I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman seeking redemption utilizes the power and language of flowers to help others in author Myriana Merkovic’s “The Garden of Mercy”.
The Synopsis
The Garden of Mercy is a heart-rending coming-of-age novel about families lost and found, belonging, and finding meaning in places where fragrances stay.
If you knew the secret powers of flowers, would you use their spells to change lives?
Mercy knows humans aren’t the only beings capable of emotions and acts of compassion; flowers can also feel and do good deeds. And there are sweet-scented killers for those who won’t be saved. Mercy knows them all intimately.
Raised by a Bible-thumping mother and shunned by her peers for her peculiarity, she finds refuge in the neighboring woodlands, where she learns the secret language of flowers and the power of plants. As she grows, so does her curiosity, sense of smell, and use of the flowers’ skills to solve quandaries: Aster for patience, borage for courage, dandelion for anger…. But everything changes the day she gathers the wicked purple flower and considers the unthinkable…
Now a young woman, Mercy finds she isn’t alone in struggling with the wounds of her past; the quirky residents of a dilapidated Victorian mansion where she works are, too. Yearning for redemption—theirs and hers—she conjures a miraculous garden where scents mend broken hearts. As the flowers come to life, healing begins for all but one, leaving Mercy with an impossible dilemma. How far is she willing to go this time? How much is she willing to risk? What he asks of her isn’t a small feat; she could lose it all: a family found, a place where she belongs, love….
Enchanting and searingly honest, The Garden of Mercy will make you look at the world differently and question your beliefs about everything.
The Review
This was an absolutely moving and heartfelt read. The way the author can draw upon the unique and wonderful world of flowers and their inherent power in the world and the use of powerful imagery in the author’s writing allowed the flowers and the fantastic character development to become very cinematic in quality on the page.
The theme surrounding this story of life, death, and the love connection between them both was so well represented in this narrative, not only in the protagonist’s journey in her past and present but also in the complexity of the flowers themselves, from the unassuming flowers that heal to the deadly yet beautiful flowers that kill. The growth and change that the protagonists underwent throughout their journey kept the reader invested in the story.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, memorable, and thoughtful, author Myriana Merkovic’s “The Garden of Mercy” is a must-read coming-of-age tale, filled with mystery, tension, and notes of hope that helps showcase the power of found family and the lengths we are willing to go to keep that family intact. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Myriana Merkovic was born in Africa, educated in Europe, and later emigrated to America, the land she fell in love with at ten. Her journey in the medical field and across continents gave her an appreciation of life’s frailty and nature’s ingenuity. She lives in Florida with her husband, her four-legged children, and a menagerie of backyard tenants. This is her third novel.
