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The Town of Superstition #1
The Midnight Gardener
The Town of Superstition: Book One
A lonely teenage boy whose father has moved them too often for him to make lasting friendships.
A mysterious neighbor his own age who hums as he gardens... at night... surrounded by fireflies.
Superstition is the town Thaddeus Cane and his father, Nathan, have settled in this time, and every evening Thaddeus becomes more intrigued with his new neighbor. When Thaddeus finally works up the nerve to visit his neighbor, the crush blooming underneath surfaces, and he realizes that Teofil, the midnight gardener, is lonely as well. When his father finds out where he's been spending his time, Thaddeus is forbidden from returning. But the attraction is too strong, and soon Thaddeus is back in Teofil's yard, leading to the revelation of long held secrets that upend Thaddeus' quiet life and sends him on the adventure of a lifetime.
A lonely teenage boy whose father has moved them too often for him to make lasting friendships.
A mysterious neighbor his own age who hums as he gardens... at night... surrounded by fireflies.
Superstition is the town Thaddeus Cane and his father, Nathan, have settled in this time, and every evening Thaddeus becomes more intrigued with his new neighbor. When Thaddeus finally works up the nerve to visit his neighbor, the crush blooming underneath surfaces, and he realizes that Teofil, the midnight gardener, is lonely as well. When his father finds out where he's been spending his time, Thaddeus is forbidden from returning. But the attraction is too strong, and soon Thaddeus is back in Teofil's yard, leading to the revelation of long held secrets that upend Thaddeus' quiet life and sends him on the adventure of a lifetime.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2015
17 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Thomas
6 books22 followersR. G. Thomas has been reading books from an early age. As a young gay man, however, he found very few characters with whom he could truly identify. Now that he's an adult—or at least older than he used to be—he likes to write stories that revolve around gay characters. The Town of Superstition is his YA fantasy gay romance series which includes wizards, witches, and other magical creatures.
When he's not writing, R. G. Thomas loves to read, go to movies, watch some TV, and putter around in the small suburban patch of ground he calls a yard. He visits his mother once a week, not just for the free cookies, and enjoys spending time with close friends drinking wine and making up ridiculous things that sometimes show up in his books. Although he hates the process of travel, he does enjoy experiencing new places. His dream trip is to one day visit the country of Greece, and he is currently saving his nickels and dimes to make that a reality.
Twenty years ago he met a man who understood and encouraged his strange, creative mind, who made him laugh more often and more freely than anyone else. They were officially married in November of 2015 and today they still laugh often as they live in a suburb just north of Detroit with their two cats who act as both muse and distraction to him while he writes.
When he's not writing, R. G. Thomas loves to read, go to movies, watch some TV, and putter around in the small suburban patch of ground he calls a yard. He visits his mother once a week, not just for the free cookies, and enjoys spending time with close friends drinking wine and making up ridiculous things that sometimes show up in his books. Although he hates the process of travel, he does enjoy experiencing new places. His dream trip is to one day visit the country of Greece, and he is currently saving his nickels and dimes to make that a reality.
Twenty years ago he met a man who understood and encouraged his strange, creative mind, who made him laugh more often and more freely than anyone else. They were officially married in November of 2015 and today they still laugh often as they live in a suburb just north of Detroit with their two cats who act as both muse and distraction to him while he writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 18, 2025
And here's another book I didn't know I needed in my life.
Not necessarily perfect for the first book in a series, but oh so sweet.
The first half of the book is wonderfully cute and delightful. Thaddeus meets his mysterious neighbor and promptly falls in love. He is 15 and has never been kissed.
Oh, it was heart-melting. Those first wonderful kisses he gets from Teofil were pure perfection.
The second half of the book breaks with the wonderful atmosphere, as events come to a head and Thaddeus finally learns why his life is so different from normal.
It's all a bit chaotic and you only learn bits and pieces. Poor Thaddeus is kept pretty much in the dark and I'd like to shake everyone involved. Luckily, he has Teofil.
A salute? Really?
How was he ever going to find someone to kiss him if his knee jerk reaction to any kind of greeting was to give a salute? He may as well just accept that he was going to die a lonely old man who had never been kissed. He’d probably have pets, at least. Dogs and cats both, of course. 🤭🤭🤭
“Teofil and Thaddeus,” Teofil said, then smiled. “I like how it flows together.”
“Oh, well, yeah. So do I. They are a very good fit. Our names, I mean.” Thaddeus felt himself blush and was very glad it was nighttime so Teofil wouldn’t be able to see it. 🥰🥰🥰
He took a breath and closed his eyes as Teofil’s lips touched his. The brush of Teofil’s whiskers was soft and not at all scratchy, and the feel of it along with the firm press of his lips sent Thaddeus’ heart racing even faster. Blood pounded in his ears, and the wounds in his leg pulsed in time. The voices of the fairies circling them blended together into one gentle, sweet song that floated away on the night breeze. Heat prickled across Thaddeus’ skin in waves, and his scalp tingled. 🫠🫠🫠
I really like this story and am looking forward to the rest of the series, even though it will take a while... Why do I have to start four new series for every one I finish... I hate my fickle mind.
Not necessarily perfect for the first book in a series, but oh so sweet.
The first half of the book is wonderfully cute and delightful. Thaddeus meets his mysterious neighbor and promptly falls in love. He is 15 and has never been kissed.
Oh, it was heart-melting. Those first wonderful kisses he gets from Teofil were pure perfection.
The second half of the book breaks with the wonderful atmosphere, as events come to a head and Thaddeus finally learns why his life is so different from normal.
It's all a bit chaotic and you only learn bits and pieces. Poor Thaddeus is kept pretty much in the dark and I'd like to shake everyone involved. Luckily, he has Teofil.
A salute? Really?
How was he ever going to find someone to kiss him if his knee jerk reaction to any kind of greeting was to give a salute? He may as well just accept that he was going to die a lonely old man who had never been kissed. He’d probably have pets, at least. Dogs and cats both, of course. 🤭🤭🤭
“Teofil and Thaddeus,” Teofil said, then smiled. “I like how it flows together.”
“Oh, well, yeah. So do I. They are a very good fit. Our names, I mean.” Thaddeus felt himself blush and was very glad it was nighttime so Teofil wouldn’t be able to see it. 🥰🥰🥰
He took a breath and closed his eyes as Teofil’s lips touched his. The brush of Teofil’s whiskers was soft and not at all scratchy, and the feel of it along with the firm press of his lips sent Thaddeus’ heart racing even faster. Blood pounded in his ears, and the wounds in his leg pulsed in time. The voices of the fairies circling them blended together into one gentle, sweet song that floated away on the night breeze. Heat prickled across Thaddeus’ skin in waves, and his scalp tingled. 🫠🫠🫠
I really like this story and am looking forward to the rest of the series, even though it will take a while... Why do I have to start four new series for every one I finish... I hate my fickle mind.
April 12, 2018
3.5 Stars
I knew I had to read this story when I realised the main characters love interest was a sexy garden gnome. I mean, c’mon! That’s definitely one I’ve never read before.
This story was an absolute YA fantasy delight. It was a little bit Harry Potter and a little bit Percy Jackson, featuring witches and wizards and fairies and dragons and all sorts of fantastical mythical creatures.
The story essentially follows Thaddeus Cane, a fifteen year old boy who moves (for the umpteenth time in however many years) with his dad to the quirky town of Superstition, where he begins to discover his magical ancestry and even shares his first romance with the handsome garden gnome next door.
This story was completely sweet and enchanting, and suitable for even the youngest of teen readers.
I truly enjoyed this and I very much look forward to following Thaddeus’s journey, wherever his adventures may lead.
P.S. I absolutely LOVE this book cover.
I knew I had to read this story when I realised the main characters love interest was a sexy garden gnome. I mean, c’mon! That’s definitely one I’ve never read before.
This story was an absolute YA fantasy delight. It was a little bit Harry Potter and a little bit Percy Jackson, featuring witches and wizards and fairies and dragons and all sorts of fantastical mythical creatures.
The story essentially follows Thaddeus Cane, a fifteen year old boy who moves (for the umpteenth time in however many years) with his dad to the quirky town of Superstition, where he begins to discover his magical ancestry and even shares his first romance with the handsome garden gnome next door.
This story was completely sweet and enchanting, and suitable for even the youngest of teen readers.
I truly enjoyed this and I very much look forward to following Thaddeus’s journey, wherever his adventures may lead.
P.S. I absolutely LOVE this book cover.
April 28, 2018
4 Stars
I’ll be the first to admit that typically YA isn’t something that’s at the top of my list of to-be-read, but when the blurb mentions a garden gnome, then color me curious because that’s an original exploration if I ever saw one.
So yes, 15 year old Thaddeus is kinda a lonely outcast. Without really clear reasons, his father has uprooted them many a time, and Thaddeus somewhat resigns himself to not get too invested with his new location. However, this time around things are different in the town of Superstition. With a name like that how can strange and creepy and wonderful things not occur?? One of those very things is the midnight gardener Thaddeus spies next door, and his attempt at getting to know Teofil (the aforementioned gnome) sets off a chain of events and consequences he could’ve never expected. Most importantly, it reveals the mystery behind his mother’s death and why he and his dad have been living such a vagabond existence.
Now, like many YA stories, this is tame in the romance department, but what this excels at are the characters and the set up for the upcoming quest that’s sure to come. The intriguing Teofil was a delightful mix of good and innocent, devotion and strength. Intermix that with Thaddeus's sensible self, as well as his rock solid relationship with his dad, and there really weren’t any complaints at all with how this story progressed.
This definitely appealed to my love of urban fantasy/adventure and when you throw in a blossoming new sweet romance that’s full of all things first, then sign me up. I’m ready to go forth with the sequel!
I’ll be the first to admit that typically YA isn’t something that’s at the top of my list of to-be-read, but when the blurb mentions a garden gnome, then color me curious because that’s an original exploration if I ever saw one.
So yes, 15 year old Thaddeus is kinda a lonely outcast. Without really clear reasons, his father has uprooted them many a time, and Thaddeus somewhat resigns himself to not get too invested with his new location. However, this time around things are different in the town of Superstition. With a name like that how can strange and creepy and wonderful things not occur?? One of those very things is the midnight gardener Thaddeus spies next door, and his attempt at getting to know Teofil (the aforementioned gnome) sets off a chain of events and consequences he could’ve never expected. Most importantly, it reveals the mystery behind his mother’s death and why he and his dad have been living such a vagabond existence.
Now, like many YA stories, this is tame in the romance department, but what this excels at are the characters and the set up for the upcoming quest that’s sure to come. The intriguing Teofil was a delightful mix of good and innocent, devotion and strength. Intermix that with Thaddeus's sensible self, as well as his rock solid relationship with his dad, and there really weren’t any complaints at all with how this story progressed.
This definitely appealed to my love of urban fantasy/adventure and when you throw in a blossoming new sweet romance that’s full of all things first, then sign me up. I’m ready to go forth with the sequel!
June 14, 2016
4.5 stars rounded down here on GR because still no 1/2 stars to be found.
At 15 years of age Thaddeus Cane and his father, Nathan, have moved 32 times by his count and they've lived in some places that have had some pretty strange names but the town of Superstition is quite possibly the strangest one so far.
Thaddeus doesn't know why all these moves have happened but over the years he and his dad have refined the act of moving down to an art. Thaddeus has learned to travel fairly light. He doesn't have a lot except his books, they've become the constant in his life through all the moves the one thing that he can count on being there for him, they've become his friends.
He's learned not to get to attached to people because he never knows when the next move is coming so it's just not worth the effort or at least he didn't think it was until he spotted the boy next door late one night as he peeked out his bedroom window and into the neighbors backyard his attention drawn by the soft melodic humming that he could hear. Thaddeus feels drawn to this attractive and mysterious person who does their gardening after dark. It takes him a while but finally Thaddeus gets the opportunity to talk to his neighbor and what he learns is that the cute boy who lives next door and gardens at midnight isn't a boy at all but a garden gnome.
Thaddeus and Teofil are attracted to each other and they very much enjoy each others company but there seems to be some strange and dangerous things going on in the town of Superstition and for some reason Thaddeus seems to keep ending up at the center of things.
Moving to the town of Superstition is the beginning of an adventure unlike anything Taddeus cold have every imagined and it's also where he begins to feel comfortable and at home. But he's about to find out so much more than he had ever imagined things about himself and why his father has made them move so many times or at least he'll find out if he can survive being chased by a Bearagon.
'The Midnight Gardener' is the first book in the YA series 'The Town of Superstition' and introduces the reader to a magical town filled with a number of interesting and uniquely gifted people. The story flowed and kept things moving at a steady pace. I loved Thaddeus, he was in many ways your typical 15 year old but also a bit more mature than many 15 year olds. The steam in this book was very low level consisting mostly of some hand holding, a couple of sweet kisses and a hug or two. I'm not saying that Thaddeus didn't have an X-rated thought or two, I mean after all he's a 15 year old, but he was gentleman enough not to over share.
There was a lot of background to be given in this story and I thought the author did an amazing job of laying it out as part of the story there were no huge info dumps and the necessary background information was filtered in with the events of the story as they were needed.
I originally bought this book because it sounded interesting and I figured one day when I wanted something different to read I'd check it out but when the opportunity came up to review the second book in this series,'The Well of Tear', I knew it was time to read 'The Midnight Gardener' as well.
I'm definitely looking forward to 'The Well of Tears' while 'The Midnight Gardener' took us on the beginnings of fantastic adventure it also left us with a huge cliffhanger, a wealth of unanswered questions and the beginnings of an incredibly sweet story about first love.
At 15 years of age Thaddeus Cane and his father, Nathan, have moved 32 times by his count and they've lived in some places that have had some pretty strange names but the town of Superstition is quite possibly the strangest one so far.
Thaddeus doesn't know why all these moves have happened but over the years he and his dad have refined the act of moving down to an art. Thaddeus has learned to travel fairly light. He doesn't have a lot except his books, they've become the constant in his life through all the moves the one thing that he can count on being there for him, they've become his friends.
He's learned not to get to attached to people because he never knows when the next move is coming so it's just not worth the effort or at least he didn't think it was until he spotted the boy next door late one night as he peeked out his bedroom window and into the neighbors backyard his attention drawn by the soft melodic humming that he could hear. Thaddeus feels drawn to this attractive and mysterious person who does their gardening after dark. It takes him a while but finally Thaddeus gets the opportunity to talk to his neighbor and what he learns is that the cute boy who lives next door and gardens at midnight isn't a boy at all but a garden gnome.
Thaddeus and Teofil are attracted to each other and they very much enjoy each others company but there seems to be some strange and dangerous things going on in the town of Superstition and for some reason Thaddeus seems to keep ending up at the center of things.
Moving to the town of Superstition is the beginning of an adventure unlike anything Taddeus cold have every imagined and it's also where he begins to feel comfortable and at home. But he's about to find out so much more than he had ever imagined things about himself and why his father has made them move so many times or at least he'll find out if he can survive being chased by a Bearagon.
'The Midnight Gardener' is the first book in the YA series 'The Town of Superstition' and introduces the reader to a magical town filled with a number of interesting and uniquely gifted people. The story flowed and kept things moving at a steady pace. I loved Thaddeus, he was in many ways your typical 15 year old but also a bit more mature than many 15 year olds. The steam in this book was very low level consisting mostly of some hand holding, a couple of sweet kisses and a hug or two. I'm not saying that Thaddeus didn't have an X-rated thought or two, I mean after all he's a 15 year old, but he was gentleman enough not to over share.
There was a lot of background to be given in this story and I thought the author did an amazing job of laying it out as part of the story there were no huge info dumps and the necessary background information was filtered in with the events of the story as they were needed.
I originally bought this book because it sounded interesting and I figured one day when I wanted something different to read I'd check it out but when the opportunity came up to review the second book in this series,'The Well of Tear', I knew it was time to read 'The Midnight Gardener' as well.
I'm definitely looking forward to 'The Well of Tears' while 'The Midnight Gardener' took us on the beginnings of fantastic adventure it also left us with a huge cliffhanger, a wealth of unanswered questions and the beginnings of an incredibly sweet story about first love.
May 18, 2018
4 Stars
Review:
This book. Was. Adorable.
Thaddeus was adorable.
Teofil was adorable.
The two of them together were adorable.
The family relationships were adorable.
Everything was adorable. That's all you need to know! Review over!
(Just kidding.)
Honestly though, I was already invested in Thaddeus and Teofil's relationship before they had even spoken. I can't even tell you how many times I felt warm and fuzzy and couldn't help but smile while reading this. It was such a wholesome, sweet romance, and I was so happy for Thaddeus finally finding someone who made him feel so giddy and happy and understood. The author captured that high school crush, butterflies in your stomach, overexcited awkwardness so well.
And as I said, the characters themselves were so lovable. Thaddeus was a lonely teen with a good heart. Teofil was a sweetheart. Even all the other characters, like Nathan (Thaddeus's dad) were good and kind.
Also, this was such a healthy portrayal of teenage boys! Thaddeus had emotions, and he liked the flowers that Teofil sent him, and he realized he missed being hugged by his dad. Things like that just made the book even better.
And speaking of Thaddeus's dad, that relationship was really sweet too. They talked things out, they tried to understand each other, they loved and appreciated each other.
Last but not least, a garden gnome love interest! I loved it. I've only done a bit of reading on gnome lore/mythology, but I always like seeing authors' takes on supernatural beings.
There was also a plot, in addition to the romance, but this was a fairly short book, and the plot is one that continues into the next book.
This is definitely enjoyable for all ages (if you enjoy YA), but if you know any actual teens or pre-teens who are looking for something sweet, especially if they're looking for something with gay characters, I recommend this so hard. This book was a sweet, adorable clean romance with lovable characters that's bound to make you smile!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes clean M/M romance, YA, uncommon supernatural creatures (gnomes), and lots of adorableness.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
I meant to focus on my current physical book and to have this to read for those times when I needed an ebook, but oops! I got sucked in by how utterly adorable this was! Full review soon.
Review:
This book. Was. Adorable.
Thaddeus was adorable.
Teofil was adorable.
The two of them together were adorable.
The family relationships were adorable.
Everything was adorable. That's all you need to know! Review over!
(Just kidding.)
Honestly though, I was already invested in Thaddeus and Teofil's relationship before they had even spoken. I can't even tell you how many times I felt warm and fuzzy and couldn't help but smile while reading this. It was such a wholesome, sweet romance, and I was so happy for Thaddeus finally finding someone who made him feel so giddy and happy and understood. The author captured that high school crush, butterflies in your stomach, overexcited awkwardness so well.
And as I said, the characters themselves were so lovable. Thaddeus was a lonely teen with a good heart. Teofil was a sweetheart. Even all the other characters, like Nathan (Thaddeus's dad) were good and kind.
Also, this was such a healthy portrayal of teenage boys! Thaddeus had emotions, and he liked the flowers that Teofil sent him, and he realized he missed being hugged by his dad. Things like that just made the book even better.
And speaking of Thaddeus's dad, that relationship was really sweet too. They talked things out, they tried to understand each other, they loved and appreciated each other.
Last but not least, a garden gnome love interest! I loved it. I've only done a bit of reading on gnome lore/mythology, but I always like seeing authors' takes on supernatural beings.
There was also a plot, in addition to the romance, but this was a fairly short book, and the plot is one that continues into the next book.
This is definitely enjoyable for all ages (if you enjoy YA), but if you know any actual teens or pre-teens who are looking for something sweet, especially if they're looking for something with gay characters, I recommend this so hard. This book was a sweet, adorable clean romance with lovable characters that's bound to make you smile!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes clean M/M romance, YA, uncommon supernatural creatures (gnomes), and lots of adorableness.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
I meant to focus on my current physical book and to have this to read for those times when I needed an ebook, but oops! I got sucked in by how utterly adorable this was! Full review soon.
June 1, 2016
3.5 stars
I admit, I saw the words “garden gnome” and immediately requested for the arc. What can I say, I enjoy urban fantasy and I really like having different supernatural beings as front and center. So I couldn’t pass the chance to read about garden gnomes, could I?
What I liked the most about this story – which is the beginning of a series called “The Town of Superstition” – was how atmospheric it was. I enjoyed how R.G. Thomas described those nights when Thaddeus first discovered, observed, and later being introduced to the world of magic and supernatural beings by way of Teofil, the garden gnome. I felt like being there with Thaddeus as his eyes were open to this new experience, that the world he was living was not at all ordinary.
I also enjoyed reading about Thaddeus’ relationship with his father, Nathan. Since Thaddeus’ mother was not in the picture – there would be an explanation for that in addition to quite a surprising moment that just made my jaw dropped – the father-son relationship was pretty strongly displayed. Although there were moments in which I thought Nathan should be more opened about their family background towards Thaddeus, especially after the ‘secret was out’.
This was only the beginning of Thaddeus’ quest and the story ended with ‘soft-of’ a cliffhanger. I said ‘sort-of’ because the threat for Thaddeus and Nathan, at the moment, was being taken care of but there were still questions left to be answered. Well, I definitely look forward to the next story because I want to see how Thaddeus evolve – I haven’t seen him doing magic yet *smile*
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I admit, I saw the words “garden gnome” and immediately requested for the arc. What can I say, I enjoy urban fantasy and I really like having different supernatural beings as front and center. So I couldn’t pass the chance to read about garden gnomes, could I?
What I liked the most about this story – which is the beginning of a series called “The Town of Superstition” – was how atmospheric it was. I enjoyed how R.G. Thomas described those nights when Thaddeus first discovered, observed, and later being introduced to the world of magic and supernatural beings by way of Teofil, the garden gnome. I felt like being there with Thaddeus as his eyes were open to this new experience, that the world he was living was not at all ordinary.
I also enjoyed reading about Thaddeus’ relationship with his father, Nathan. Since Thaddeus’ mother was not in the picture – there would be an explanation for that in addition to quite a surprising moment that just made my jaw dropped – the father-son relationship was pretty strongly displayed. Although there were moments in which I thought Nathan should be more opened about their family background towards Thaddeus, especially after the ‘secret was out’.
This was only the beginning of Thaddeus’ quest and the story ended with ‘soft-of’ a cliffhanger. I said ‘sort-of’ because the threat for Thaddeus and Nathan, at the moment, was being taken care of but there were still questions left to be answered. Well, I definitely look forward to the next story because I want to see how Thaddeus evolve – I haven’t seen him doing magic yet *smile*
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
June 29, 2016
Seems this is the book I always looked for when I was a teenager with a hunger for urban fantasy although even then I wouldn't expected a garden gnome being the love interest of a 15 year old boy - but now after introduced to Teofil there is certainly nothing wrong about that.
There is everything there that a youth adventure has to have: a small town with strange characters, a monster lurking in the dark woods, strange appearances in the neighboring yard at night, a missing much loved mother and a father who seemingly keeps something in the dark about their past and everything mixed together in an atmospheric tale about a boy getting his first kiss.
I'm way older than 15 and sometimes I would have liked the story being a bit more complex. I was also a bit disappointed about how Lily's case was handled but nevertheless I'm still surfing this wave of nostalgia and feeling good. Won't miss the next part, obviously ;)
There is everything there that a youth adventure has to have: a small town with strange characters, a monster lurking in the dark woods, strange appearances in the neighboring yard at night, a missing much loved mother and a father who seemingly keeps something in the dark about their past and everything mixed together in an atmospheric tale about a boy getting his first kiss.
I'm way older than 15 and sometimes I would have liked the story being a bit more complex. I was also a bit disappointed about how Lily's case was handled but nevertheless I'm still surfing this wave of nostalgia and feeling good. Won't miss the next part, obviously ;)
July 25, 2020
There is something magical about looking at the world with a teenager’s eyes, at least for me. Maybe it is one of the reasons I like reading a well written YA book so much, especially when the setting is a fantasy or paranormal world. I can just tag along with the main character and see the world through their eyes. ‘The Midnight Gardener’ is a perfect example of this: Thaddeus is fifteen, has moved from place to place too often to want to remember, and now that he has arrived in Superstition, a small and slightly creepy town with a very fitting name, he is about to discover some unexpected truths about the world, his parents, and himself. I watched with bated breath as a whole new world unfolded before him, filled with not just the magic of a new friendship with Teofil, the boy next door, but also a lot of revelations about his past.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 1, 2018
Interesting concept, just a shame the book finished too soon. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
October 17, 2019
2.75 stars
Surely this series is targeting a teen market, perhaps pre-teen. Simplistic, stilted, mechanical writing. Odd pacing. Not much world building. Overall, rather dull. Took forever to finish. Not my cuppa.
Surely this series is targeting a teen market, perhaps pre-teen. Simplistic, stilted, mechanical writing. Odd pacing. Not much world building. Overall, rather dull. Took forever to finish. Not my cuppa.
July 27, 2020
What a lovely, magical little tale. I would probably put this more on the MG scale of YA, so if that isn’t your cuppa, this isn’t the book for you. But for me, it definitely worked. Thaddeus is a kid who’s moved around a lot and is just looking for where he belongs, and he seems to be finding it in the town of Superstition, where all is not as it seems. The authors note says this series started out as a serial, and that’s evident. This book reads more as a setup to a series, but it’s definitely a series I plan on continuing.
January 19, 2018
Reviewed by Shorty for MM Good Book Reviews
5 Hearts
Thaddeus is a young man who has spent a lot of his youth on the move with his father until they move to the town of superstition. Things are not as they seem from the start. Revelations reveal there is more going on that meets the eye and Thaddeus' world opens up to things he thought were fairytales.
Teofil is Thaddeus' neighbor and only comes out at night. I found Teofil to be sweet and caring in his devotion to Thaddeus. This story is fraught with adventure and danger as Thaddeus is introduced to the previously unknown. I loved this story even though it does end with a cliffhanger there is plenty of mystery to keep the reader engaged to find out the truth.
Well written and intriguing. Highly recommended.
5 Hearts
Thaddeus is a young man who has spent a lot of his youth on the move with his father until they move to the town of superstition. Things are not as they seem from the start. Revelations reveal there is more going on that meets the eye and Thaddeus' world opens up to things he thought were fairytales.
Teofil is Thaddeus' neighbor and only comes out at night. I found Teofil to be sweet and caring in his devotion to Thaddeus. This story is fraught with adventure and danger as Thaddeus is introduced to the previously unknown. I loved this story even though it does end with a cliffhanger there is plenty of mystery to keep the reader engaged to find out the truth.
Well written and intriguing. Highly recommended.
November 24, 2025
thaddeus is such a fairy name, perfect for a cozy fantasy main character!
garden gnomes were honestly so original and cute, i loved them!
it was an interesting book, good start to a beautiful series i suppose.
thank fuck thaddeus isn't just a stupid hero and he actually connects clues and trusts his instincts!
garden gnomes were honestly so original and cute, i loved them!
it was an interesting book, good start to a beautiful series i suppose.
thank fuck thaddeus isn't just a stupid hero and he actually connects clues and trusts his instincts!
February 7, 2017
3,5*
Just like Ami said ^^
Yang kurang cuma romance nya Thaddeus - Teofil yang gak bisa bikin gw berdebar-debar/gigit meja/mesam-mesem sendiri. Maybe because it happened too fast and too easy. Love needs challenge and conflict to make it strong!
Gw malah lebih terpesona dengan hubungan bapak - anak Nathan - Thaddeus; cute and warm and sweet! Yah.. gimana bond bapak-anak ini gak kuat secara mereka selama 15 tahun cuma berdua against the world.
Overall... it was a fun reading, felt like reading a fairy tale (emang ada fairies nya... ^.^)
Just like Ami said ^^
Yang kurang cuma romance nya Thaddeus - Teofil yang gak bisa bikin gw berdebar-debar/gigit meja/mesam-mesem sendiri. Maybe because it happened too fast and too easy. Love needs challenge and conflict to make it strong!
Gw malah lebih terpesona dengan hubungan bapak - anak Nathan - Thaddeus; cute and warm and sweet! Yah.. gimana bond bapak-anak ini gak kuat secara mereka selama 15 tahun cuma berdua against the world.
Overall... it was a fun reading, felt like reading a fairy tale (emang ada fairies nya... ^.^)
July 31, 2020
The Midnight Gardener is the first book in the Town of Superstition. It's a gay YA urban fantasy romance story. I really liked it and can't wait to start book 2.
July 25, 2020
There is something magical about looking at the world with a teenager’s eyes, at least for me. Maybe it is one of the reasons I like reading a well written YA book so much, especially when the setting is a fantasy or paranormal world. I can just tag along with the main character and see the world through their eyes. ‘The Midnight Gardener’ is a perfect example of this: Thaddeus is fifteen, has moved from place to place too often to want to remember, and now that he has arrived in Superstition, a small and slightly creepy town with a very fitting name, he is about to discover some unexpected truths about the world, his parents, and himself. I watched with bated breath as a whole new world unfolded before him, filled with not just the magic of a new friendship with Teofil, the boy next door, but also a lot of revelations about his past.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 26, 2015
Thaddeus doesn't question why he and his father are constantly on the move. All he knows is that it isn't worth making friends because as soon as he does it will be time to move on to a new town and a new school. This is very much the pattern of his life and he is used to it although he sometimes wishes for stability.
Things start to change when they move to the small strange town of 'Superstition.' Appropriately named because all is not what it seems in this small town.
Thaddeus settles in to his new home but begins to realise there is more to this town than meets the eye. The young man next door who nurtures his garden during the night is actually a gnome called Teofil, there is a strange wild beast in the woods and it seems to be hunting Thaddeus, and his long dead mother may not really be dead.
And there is magic, real magic that Thaddeus must both learn how to wield and how to protect himself from and there is the potential for love with this mysterious Teofil from next door.
This is a really lovely YA story which combines magic, love and mystery in a really lovely way. At the heart of the story is a mystery:
Who is Thaddeus really and where is his mother?
What has his father been hiding from him all these years?
Who are their neighbours and why is Thaddeus being hunted?
As the story unfolds and reveals these answers we are slowly taken into a world of magic, fairies, gnomes, shadowy people and dangerous beasts but also we are taken into the beauty of a first love. It is a lovely story which is just right for the YA audience that the book is written for but which can also be enjoyed by adults.
I loved the way Thaddeus slowly realises that there is more to his life than he has previously understood and that he stands on the precipice of great love and of great danger.
Although I don't normally read many YA novels I found this to be refreshingly different to my normal adult novels, and it also held my attention. I was drawn into the story from the word go and kept guessing and the story wasn't at all predictable.
This is also a feel good story. There is danger and darkness and the story shows how Thaddeus and his father have to work together with others in order to overcome this and fight for love and the peaceful life they both desire. Of course this is book one of the series so I hope subsequent books will continue to be as good as this first one.
The story is well written and imaginative and I would definitely read more from this author. All in all this is a lovely YA story, with the potential of becoming a really nice series and capable of entertaining adults as well.
Many thanks to Dreamspinner Press for providing the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Things start to change when they move to the small strange town of 'Superstition.' Appropriately named because all is not what it seems in this small town.
Thaddeus settles in to his new home but begins to realise there is more to this town than meets the eye. The young man next door who nurtures his garden during the night is actually a gnome called Teofil, there is a strange wild beast in the woods and it seems to be hunting Thaddeus, and his long dead mother may not really be dead.
And there is magic, real magic that Thaddeus must both learn how to wield and how to protect himself from and there is the potential for love with this mysterious Teofil from next door.
This is a really lovely YA story which combines magic, love and mystery in a really lovely way. At the heart of the story is a mystery:
Who is Thaddeus really and where is his mother?
What has his father been hiding from him all these years?
Who are their neighbours and why is Thaddeus being hunted?
As the story unfolds and reveals these answers we are slowly taken into a world of magic, fairies, gnomes, shadowy people and dangerous beasts but also we are taken into the beauty of a first love. It is a lovely story which is just right for the YA audience that the book is written for but which can also be enjoyed by adults.
I loved the way Thaddeus slowly realises that there is more to his life than he has previously understood and that he stands on the precipice of great love and of great danger.
Although I don't normally read many YA novels I found this to be refreshingly different to my normal adult novels, and it also held my attention. I was drawn into the story from the word go and kept guessing and the story wasn't at all predictable.
This is also a feel good story. There is danger and darkness and the story shows how Thaddeus and his father have to work together with others in order to overcome this and fight for love and the peaceful life they both desire. Of course this is book one of the series so I hope subsequent books will continue to be as good as this first one.
The story is well written and imaginative and I would definitely read more from this author. All in all this is a lovely YA story, with the potential of becoming a really nice series and capable of entertaining adults as well.
Many thanks to Dreamspinner Press for providing the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
July 16, 2016
I received a copy of this book through Net Galley.
I have pretty mixed feeling about this one. On one hand, it definitely has its charms, and I enjoyed reading it. But it really feels like a rough draft. It needs a lot of polish, but at the same time there's a lot here that works if you don't take it too seriously.
The dialogue could use some tightening, it shifts between pretty decent and oddly stilted. The plot, and the book as a whole, really needed more room to breathe. If it had spent more time building atmosphere, building the world, developing the characters, (and maybe including some much-needed foreshadowing of the events to come) I would have more interest in reading the next book in the series. The cliffhanger isn't even really a cliffhanger, just a bizarre stop in the middle of the action. In my opinion, the mark of a great series is when every book has a satisfying story and arc without this frustrating method of "Buy book 2 to find out what happens next!"
So yeah, the book has flaws. Quite a few, in fact. But despite all that, I had fun with it. I'd rank it at about 2.5 stars, with a lot of room for improvement.
I have pretty mixed feeling about this one. On one hand, it definitely has its charms, and I enjoyed reading it. But it really feels like a rough draft. It needs a lot of polish, but at the same time there's a lot here that works if you don't take it too seriously.
The dialogue could use some tightening, it shifts between pretty decent and oddly stilted. The plot, and the book as a whole, really needed more room to breathe. If it had spent more time building atmosphere, building the world, developing the characters, (and maybe including some much-needed foreshadowing of the events to come) I would have more interest in reading the next book in the series. The cliffhanger isn't even really a cliffhanger, just a bizarre stop in the middle of the action. In my opinion, the mark of a great series is when every book has a satisfying story and arc without this frustrating method of "Buy book 2 to find out what happens next!"
So yeah, the book has flaws. Quite a few, in fact. But despite all that, I had fun with it. I'd rank it at about 2.5 stars, with a lot of room for improvement.
November 30, 2015
This book was amazing. I love the story. A great first book to a series that I can't wait to read.
As the main character in the book said this is like an American Harry Potter story without the wand. This book is full of magic and mystery, an angry beast and strange neighbors with magical "fireflies".
The budding romance and relationship between Thaddeus and Teofil is sweet and wonderful and can't wait to see where it leads
I highly recommend this book. It was great. The author writes so wonderfully painting each scene that makes you feel like you are there. If you like YA m/m stories with magic and mystery that includes quests then this is a book you will love.
I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
As the main character in the book said this is like an American Harry Potter story without the wand. This book is full of magic and mystery, an angry beast and strange neighbors with magical "fireflies".
The budding romance and relationship between Thaddeus and Teofil is sweet and wonderful and can't wait to see where it leads
I highly recommend this book. It was great. The author writes so wonderfully painting each scene that makes you feel like you are there. If you like YA m/m stories with magic and mystery that includes quests then this is a book you will love.
I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
April 23, 2018
It's a cute, light read. It's not super engaging, but a good start to a story. If I pick this series back up, it will probably be a while. I have some other stuff higher on my list. But Teofil and Thaddeus sound really cute together :)
August 1, 2020
A surprisingly engaging YA story with a lot of potential for the series. 3.5 stars
I typically don't read YA, but the premise of this one really intrigued me. I was happily surprised to find that I quite liked it and am very interested to see where we end up with this series. There were definitely very cliche bits that I hope aren't indicative of what's in store for us, but overall I enjoyed reading this story.
Thaddeus was a unique teenager in that there was very, very little sulking, minor misbehaving, an earnest and respectful attitude toward his father, and seemingly well-adjusted despite relocating suddenly every few months. It was all a little too nice, too understanding. It wasn't bad, just super tame and a bit unrealistic. He was interesting on his own though, with a curiosity and intelligence as well as a bit of intriguing mystery that hinted to more.
Surrounding him is a paranoid father that clearly had Thaddeus' best intentions at heart, but the mystery surrounding his actions was played up a lot with no questions being asked. Once the whole reveal came it was quite dramatic and while Thaddeus played the peacemaker for the group, I was absolutely on the side of the father and felt a bit frustrated with a lot of posturing and still no answers, only cryptic responses and lofty judgmental reasoning coming from the leader of the group.
One thing that truly bothered me was the constant, "I'll tell you when I think the time is right" pronouncements after promising honesty and answers. The only place that thinking can lead is to a big reveal disaster. I would much rather the ending wasn't such a cliche edict from his father and something more like, "Okay, son. You're right. A lot of the danger we're in was caused by secrets and I want to protect you with the truth, no matter how difficult those truths may be. Let me tell you about your mother/the village/magic/etc." It would have been a suitable cliffhanger for a YA as they take that step through the door instead of giving us yet more excuses, secrets, and withholding of vital information that will likely blow up in everyone's faces when answers come from yet another source that wasn't the intended one.
Other than that, I am suitably interested in all the different characters and dangers that we're going to face on the adventure. There's a lot of growth and supernatural discoveries that are sure to happen and I'm willing to along for the ride.
I typically don't read YA, but the premise of this one really intrigued me. I was happily surprised to find that I quite liked it and am very interested to see where we end up with this series. There were definitely very cliche bits that I hope aren't indicative of what's in store for us, but overall I enjoyed reading this story.
Thaddeus was a unique teenager in that there was very, very little sulking, minor misbehaving, an earnest and respectful attitude toward his father, and seemingly well-adjusted despite relocating suddenly every few months. It was all a little too nice, too understanding. It wasn't bad, just super tame and a bit unrealistic. He was interesting on his own though, with a curiosity and intelligence as well as a bit of intriguing mystery that hinted to more.
Surrounding him is a paranoid father that clearly had Thaddeus' best intentions at heart, but the mystery surrounding his actions was played up a lot with no questions being asked. Once the whole reveal came it was quite dramatic and while Thaddeus played the peacemaker for the group, I was absolutely on the side of the father and felt a bit frustrated with a lot of posturing and still no answers, only cryptic responses and lofty judgmental reasoning coming from the leader of the group.
One thing that truly bothered me was the constant, "I'll tell you when I think the time is right" pronouncements after promising honesty and answers. The only place that thinking can lead is to a big reveal disaster. I would much rather the ending wasn't such a cliche edict from his father and something more like, "Okay, son. You're right. A lot of the danger we're in was caused by secrets and I want to protect you with the truth, no matter how difficult those truths may be. Let me tell you about your mother/the village/magic/etc." It would have been a suitable cliffhanger for a YA as they take that step through the door instead of giving us yet more excuses, secrets, and withholding of vital information that will likely blow up in everyone's faces when answers come from yet another source that wasn't the intended one.
Other than that, I am suitably interested in all the different characters and dangers that we're going to face on the adventure. There's a lot of growth and supernatural discoveries that are sure to happen and I'm willing to along for the ride.
July 18, 2020
Thaddeus Cane has just moved … again. He’s spent most of his life moving from one home to another. He loves his dad, Nathan, but the man doesn’t seem to be able to keep a job and it means that Thaddeus never gets to stay put for very long. This time the two of them have moved to a town called Superstition.
After a little while, Thaddeus spies another person about his age gardening at night. The garden is beautiful, filled with flowers and vines and Thaddeus loves to listen to the young gardener as he works. While spying – as quietly as he can – he encounters a much darker entity in the forest, and this sets a series of events in play that will have Thaddeus questioning everything.
This book reminded me of a fairy tale that had been re-written to be a young adult book. It captures the magical feeling of being able to believe in things that are a little magical and the day to day weight of responsibilities and commitment to family.
Thaddeus is a pretty typical kid. He’s trying to do his best to please his Dad, but he can sense there’s a lot going on that he doesn’t understand. When he meets Teofil – the midnight gardener – he begins to find out that there’s a lot he didn’t know about the world. As he falls for Teofil, he also has his eyes opened to what is around him.
This book did feel a little bit like it was simply the “set up” for the series. I did enjoy the “crush” between Thaddeus and Teofil. I also really enjoyed that the sexual orientation of the teens wasn’t an issue for the parents or guardians. They were just given the same rules that anyone else would have been given.
I was a little surprised that this book ended on a cliff-hanger…but you can rest assured that you won’t have to wait for the plot points to be resolved because the books have already been published.
After a little while, Thaddeus spies another person about his age gardening at night. The garden is beautiful, filled with flowers and vines and Thaddeus loves to listen to the young gardener as he works. While spying – as quietly as he can – he encounters a much darker entity in the forest, and this sets a series of events in play that will have Thaddeus questioning everything.
This book reminded me of a fairy tale that had been re-written to be a young adult book. It captures the magical feeling of being able to believe in things that are a little magical and the day to day weight of responsibilities and commitment to family.
Thaddeus is a pretty typical kid. He’s trying to do his best to please his Dad, but he can sense there’s a lot going on that he doesn’t understand. When he meets Teofil – the midnight gardener – he begins to find out that there’s a lot he didn’t know about the world. As he falls for Teofil, he also has his eyes opened to what is around him.
This book did feel a little bit like it was simply the “set up” for the series. I did enjoy the “crush” between Thaddeus and Teofil. I also really enjoyed that the sexual orientation of the teens wasn’t an issue for the parents or guardians. They were just given the same rules that anyone else would have been given.
I was a little surprised that this book ended on a cliff-hanger…but you can rest assured that you won’t have to wait for the plot points to be resolved because the books have already been published.
July 31, 2020
My Rating : 3.5🌟
.
Kindle/ GRR/ July2020
#mabookyardchallengeJuly2020
.
Thank you GRR for the gifted ebook which lets me to give you my unbiased opinion.
.
This book follows our two characters , Thad and Teofil, who becomes neighbours when one of them moves to a new town called Superstition. I mean when I read that town name, I was sold .
.
First, I loved the names the author gave to the characters and the character description. I think it gels well with how they behave and the choices they make. And the scene where the main characters met was really solid.
.
Second, The way they bonded overnight talking about everything was really nice to read about. I mean who doesn't like their love interest to be a gardan gnome? With that being said, I was slightly confused when the book started. There were a lot of loose scenes without much explainations that made it hard for me to follow the story progress. I could understand the curiosity of the main character that led to the actual plot of the book, but I would have preferred a much more subtle way of figuring out the plot-line.
.
It's a medium short book, and the first book in a series so it doesn't have all the answers , but it became very interesting as the story progressed. I really liked the building relationship between our main characters and I'm really looking forward to reading more about them in the coming books. The main plot twist that we get told at the end doesn't feel like one because there was not much emotional response to the news. I mean, your world just turned upside down with one piece of information, it would have been nice to have some emotional response.
.
Overall, I really liked the ending and where the story is headed, the characters and their personalities, the writing style. I will definitely pick the sequel up to read more about the town!
.
Kindle/ GRR/ July2020
#mabookyardchallengeJuly2020
.
Thank you GRR for the gifted ebook which lets me to give you my unbiased opinion.
.
This book follows our two characters , Thad and Teofil, who becomes neighbours when one of them moves to a new town called Superstition. I mean when I read that town name, I was sold .
.
First, I loved the names the author gave to the characters and the character description. I think it gels well with how they behave and the choices they make. And the scene where the main characters met was really solid.
.
Second, The way they bonded overnight talking about everything was really nice to read about. I mean who doesn't like their love interest to be a gardan gnome? With that being said, I was slightly confused when the book started. There were a lot of loose scenes without much explainations that made it hard for me to follow the story progress. I could understand the curiosity of the main character that led to the actual plot of the book, but I would have preferred a much more subtle way of figuring out the plot-line.
.
It's a medium short book, and the first book in a series so it doesn't have all the answers , but it became very interesting as the story progressed. I really liked the building relationship between our main characters and I'm really looking forward to reading more about them in the coming books. The main plot twist that we get told at the end doesn't feel like one because there was not much emotional response to the news. I mean, your world just turned upside down with one piece of information, it would have been nice to have some emotional response.
.
Overall, I really liked the ending and where the story is headed, the characters and their personalities, the writing style. I will definitely pick the sequel up to read more about the town!
July 24, 2020
2020 Re-release
4.5 🌟 rounded up
This is an exciting introduction into a world of magic and fantastical creatures and beings. The characters are fairly well developed, but I expect to learn much more about their personalities and histories in the coming books. The world building is picking up traction, and it's full speed ahead.
This is a YA LGBT+ friendly fantasy series, but I believe fantasy fans of all ages would enjoy the experience. As usual, we are introduced to the main character(s) and their current situation in life. In this case, a teenage boy, Thaddeus Cane, and his father, Nathan, have moved yet again, and landed in a town named Superstition. But, this time, something is different. Thaddeus spies a boy his age in the yard next door, humming and gardening every night...
Teofil is a garden gnome that tends his grandfather's garden every night. He comes from a family of forest gnomes, but has been given a task, and has known no other way of life. I still don't understand what happened the first time Thaddeus tried to make contact, but when he was in danger, Teofil brought Thaddeus to safety inside his beautiful garden.
With his need for a true friend and his budding attraction, Thaddeus shows a rebellious spirit when his father forbids further contact. But when the things that go bump in the night develop claws and spiked tails, long held secrets are bound to come to light. Thaddeus learns the basics of his past and why they have lived the way they have. But, the most important revelation is that someone important from his past is alive, and is now in danger.
Thus begins the journey through lands untold with Thaddeus' new found friends and family. Some must stay behind to do their part, but Thaddeus, Teofil, and members of each family set off in search of a dearly loved and long lost woman, hoping beyond hope that they are not too late.
Overall, I thought this was a very nice introduction to what has the potential to be a fantastic suspenseful adventure, filled with magic, danger, and young love. I look forward to seeing what happens next for our re-connected family and the adventures that await!
Happy reading!
I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest opinion.
4.5 🌟 rounded up
This is an exciting introduction into a world of magic and fantastical creatures and beings. The characters are fairly well developed, but I expect to learn much more about their personalities and histories in the coming books. The world building is picking up traction, and it's full speed ahead.
This is a YA LGBT+ friendly fantasy series, but I believe fantasy fans of all ages would enjoy the experience. As usual, we are introduced to the main character(s) and their current situation in life. In this case, a teenage boy, Thaddeus Cane, and his father, Nathan, have moved yet again, and landed in a town named Superstition. But, this time, something is different. Thaddeus spies a boy his age in the yard next door, humming and gardening every night...
Teofil is a garden gnome that tends his grandfather's garden every night. He comes from a family of forest gnomes, but has been given a task, and has known no other way of life. I still don't understand what happened the first time Thaddeus tried to make contact, but when he was in danger, Teofil brought Thaddeus to safety inside his beautiful garden.
With his need for a true friend and his budding attraction, Thaddeus shows a rebellious spirit when his father forbids further contact. But when the things that go bump in the night develop claws and spiked tails, long held secrets are bound to come to light. Thaddeus learns the basics of his past and why they have lived the way they have. But, the most important revelation is that someone important from his past is alive, and is now in danger.
Thus begins the journey through lands untold with Thaddeus' new found friends and family. Some must stay behind to do their part, but Thaddeus, Teofil, and members of each family set off in search of a dearly loved and long lost woman, hoping beyond hope that they are not too late.
Overall, I thought this was a very nice introduction to what has the potential to be a fantastic suspenseful adventure, filled with magic, danger, and young love. I look forward to seeing what happens next for our re-connected family and the adventures that await!
Happy reading!
I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest opinion.
July 27, 2020
4 ½ stars
The Midnight Gardener is the first I've read by this author.
I usually don't read YA. It's nothing against the genre; it's just a personal preference. I may have changed all that after reading this book. I am curious if the rest of the series is as compelling as The Midnight Gardener is. That could be the deciding factor in whether I pursue this type of book in the future.
That said, this book is so stinking good! I was drawn in from the first page and didn't put it down until the end. I wasn't even bothered by the cliffhanger. It just gives me a reason to delve deeper into this world with this author.
The characters are richly drawn and well placed throughout the piece. The author used the bare minimum of words but gave me a good feel for each of the secondary characters. I could pretty much tell who I needed to be wary of and who to embrace, all without giving away the suspenseful aspect of the story. I like that.
The main characters, Teofil and Thaddeus, are beautifully written with innocent personalities that move a bit into a more mature and worldly outlook as this book progresses. Nothing drastic, mind you. But enough to keep this from feeling too juvenile.
The situation they find themselves in is exciting, scary, and believable. There is a nice flow to the piece that kept my attention focused on all facets of the book.
I am not a fan of the father’s character. At all. Other than that, this is an excellent read.
I look forward to book two of this series.
The Midnight Gardener is the first I've read by this author.
I usually don't read YA. It's nothing against the genre; it's just a personal preference. I may have changed all that after reading this book. I am curious if the rest of the series is as compelling as The Midnight Gardener is. That could be the deciding factor in whether I pursue this type of book in the future.
That said, this book is so stinking good! I was drawn in from the first page and didn't put it down until the end. I wasn't even bothered by the cliffhanger. It just gives me a reason to delve deeper into this world with this author.
The characters are richly drawn and well placed throughout the piece. The author used the bare minimum of words but gave me a good feel for each of the secondary characters. I could pretty much tell who I needed to be wary of and who to embrace, all without giving away the suspenseful aspect of the story. I like that.
The main characters, Teofil and Thaddeus, are beautifully written with innocent personalities that move a bit into a more mature and worldly outlook as this book progresses. Nothing drastic, mind you. But enough to keep this from feeling too juvenile.
The situation they find themselves in is exciting, scary, and believable. There is a nice flow to the piece that kept my attention focused on all facets of the book.
I am not a fan of the father’s character. At all. Other than that, this is an excellent read.
I look forward to book two of this series.
August 15, 2020
Adapting to new situations is something Thaddeus Cane is used to. His dad Nathan changes job a lot, so they move around frequently. But in the town of Superstition, Thaddeus is going to have to adapt to a completely new world, a world that includes mythical creatures and, even more surprising, the chance of love…
This is a cute story which works at two levels. On the one hand, it is the blooming attraction between Teofil and Thaddeus. They are both shy and inexperienced, and their tentative romance flows easily and it feels honest. On the other hand, it is the mystery surrounding Thaddeus and his father, and here the story gets a bit more convoluted… I honestly felt it was unnecessarily complicated, and although I understand the need to keep the intrigue, the twisted explanations and profusion of arguments felt a bit over the top…
Anyway, I really liked the story of Thaddeus and Teofil, and I will certainly continue reading the series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This is a cute story which works at two levels. On the one hand, it is the blooming attraction between Teofil and Thaddeus. They are both shy and inexperienced, and their tentative romance flows easily and it feels honest. On the other hand, it is the mystery surrounding Thaddeus and his father, and here the story gets a bit more convoluted… I honestly felt it was unnecessarily complicated, and although I understand the need to keep the intrigue, the twisted explanations and profusion of arguments felt a bit over the top…
Anyway, I really liked the story of Thaddeus and Teofil, and I will certainly continue reading the series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
July 25, 2020
Magical MM YA Fantasy
4 stars!
This is a re-released super cute YA story following our lonely 15 year old MC through his millionth move to a new city and how he stumbles into a magical world and finds a bit of a love connection with the midnight gardener.
It was cute and innocent in the best YA way with only the lightest of kissing. I really enjoyed how the story focused on the magical world and how our MC find himself smack dab in the middle of magical drama and the budding romance was very secondary.
My only real frustration was with the parental relationship but it seems that this might get worked out in later books. I also found it so frustrating when these characters did stupid things at stupid times but those are mostly personal preference issues for me.
Overall, this was a pretty good beginning to this series and I'm invested in seeing what comes of these MCs in the rest of the series.
4 stars!
This is a re-released super cute YA story following our lonely 15 year old MC through his millionth move to a new city and how he stumbles into a magical world and finds a bit of a love connection with the midnight gardener.
It was cute and innocent in the best YA way with only the lightest of kissing. I really enjoyed how the story focused on the magical world and how our MC find himself smack dab in the middle of magical drama and the budding romance was very secondary.
My only real frustration was with the parental relationship but it seems that this might get worked out in later books. I also found it so frustrating when these characters did stupid things at stupid times but those are mostly personal preference issues for me.
Overall, this was a pretty good beginning to this series and I'm invested in seeing what comes of these MCs in the rest of the series.
July 19, 2020
I normally do not like YA books as I want my books to have adult themes, but this one worked for me. I loved Thaddeus, in ways he is your typical 15 yr old but in others he is not. He doesn't know what is going on, but something is. He & his dad have been basically on the run moving, a lot. When they end up in the town of Superstition, things finally start coming to a head. He meets his cute neighbor Teofil, who is a garden gnome. I don't think I've ever read about a garden gnome before. When secrets are revealed and he finds out what really happened to his mother, this starts our journey to finding/saving her and taking down the bad guy. Teofil is so sweet and loving and I will enjoy watching these two grow, not only as individuals but as a couple.
ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2020
Cute and Sweet fantasy read.
This is a perfect YA book for young people who are just figuring out/coming to terms with their sexuality. It's also a fantasy story, set in the midst of wizards, witches, dragons and gnomes. I had to smile when I found out that one of the MCs was a garden gnome.
It's a very gentle read, there's no sex, but there is a lovely burgeoning romance between the two young MCs. It's very sweet and cute. Must say that there are definitely over tones of Harry Potter here, but that doesn't spoil the story. It's different enough to stand on its own.
It would be a perfect read for young teens also. Not only is there magic, but there's also adventure, and some epic baddies. Recommended. Three and a half stars.
This is a perfect YA book for young people who are just figuring out/coming to terms with their sexuality. It's also a fantasy story, set in the midst of wizards, witches, dragons and gnomes. I had to smile when I found out that one of the MCs was a garden gnome.
It's a very gentle read, there's no sex, but there is a lovely burgeoning romance between the two young MCs. It's very sweet and cute. Must say that there are definitely over tones of Harry Potter here, but that doesn't spoil the story. It's different enough to stand on its own.
It would be a perfect read for young teens also. Not only is there magic, but there's also adventure, and some epic baddies. Recommended. Three and a half stars.
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