my rating: 3.5/5

Seeing this on Netgalley, I had to.

Secret Garden is a nostalgic childhood favourite and I wanted to see how Mariah Marsden adapted this much-loved story into a graphic novel. It was certainly different. I am honestly not sure what to think of it. But, I do understand that by adapting the classic, there will be a lot missing. I do appreciate that they kept to the main overall story.

A quick recap...
---spoiler---

We have Mary who is 10 and orphaned. She is sent to live with her last remaining relative, her Uncle Craven. At 10 and living with a stranger, you can imagine how grumpy and discontent she is. Made even more so with cheery housemaid, Mary. She meets her sick cousin and slowly they develop a friendship. At the same time, she discovers the secret garden, and eventually, she brings her cousin to the secret garden.

Hanna Luechtefeld did an amazing job with the illustrations, bringing darker colours in the stuffy manor house, and then softer, brighter, more whimsical colours when outside on the grounds and in the garden. Soft and whimsical. Lovely.

I think this would be a good introduction to this classic to the younger crowd.

*** I would like to thank Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review The Secret Garden: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden, and for bringing me back to my childhood with one of my favourites. My thoughts and opinions are solely my own and not influenced by receiving this arc.***

The main thing I enjoyed was the long note at the end explaining the racism from the original classic book and why it was omitted in this graphic novel version.
The story was good but the art is what took it over the top. It's beautifully illustrated.

a really lovely graphic novel edition of the secret garden, with the most beautiful illustrations. i think this book would make a great gift for someone of any age, I know I would be delighted to read it again and see the illustrations in a paper format.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this book. "Green-growing secrets and powerful magic await you at Misselthwaite Manor, now reimagined in this bewitching graphic novel adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved tale. From Mariah Marsden, author of the critically acclaimed Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel, comes the second installment in this series of retold children's classics." This was a fun graphic novel to read, and is a good adaptation of The Secret Garden book. I liked the art style as well.

This is definitely a fun take on the classic Secret Garden story. I love how we are getting these stories in GN format now- I think it makes them much more relatable for kids.

Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a gorgeous graphic novel! The artist really captured the magic of the secret garden, and I had a wonderful time reliving this timeless story. The book is true to the orignal story-line, with much of the same interactions, and you really come to understand the dynamics between some of these characters.

Will definitely be purcashing my own copy and recommending it to friends.

Rating: 4/5
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing the earc in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

I read the original book when I was a kid and it does have a special place in my heart. I woke up early in the morning during summer break and read the whole book in few days.

Seeing my fav. childhood book as in graphic novel has made me so happy. The book was amazing and the drawings really do give the mood of the story.

A heartwarming story of a girl, upon the passing of her parents, moved with her uncle, where not only she learn how to tend to herself, but also found pleasure in flower planting. Although the creator of the book did mention who Frances Hodgson Burnett was and how they omit some of the original story's facts, the comics remain a beautifully illustrated one, and a good read.

I loved it, it was a beautiful rendition of the classic tale. It drew me back to my childhood where I spent my summers dreaming of this story.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A lovely rendition of the Secret Garden in graphic novel form.

Une petite merveille ! Je ne vois pas d'autres mots pour décrire ce roman graphique adapté de l'oeuvre de Frances Hodgson Burnett (à qui on doit également "Le Petit Lord Fauntleroy", si si rappelez-vous ! ;)). Cela faisait longtemps que je ne m'étais pas replonger dans cette histoire et le style d'Hanna Luechtefeld rend merveilleusement hommage à ce conte sans âge.

Green-growing secrets and magic await you at Misselthwaite Manor, now reimagined in this graphic novel adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s tale.

I may be bias because I love any and all books that come out with The Secret Garden title I'm all for it. This version though, it has beautiful illustration's! Love it so much

One of my favorite all time stories reimagined into this beautiful graphic novel....how could it go wrong. The answer is....it can't. This is something I will definitely be purchasing to have on my personal shelf to share with my children for years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Secret Garden by Mariah Marsden and Hanna Luechtefeld. As an adaption of a much beloved children's classic, this graphic novel was recognizable but not entirely faithful to the original story. Mary's entire childhood and trauma in India is cut out, barring a few oblique references, which doesn't provide the context and understanding for her current character and disposition. Martha is a delight, as always, along with Dickon and Ben Weatherstaff. Mary's often "sour" expression and disposition were also charmingly illustrated. The character of the garden is strongly portrayed, particularly through the simple and pretty illustrations, but Colin and Mr Craven both suffered from lack of page-time. A pretty, yet ultimately underwhelming, retelling that may hold up as a standalone but is lacking as an adaption.

I absolutely loved this book! I was so engrossed by the characters right off the bat. Mariah Marsden's writing is out of this world, if you've been in a reading slump this is a great place to start, it absolutely blew me away!

I haven’t really read the classic book yet but I have watched the old anime when I was younger. This was an okay adaptation but it was choppy because it just skipped to important scenes without any buildup. There were many panels with nature related drawing so it had the space to add more details to the story rather than focusing on the background. The art style is really cute despite some minor inconsistency here and there.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation of The Secret Garden. The artwork was so beautiful. There were pages that you could take out and frame for your wall. Of course the story was good as well.

This was so cute! The art was beautiful. I feel like I was led on a journey through the story in such a wonderful way.

So much love for this book. A beautiful retelling of the classic with clear, bright illustrations and faithful to the original story. This book was accessible, with a lot of the story told heavily through illustration rather than being text heavy, which I felt a wise choice as so often the classics are put aside due to the heavy nature of the language which can be intimidating. Great for all ages, as an intro to classics, for reluctant readers and adults who love the Secret Garden.
My favourite part were the full page illustrations of the garden's transformation which were captured with all the magic of the original text.
10 out of 10 and will be using this in story time in the future.