Milo Stillwater was born at the same moment the Horsemen first appeared. Between the failure of Mutually Assured Destruction in a last-ditch effort to stop the gods, to the appearance of unusual abilities ranging from telekinesis to visions of the future, the world has changed and the rise of the Resistance has restored a glimmer of hope. Growing up amid the madness and dwindling supplies, Milo is sure is the key to changing everything. With a strange and powerful ability unlike anyone else's, one he has kept secret even from those closest to him, Milo has his mind made up: he will stop the world from ending. He will give humanity time, and a future; stop the Razen, and save the world no matter the cost.
Just as he begins to get his bearings as a teen soldier, groomed to lead the Resistance one day, time runs out. War arrives, and fury and might of the Razen are close behind. His hometown of Bethany falls, and he, along with the few other survivors, are sent to a "nursery town" of Ayden to be raised by the very people who destroyed their homes and families in the first place.
Here, there is peace in the Garden, the place of the gods, but they're not free. Instead, they are kept under the watchful eye and care of Asherah, the leader of the Horsemen, as they prepare for the final days of humanity. Soon Milo comes into her crosshairs, marked as special and set apart, inadvertently revealing the only weak point of the Horsemen: Asherah's curiosity about the human experience. If there is any hope of stopping them, it lies with her.
As life becomes comfortable, making it too easy to forget they are prisons, Milo and his newly found friends set the wheels in motion to escape and stop the Horsemen once and for all. Now, the leader of the Resistance, hidden in plain sight behind enemy lines, Milo must do everything he can to win. But How much is he willing to pay, to sacrifice, and to what lengths will he go for the sake of a dream?
Can he do the impossible and change their fate or is he simply just getting in the way of the inevitable? In this epic prequel, discover the truth about Milo’s past and uncover the dark future awaiting him, Ash, and everyone else in the Fallen Ash Series.
The book "The Garden," written by G.T. Gretz, is a powerful and captivating novel with intriguing characters. The book primarily focuses on dystopian themes, religion, war, struggle for survival, friendships, and sacrifices.
The story revolves around the life of Milo Stillwater, the protagonist of the novel. The book begins by introducing his hardheaded personality, his passion, and his family. Milo was born around the same time the Horsemen first appeared. Milo desires to stop the unending destruction by the gods, so he joins the resistance and begins mentorship not to be a fighter but a leader. In a world where the gods are seemingly unstoppable, many individuals with unusual abilities begin to emerge, one of them being Milo. Unlike others, he didn't develop his ability later in life; he was born with it. His ability is indeed strange and powerful, and he has no control over it.
In his fight against the Horsemen, his hometown falls, and he loses both his family and friends. He is abducted and taken to a new town called "Ayden," a nursery town under the strict monitoring of Asherah, the leader of the Horsemen. He reunites with his brother and seems to have a second chance at life, but everything changes when he receives an unexpected letter with the tag "CIC," meaning Commander-in-Chief. As the newly instituted leader of the resistance, the fate of humanity rests on his shoulders. Milo must make deep sacrifices in the resistance fight against the Horsemen.
One thing I love about this novel is the author's ability to infuse a kind of romantic subplot into the novel. Aside from its dystopian theme, the novel explores deep connections and relationships between various characters and the sacrifices they all make for a better future.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any and every book lover, especially those who particularly enjoy captivating dystopian tales with intriguing characters and high stakes.
"The Garden" is not only an excellent book but is also spellbinding and thought-provoking. It revolves around the lives of some interesting characters. The story of dystopian themes, religion, war, struggle for survival, friendships, and sacrifices is what the writer mainly focuses on. The story is about Milo Stillwater, the protagonist of the book. Milo, a human agent of the Resistance, has the desire to save humanity and moves them to Victory Valley. The town is the only place where they know of to find safety. They finally witness the city's sky teeming with Asherah, the spectacular figure of the Horsemen. Asherah, a supernatural being whose lifespan technically depends on human experience manipulation, feels both her strength and weakness through her curiosity, and now Milo inadvertently allows it by revealing his uniqueness with that which he possesses.
He is then reunited with his brother and his life seems to be getting back on track, however, when he gets an unexpected letter saying, "CIC," he knows the tables have turned. As a new leader of the resistance, he is the source of hope for the continuation of the human race. Milo faces the question of radical pacifism when resisting the Horsemen.
The book is of life-like quality and every person portrayed in the literary work is a very complex individual. Lily is the novel's main character that we come across first and we can newly interpret the story through emotions and thoughts with her. The minor characters, neighbors put in her way, and relatives give the story its depth and variety with their flaws and shades.
In my opinion, giving it a full five-star rating, I loved this book. I would like to encourage it for every reader with any area of interest, especially those who are fans of the thunderous and high-quality spirit of competition.
In the captivating prequel to The Fallen Ash Series, the world undergoes a remarkable transformation as gods return, bestowing unique abilities upon humanity. Milo Stillwater, born alongside the emergence of the Horsemen, takes center stage in this epic saga.
Driven by an unwavering determination to save humanity, Milo joins the Resistance. When war finally erupts, he and fellow survivors find themselves in Ayden—a seemingly tranquil "nursery town." Yet Ayden is no ordinary haven. It exists under the watchful gaze of Asherah, the enigmatic leader of the Horsemen. Her curiosity about human experiences becomes both her strength and vulnerability, and Milo unwittingly reveals this, marking him as exceptional.
Within Ayden's confines, life appears comfortable, masking a deeper complexity. The gods' presence looms over the survivors, and Milo yearns for escape. His mission: to thwart the Horsemen, who threaten humanity's very existence. But the pivotal question remains: How much is he willing to sacrifice for his ideals?
As the narrative unfolds, intricate tales interweave, unveiling Milo's past and hinting at the foreboding future awaiting him. Secrets, resistance, and the clash of divine forces converge, creating a thrilling and thought-provoking odyssey. The exploration of moral dilemmas, complex themes, and the nature of good and evil adds depth to the story. The impact of decisions and the challenge of doing right in trying situations resonate throughout. With its personal touch and detailed writing style, this narrative will captivate readers from beginning to end—an epic prelude to a world teetering on the brink of cataclysmic change.
In the captivating prequel to **The Fallen Ash Series**, the world undergoes a transformation as gods return, bestowing unique abilities upon humanity. Milo Stillwater, born alongside the emergence of the Horsemen, assumes a central role in this epic tale.
Driven by an unwavering determination to save humanity, Milo joins the Resistance. When war finally erupts, he and other survivors find themselves in Ayden—a seemingly tranquil "nursery town." However, Ayden is no ordinary refuge. It exists under the watchful eye of Asherah, the enigmatic leader of the Horsemen. Her curiosity about human experiences becomes both her strength and vulnerability, and Milo inadvertently exposes this weakness, marking him as exceptional.
Within Ayden's confines, life appears comfortable, yet it conceals a deceptive peace. The gods' presence looms over the survivors, and Milo yearns for escape. His mission: to halt the Horsemen, who imperil humanity's very existence. But the crucial question persists: How much is he willing to sacrifice for his ideals?
As the narrative unfolds, intricate tales interweave, revealing Milo's past and hinting at the ominous future awaiting him. Secrets, resistance, and the clash of divine forces converge, creating a thrilling and thought-provoking journey. If you relish stories that delve into gods, hidden powers, and the struggle for freedom, "The Garden" awaits—an epic prelude to a world teetering on the brink of cataclysmic change.
"The Garden" by G.T. Gretz is a captivating novel that delves into the extraordinary transformation that occurs when the gods return, gifting humanity with unique abilities. The narrative follows Milo Stillwater, an individual born amid the emergence of the Horsemen. Driven by a desire to safeguard humanity, Milo leads them to Victory Valley, the only place deemed safe amidst the chaos. Witnessing the sky of the city filled with Asherah, the awe-inspiring embodiment of the Horsemen, Milo inadvertently reveals his uniqueness and becomes entwined with the supernatural being.
As he confronts the oppressive Horsemen, Milo tragically witnesses the fall of his hometown, causing him to lose his family and friends. Subsequently, he is taken to "Ayden," a new town under the strict rule of Asherah, the leader of the Horsemen. Reuniting with his brother, Milo finds himself at the forefront of the resistance, bearing the weight of humanity's future on his shoulders. Throughout the story, Milo must make profound sacrifices in the fight against the Horsemen.
One of the captivating aspects of this novel is the author's skill in weaving a romantic subplot amidst the dystopian setting. Beyond its exploration of a dystopian world, the novel delves into the deep connections and relationships between the characters and the sacrifices they endure for a better future.
Having thoroughly enjoyed this book, I would certainly award it a five-star rating and recommend it to readers who are fascinated by enthralling dystopian tales with compelling characters.
G.T. Gretz's novel The Garden is a complex and intriguing work of fiction that follows the journey of a man called Milo through a transformed existence after his son's car accident, which forces him to reconsider the story he had intended to write. The book examines themes of sacrifice, morality, and the consequences of one's decisions. It is described as a story about a boy's coming-of-age about an unexpected turn in his life.
I like how the narrative explored moral difficulties and had a complex theme. Important subjects covered in the text include the nature of good and evil, the effects of one's decisions, and the challenge of doing the right thing in trying situations. Because the tale is personal, the author adds greater emotional depth and authenticity to the narrative. Additionally, the reader is drawn into the story by the author's detailed writing style. This narrative will have everyone's attention from beginning to end.
However, I felt the story lacked resolution. I felt that the narrative ended much too quickly, leaving many issues unexplained and certain plot points unsolved. Furthermore, the story alternates between many points of view and timeframes, which makes it difficult to connect with or sympathize with the characters.
I will be reading this again and again since it is a fantastic book. I'll suggest it to those who like intricate storylines and fiction.
The Garden**, the enthralling fifth book in G.T. Gretz's **Fallen Ash Series**, acts as a prequel that explores the beginnings of **Milo Stillwater**. His birth coincides with the emergence of the Horsemen, ushering in a time of upheaval where the old idea of Mutually Assured Destruction has failed, and individuals with extraordinary abilities, such as telekinesis and precognition, have surfaced. Amidst the chaos and scarcity, Milo's childhood is shaped, his remarkable yet hidden talent unknown even to those closest to him. Driven by the belief that he can prevent global catastrophe, Milo is ready to confront the Razen, give humanity a fighting chance, and protect the Earth, no matter the cost.
As a young adult, Milo joins the Resistance, preparing for future leadership. Tragedy strikes when his hometown of Bethany falls to warfare, forcing survivors, including himself, to relocate to Ayden, a "nursery town" overseen by the very powers responsible for their loss. Within Ayden lies The Garden, a peaceful sanctuary for deities, yet it is also a fortified district watched over by Asherah, the leader of the Horsemen. This book earns a perfect score from me, a 5-star rating, and I would suggest it to any reader who cherishes a good book.
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who loves to read books.
I will begin by stating that "The Garden" is a highly charged dystopian novel by G. T. Gretz in which dystopian themes are explored in poignant and dramatic style in the general context of post-apocalyptic survival, as well as spirituality and morality.
As it depicts a world that lived in constant wars, oppression, and fear for Horsemen, it also dwells on ideas of resistance, apathy, and a call for change.
Out of all the scenes, there is one that directly engaged me, and that is when Milo cannot recall the voice of his son. The line "If he couldn't hold on to it, then what was he fighting for?" Actually hit me as a reader.
Precisely, I think it demonstrates how much he has lost and how difficult it is for him to continue living when he himself has forgotten. It is a powerful reminder of how fragile memory can be.
The chapter division of the novel allows the readers to get a deep insight into each character’s psyche.
If you are into novels that require deep contemplation of human experience and the concepts of loss and survival, then you should go for "The Garden."
It is also for the readers who are fans of character- and emotion-driven novels; they would not be disappointed. I actually had a great moment with it, and I give it a rating of 5 out of 5.
“The Garden” by G.T. Gretz, though promising, struggles with its themes of humanity's pursuit of liberty and righteousness. Set in a dystopian world ruled by the mysterious Horsemen, the novel offers brief glimpses into the lives of the oppressed, particularly through the young and determined protagonist, Milo. Gretz explores the fine line between complacency and complicity, questioning humanity's capacity to accept dominance. While the excerpt provides only a snapshot, it suggests a thought-provoking narrative that could appeal to fans of philosophical post-apocalyptic tales. Those intrigued by moral dilemmas and the quest for freedom may find this debut worth reading.
The Garden by G. T. Gretz is a gripping Fallen Ash Series book set in a dystopian civilization on the edge of collapse. The narrative concentrates around Milo Stillwater, a youngster born as the Horsemen arrive, initiating the tragedy. Milo lives amid instability and shortages as mankind recovers from Mutually Assured Destruction and paranormal talents. He retains his uncommon and amazing skill secret even from persons nearest to him. Milo joins the Resistance, which opposes Razen, to rescue the Earth. His journey then veers unexpectedly when his village is destroyed and he is taken to Ayden, a "nursery town," where survivors are nursed by their opponents
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In the exciting novel The Garden, G.T. Gretz walks us through the story of a young lad, Milo Stillwater. Like most activists and freedom fighters, he was born with a knack for not accepting the norm. The norm in this case was the fate humans had resigned themselves to—the destruction of lives by the horsemen while their so-called gods did nothing. Not that he believed they even cared. His philosophy led him into heated arguments with school authorities and more, but that did not deter him; he was determined to save the human race one way or another. Centered around myths, war, and survival, this book offers every reader an adventurous narrative.