Death, the Gardener

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.

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.

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.