I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Nicole M. Hewitt’s lyrical writing flows effortlessly, and I was completely transported to the magical world her characters inhabit. I’m so impressed with the in-depth world building she was able to do while writing IN VERSE! The Song of Orphan’s Garden is a gorgeously written, imaginative, heartfelt, and unique novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading. I highly recommend adding it to your shelves!

I liked this book progressively more as I went along. It is a novel in verse that is told through the perspective of two children; a Giant boy named Brob and a human girl named Lyriana.
Giants and humans have been enemies for a long time. There is mutual uneasiness, hostile feelings, and even fear between the two parties.

Yet Brob and Lyriana will eventually meet and join together-Giant and Human- in a shared quest for the Orphans’ Garden.

Brob is a Green-grower who with his powers was capable of growing a garden singlehandedly at the age of six. Seven years later after the death of her mother, Lyriana takes her little brother and sets out to find this garden she has heard so much about-the Orphans’ Garden. The Garden is said to be a safe house for orphans where the giants cannot harm them.

Meanwhile, Brob’s parents have displeased the Giants’ king and are now in trouble. Hoping to gain the king’s favor and show his parents what his powers can do, Brob sets out to look for the garden he created seven years ago.

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

HE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN is a beautifully written, lyrical novel written in verse. The reader follows the perspectives of a human girl, Lyriana, and a giant boy, Brob, as they both traverse Gairda’s never-ending winter… this book is woven together with threads of grief, resilience, and magic. But the real magic of this story lies in the powerful message of acceptance and belonging.

This magical book is a wonderful allegory about the power of unity over division, a message this is greatly needed right now.

Nicole M. Hewitt must be some kind of winter wizard. I was thrilled to see a verse novel in the fantasy genre, and oh, my goodness--it's astounding how deftly Hewitt manages to worldbuild in her accessible, lyrical verse. THE SONG OF THE ORPHAN'S GARDEN is packed full of loveable characters, danger, and magic. There's a ginormous heart here. I adored it. Truly the perfect winter read.

Wow--this novel in verse is absolutely beautiful--the writing, the voice, and the story itself. I loved the music threaded throughout and the bits of magic.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the eARC!

THE SONG OF ORPHAN'S GARDEN was a gorgeous, atmospheric fantasy novel-in-verse about family, friendship, and learning to work together despite differences. With lush, vivid world-building and a unique use of poetic forms, this will for sure be a favourite with middle grade readers!

In the midst of a wintery world that's only growing colder by the day, orphan Lyriana and her younger brother Zave's only hope of survival is the fabled Orphan's Garden — a mythical place that isn't touched by winter. Yet unbeknownst to them, a giant boy, Brob, is searching for the Garden too. He was the one who first created it many years ago, and sees it as his family's ticket to redemption after they've been banished by the giant king. But when the very fate of the garden itself is at risk, Lyriana and Brob will have to learn to put aside their differences as Human and Giant and work together to save their sanctuary before it's too late.

This was such a richly imagined world, with a unique magic system and utterly enchanting settings. I really enjoyed how the author played with different poetic forms throughout the story, and how different Lyriana's sections were to Brob's. The story had great themes of friendship, found family, and learning to share and work together, and I definitely found myself tearing up as we got to the story's climax. I highly recommend this beautiful story to all readers!

Hewitt's atmospheric novel in verse immersed me from the first page. The verse is beautifully written with an engaging plot and expertly-drawn characters. The themes are so apropos for the world we are living in. I loved escaping into this gorgeous world.

A beautiful fantasy novel-in-verse, perfect for a middle grade winter read where a human musician and giant gardener must learn to trust themselves and each other as they combine their special magics to make a safe space for children to thrive. Loved the themes of rebirth and renewal threaded through the story with personal, friendship, and climate and environmental implications. And bonus? A fantasy map!!!

THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN is so unique—a middle grade fantasy written in verse! It’s beautiful and musical and full of important messages about trust, perspective, and the power of friendship. This one hits all the high notes for me!

Adored this fantasy in verse! Hewitt's writing is engaging, and she effectively paints a world blighted by winter spirits and the human children and young giant caught up in the storms. Learning to trust is a big theme in the book, with multiple viewpoints presented from two opposing sides of a years-long battle--humans on one side and giants on the other. With the lyrical cadence of the writing and the riveting storyline, young readers will enjoy how this story unfolds.