Review: Garden of Madness by Tracey L. Higley

Garden of Madness is the story of the Babylonian princess Tiamat, daughter of King Nebuchadnezzar. The king has been struck with madness and for seven years has secretly roamed the Hanging Gardens like an animal. All seems secure for the royal family until the unthinkable happens. When a palace noble is found brutally murdered and the king’s safety is threatened, Tia begins a quest for answers and discovers truths she never could have imagined. With the help of two Jewish captives, the wise man Daniel and Pedaiah, the brother of her late husband, Tia enters a world of palace intrigues and closely guarded secrets to protect the king she loves.

          Right from the get-go I was drawn into this story. The mystery and secrets swirling around the palace kept me guessing throughout the entire book and once I thought I had it all figured out, the author would throw another twist. Tia was a wonderful character to read. She is flawed and I liked that about her. At times I wanted to shake some sense into her and then later I was smiling with her or cheering her on.

I thought the romance in this story was very well written. It wasn’t overdone and the relationship builds, believably, over time. This book had darker elements than the previous books in the series but I thought the author did a good job of portraying the heaviness of these situations without overdoing it. So far this has been my favorite read from this author and I would absolutely recommend it!

Book Update

Tracey L. Higley is the author of several amazing books including Pompeii, Guardian of the Flame, City of the Dead and Marduk's Tablet. I'm currently reading her newest release, Garden of Madness, and so far it's great! I think it's her best work so far and hope to have a review up soon.

In November of this year Thomas Nelson will be re releasing the first book in her Seven Wonders series Shadow of Colossus and the new cover is so absolutely gorgeous that I had to share it. The book will be released as Isle of Shadows and I think the new title fits perfectly with all the lies and intrigue swirling around ancient Rhodes.


As a courtesan, Tessa of Delos enjoyed unparalleled luxury and influence. But even in the grand palaces of Rhodes, she felt herself a prisoner.

On the island of Rhodes, 227 BC, Tessa of Delos has served for ten years as a hetaira-a high-priced Greek courtesan-to a wealthy politician. In that time, she's lived in luxury, but as a virtual prisoner, serving at her master's whim. Though intelligent and beautiful, Tessa has learned to numb herself to all desires for freedom and love.


But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free-if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible. She joins forces with unlikely allies-a Hebrew houservant named Simeon and Nikos, a seafarer who wants to work in the house of Tessa's owner.


As Tessa seeks freedom for herself and for those she is beginning to love, forces collide that will literally shatter the island's peace, bringing even the mighty statue of Rhodes, Colossus, to its knees.

A powerful story showing how the love of God can transform and bring back to life a soul jaded by sin and grief.



Thomas Nelson / November 2012 / ISBN: 978-1-4016-8744-1 / Pages: 400 / Paperback: $12.99

Please let me know if there's anything I could do that would make my blog more appealing. Can you read the font color? Is it too small? Anything that you didn't care for? I'd appreciate any feedback so I can make improvements. Thanks!!!