SCIENCE
 FICTION

YOUNG ADULT

Debbie Wiley
Book Reviews










Overview of cycle between autotrophs and heterotrophs


Thomas Malthus, author of An Essay on the Principle of Population

Karner Blue Butterfly
Karner Blue Butterfly

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The Gardener

by S.A. Bodeen
   
The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen
       
What if humans didn’t need food to survive?

Mason is a quiet teenager, fascinated by science. A biology teacher encourages him to apply for a summer program through TroDyn Industries. There’s just one problem… Mason’s mom despises TroDyn. Mason sneaks in to see his mom at the nursing home where she works… and his whole world is changed. Now, Mason is on the run with a girl in tow and TroDyn hot on his heels. Has TroDyn done the unthinkable and created an autotroph? And just who is this mysterious Gardener that the girl fears?

THE GARDENER is a tale that horrifies even as it educates. S.A. Bodeen weaves together scientific facts and population theories to create a fascinating science fiction tale that is all too realistic. There is one scene in particular that still haunts me at the sheer audacity and scope of TroDyn’s plans. S.A. Bodeen’s ingenuity at crafting questions about how far a species will go to survive is part of what makes THE GARDENER so intriguing. One can’t help but wonder “what if”, especially with the scientific background making the concept seem credible.

Mason is the perfect hero figure to make THE GARDENER work. S.A. Bodeen provides a background history on him that highlights his need to help others in distress, providing a basis for why he’d be willing to abandon everything to help Laila (the girl escaping the nursing home). Part of what makes THE GARDENER so enthralling is that the reader begins to care about the characters and what happens to them. S.A. Bodeen does a marvelous job at making even her secondary characters multidimensional, therefore heightening the suspense as circumstances endanger each and every one of them.

THE GARDENER is an excellent tale for young adults and one that will prompt many thought provoking discussions. However, it is also a book that can be enjoyed by adults since the storyline and character development take center development, with minimal to no teenage angst. I look forward to reading other tales by S.A. Bodeen if THE GARDENER is any indication of her talent. Bravo!

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (June 2010)


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Reviewed by Debbie, Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
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