as fond of The Sugar Queen, though, although it was still a good book.
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