That was beautiful! The characters were amazing, I mean come on, a Fiddler/hare/man!? Doesn't get much more amazing then that.

I enjoyed taking a break from real life and living in this fantasy world! ( )

One of the titles in Brian Froud's Faerieland Series where authors wrote novels based on a piece from his Faerieland paintings. This is the first book that I've read in the series.
17 year old Cassie Brittman lives in an apartment with her single mother, Anne. She plays violin during open sessions at a local bar with her mandolin playing boyfriend, Joe. When Cassie's grandfather becomes ill she and Anne return to the family farm. This is no ordinary farm. Cassie's grandfather is a renowned "mystical" painter. His paintings of the farm are worth large sums of money. But the farm has made him crazy. His mother, Hannah, was also thought to have been driven crazy by the farm and it's mystical happenings before she mysteriously disappeared. Hannah had created an amazing, spiral shaped garden behind the house. When Cassie and Anne arrive at the farm the house and garden have been almost destroyed. Strange beings keep appearing to Cassie. Cassie has to discover who the people are who are destroying the farm and their connection to her family's true background. She discovers that the mysterious Red Clan are out to destroy the world of humans and stopping them would require a sacrifice from Cassie - or someone else in her family.
This book was fast paced and well written. I will be looking for more books by Midori Snyder. Highly recommended.
My favorite botany part: when Cassie recreated Hannah's garden by using Hannah's journal, which was illustrated by Cassie's grandfather. ( )

I enjoy young adult fantasies, especially those with a female lead character, and especially those in a contemporary setting. Hannah's Garden certainly did not disappoint! Lush descriptions full of sound and visuals, and interesting characters abound in this novel. A lot of nature, and yet the story is very modern. I love Midori Snyder's style! Highly recommended! ( )

This is a gorgeous contemporary fantasy, very much along the lines of the works of Charles de Lint and Emma Bull. When Cassie's eccentric grandfather falls ill, Cassie and her mother travel to the family homestead and find themselves embroiled in a conflict between two clans of supernatural beings. ( )

This is a lovely book, made a young adult novel by it's tone rather than for any 'talking-down' to the reader. Because of the book blurb, I had more idea of what was going on than Cassie did, but that didn't hurt the story at all. I did find Anne's refusal to face up to the reality of her family and its legacy a little annoying, as Cassie would have managed the situation much better if she had had a little more information.

The Red Clan were truly creepy in a quite not-human sort of way and excellently portrayed. Hannah remained a strong figure throughout the story, despite the fact she was already dead, especially through her diary and her small "cameo" at the end, which was touch and beautiful both at the same time.

Like I said, I lovely book, as the best YA titles are, capturing both adult themes and stories without losing the magic with which one can remember childhood. Highly recommended. Barbara was right again. ( )