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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “This book is a bit of an odd case for me, because it is less science-fiction than one might expect, more a period romance set in 1550s England under the bloody rule of Queen Mary and her Counter-Reformation. And yet it captivated me and I read quickly through without a moments boredom. I think...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “You got to remember that this is essentially a romance story. not a whole lot of history or science fiction to it. |
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1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Saved from the Spanish Inquisition, a five-year-old child, later known as "Mendoza," is made an immortal agent for The Company, a 24th-Century firm, which sends cyborgs back in time to save art works, plants, and other valuables for future humanity and for profit.
Steven A. Seidman wrote this review Wednesday, November 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Trained as a botanist, Mendoza goes back to 16th-Century England to gather up plantings in the garden of Sir Walter Iden. A teenage innocent in the garden, she falls in love with the tall Nicholas Harpole, a Protestant zealot during the period when Mary and Philip are bringing back the Catholic Church to England. Baker's view of religion of all stripes is negative, with fanatics always appearing or threatening to appear.
The novels bogs down a bit in its detailing of botanical species and the customs of the times, as well as in its often tedious language (lots of "doths" and "hasts"), but there are many witty passages, too.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I am ordering the sequel, Sky Coyote, which places Mendoza (and her mentor, Joseph) in the New World before the Spaniards arrive.
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“Fun and humorous time travel story.”
Deepak R wrote this review Saturday, May 12, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A little disappointing ending.”
Lori Villarreal wrote this review Saturday, April 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“didn't really enjoy this getting in so binned reading the series.”
Steve M wrote this review Sunday, October 23, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book started off with a magnificent dystopian beginning, but turned utterly dull after the first few chapters.”
Holly R wrote this review Tuesday, September 6, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Here's a book where I love the concept of the book a lot more than than execution.
Michael H wrote this review Thursday, May 5, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The concept of using time travel to go back, create a new race of immortal human beings who will then preserve certain aspects and artifacts from history is an intriguing one. The opening segments of "In the Garden of Iden" that set up this concept and idea are intriguing, fascinating and had me hoping something brilliant would happen in the novel.
Unfortunately, that never really materializes--at least not in this installment. Instead, we meet Mendoza, a botanist who is sent back in time to the titular garden to observe it and to collect some samples that were lost to the ravages of time. Instead she meets and falls in love with Nicholas Harpole, a man who isn't immortal but shares Mendoza believes could and should be.
I have a feeling a lot of what plays out in this story is a set-up for future installments. And that's all fine, but it still leaves "Iden" feeling like a bit of a disappointment in spots--especially after the solid and intriguing beginning.
I may read another novel or two in the series to see if things pick up a bit.”
“Time travelling immortals arrive in England during the short-lived reign of Bloody Mary in order to save rare plants from extinction. Mix in a little romance with a Protestant libertine and you've got the makings of a fun, easy-to-read novel.”
ToastmasterLiz wrote this review Tuesday, March 15, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“First one I read of this author. I got hooked at once.”
Dan J wrote this review Saturday, December 4, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
