What do you think?
Rate this book
The Divine Gardener's Handbook: Or What To Do If Your Girlfriend Accidentally Turns Off the Sun
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26Perfect for fans of Tamsyn Muir and Rebecca Thorne, this joyful debut follows a gardener fighting to secure her dream job in the Divine Gardens―manipulating God, antagonizing her attractive rival, and running afoul of a brewing rebellion along the way.
Cyprin grows perfect apples.
No other worker tends the orchards like she can. Sick of living in a Jenga-esque megacity where she’s never alone (there’s always a rat), Cyprin dreams of a job in the Divine Gardens, tending to the plants overseen by God.
Her only way in is winning an annual flower pageant―one that’s been dominated by the Divine Gardens’ head gardener for five years running: an insufferable woman with an undeniable affinity for plants. When Cyprin plays dirty (criminally dirty) and wins, she jumps headfirst into life in the gardens and her rivalry with the head gardener, who she just can’t stop thinking about.
Pranks, backstabbing, and a lot of heated glaring unite them, until they’re both drawn into a plot to take down God―who’s really just some guy with a great garden. As they spiral through layers of the city’s history and underground rebel group, Cyprin and her rival will find they understand each other like no one else does, even if there can only be one head gardener in the end.
But rise or fall, at least Cyprin will always have the rats.
A chaotically queer exploration of love, ambition, and toxic work culture, The Divine Gardener's Handbook is a romp of a science fantasy that will leave you gasping for more.
Cyprin grows perfect apples.
No other worker tends the orchards like she can. Sick of living in a Jenga-esque megacity where she’s never alone (there’s always a rat), Cyprin dreams of a job in the Divine Gardens, tending to the plants overseen by God.
Her only way in is winning an annual flower pageant―one that’s been dominated by the Divine Gardens’ head gardener for five years running: an insufferable woman with an undeniable affinity for plants. When Cyprin plays dirty (criminally dirty) and wins, she jumps headfirst into life in the gardens and her rivalry with the head gardener, who she just can’t stop thinking about.
Pranks, backstabbing, and a lot of heated glaring unite them, until they’re both drawn into a plot to take down God―who’s really just some guy with a great garden. As they spiral through layers of the city’s history and underground rebel group, Cyprin and her rival will find they understand each other like no one else does, even if there can only be one head gardener in the end.
But rise or fall, at least Cyprin will always have the rats.
A chaotically queer exploration of love, ambition, and toxic work culture, The Divine Gardener's Handbook is a romp of a science fantasy that will leave you gasping for more.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
19 people are currently reading
12467 people want to read
About the author
Eli Snow
1 book37 followersEli Snow (they/them) is a speculative fiction writer, editor, and former medical geneticist, based in rural Australia with their two cats.
Their work tends to center queer and neurodivergent characters, as these are the perspectives they experience the world from. When not reading or writing, they should be checked for signs of life.
Eli also writes YA Fantasy under the name Elias Cold. Their YA debut, The Duke Steals Hearts, is available now from Page Street Kids.
Their work tends to center queer and neurodivergent characters, as these are the perspectives they experience the world from. When not reading or writing, they should be checked for signs of life.
Eli also writes YA Fantasy under the name Elias Cold. Their YA debut, The Duke Steals Hearts, is available now from Page Street Kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 28, 2026
🌿The Divine Gardener’s Handbook 🌿
I had high hopes for this one, but it ultimately didn’t work for me. I went in expecting something cozier and funny, but it definitely leaned more somber. And I’m going to be honest, I really did not like Purcell.
The worldbuilding was confusing, especially in the first hundred pages. We’re dropped straight into the story without much buildup. There were several moments where I had to reread sections to understand what was happening.
✨What to Expect
• Queer
• Rival gardeners
• Magical flower competition
• Workplace setting
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 2.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Saturday Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I had high hopes for this one, but it ultimately didn’t work for me. I went in expecting something cozier and funny, but it definitely leaned more somber. And I’m going to be honest, I really did not like Purcell.
The worldbuilding was confusing, especially in the first hundred pages. We’re dropped straight into the story without much buildup. There were several moments where I had to reread sections to understand what was happening.
✨What to Expect
• Queer
• Rival gardeners
• Magical flower competition
• Workplace setting
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 2.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Saturday Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
December 2, 2025
If you love gardening (or even if you don't)...you'll love this romp! ;)
Eli Snow writes with hilarity, wit and wisdom...and her writing is just superb!
If you want one hell of a fun read...and get a great understanding of gardening...here you go!
Highly Recommended!
November 28, 2025
I received an ARC of this book and didn’t know what to expect. I found it to be quite enjoyable. The rivalry between Cyprin and Purcell was fun. The magical world was different from what I have read before. I would recommend trying out this book.
September 23, 2025
Sorprendentemente, devo dire che mi è piaciuto molto! Molto lontano dai sotto generi a cui sono abituata, ma l'autrice ha saputo caratterizzare bene ogni singolo personaggio presentato e il messaggio morale dietro al romanzo fa riflettere molto su ciò che sta accadendo oggi, nonostante tutti gli errori commessi più e più volte.
Giudizio positivo!
Giudizio positivo!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Divine Gardener’s Handbook is a sci-fi dystopian love story. I was immediately pulled in by the title and the concept of the gardener.
I am currently struggling with a nasty cold so I might not have had the full patience required to map out this world. However, I still found the story quite difficult to follow. I want to give kudos to the author for making plants and their properties the mainstay of the plot. The concept felt truly novel and that is reflected in my rating.
Unfortunately the rest of the book did not work for me. The story starts as if the reader already knows the inner workings of the world. It felt disjointed and clunky. I really wish I could have liked this one more.
Thank you to Saturday Books and St. Martin's Press for the copy.
I am currently struggling with a nasty cold so I might not have had the full patience required to map out this world. However, I still found the story quite difficult to follow. I want to give kudos to the author for making plants and their properties the mainstay of the plot. The concept felt truly novel and that is reflected in my rating.
Unfortunately the rest of the book did not work for me. The story starts as if the reader already knows the inner workings of the world. It felt disjointed and clunky. I really wish I could have liked this one more.
Thank you to Saturday Books and St. Martin's Press for the copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
The prose is too clunky for me, and too often there were images that I couldn’t make any sense of. Please bear in mind that I’m quoting from the advanced reader copy, so there’s no telling what might change between what I read and the final version. Typos and things are often caught and removed before a book’s release day.
What does ‘mushroomy’ mean? You’ve already used ‘bioluminescent’, which makes ‘mushroomy’ a separate descriptor – this phrasing does not imply bioluminescent mushrooms, which would make sense. So if we’re not talking about bioluminescent mushrooms, how is a glow ‘mushroomy’?
When Cyprin pictures the Gardens being full of carbon-copies of this person she doesn’t like, we get this line
I have no idea what this means, and I say that as someone comfortable with how Tumblr warps language.
Don’t know what this means either. Is it winding like knocked the wind out of her? Or winding like twisting? Neither makes sense to me.
Hilarious image, I love it, but the chunk of sentence after the last comma is way too long. Needs more commas or rephrasing.
That ‘does’ pings as wrong to me. Shouldn’t it be ‘did’?
Awkward phrasing. Just removing the ‘doing’ at the end would help a lot.
That is an incredible comeback, especially given who’s saying it! But shouldn’t it be ‘me neither’, not ‘me too’?
Except we’re not talking about a liquid, so this makes no sense?
Velvet doesn’t sparkle.
Awkward phrasing.
I don’t think stifling is a verb, so I’m not sure what’s going on here.
This is all without going into how Cyprin’s reasoning for a) taking part in the flower show and b) her strategy for winning make no sense. Her reasoning is ridiculous, to put it mildly. And the jumps in reasoning from point A to point Q happen constantly, like Purcell’s reasoning for not telling anyone she can talk to plants because someday she will Fail At Life. What??? I need you to explain how we got from one thing to the other!
This reads like something trying to be bonkers for the sake of it rather than something that is, naturally and objectively, bonkers. The jokes either make no sense or are very weak (like the attempt at poking fun at Purcell because…she’s using manure as fertiliser? How exactly is that funny? She’s a gardener, it’s a very basic thing for a gardener to do, isn’t it? Calling it poo rather than fertiliser doesn’t make it funny). It’s entirely possible than there will be shocking revelations about the worldbuilding later, but from what I read there’s nothing too unusual about the setting if this isn’t your first SFF novel, so the attempts at Being Weird felt very forced, not justified by the premise or the characters.
Really disappointed, but this one’s definitely not for me.
The prose is too clunky for me, and too often there were images that I couldn’t make any sense of. Please bear in mind that I’m quoting from the advanced reader copy, so there’s no telling what might change between what I read and the final version. Typos and things are often caught and removed before a book’s release day.
The bioluminescent mushroomy glow of a headlamp
What does ‘mushroomy’ mean? You’ve already used ‘bioluminescent’, which makes ‘mushroomy’ a separate descriptor – this phrasing does not imply bioluminescent mushrooms, which would make sense. So if we’re not talking about bioluminescent mushrooms, how is a glow ‘mushroomy’?
When Cyprin pictures the Gardens being full of carbon-copies of this person she doesn’t like, we get this line
Cyprin pictured them as little marshmallows she would pop in her month one by one until she was sick.
I have no idea what this means, and I say that as someone comfortable with how Tumblr warps language.
Purcell gasped and stepped back, winding herself on the wall.
Don’t know what this means either. Is it winding like knocked the wind out of her? Or winding like twisting? Neither makes sense to me.
Purcell edged closer, her fingertips on the tools in her pockets, ready to quick-draw her pliers gunslinger-style in case he tried any plant-god nonsense like in the stories where he became a golden shower and harassed some poor girl.
Hilarious image, I love it, but the chunk of sentence after the last comma is way too long. Needs more commas or rephrasing.
Her home needed mood lighting, the way a good soap opera does.
That ‘does’ pings as wrong to me. Shouldn’t it be ‘did’?
Amanda let herself in and started nosing around the apartment, the way only a person who’d known Purcell from childhood could get away with doing.
Awkward phrasing. Just removing the ‘doing’ at the end would help a lot.
“Right. I’m not in the mood for games.” Cyprin stood up and brushed the crinkles out of her knees, reading to leave.
“Me too, but no one seems to ever let me off the board.”
That is an incredible comeback, especially given who’s saying it! But shouldn’t it be ‘me neither’, not ‘me too’?
the spirit of blood and rubies distilled
Except we’re not talking about a liquid, so this makes no sense?
petals so lush and hydrated they sparkled like velvet in the sun.
Velvet doesn’t sparkle.
He sounded like he was trying to be jokey and put her at ease, but the words rubbed salt into all Cyprin’s psychological wounds.
Awkward phrasing.
Then the day recommenced stifling.
I don’t think stifling is a verb, so I’m not sure what’s going on here.
This is all without going into how Cyprin’s reasoning for a) taking part in the flower show and b) her strategy for winning make no sense. Her reasoning is ridiculous, to put it mildly. And the jumps in reasoning from point A to point Q happen constantly, like Purcell’s reasoning for not telling anyone she can talk to plants because someday she will Fail At Life. What??? I need you to explain how we got from one thing to the other!
This reads like something trying to be bonkers for the sake of it rather than something that is, naturally and objectively, bonkers. The jokes either make no sense or are very weak (like the attempt at poking fun at Purcell because…she’s using manure as fertiliser? How exactly is that funny? She’s a gardener, it’s a very basic thing for a gardener to do, isn’t it? Calling it poo rather than fertiliser doesn’t make it funny). It’s entirely possible than there will be shocking revelations about the worldbuilding later, but from what I read there’s nothing too unusual about the setting if this isn’t your first SFF novel, so the attempts at Being Weird felt very forced, not justified by the premise or the characters.
Really disappointed, but this one’s definitely not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the Divine Gardener’s Handbook, we meet Cyprin as she works to break free of her post-apocalyptic megacity home, dreaming of a job in the Divine Gardens. Her one shot out of the megacity is to win the annual flower contest, and she will do anything, dirty tricks included, to succeed. Her competition is none other than the other main lead in the Divine Gardener’s Handbook, the neurotic, perfectionist head gardener Purcell. Unfortunately for the both of them, their petty rivalry isn’t the biggest issue facing the two, as readers will soon find out.
The story jumps in swiftly to the action, without spending too much time meandering about with lengthy, expansive sci-fi worldbuilding. We promptly meet both Cyprin and Purcell, and get a good read on their general characterization equally as quickly. The beginning of the book is a fast, fun romp, with enough plot intrigue to keep you wanting to turn to the next page.
As we reach the latter half of the book, my enjoyment becomes a lot more shaky. The “romance” seems to flip from insta-hate to insta-love without much development, leading me to not feel connected to that part of the story enough for the emotionally-reliant plot beats to feel compelling as they should. At the climax of the story, plot points switch from horrifying to lighthearted in a flash, giving a sense of tonal whiplash that makes it difficult for me to place this book. Is it cozy? Is it a bleak dystopian? It varies from page to page.
Overall, this book feels like two potentially great books patched together into one. A lighthearted and cozy enemies-to lovers tale, combined with the classic dystopian “take down the oppressors at any cost” plotline. It just doesn’t know quite where to land, and that’s where it suffers.
In the Divine Gardener’s Handbook, we meet Cyprin as she works to break free of her post-apocalyptic megacity home, dreaming of a job in the Divine Gardens. Her one shot out of the megacity is to win the annual flower contest, and she will do anything, dirty tricks included, to succeed. Her competition is none other than the other main lead in the Divine Gardener’s Handbook, the neurotic, perfectionist head gardener Purcell. Unfortunately for the both of them, their petty rivalry isn’t the biggest issue facing the two, as readers will soon find out.
The story jumps in swiftly to the action, without spending too much time meandering about with lengthy, expansive sci-fi worldbuilding. We promptly meet both Cyprin and Purcell, and get a good read on their general characterization equally as quickly. The beginning of the book is a fast, fun romp, with enough plot intrigue to keep you wanting to turn to the next page.
As we reach the latter half of the book, my enjoyment becomes a lot more shaky. The “romance” seems to flip from insta-hate to insta-love without much development, leading me to not feel connected to that part of the story enough for the emotionally-reliant plot beats to feel compelling as they should. At the climax of the story, plot points switch from horrifying to lighthearted in a flash, giving a sense of tonal whiplash that makes it difficult for me to place this book. Is it cozy? Is it a bleak dystopian? It varies from page to page.
Overall, this book feels like two potentially great books patched together into one. A lighthearted and cozy enemies-to lovers tale, combined with the classic dystopian “take down the oppressors at any cost” plotline. It just doesn’t know quite where to land, and that’s where it suffers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review Details?
-no spoilers!
-ebook (ARC)
-3.75 (out of 5)
Fanta-SciFi-ness?
-the world we visit in The Divine Gardener's Handbook leans toward soft sci-fi in that the world is driven by character choices and decisions, though we ultimately have a central problem/solution rooted in technology.
-the story takes us to a few core locations in a large city split into haves and have-nots. the descriptions and world-building elements of this book are some of its absolute highs. that said, though the book is vivid and fun in its presentation, the language used can sometimes work against the feeling of immersion (e.g., "shoot your shot").
-the sci-fi system is a fun one, though it is never completely clear what its core rules are.
-with just a few small edits, one chapter near the end of the book (Chapter 42) could stand alone as a very gripping short story.
Complexity?
-we (mostly) follow 2 central characters, Cyprin and Purcell, who are rivals with an attraction. they both have interesting moments, but I felt that the characters--both individually and as a duo--mostly hit the same notes until the final 1/5 of the book. it is all subjective, but I would have liked to see a more linear progression. in addition to these two, we follow some core secondary characters who are fairly engaging (especially Saul).
-the overarching plot is an interesting one, but it is straightforward and easy to follow.
Keep it Coming?
-despite any gripes I may have, I ultimately felt a hunger to keep reading. again, the world and its lore are fun and fascinating.
-chapters seemed to be roughly 5-10 pages for the most part, including chapter breaks, which helped to stoke the "just one more chunk before bed..." feeling.
-no spoilers!
-ebook (ARC)
-3.75 (out of 5)
Fanta-SciFi-ness?
-the world we visit in The Divine Gardener's Handbook leans toward soft sci-fi in that the world is driven by character choices and decisions, though we ultimately have a central problem/solution rooted in technology.
-the story takes us to a few core locations in a large city split into haves and have-nots. the descriptions and world-building elements of this book are some of its absolute highs. that said, though the book is vivid and fun in its presentation, the language used can sometimes work against the feeling of immersion (e.g., "shoot your shot").
-the sci-fi system is a fun one, though it is never completely clear what its core rules are.
-with just a few small edits, one chapter near the end of the book (Chapter 42) could stand alone as a very gripping short story.
Complexity?
-we (mostly) follow 2 central characters, Cyprin and Purcell, who are rivals with an attraction. they both have interesting moments, but I felt that the characters--both individually and as a duo--mostly hit the same notes until the final 1/5 of the book. it is all subjective, but I would have liked to see a more linear progression. in addition to these two, we follow some core secondary characters who are fairly engaging (especially Saul).
-the overarching plot is an interesting one, but it is straightforward and easy to follow.
Keep it Coming?
-despite any gripes I may have, I ultimately felt a hunger to keep reading. again, the world and its lore are fun and fascinating.
-chapters seemed to be roughly 5-10 pages for the most part, including chapter breaks, which helped to stoke the "just one more chunk before bed..." feeling.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The concept of God on the toilet nearly did her head in." (pg. 50)
Thank you to Netgalley for providing ARC access!
I absolutely fell in love with this book. It's witty, powerful, fun, elaborate, jarring, breathtaking in the way Snow expertly weaves their story and leaves you gasping for more. There's a sapphic enemies to lovers romance. There's a dystopian world that gets ripped apart. There's a false god and a whole conspiracy behind said false god. The Divine Gardener's Handbook is a delightful book that explores the depths of the human psyche and its trembling society, and it manages to do so in a way that's graceful but also packs quite the punch.
This is a perfect lighthearted read for anyone who wants something to make them cry and then belly-laugh all in the span of a handful of pages. I was enamored with this book the moment I started reading, and that feeling didn't change for a bit all throughout. The plot is action-packed but well-developed, and the characters are all lovable and memorable in their own right. This would be the perfect icebreaker read for a buddy read or a book club, and I would highly recommend this book to readers who might be interested in breaking into the sci-fi genre or just want a feel-good pick-me-up. It's super approachable and easy to follow, and Snow writes magically in a way that makes 300+ pages fly by in the blink of an eye.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing ARC access!
I absolutely fell in love with this book. It's witty, powerful, fun, elaborate, jarring, breathtaking in the way Snow expertly weaves their story and leaves you gasping for more. There's a sapphic enemies to lovers romance. There's a dystopian world that gets ripped apart. There's a false god and a whole conspiracy behind said false god. The Divine Gardener's Handbook is a delightful book that explores the depths of the human psyche and its trembling society, and it manages to do so in a way that's graceful but also packs quite the punch.
This is a perfect lighthearted read for anyone who wants something to make them cry and then belly-laugh all in the span of a handful of pages. I was enamored with this book the moment I started reading, and that feeling didn't change for a bit all throughout. The plot is action-packed but well-developed, and the characters are all lovable and memorable in their own right. This would be the perfect icebreaker read for a buddy read or a book club, and I would highly recommend this book to readers who might be interested in breaking into the sci-fi genre or just want a feel-good pick-me-up. It's super approachable and easy to follow, and Snow writes magically in a way that makes 300+ pages fly by in the blink of an eye.
January 14, 2026
Thank you Saturday Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley!
Before we go into the review, please note all opinions are my own and I’d LOVE to hear yours after you read this!
Genre: LGBTQ+, Sci-Fi, Romance
Rating: 3.5/5
Content Warnings: death, death of a parent, childhood trauma, violence
Cyprin is an excellent apple grower, looking to find the answers to where her partner Maverick has gone within the Divine Garden’s gates. Purcell is the 5 time winner of The Divine Garden’s flower competition, that is until Cyprin unleashes a black market plague onto her award winning rose bush in order to secure a spot on the Divine Garden’s roster. This book follows these quick mortal enemies as they find a way to navigate the maze of the garden. Will Cyprin find Maverick? Will Purcell get revenge? And will these enemies ever become lovers?
Cyprin shows a strong range of emotions and skills in order to get what she wants.
Purcell truly breaks down behind the scenes while uncovering generational secrets within her family. Together, they perfectly intertwine and show how difficult fighting for what you deserve is. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves gardens, enemies to lovers, and a strong female MC!
My only true complaint is Cyprin cracked her knuckles too much!!! Yucky!!!
Before we go into the review, please note all opinions are my own and I’d LOVE to hear yours after you read this!
Genre: LGBTQ+, Sci-Fi, Romance
Rating: 3.5/5
Content Warnings: death, death of a parent, childhood trauma, violence
Cyprin is an excellent apple grower, looking to find the answers to where her partner Maverick has gone within the Divine Garden’s gates. Purcell is the 5 time winner of The Divine Garden’s flower competition, that is until Cyprin unleashes a black market plague onto her award winning rose bush in order to secure a spot on the Divine Garden’s roster. This book follows these quick mortal enemies as they find a way to navigate the maze of the garden. Will Cyprin find Maverick? Will Purcell get revenge? And will these enemies ever become lovers?
Cyprin shows a strong range of emotions and skills in order to get what she wants.
Purcell truly breaks down behind the scenes while uncovering generational secrets within her family. Together, they perfectly intertwine and show how difficult fighting for what you deserve is. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves gardens, enemies to lovers, and a strong female MC!
My only true complaint is Cyprin cracked her knuckles too much!!! Yucky!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was so fun and interesting. I loved the settings of the city and the garden. Most of the characters were likable except for Purcell, the love interest and dual narrator. She is self-centered, classist and bigoted.
Cyprin’s chapters were a delight to read; they were full of humor, self-awareness, and fun interactions with the other side characters.
This was a DNF for me at about two thirds in, because that is when Cyprin starts spending more time with Purcell and less with my favorite side character. Purcell made me so angry (sabotaging Cyprin and being classist against her despite being the love interest) and I genuinely dreaded picking up the book again because of her.
I think the book would be improved if Purcell’s narration was removed, Purcell had more redeeming moments, or if she was not Cyprin’s love interest at all.
I would recommend this book. My dislike of Purcell is completely subjective and I could see other people loving her. All in all, the book is funny, well-written, and is set in a unique world.
Cyprin’s chapters were a delight to read; they were full of humor, self-awareness, and fun interactions with the other side characters.
This was a DNF for me at about two thirds in, because that is when Cyprin starts spending more time with Purcell and less with my favorite side character. Purcell made me so angry (sabotaging Cyprin and being classist against her despite being the love interest) and I genuinely dreaded picking up the book again because of her.
I think the book would be improved if Purcell’s narration was removed, Purcell had more redeeming moments, or if she was not Cyprin’s love interest at all.
I would recommend this book. My dislike of Purcell is completely subjective and I could see other people loving her. All in all, the book is funny, well-written, and is set in a unique world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A little bit silly and a whole lot of mysterious and surreal, The Divine Gardener's Handbook is a story set in a post-apocalyptic world where an enormous garden sits at the top of a decaying city that builds upon itself. Our main characters, Cyprin and Purcell, come from two vastly different worlds and as a result have very different approaches when it comes to the gardens and the Great Petaled Divine. Honestly, I liked this story, but at the same time I'm still trying to make sense of what I read. This story is charming, bizarre, sometimes downright silly, sometimes dark, there's a little bit of everything mixed in. The world is described in detail, but it's clear that there are some darker forces at work in the garden that are somewhat explained, but not fully answered. However, the concept of this story as a whole is so fresh and fun, I think I can overlook these weaker areas in terms of plot and just enjoy it for what it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me early access to this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me early access to this book!
February 6, 2026
Guys, I love gay people. I love stories about gay people, and plant magic, and enemies to lovers. But for some reason, I just could not get into this book, and I'm upset about it!!!
I loved the main characters: they're complete opposites and their banter is quick-witted and funny, but I found the world and plot to be underdeveloped and confusing. It felt like the story did not truly begin until the 50% mark but by then, I had lost interest. The romance also read strange to me; Purcell and Cyprin would be thinking about how much they hate each other but then suddenly be like "wait, she's actually really hot," so the relationship came across as a little too "insta-lovey" and heavy-handed.
Publishing, I know that I wrote a pretty negative review but please publish more books about gay people having magical romps and falling in love in nature worlds!!!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
I loved the main characters: they're complete opposites and their banter is quick-witted and funny, but I found the world and plot to be underdeveloped and confusing. It felt like the story did not truly begin until the 50% mark but by then, I had lost interest. The romance also read strange to me; Purcell and Cyprin would be thinking about how much they hate each other but then suddenly be like "wait, she's actually really hot," so the relationship came across as a little too "insta-lovey" and heavy-handed.
Publishing, I know that I wrote a pretty negative review but please publish more books about gay people having magical romps and falling in love in nature worlds!!!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun and silly time, but I found myself wanting more from it. I didn’t connect very well to the characters, and was more interested in the world this book is set in, which really starts getting cool near the end. But, near the end, the focus is more on the characters than on the world, and so it felt like we only grazed the surface of this book’s complex world. I wanted more lore!
Like,
If you’re looking for a book that touches on real-world issues a bit while not taking itself too seriously, and you’re in the mood for some lustful rivals to lovers, this would probably appeal to you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for the ARC!
Like,
If you’re looking for a book that touches on real-world issues a bit while not taking itself too seriously, and you’re in the mood for some lustful rivals to lovers, this would probably appeal to you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
It was a slow start, but the second half of the book moved along if you like this type of book. This book is fantasy based about controversy, friendship, family, mystery, determination, love, hope, and community.
“Why did strangers seem to have such an imperative to give life advise?”
“That was one of the worst thing a person could do to you; die tragically and leave you their ugly collectibles to hoard for all time.”
“All I ever wanted was to be loved.”
“He’d been wrong about freedom. It wasn’t only about space. It was about time as well.”
“Making fun of someone else’s feelings was a defense mechanism.”
“Sometimes you had to run to get perspective.”
It was a slow start, but the second half of the book moved along if you like this type of book. This book is fantasy based about controversy, friendship, family, mystery, determination, love, hope, and community.
“Why did strangers seem to have such an imperative to give life advise?”
“That was one of the worst thing a person could do to you; die tragically and leave you their ugly collectibles to hoard for all time.”
“All I ever wanted was to be loved.”
“He’d been wrong about freedom. It wasn’t only about space. It was about time as well.”
“Making fun of someone else’s feelings was a defense mechanism.”
“Sometimes you had to run to get perspective.”
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I really enjoyed this book.
I really appreciate that you were able to understand the world before being thrown into the thick of it, but without the typical "infodumping" that comes with a lot of sci-fi/fantasy books. It kept me hooked from the start and I could hardly put it down.
The characters were likeable and well written, and I loved the overall message. The ending did feel a little rushed, but maybe it's because I didn't want to book to be over so soon.
The romance didn't really do anything for me, I forgot I was supposed to root for them to get together because it just felt forced most of the time. But it certainly didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
(I received an advanced reader's edition from a goodreads giveaway)
I really appreciate that you were able to understand the world before being thrown into the thick of it, but without the typical "infodumping" that comes with a lot of sci-fi/fantasy books. It kept me hooked from the start and I could hardly put it down.
The characters were likeable and well written, and I loved the overall message. The ending did feel a little rushed, but maybe it's because I didn't want to book to be over so soon.
The romance didn't really do anything for me, I forgot I was supposed to root for them to get together because it just felt forced most of the time. But it certainly didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
(I received an advanced reader's edition from a goodreads giveaway)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received an ARC of this book
I ended up really enjoying this book by the time I finished it. The whole story is amazing and is relatively good with imagery. With that, it had lots of times where the story goes fast, and then slows, and then fast again, then slow, etc. But during those times where the book picks up, it absolutely makes you want to continue reading, but those slow parts did sometimes make me want to just skip chapters (but power through, it's worth it!). Lastly like some other reviews said, sometimes things admittedly do get a little confusing, and the characters can sometimes blend but I think as you continue reading, they become more and more easy to separate.
I ended up really enjoying this book by the time I finished it. The whole story is amazing and is relatively good with imagery. With that, it had lots of times where the story goes fast, and then slows, and then fast again, then slow, etc. But during those times where the book picks up, it absolutely makes you want to continue reading, but those slow parts did sometimes make me want to just skip chapters (but power through, it's worth it!). Lastly like some other reviews said, sometimes things admittedly do get a little confusing, and the characters can sometimes blend but I think as you continue reading, they become more and more easy to separate.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Saturday Books, and the author for an e-arc!
Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me. The description and title seemed up my alley, but the writing style was not. I could see what the author was trying to do, but the humour didn’t hit for me as intended, and I couldn’t get attached to (or even really like) any of the characters.
I did read an advanced copy, so there could be another pass on this that helps with some of the issues I had around the writing.
(2.5 stars rounded up)
Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me. The description and title seemed up my alley, but the writing style was not. I could see what the author was trying to do, but the humour didn’t hit for me as intended, and I couldn’t get attached to (or even really like) any of the characters.
I did read an advanced copy, so there could be another pass on this that helps with some of the issues I had around the writing.
(2.5 stars rounded up)
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Enjoyed the dystopian future/how to save the world plotline quite a bit. Fun (weird to say about a dystopian future, I know), with some unique twists. But absolutely hated the "love" plotline. No basis for growth or romance besides physical objectification, and honestly just felt really stupid/unrealistic.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I got an ARC of this title, At first by the cover I was totally abducted! Upon opening the first chapter Eli Snow takes you into a depth of the city that feels alive! I will be honest not my first pick Genre, but the wit and humor are incredibly sharp! I absolutely loved it. Getting lost day dreaming while reading this book is something I could do over and over like a gift that keeps giving.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i made it to about 50% before i decided to dnf this one, so i read a decent amount! i found the world to be confusing and felt the characters blended together. i didnt particularly care for any of them. not for me!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Though it took me a few chapters to get this story settled in my head it was worth the effort. Warning if you are offended by LGBTQ characters this is not the book for you. However - it is clever, thought provoking, and just plain old fun to read.
August 17, 2025
this was the most fun i've had reading a book in a long time.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A cute story! I had a hard time imagining what the garden looked like. Overall the story was unique!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I honestly felt very confused. I am not sure if it was the lack of world building or the format/writing style. I don't even know why I finish reading this because the ending didnt help connect the dots. I know Cyprin is the main character but honestly Purcell has more spotlight moments. Maybe if there was more world building and the format was different than I could really enjoy this.
March 9, 2026
3.5🌟
I got an advanced readers copy — thank you!
I enjoyed the book a lot. it was easy to envision the different worlds the book takes you through. the concept felt new and fun to me.
i wish we got more of the action scenes though. they tend to feel rushed and end abruptly. the main plot point didn’t happen until about 2/3 of the way through the book. the ending felt rushed and i wanted more for a fulfilling ending
I got an advanced readers copy — thank you!
I enjoyed the book a lot. it was easy to envision the different worlds the book takes you through. the concept felt new and fun to me.
i wish we got more of the action scenes though. they tend to feel rushed and end abruptly. the main plot point didn’t happen until about 2/3 of the way through the book. the ending felt rushed and i wanted more for a fulfilling ending
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews