In the Garden of Monsters, Crystal King
In the Garden of Monsters, Crystal King
List: $28.99 | Sale: $20.29
Club: $14.49

In the Garden of Monsters

Author: Crystal King

Narrator: Carlotta Brentan

Unabridged: 10 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/24/2024


Synopsis

A Goodreads Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Book of Fall 2024

“A sinister romance and hypnotic Gothic fairytale—surreal and luscious with a fascinating twist on the story of Hades and Persephone.” —Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne

A woman with no past. A man who seems to know her. And a monstrous garden that could be the border between their worlds…

Italy, 1948

Julia Lombardi is a mystery even to herself. The beautiful model can’t remember where she’s from, where she’s been or how she came to live in Rome. When she receives an offer to accompany celebrated eccentric artist Salvador Dalí to the Sacro Bosco—Italy’s Garden of Monsters—as his muse, she’s strangely compelled to accept. It could be a chance to unlock the truth about her past…

Shrouded in shadow, the garden full of giant statues that sometimes seem alive is far from welcoming. Still, from the moment of their arrival at the palazzo, Julia is inexplicably drawn to their darkly enigmatic host, Ignazio. He’s alluring yet terrifying—and he seems to know her.

Posing for Dalí as the goddess Persephone, Julia finds the work to be perplexing, particularly as Dalí descends deeper into his fanaticism. To him, she is Persephone, and he insists she must eat pomegranate seeds to rejoin her king.

Between Dalí’s fevered persistence, Ignazio’s uncanny familiarity and the agonizing whispered warnings that echo through the garden, Julia is soon on the verge of unraveling. And she begins to wonder if she’s truly the mythical queen of the Underworld…
 

About Crystal King

Crystal King is the author of In The Garden of MonstersThe Chef’s Secret and Feastof Sorrow, which was long-listed for the Center for Fiction’s First NovelPrize and was a Must Read for the MassBook Awards. She is an author, culinaryenthusiast, and marketing expert, and has taught at multiple universitiesincluding Harvard Extension and Boston University. She resides in Boston. Youcan find her at crystalking.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Crystal on August 22, 2024

There aren't enough words to express my thanks to all of you readers for diving into this wild book of mine. I fell in love with this garden and these characters, for all their faults. I hope you do, too. One little warning...don't read on an empty stomach!......more

Goodreads review by Kristen's on October 07, 2024

My mind is still RACING thinking about everything I just read! This story mixes the history of Salvador Dali and the love story of Hades and Persephone. The pacing of the story is similar to a thriller where you just want to keep turning pages. I didn't put this book down and read it in under 6hrs.......more

Goodreads review by Stefanie on April 01, 2024

This was WILD and I loved every second of it. My head is still spinning, desperate to unpack every detail with someone. The story is stunningly written and powerfully evocative. I’m not too familiar with the myth, but I’m off to do a deep dive of both the story and the real life Monster Garden. I’d......more

Goodreads review by Valarie - WoodsyBookworm on April 24, 2024

In The Garden Of Monsters is a love letter to surrealism and fine cuisine. Part mythology retelling, part artistic experience this novel was a unique experience.  The story follows Julia, a young woman with no past but a keen knowledge of history and a passion for art. Julia finds herself invited to......more

Goodreads review by Christian on January 05, 2025

If I could draw one huge compliment and takeaway I grasped immediately after finishing this wonderful gothic fantasy novel. Was how incredibly well written, learned, researched, and expressed every major plot point in this remarkable and imaginative blend of history and mythology. I mean bringing in......more