Review of Grinza's Orchard

[Love Ukaegbu]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Grinza's Orchard" by Leonard I. Eckhaus.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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This book, Grinza's Orchard by Leonard I. Eckhaus, tells the beautiful story of a girl named Grinza. On her 5th birthday, her parents planted a cherry tree and gifted it to her. Although very beautiful, she had freckles, which she had always been insecure about. However, over time, she started to feel indifferent about them and accepted them as a part of her life. A time came when her parents fell sick, and due to hardship and challenging situations, she had to cut down her cherry tree, which was her most cherished possession, to keep her parents safe. Words about her sacrifice had spread through the town and caught the attention of a guru named Sylvanus, who could grant any wish. In the past, she had wanted to meet the guru to help her get rid of her freckles, but this time, with the help of a wise old witch named Auntie Anselina, she met him but had a different wish. He granted her wish and gave her something she had never expected.

As part of the gypsy tradition, it is the responsibility of the parents to choose a spouse for their child. But they understood Grinza's fear, so instead of choosing a spouse for her, they gave her one year to find a spouse for herself, and if she didn't, they would then select a spouse for her. A boy named Noah asked her out, and she turned him down because she didn't like his aura; more like something felt off about him. Instead, she falls in love with a different man named Clopin; everyone is happy except for one person, Noah, who swore to get back at her for not choosing him. How far is Noah willing to go to stop their marriage, or is his hatred for Grinza deeper than it seems? Find out more as you read this book.

This book is perfect, as it has many lessons accompanying the story. The first thing I like about the book is that at the start of the book, the author includes a list of the names of the characters and the order in which they appeared in the book. The author also included a glossary that explained some terms used in the book, which helped me understand the book quickly. For example, the word bani was used in place of money, and dai in place of mother. This gave the book a unique setting. The second thing I liked about the book is that the book is written in simple terms, and the story's pacing was perfect. You can understand how the plot progresses without getting lost in the timeline. The characters are also well developed, as you can see how each character progresses. For example, Noah's attraction towards Grinza suddenly turned to hatred.

When it comes to downsides, this book has none. However, I only wished the book had placed more emphasis on Noah and his absurd obsession with Grinza and her family, to the point of harming her business. Adding more details about his character would have given the book more spice. This is only a suggestion on my part. Other than that, this book is well-written and flows perfectly. I learned the importance of putting family first and choosing the right spouse, as that will determine how happy your family will be in the future. For these reasons, I rate this book five out of five stars and recommend it to young adults.

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Grinza's Orchard
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[Louis Donald]

Grinza’s journey of self-acceptance and the themes of family and sacrifice really stand out to me. I like how the author provides context with the glossary and character list, making it easier to dive into the story. I’m curious to see how the story unfolds, especially with Noah’s obsession, so I’ll likely give it a read.

[Pearl Flourish]

Grinza’s journey of personal growth and sacrifice, especially her decision to cut down her cherished cherry tree for her parents’ well-being, is truly inspiring. The inclusion of character lists and glossaries enhances the reading experience, making the story both engaging and accessible.

[George Bastem]

Grinza’s journey of self-acceptance and sacrifice sounds both heartfelt and relatable, and I love how the author incorporates cultural elements and character development. The blend of personal growth with family values is really appealing, and it’s great that the story is engaging without being overly complicated. I’m sure young adults would connect with Grinza’s story and the lessons she learns along the way.