Rating: 
Summary: Wildly entertaining
Review: I read a lot of science fiction and am continually amazed at the criticism of this genre for "not being scientifically accurate" It it's science you're after, try Scientific American or, for a more poetic venture, one of Dennis Overbye's fine studies. But don't read science fiction for detailed proofs of invisibility, ESP, teleportation or time travel.I judge a science fiction book not only the originality of the ideas, but also on their plausibility within the context of the story. In this case, Kage Baker succeeds admirably not only in presenting a well-crafted tale but also by making the "science" of time travel interesting and familiar. She has taken a worn-out idea and transformed it into something new and wonderful with its own set of rules - a veritable world within the world. The idea of a conglomerate gaining a monopoly on time travel and using it just for these means is not only plausible but probable. The use of special children who trade death for servitude is very probable. Mendoza, the heroine, is realistic - more than those superwomen of the future with their powers and weapons. Despite her near immortality - and despite warnings and quiet suggestions from Joseph, her rescuer/father confessor - she forms an emotional bond with a mere "mortal". The hide and seek game of possessing great powers and using them when no one is looking is always amusing. In this case, the greatest power of all is love, one that captured the heart of the botanist. Joseph anchors this story through memories, tales and dry wit. The writing is subtle, spare and beautiful and in the end one feels a great sympathy for Mendoza and unrequieted love. The ideas in this novel are so original and so well presented that I will most assuredly purchase the next book in the series.
Is this a Romance novel crudely disguised as science fiction. If so, it was extremely enjoyable and I am looking forward to the next entry in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! A Great Debut - looking forward to more by this author
Review: Truly original novel with a great mix of history and future. I cared about the characters and there are several places where it was almost too painful for me. This made me think more of Connie Willis' Doomsday Book than her others. If you like this one, you might also try Sheri Tepper's most recent novels. I'm looking forward to more by this author and hope she can keep this high level in future novels of "The Company".
Rating:
Summary: loved it!
Review: I couldn't put it down...I plan to read the entire series.
Rating: 
Summary: In search of an original idea..
Review: I really do appreciate how original this book is. Most fantasy novels are very cliche and have a similar storyline and characters in them. This book was truly original. However I had a hard time following in some places of the book because she knows so much about the time period in which she is writing about, that she wrote too many details. I wouldn't recommend reading this to your children :)
Rating: 
Summary: i'd give this book no stars if that were an option
Review: i was recommended this book because i bought "to say nothing of the dog" by connie willis.
while that book is witty, charming, deeply funny and entertaining, this book is drivel.
the characters are superficial and the plot is painful. i wish someone had warned me before i bought this dreadful book.
be warned
Rating: 
Summary: Who's Afraid of a Big, Bad Bodice
Review: "The Garden of Iden" is not a bodice ripper, as it was so unfairly described by some readers. It is excellent soft science fiction, firmly grounded in historic detail and human character. Creative and very funny much of the time, it is an engrossing exploration of the unchanging nature of humans, from whatever time and under whatever strange circumstances. Poor Mendoza's tragic romance, hilarious though it often is, is completely predictable based on her horrific background, her age, the human need to connect and mankind's all too predictable need to eat that apple in the garden. It's a delightful story and I'm looking to pick up the next books. I suspect it's denigraded as a "bodice ripper" by those who have never picked up one of those silly books.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad book... Just could have been better.
Review: It is a very enjoyable book, with some well-developed characters, however there are still some things that could have been better. First, the science part of this is a little bit "fuzzy", without really explanations for things and with some ideas that could have been left off. I won't give examples not to bias a possible future reader.
There is a touch of everything, but a big touch of romance, and a well developed historic background (some facts look questionable, though).
Bottom line, I would recomend this book to anyone that likes science fiction, but is not that interested in science itself. The romance is alright, and the psychological repercussions of technology are interestingly explored. Enjoy! I did!
Rating:
Summary: This is Romance Not Science Fiction!
Review: I have to admit that at first the story took off. The young orphan girl saved from the clutches of the evil Spanish Inquisition by the immortals, then they trained her to become an immortal, it is a great story line. The first 75 pages flew by. However, when the story got mired in pre-Elizabethan England it came to a complete halt. No story development, no character development and no crisis makes for a slow read. The plot seems to drag on and on, with no end in sight. I have a feeling that the science fiction label was applied incorrectly, the story feels more like a romance. Even though the concepts of time travel and living forever are introduced early on in the book they are never developed. The main plot revolves around the protagonist Mendoza meeting and falling in love with a Calvinist-like reformer. However, even a good romance needs conflict and passion, there just isn't any. It is obvious that Kage Baker is enthralled with Elizabethan England, I admit that the story has it moments. I find the language interesting and Bakers devotion to historical facts admirable. However, I find no character worth caring about. There does not appear to be anything special about the heroine Mendoza. She seems to float through the story and never develop into a strong character. In the final analysis I cannot recommend this story. Which is a shame because I wanted this story to work. It's a clever concept and open to endless possibilities.
Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: After reading some of the great reviews on this site, I was fairly disappointed with "In the Garden of Iden." All of the "science fiction" takes place in the first 10 pages of the book as the author describes The Company and the technology they developed to enable time travel. This chapter was well done and presented an intersting take on time travel. Once the main character makes it back in time, the story unravels like a 16th century Harlequin Romance. I'm surprised they didn't cast Fabio as Nicholas Harpole (the Cyborg's love interest)on the cover of this disappointing novel.
Rating:
Summary: This one has everything!
Review: Time travel, cyborgs, romance, you name it. This was the first Kage Baker I read, and I was happily surprised by the quality and enjoyability of the book. Thoroughly engrossed, I took every opportunity of spare time I had to finish it, and wanted more! The setting of 16th-century Spain was quite interesting, and the concept of rescuing genetic materials an engaging one. Good job, Kage!
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