Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Val

In this novel readers are destined to constantly look for more than meets the eye. Its a mysterious, fantasy that it sure to please young adult readers and keep them on the edge of their seats. The China Garden is a story about a seventeen-year old girl named Clare Meredith. Clare has just taken her exams to go to University when she finds out that her mother, Frances is taking a private nursing position in a small-unknown town called Ravensmere. Her mother fights with her when Clare asks if she can come along but in the end gives in. Clare is eager to discover more about her mother because she sees that she is keeping secrets about her past. It turns out that by going to Ravensmere Clare finds more about her mother than she could have ever imagined. She also learns surprising things about herself and at first is frightened by them. The more she stays in Ravensmere the more the quiet and mysterious town grows on her and she finds it hard to imagine leaving it to go to University. The decision to leave only becomes harder when Mark comes into the picture. Mark is the epitome of the bad guy look with his leather clad outfit and his motorcycle to his long dark hair and his emerald green eyes. Clare finds herself falling for Mark and he in return reciprocates those feelings. However when faced with a decision that could change both of their lives forever they both choke only to realize that there is no escaping the Benison and the Trust that they have a duty as guardians to protect. Together they must come together to unlock the secret of the China Garden and find the Benison or suffer the undeniable perils& will they succeed?