Garden of Shadows Paperback – 9 May 1991

Love reading her books

I have read all of the other books in this series and i was really impressed by the Authors writing and story telling. I didn’t know that this book was actually the very first book of the trilogy. So i am really excited to read it and know how the full story began. I would definitely recommend this author for anyone that likes a great read.

This is the final book in the Dollanganger series and this time we have gone back in time to ‘the grandmother’s’ origin story.Olivia is an ordinary girl, tall and not much to look at, so when she catches the eye of Malcolm Foxworth, she thinks all of her dreams have come true, and she is loveable after all. She is in for a harsh shock when they start their lives together at Foxworth Hall, and it is the beginning of what will become a harrowing story for the Dresden Dolls, as they will pay the ultimate price in the deception and corruption that begins here.I didn’t think a story about Olivia was needed, we know what she becomes, but this story does fill us in on the whys and hows. Her sweetness is chipped away at over the years until she is left as nothing more than the grey column of slate that she is in ‘Flowers in the Attic’. There are also a few surprising shocks, so I’m glad there was a book after all.I did think it was a shame she allowed herself to become such a harsh creature, she loved her own children, and she loved Christopher and Corrine. She could have embraced her grandchildren and had more love and joy in her life. She could have ignored her worries and been happy.There were quite a few small plot holes mainly concerning John Amos. In this book, he is portrayed as being older than he could have been. When Chris is hiding behind the sofa in ‘Flowers in the Attic’, John comes in and seduces a young girl. He is described as a young man himself; however, his actions and knowledge of the family don’t fit how he is portrayed in this book. Also, in ‘If There Be Thorns’ he waxes lyrical about the God-fearing Malcolm and how he looked up to him, however, it is the opposite, John was the religious one, and he influences both Malcolm and Olivia.I know this was written by the ghostwriter and not Virginia Andrews herself, but it wouldn’t have been difficult to have read the first books first before delving into this one and getting the continuity perfect.The ending is somewhat rushed; I know we know how it ended as it is how the series begins. However, I wanted more. Olivia’s final transformation happens so quickly; it is hard to believe she manages to keep it up and not succumb to her grandchildren’s wiles. I almost wanted the book to continue to see her full reasoning and emotions throughout the three years the children were locked up. However, this was not meant to be, and the book ends quite abruptly.I am quite sad to be leaving this world behind once again. I know there are three more books, two centring around Chris’ diaries and one following Corey who isn’t dead. However, none of these were written by Virginia, so I wonder if this is what she intended for Corey? In addition, the reviews for these books are quite abysmal, so I have decided to give them a miss this time around, maybe one day in the future when I reread this series I will give them a go too. However, for now, I bid farewell to this very messed up family.

Ive read this book and the others in this series several times. They tell the most harrowingly sad tale you've ever heard. It's a love story, a story of betrayal and revenge too. As far as I know, its based loosely on a true story. There is a film of the first book I believe but it's not very good from what I've heard. The first book is called "Flowers In The Attic" please look it up, try a sample, you will deffo want to read it if you do!!

Prequel to Flowers in the Attic - excellent book, explains why Olivia Foxworth seemed so evil; and how she'd suffered and thought she was doing the right thing. The Dollanganger series is v. good, written by Virginia Andrews, not ghost writer. Really enjoyed the whole series; my favourites were Garden Of Shadows and Petals On The Wind. Would not recommend these books for under 18s, though, as they are NOT happy reading. I don't think I'd have liked them when I was young - was a few years past 18 when I first read the series.

This is literally a cliffhanger could not stop reading until I was finished it took me 2 days and it was very good.I really understood why Olivia is so harsh in reality she went through a lot !!!I would definitely read this book because you don't know what your missing out on !!Enjoy readingHeather

Didn't love it but didn't hate it. Another quite repetitive story in the Flowers in the Attic series but interesting enough hearing from Olivia's point of view. The one good thing going for this is that it was fairly short and didn't take too long to read.

My copy was rather worn - but the novel does an excellent job of bringing together the series. Don't read it until you have read the other books, even though this is like a 'pre-quel'.