Garden of Madness [Paperback]

Tracy L. Higley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

The untold story of King Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter

For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.

Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent yet oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence. When a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own freedom is threatened.

As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family’s secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband’s brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love.

In a time when few gave their hearts to Yahweh, Tia must decide if she is willing to risk everything—her possessions, her gods, and her very life—for the Israelites’ one God. Madness, sorcery, and sinister plots mingle like an alchemist’s deadly potion as Tia chooses whether to risk all to save the kingdom—and her family.

“The biblical story of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s seven years as a madman, found in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, deepens and broadens thanks to veteran author Higley’s historical research and vivid imagination . . . Readers will find much to enjoy here: fine writing, suspense, mystery, faith, love, and a new look at an old story.” —Publishers Weekly

“Higley gives readers a dose of biblical history set in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palatial gardens and a character like no other in Tiamat, devoted daughter of a king gone mad. The author’s insights into a woman’s inner strength as she searches for the one true God will leave readers rejoicing.”—Romantic Times TOP PICK

"Her story will appeal not just to readers of historical fiction but also to those with an interest in biblical history." —Booklist

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautifully told tale, lush with details and rich with fascinating history."
—Ginger Garrett, author of Desired: The Untold Story of Samson & Delilah

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored nine novels, including Garden of Madness and Isle of Shadows. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures. See her travel journals and more at TracyHigley.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140168680X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401686802
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tracy L. Higley travels the world, brings back adventure and writes novels that transports readers to ancient times and places.

Visit her website at TracyHigley.com or meet up with her on Facebook at facebook.com/tlhigley.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved GARDEN of MADNESS!!! May 1, 2012

By Lora D

Format:Paperback

As usual, Tracy Higley's books grab me from the first few pages & I am whisked away into another world. I loved her main character, Tia, who is a princess--but not a limp, coddled, brainless girl lounging around in a palace: she's spunky, energetic (she loves horses & running & doing active things, not sitting lamely in a garden surrounded by attendants), very inquisitive, whenever she finds out new information--she takes action, she's incredibly brave & daring, she has fierce love for her family (even those who don't love her in the same way), and is passionate. Tia is my kind of girl!!! She is who I would be (or wish I could be) if I were in her shoes. I would HAVE to figure out the puzzles in the royal palace, as well as fight for who to marry (even if it's supposed to be "arranged"). Tia is a girl I related to!

I love how the story line is so unpredictable. As soon as we get one puzzle figured out (and think we know what is going to happen/or should happen), it opens the door to a new shocking twist we (through Tia's eyes) never saw coming. Yet by the end of the book, all the pieces fit together, and we finally understand the "WHY" for so many issues that were perplexing to Tia.

Tracy Higley's books are so lushly rich in detail and accuracy of the historical settings: I always feel like I'm right there in the stuffy palace halls, down in the crowded cities, on the rooftops at night, in the jungle-like gardens--right along with the characters. I feel, hear, smell, sense everything I'm reading--I'm so drawn into that world. It's captivating, as well as very informative about what life was like in historical Babylon. I learned a lot of rich historical information while being captured by the intriguing story.

I've read every one of Tracy's books, and GARDEN OF MADNESS is right up there at the top!! (Hard to choose which of her books could be "best," but I thoroughly enjoyed the action and intrique of this one, esp. Tia's spunky character!) If you want a great book--get this one!!

Right now, it's #1 on my list of fiction books to buy/recommend family & friends--a delightful & captivating read for everyone!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A forgotten time in a Garden of Madness... May 1, 2012

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

Once again Tracy Higley has swept me into a tale of a nearly forgotten time where being a princess wasn't as care-free as one would think. Filled with palace intrigue and an unsolved murder, Garden of Madness kept my attention riveted to the pages. Be prepared to find yourself instantly charmed by the spirited Tiamat--she is a one-of-a-kind woman!

Something that instantly sets Tiamat apart as a heroine, in my opinion, was her athletic hobbies. At first glance you would think a Babylonian princess would be refined, dignified, and one who spent her days in leisure. But from the very first chapter we see Tiamat running like the wind, and then later leaping over objects and even a bit of boxing. I loved this spirited and active side that made this princess so full of life, vibrant, and unique.

Her progression--from naivety and selfishness to a princess ready to give her all for her family and kingdom--was beautiful to watch. And so well written! I wasn't as happy with Pedaiah's change from proud arrogance to humility, but I was glad to see him see the error of his ways.

Garden of Madness also deals with the dark spirits the mage often communed with. There were a few creepy scenes where a Mage was performing a ritual to send dark spirits and troubling thoughts to a person. My favorite scene, though, was when Pedaiah prays over Tiamat, driving the dark spirits from her. Loved the connection between the characters and the power of Jesus.

From the outside, often we might think life in a palace as a princess would be amazing. But Higley gives the readers an up-close-and-personal look at how stressful life can really be within the palace walls. How complicated! As Garden of Madness progresses and conspiracies arise, one would almost think the palace walls themselves have ears and eyes! I enjoyed this book completely and look forward to more from Higley in the near future!

Special thanks to Ruthie Dean of Thomas Nelson for sending me a review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly engrossing and atmospheric! April 5, 2012

By Christina B

Format:Paperback

Wow, this is an intense read-and I mean that in the best of ways! I started Garden of Madness last night around 8:00 pm and finished it at 4:00 am. I couldn't put it down, even though I knew I'd be seriously tired in the morning. There is just so much intrigue, mystery, and breathtaking, edge of your seat moments, that I had to see how everything turned out...

Here's the storyline:

For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.
Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an indulgent palace life. But when her husband dies and a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own newfound freedom is threatened.
As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family's secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband's brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love.
In a time when few gave their hearts to Yahweh, one woman must decide if she is willing to risk everything-her possessions, her gods, and her very life-for the Israelite's one God. Madness, sorcery and sinister plots mingle like an alchemist's deadly potion, and Tia must dare to risk all - to save the kingdom, and to save herself.

I have to say, that for me, one of the strongest elements in this book is the way author Tracy Higley evokes a real sense of atmosphere throughout. As Tia experiences layers of various emotions, the reader also shares that same apprehension, tightness in their chest, and dread of events to come. The tension keeps escalating until near breaking point, and you wonder what else can possibly happen.

The descriptions of Babylonian splendor are vivid, and the garden scenes between Tia and the beast like King Nebuchadnezzar, poignant. I honestly dreaded Tia's journeys to the pagan temple, as each visit seemed to pull her further into darkness, a strange madness even. I really felt the spiritual warfare, as good and evil are battling for control of the princess' mind.

However, despite the heaviness of subject, there was welcome relief from the intense oppression as Tia is counseled and prayed over by her trusted Jewish friends Daniel and Pedaiah. (Well, Pedaiah might not exactly be considered "friend" material, as he looks on all Babylonians as unclean idolaters that are best avoided at all cost. Most especially Tia, as he finds himself annoyingly attracted to his late brother's wife, despite his disgust with her excessive lifestyle and false gods.)

I really enjoyed the growing relationship between Tia and Pedaiah, unlikely as it seemed at the beginning. There's a slow, grudging acknowledgement of their mutual, ill advised, attraction, that turns into something really sweet and deep. I loved it. Tracey Higley also balances the religious aspects just right; not coming across too heavy handed, but allowing Tia to gradually see things with her own eyes, rather than be told what to believe.

As I said, the tension is awesome, along with the shiver of foreboding which accompanies you further and further into each chapter. I truly haven't read anything else quite like Garden of Madness, and found it refreshingly unique to explore this biblical story through a new vantage point. I was completely immersed in the world within these pages, and didn't want to leave!

I've not read anything else by Tracy L. Higley, but will definitely be picking up more of her books soon! I highly recommend Garden of Madness as an entertaining, thought provoking, eye opening, read that will stick with you long after you close its cover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.