A fantasy retelling of The Secret Garden, this was a fun and quick read with an imaginative setting, good plot and interesting characters. Slightly romantic (think late teenage crush), this is more an adventurous tale of a young woman whose life is turned upside down when she finds her way to a magical island with mysteries to unravel and secrets that want to be found.

Not spicy in the slightest, take the “romantasy” label given to this one with a grain of salt. Easily appropriate for ages 14+, even as an adult I was sucked in to this world. In what is very much a modern-day, realistic fantasy setting, Rosalie is a relatable FMC and you’ll be wanting to learn the secrets of Salttain right alongside her.

I want to thank Netgalley and Lisa Amowitz for the eARC I received in return for a fair and honest review.

I want to start by saying there are a lot of important things about this book; focusing on climate change, and I love a romance that is left on a cliffhanger. This romance and thinking about climate change will be of interest to teens. Also, the cover is so so beautiful!

However, I think overall, this book was not for me. I struggled to understand the motivations of the characters and felt like some of their choices or the information they provided would negate their previous actions.

I hope more books start addressing climate change!

A mesmerizing tale that captures the heart with its atmospheric storytelling and enchanting worldbuilding. Amowitz takes us on a journey with Rosalie, a young woman reeling from personal tragedy, as she discovers the wonders and secrets of an endangered island off the coast of Maine.

I adored this highly atmospheric read! The novel is a beautiful homage to "The Secret Garden," reimagined with a modern twist and an infusion of fantasy elements that breathe life into the story. With it being one of my favorite books as a child (along with the BBC adaptation, which had me searching for secret gates in hedges for years), I was excited for this retelling, and it did not let me down.

The author's worldbuilding is exquisite, both in its complexity and in the beauty of what she's created: the plants burst off the page, blooming to life and taking root in your mind. The mystery of Rosalie's past and the island's peculiarities unfold gracefully, keeping you captivated and eager for each revelation. Rosalie herself is a wonderfully crafted character; her intelligence, resilience, and journey toward understanding her own power make her a compelling protagonist.

The romance, the magic, and the struggle between science and the supernatural blend seamlessly, creating a story that's as thought-provoking as it is enchanting. This book is a testament to the power of stories to transport and transform, making it an unforgettable read for anyone who cherishes the magic of a well-told tale.

I chose not to finish the book at 26% or roughly 110 pages. I really wanted to connect to this story, the daughter of a climate scientist drawn to a strange island after the death of her crush and close friend. However, I found the pacing so fast that none of the reveals or action that takes place in the first 26% really had much time to land. And in the same way the reader doesn’t have time to process them it felt like the FMC wasn’t doing the same thing either. Ultimately this was just not for me.

WOW!!! 5+ STARS

This book took me for a wonderful ride and I can't wait to read more in the second book, A Secret Deep and Savage, as well as the novella, A Promise Bright and Fragile. This book took me right out of the reading slump I was previously in. I loved how connected I felt to the FMC Rosalie; I felt like I was experiencing everything as if I were in her shoes. I thoroughly enjoyed the narration and descriptive elements of this book. My imagination was fueled by this great storytelling. I can't wait to get my hands on physical copies of these books to put on my bookshelves. This book was magical, to say the least (iykyk). Personally, I don't consider this book to be fully YA as it has some new adult qualities that I enjoyed. This book has it all; action, fantasy, magic, mystery, romance, and more. I am excited to read more in this Lost Garden series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review. And to Lisa Amowitz, this book is a work of art:)

I literally devoured this novel, which captivated me from the very first pages. The plot is fascinating and full of twists that, despite being numerous, are skillfully distributed throughout the narrative. Every surprise is introduced with great care, maintaining a perfect balance that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and pushes them to continue reading without ever feeling bored. The writing is engaging and fluid, creating a crescendo of tension and mystery that makes the story even more compelling.

The characters are another strong point of the novel: they are well-developed, each with their own unique and multifaceted personality. Their actions and reactions are intelligent and consistent with the traits they possess, making them even more real and believable. It’s easy to become attached to them and follow them through the twists of the plot, feeling every emotion and decision they make. The depth of the characters and their evolution throughout the story add an emotional dimension that enriches the entire reading experience.

In summary, this novel is a captivating read that I highly recommend to anyone who loves suspenseful stories with well-developed characters and a plot that surprises on every page.

Really thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Secret Garden meets The Lost City of Atlantis!
🧜‍♀️ sirens 🧜🏼‍♂️
🏝️ mystical island vibes
🌿🌺the magic of nature
🦭 Changelings
🪄 unknown magical powers
👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻 forbidden love

Review: This is an amazing, magical trip to a mystical island version of The Secret Garden! From the first chapter, I was drawn in and asking questions that propelled me into a magical world I didn’t expect. I was confused in an intriguing way, but it was welcomed and kept me reading for more. The characters of the island were multifaceted and complex, creating a connection for me to their magical world. I felt what they felt, hurt for them, celebrated with them. The entire journey with Rosalie was a fabulous adventure and I can’t wait to continue this trilogy! This is a YA novel that is easily enjoyed by adults as well. It is so deserving of 5 stars! Many thanks to author Lisa Amowitz for adding me to her arc group and street team for this trilogy and to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is such a beautifully written story, as well as an original and unique magic system- which is refreshing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read the ARC for this on NetGalley. This definitely gives a modern Secret Garden and Atlantis inspired novel.

DNF at 34%

I was intrigued by the premise and I enjoyed the writing style, but things are just too unsettling and creepy for my tastes, and there is too much frustrating secrecy, so I am going to leave this here.

Great first book!! So excited for the sequel!!! I definitely think this is something that is up my alley and whole to enjoy the rest of the author’s works and to continue on with this series!

What an enchanting and emotional read!

*An Island Strange and Wild* takes the familiar warmth of *The Secret Garden* and gives it an eerie, magical edge. Rosalie’s journey to Salttain, an uncharted and mysterious island, feels like stepping into a dream—or a nightmare. She’s reeling from the loss of her best friend (and secret crush), Tyler, and what starts as a way to honor his memory becomes a labyrinth of secrets about her past, the island’s strange magic, and the people who live there.

The mix of genres is what hooked me—mystery, fantasy, magical realism, and forbidden romance. It’s got this perfect blend of intrigue and emotion that kept me flipping pages. Sure, the pacing slows a bit, but the intricate plot makes up for it, and I loved piecing together the mysteries alongside Rosalie. The characters were layered, the world-building was jaw-droppingly vivid, and Salttain felt like a living, breathing entity.

What really stood out was how unpredictable everything was. Just when I thought I had it figured out, a new twist threw me for a loop. It’s one of those books where you question everything and everyone—nobody is who they seem, and the tension is palpable. I loved how the author unraveled the plot slowly, like peeling back layers of an onion, each revelation more shocking than the last.

I was surprised to learn this is part of a series because it wraps up in a way that feels satisfying. That said, the epilogue hints at more to come, and I’ll definitely be along for the ride.

If you’re in the mood for a lush, unpredictable fantasy with heart and a touch of romance, this book is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory for a eARC of this book in exchange for a honest, unbiased review!

I can recommend this book to everyone who likes nature, but spice it up with a bit of magic. I really enjoyed this book. At first it looked like a very predictable little adventure, but it kept taking turns i didn’t expect at all. At times it felt like a fever dream. But that could've been the intention. The best part of the book was the plot. It went into directions I couldn't predict and was very satisfying. The characters and the romance were nothing special. They were ok, but I stayed for the plot, not the romance.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.

What a fun ride! Mystery, Nature, Science and Environmentalism with a bit of magic and mythology tossed in for good measure. I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to a sequel in the future. I need to know what happens next!

This was a fresh, unique YA story and I totally enjoyed the secret garden world and mysterious twists and turns. I just wanted more connection between the main characters, especially Rosalie and Liam who I wanted to love but just couldn’t feel fully connected to.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this wonderful story!! This was unlike anything I’ve ever read. I do feel like the first part of the book could’ve connected more with the second half of the book. Overall, it was pretty good, just needs some tweaks.

Grief/ Loss
Secrets
Hidden Abilities
Secret Society
Betrayal
This right here was very interesting! We go through the same confusion & frustration Rose goes through. Everyone on the island is keeping secrets from her. Everyone is tiptoeing around her until she starts noticing odd things. The boy, Liam, who resembles her dead friend, Tyler, can grow plants easily. Throughout her time on the island, Rose starts to feel close to Tyler again.
The beginning of this pulled me in so fast! I was not expecting chapter 1 to go the way it did! However, the middle does feel like it drags a bit. The ending also has a lot happen. I think if there were hints dropped prior to the ending, it wouldn’t have been so frustrating. Everyone goes from being secretive to telling everything after ONE thing is mentioned. Also want to mention that (to me!) some things at the end seemed it would’ve been better in the second book. With all that, I do like how you see the grieving process Rose goes through. Tyler never leaves her mind and that’s, personally, why I think she gravitated to Liam. She’s dealing with the trauma of knowing what happen to him and going through it herself. Not to mention even more trauma she later encounters on the island. I am intrigued though to learn more about the societies connected to all of this but certain parts/ chapters felt that there was too much going on.

This is a beautiful and magical secret garden retelling filled with tragic events, wonderful adventures, magic plants, and romance.

3.75/5 stars: This uniquely magical science-fiction thriller kept me guessing the whole way. For fans of Avatar, who may have also seen the Secret of Roan Innish as a kid.

Place: The world was rich and unique. I could picture the magic pretty well.

Plot: Moved fairly quickly and logically, despite heavy reliance on the FMC/narrator being very confused and everyone keeping secrets from her. I don't usually enjoy first-person present tense but it added to the immediacy and panic of the plot.

Prose: Nothing flowery. Straightforward, but also clean without any annoying writing tics. Triple word score for teaching me a few new words.

People: Compelling characters, but felt lots of overlap trying to keep people separate in my mind and I wish I could picture them more clearly and understand their motivations better.

Pacing: Zero lag, until the very end. A tad repetitive in the FMC having to get out of similar situations, which can start to feel like a foot place to set it down. No long internal monologues or side quests.

Will recommend it for science-minded fantasy readers.

This is the first book that I have read from this author, and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this book with all its plot twists and the way the story was put together. I think the world created was very well done, and the writing style was very good. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

I have no words, yet so many at the same time

Atmosphere
I have just now finished the book and still feel as if I am in the world. I remember driving back home yesterday thinking "what is that movie I've been watching again, I'm really excited to keep going", only to realize I was thinking of this book. I think this tells you all you need to know about how well this author has managed to portray the world and really paint a picture. The atmosphere is so gorgeous, yet so mysterious I still feel like I know nothing (in a good way).

Characters and Mystery Elements
It is impossible to know who to trust and who not to since everyone is keeping the truth hidden from us and we learn everything alongside Rosalie, the main character. We can try to piece some elements together with well placed foreshadowing, but even then, there is so much to learn I don't think anyone would be able to see every twist. That being said, all plot twists made sense and where well orchestrated in a way that got me thinking "of course!!". None of them felt like they were just there as filler, but were a whole, thoughtful part of the story. Although I cannot say much without including spoilers, Rosalie's character was so well built and is an intricate person whose background you can understand and see why she acts in the way she does. It's also amazing how well the mystery element was integrated, to a point where we cannot distinguish jokes from truths. There was this amazing Twilight reference where I genuinely was not able to tell if the character was serious, joking with a hint of truth, or just fully joking "Cause I sparkle too much in the sun"

Feedback
The only small feedback I'd give is simply about the pacing in the middle. Now this could be based on some personal events and exams, but I did find it hard to keep reading and I can't really pinpoint why exactly, but the first at least 30% and last 45% flew by so quick I could barely hold on. There are some parts I feel I may have misunderstood, but can 100% say it is because English is a second language so it should not be an issue for anyone else!

Fun Fact
After reading about 3 chapters, I actually stopped to look online to see if it was a series and see when the sequel would come out because I knew how much I would love this book (and was not disappointed). The prequel (which should be read after this one according to the author and other readers) and sequel are already out by the time this review is posted so fear not, and binge as you please! Also learnt this new expression "And I'm a sitting duck."

There are so many more things to say about this masterpiece, but you'll have to read it to find out!