Young Thomas first enters the garden at his grandmother’s funeral, and it is here that he learns
that his bequest from her will is an apprenticeship—to a chemist in London. But first he sees
murder done and hears about the Guild of Medical Herbalists. One day he too might be admitted to
this guild and learn all about the magical boxes and the wonders they contain. But power has a price,
and somebody doesn’t want the other members to have a share of the extraordinary phenomenon that is
Eden...
If you are tired of modern adult fantasy, pick up a juvenile title instead and discover what you
have been missing. There is more imagination between these few pages (under 300) than in most of
the adult "speculative fiction" novels I’ve read for some time now, and it left me feeling impressed.
Also bereft that the brief pleasure was over, as there is so much to enjoy in here. A murder mystery
for one, a glimpse of an alternative Victorian age that ought to appeal to steampunk fans (although
this is not a steampunk novel), lush descriptions, a teasing plot and some interesting characters.
I had no idea how it was all going to end, but the ending seemed the most fitting thing that could
have happened and left me feeling satisfied. Apart from the lack of sex, blood and guts, this could
be an adult novel, elegant and polished while retaining that "sense of wonder" that all good
speculative fiction should possess. One of this year’s top ten novels.