Great storytelling and well-developed characters. I was hooked from the first page. Mystery and intrigue all wrapped up in a gripping tale. Definitely recommend.

Let’s start with the exclamation marks.

No, wait.

Let me first say that I’m not going to discuss “good” or “bad.” Those terms are far too subjective and don’t actually get into the meat of what’s going on in a text. Instead, “getting to the meat” is what I intend to do.

On little sleep, “getting to the meat” also sounds really gross and bloody.

Moving on. Death, the Gardener is an opportunity to look at several trends new-ish writers often find themselves in.

Now the exclamation marks.

I’ve had many a student roll their eyes when I start getting fanatical about punctuation. What does one comma matter? Or whether a period goes inside or outside quotation marks?

It matters, kids.

There are many examples of sentences that would have wildly different meanings depending on punctuation, but I like this one:

woman without her man is nothing

Over-zealous use of exclamation marks, however, is a realm unto itself.

Exclamation marks are meant for emphasis. That is, unless it’s a thriller where things explode many times, most fiction have very few.

Even fewer will have entire paragraphs with every sentence ending in an exclamation mark.

The inexperienced writer often interprets the exclamation mark as an indication of passion, anger, any strong emotion. But there’s strong emotion and then there’s strong emotion.

Exclamation marks are for the latter. Even then, more often than not, you can convey that emotion far more effectively with context than an exclamation.

Imagine that every sentence with an exclamation mark is someone screaming the words at the top of their lungs because that is exactly what it is.

Show, don’t tell.

It’s tempting with first-person or close-third to explain every thought a character has, or walk through an entire thought process.

The thing is, though, it’s totally unnecessary.

Much like dialogue is a simulacrum of real speech, internal dialogue is a simulacrum of real thought processes. You take shortcuts.

And again, context is a fairly effective way of conveying thoughts, ideas, and reactions without having to explicitly state - and then explain or justify - those thoughts, ideas, and reactions.

I gritted my teeth through the exclamation marks, but the fact is, telling the reader everything a character thinks is very boring for your reader.

Readers are pretty savvy folk. They understand the narrative game, and - contrary to what you might think or have been told - they don’t read with the intention of getting every single answer to every little question. That ruins the fun of it and kills the sense of collaboration between writer and reader.

Trust your reader to figure some things out on their own. They may not come to exactly the same conclusion you had in mind, but so what? By the time it’s in their hands, it’s their book, not yours. Let go.

Death, the Gardener is loaded with symbolism of all shapes and sizes.

Unfortunately, Death, the Gardener is loaded with symbolism of all shapes and sizes.

This is part of the larger motif of world-building I’ll look at in the next section, but symbolism deserves some close attention on its own.

I make no claims to know every symbolic reference from every culture that’s ever existed, but I’ve met a fair few. When you follow monsters, you pretty much always hang out in myths, legends, and folklore.

The four deity-ish characters in Death are a submissive dog (Death), a lark (Life), a dragon (eternity), and a koi (memory).

That in itself is a rather hodgepodge assortment of totems with no real link or connection with each other.

I want to focus on Mot (death) and Santiago (memory), though.

Santiago is a borderline-offensive/definitely stereotypical depiction of an overtly effeminate mer-person. He’s gossipy, shrill, petty, kind of a doormat, and his gross unattractiveness (in a world of attractive people) is heavily emphasized. More often than not, his “friends” referred to him simply as “Fish,” rather than his actual name. He also ended every sentence with “hun.”

Every. Sentence. That’s not an exaggeration.

I take it back. It was actually really offensive.

The link between memory and koi is one I can stand behind - depiction notwithstanding. If you pull the whole dragon/koi symbolism together with eternity/memory, you get a concept really worth digging into.

Koi, however, are symbols of strength, courage, and perseverance. The idea of a koi/mer-person being cowed - of memory - being cowed by anything, even eternity, is a little hard to swallow.

And then there is Mot, whose totem is a brow-beaten dog. This is presented as completely obvious but also never explained. I have no quibbles about this representation of death, but it’s so, so far removed from any conventional idea of death that it does warrant a hint or two.

Like Santiago, Mot’s characterization doesn’t add up with this representation, which makes it even more puzzling as the novel progresses.

And then there’s his name. This is the second time I’ve come across an author associating mot with death. The first was definitely irksome because it was purely (and evidently) a mistranslation.

Here - and probably only because of that earlier experience - it’s also a little irritating. On the other hand, the word = death equation is also pretty interesting. Much like koi/memory, I would’ve liked to have that concept explored and utilized more.

The thing is, you can make up any kind of world/universe/pigeon colony you want as long as the rules of the pigeon colony are consistent with itself.

It doesn’t have to follow the rules or logic of the real world at all, but it does have to make sense within the logic you’ve created.

At least it does if you want your readers to buy into it.

Mot readers will go along with anything you give them. Readers tend to be pretty generous with authors and usually give them benefit of doubt. It’s best not to abuse that generosity. As I’ve already said, each novel is a collaboration between author and reader. If you’re not pulling your weight, your reader’s going to get sick of the partnership.

The world in Death, the Gardener sort of sometimes almost makes sense but also spends most of the novel in perpetual WTF does that mean?

Big Bad is evil for the sake of being evil. Little Bad is cruel just to be cruel. And that pretty much sums up all of the characters’ motivations. They are nice, forgiving, compassionate, bitter, cruel, etc. based on the role they play in the narrative and nothing else.

Many fairy tales and folk legends successfully lean on this sort of characterization, but it gives your characters about as much depth as a dried up mud puddle.

This skimming of the surface paired with being told every thought and feeling is a weird contrast that is both confusing and frustrating. As a reader, you’re being given a lot of information, but not the useful information you’d actually like to have.

Death’s world-building is much like its symbolism: All shapes and sizes and all over the map. It’s difficult to really examine this section closely without wandering into spoiler territory, but suffice it to say, I very much wanted to experience this world but only got to glimpse it from the outside.

This book has a lot of potential but it needs a good bit of tightening to stand up. Would I recommend it? Maybe to a tween audience, but then probably not.

Many thanks to Red Pants Press and Daniel T. Dodaro for the advanced copy of Death, the Gardener via NetGalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review. Quick note: I don’t recap plots in my reviews, as it’s easy enough to read the book’s synopsis and blurbs, I purely focus on my feelings & opinions of how the books makes me feel.

What an absolute gem of a book. Wonderfully imagined and beautifully written, Death, the Gardener is unlike any other story featuring Death as a character I have ever come across.

Many of the elements found within the story will be familiar to those who, like me, read a lot of fantasy, myths, legends, and fairy tales. However, the way Dodaro has repurposed them and woven them into his own imagined tale is masterful and truly unique.

Out of this comes what is, at its core, a love story, but one that is surrounded by a fantastical universe and a dramatic, mysterious story. Not everyone and everything is as it seems.

The book really hits its stride around the 45-50% mark, when the world- and character-building is established.

Have a tissue ready, I needed one by the end.

Moods: adventurous, emotional, hopeful, mysterious, sad, tense
Tropes: forbidden love/star-crossed lovers
Pace: medium
Character development: medium
Plot or character driven: 50/50
Diversity: high
Spice: 1/5
Trigger warnings: Death, Grief, Physical illness, Torture, Violence

Rating 5/5

This book is so different from any books I’ve read. It was beautiful written. I found myself moving through this book so quickly! Cloth was very relatable. You just feel a connection with her. I couldn’t put this book down. I’ve been giving fantasy more of a chance and I’m glad I did. This book was great! Thank you NetGalley, Daniel and Red Pants Press, LLC for the ARC!

Ever since reading The Book Thief as a young adult, I have thoroughly enjoyed searching for books that are told with Death as a character or influence on the story being told. Rarely does one actually end up being one I enjoy. This book was!

I really have no explanation for why this comparison comes to mind but it does. This book, to me, feels like a slightly more somber and bittersweet Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen. Very different plots but I had similar feelings reading this book. It’s not too serious even though it involves death and dying. It’s touching and sad in just the right amount of ways.

I received a digital copy of this title for review.

This review was made possible through an ARC via NetGalley.

Death, the Gardener is a new spin on the mythos of the Grim Reaper with a bittersweet atmosphere that calls to mind the intricacies of life and death. Would like to see more from this author down the line.

Really enjoyed this premise. Unusual spin on death, Satan and trapped in the in between world. Really enjoyed the read. Thank you to #netgalley and publisher for advance copy

There's a sort of creativity that some books have that suck you in and plant a seed in your imagination (if you'll forgive the pun). Death, the Gardener creates a world that borrows from The Little Prince, mythology, and classic fantasy novels and brings forth something poignant and thoughtful.

It's a debut novel, to be sure - the beginning is more exposition than needed, and some dialogue is forced - but by the time the story gets going and Cloth starts on her journey, you're so wrapped up in the world that it hardly matters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Death, the Gardner is a hauntingly beautiful story.

Death the Gardener is a wonderfully written novel about life itself and how we view both life and death - how they're similar and yet wholly opposites. I utterly loved this book, thr uniqueness of the plot line really drew me in and the characterisation of Death reminded me of Magnus Bane which was so fun to read.
The descriptions and world building in this book were fantastic, beautifully written and transported me to the places it was set. This books plot and characters were so individual, a girl wakes up the the garden of Death, supposedly the first person ever to die and yet remain; and the lore that's uncovered and explained throughout the novel was so fun to read.

Death, the Gardener is an enthralling read that invites us to contemplate the essence of life, the complexities of death, and the power of personal identity.

Firstly thankyou to Netgalley and Red Pants Press for the arc..

What a phenomenal read this was! And for a debut novel too? My goodness. This was an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way I felt everything from joy to rage to sadness in equal measure. I could not put it down I just kept having to go back and read just a bit more even if was sneaking in reading a page at work.

Our story follows a young woman who finds herself in Deaths garden with absolutely no memory of who she is. This is, as Death informs her because she is dead and she is definitely not supposed to be here. Death, here personified as a dashing and suave gentleman gardener is a gracious host to the girl, who he gives the name Cloth after her clothes and eventually the pair settle on a deal that benefits both of them.

The story that follows is beautiful, heart-breaking and yet hopeful, full of love, loss and the beauty of self discovery as Cloth attempts to find her place in the universe all whilst tackling difficult moral choices, trying to decide whether to trust Death or not and unravelling his many mysteries. This makes Cloth a compelling and relatable protagonist that you are always rooting for. She is tough, determined and resourceful and it was a pleasure to see this world through her eyes.

Each of the other characters in this book are delightful and and engaging to read about. Each of them is colourful and distinct, perhaps a bit over the top for some but I loved that about them, and you definitely get very emotionally attached to them.

Overall I adored this book, brilliantly written and very impressive for a debut novel.

What if Death wore a cloak of mystery and tended to a garden of souls? With colorful storytelling and heartfelt emotions, Dodaro cultivates a world that is equal parts intriguing and mysterious. The story introduces us to Mot, who turns out to be Death himself, a suave gardener responsible for snipping roses that represent people's lives. However, when Cloth, the first-ever ghost, wakes up in Mot's garden without any memory of her past life, the narrative takes a thrilling turn. In a desperate attempt to find her way to the afterlife, Cloth strikes a deal with Mot, embarking on a quest to hunt down and eliminate three thieves who have stolen roses from his garden, granting them immortality. Dodaro's masterful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Cloth navigates this perilous journey, wielding Mot's legendary cloak and shears. An enchanting and gripping tale that explores themes of life, death, and identity, leaving readers captivated until the very last page.

What a beautifully written, thought provoking book, especially a debit novel! I was intrigued by the blurb that I read so I knew that it was something I wanted to try. It was an amazing blend of myth, fairy tale, fantasy and fiction. The characters are wonderfully written, densely fashioned and so detailed that you feel as if you know them. The author created an interesting plot, with lovely little subplots along the way. I fell into this book so easily that I stayed up way too late not wanting to put it down. After finishing it, I have a difficult time figuring out which character I was most drawn to. A lovely read.

Book Review 📚

Death, The Gardener by Daniel Dodaro 4.5/5 ⭐

I'm still shook by this book. I cannot express in enough words how amazing it was. It is a fascinating fantasy that is utterly beautiful. I was torn between crying, between laughing, being happy or angry? Honestly, so many emotions in such a small amount of time. The book took me 2 days to finish. If I didn't have to do adult life (work) I'd definitely have finished it in a day.

The characters offer such a variety of personalities, no one is the same. They're unmatched and the author wrote them all phenomenally. Again, with a mixture of emotions, you just felt a connection to every one of them. The author has such a vivid imagination that takes you through the book in a way that makes you feel you are right there. I feel like this review, or any review for that matter, just does not do this book justice.

This is a solid 4.5 ⭐ for me. And in my 20 years of reading I've only given 3 books a 5 ⭐.

Thank you to NetGalley and Red Pants Press for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.