What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales of the Khortytsia Island #1
The Scarlet Thread
Oksana enjoys a peaceful life with her mother in a small village near the Dnipro River, embroidery keeping food on their table. When her good name is ruined by a false accusation and her mother's health deteriorates, Oksana is hard-pressed to find a cure while providing for their basic needs. The only solution seems to be a wealthy neighbor, who promises to help if she agrees to accept his hand in marriage. He is ready to overlook all rumors about her, but a wounded Cossack and his ornery horse end up on her doorsteps, threatening to put her reputation on the line once again. It doesn't help that these two unwanted guests are warming their way into her troubled heart. Maybe what she needs is to believe in the impossible, and magical scarlet thread might be just the answer she is looking for. Will it be enough when the darkness from Oksana’s past comes to hunt her down?
- GenresRomance
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2023
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Elena Shelest
21 books190 followersElena Shelest is an artist, a blogger, a nurse, a mom, an immigrant, a nature explorer, and an avid reader of fantasy books. She is hoping to encourage her readers to be able to look beyond what's possible and believe again that everyday miracles do happen. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter for book updates and discounts: https://www.subscribepage.com/fantasy...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 12, 2023
The Scarlet Thread is an unforgettable short story set in historical Ukraine. I really love Shelest's Cossack-inspired fantasy tales, but this one is definitely her very best so far. It's an intense, powerful and uplifting piece and I was completely invested in it throughout.
November 9, 2024
Content:
Language: None (unless some of that Ukrainian was swearing)
Violence: Mild. There is stabbing and wounds depicted, but not graphically.
Sexual: Low Moderate. There is a lot of lust language here, as the main character has a man who is wanting to marry her and is described as looking at her with 'want' in his eyes. There is another character who "ravages her body" with his hands. There is some kissing, both consenting and not consenting.
Triggers: Rape. Ostracized from community. specifically:
First, my rating has nothing to do with the writing, the plot, or the characters. It is all about the content. I have a HUGE intolerance for rape in any form in fiction. I don't care that this was about finding healing. I can't handle it at all. It's a huge trigger for me personally, and I really wish someone had reviewed this and did a content warning for it. I look before I read anything so I don't get blind-sided (though admittedly not super deeply) and I didn't see anything for this book off-hand.
I spend the entire night upset and couldn't sleep.
The tone, setting, and culture depicted in the book was lovely. I just really didn't care for the way the relationships were. The rapist was a stalker psycho. The old man who pressured her into accepting his marriage proposal was lustful and manipulative. The language here really depressed me about how awful it's been for women for most of history. The men talked about 'keeping her under tight control' since she was young. It disturbed and grieved me. The rumors spread by her rapist to control her was disgusting. There was just all the triggers in this for me. I felt sick after reading this. Not even the happy ending helped me. Although Andriy's response to everything was heart-warming. He's a good man.
So beware other sensitive readers. Wish I'd had someone warn me. This will take a few days to calm down from.
Language: None (unless some of that Ukrainian was swearing)
Violence: Mild. There is stabbing and wounds depicted, but not graphically.
Sexual: Low Moderate. There is a lot of lust language here, as the main character has a man who is wanting to marry her and is described as looking at her with 'want' in his eyes. There is another character who "ravages her body" with his hands. There is some kissing, both consenting and not consenting.
Triggers: Rape. Ostracized from community. specifically:
First, my rating has nothing to do with the writing, the plot, or the characters. It is all about the content. I have a HUGE intolerance for rape in any form in fiction. I don't care that this was about finding healing. I can't handle it at all. It's a huge trigger for me personally, and I really wish someone had reviewed this and did a content warning for it. I look before I read anything so I don't get blind-sided (though admittedly not super deeply) and I didn't see anything for this book off-hand.
I spend the entire night upset and couldn't sleep.
The tone, setting, and culture depicted in the book was lovely. I just really didn't care for the way the relationships were. The rapist was a stalker psycho. The old man who pressured her into accepting his marriage proposal was lustful and manipulative. The language here really depressed me about how awful it's been for women for most of history. The men talked about 'keeping her under tight control' since she was young. It disturbed and grieved me. The rumors spread by her rapist to control her was disgusting. There was just all the triggers in this for me. I felt sick after reading this. Not even the happy ending helped me. Although Andriy's response to everything was heart-warming. He's a good man.
So beware other sensitive readers. Wish I'd had someone warn me. This will take a few days to calm down from.
October 2, 2024
I received the ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an early review of the book.
I love these books by Elena! They tug on my heart strings and are so full of emotion and love that I for one can’t help but shed tears at Oksana’s plight that is forced on her by an unscrupulous despicable individual! He destroys her life and then tries to continue to control her life even when she is forced by his actions to accept a marriage proposal to someone she isn’t in love with. Luckily for Oksana an injured Cossack soldier appears at her doorstep and she nurses him back to health. They find a spark between themselves but she figures it can’t work because he’s going to leave and she has to marry a man she doesn’t love. The soldier leaves but on the day of her wedding, the man who ruined her and her reputation attacks her again but the soldier returns and stops him. He then is stabbed by the guy but is shot and the guy is carried away and the soldier asks Oksana to marry him instead of the person she was suppose to marry.
The scarlet thread weaves the embroidery that Oksana makes on the clothing she is making for her mother and the thread and her love heals her mother;
as well as healing the soldier after he is stabbed and the embroidery she weaves on the new shirt for him to wear as well.
This story shows the power of forgiveness on Oksana’s part over what the man did to her who promised her he’d marry her and never did and then ruined her reputation. Later on when he should have
begged her forgiveness for sparing his life he didn’t and a third time he still refused to beg her forgiveness using his wife to do the begging for him.
She forgave them as a group if they left the area and never returned.
This is a powerful story on forgiveness and finally letting go and it happened because Oksana found someone who loved her in spite of what happened in her past and loved her for who she was now!
I enthusiastically recommend you pick up and read this book by Elena! These books will touch your heart
like they’ve touch mine I’m sure!
Share this book with your friends and family! It’s too good not to be keep on the shelf and not passed around to as many people as possible!
I love these books by Elena! They tug on my heart strings and are so full of emotion and love that I for one can’t help but shed tears at Oksana’s plight that is forced on her by an unscrupulous despicable individual! He destroys her life and then tries to continue to control her life even when she is forced by his actions to accept a marriage proposal to someone she isn’t in love with. Luckily for Oksana an injured Cossack soldier appears at her doorstep and she nurses him back to health. They find a spark between themselves but she figures it can’t work because he’s going to leave and she has to marry a man she doesn’t love. The soldier leaves but on the day of her wedding, the man who ruined her and her reputation attacks her again but the soldier returns and stops him. He then is stabbed by the guy but is shot and the guy is carried away and the soldier asks Oksana to marry him instead of the person she was suppose to marry.
The scarlet thread weaves the embroidery that Oksana makes on the clothing she is making for her mother and the thread and her love heals her mother;
as well as healing the soldier after he is stabbed and the embroidery she weaves on the new shirt for him to wear as well.
This story shows the power of forgiveness on Oksana’s part over what the man did to her who promised her he’d marry her and never did and then ruined her reputation. Later on when he should have
begged her forgiveness for sparing his life he didn’t and a third time he still refused to beg her forgiveness using his wife to do the begging for him.
She forgave them as a group if they left the area and never returned.
This is a powerful story on forgiveness and finally letting go and it happened because Oksana found someone who loved her in spite of what happened in her past and loved her for who she was now!
I enthusiastically recommend you pick up and read this book by Elena! These books will touch your heart
like they’ve touch mine I’m sure!
Share this book with your friends and family! It’s too good not to be keep on the shelf and not passed around to as many people as possible!
August 17, 2024
"The Scarlet Thread" by Elena Shelest proves yet again that she is one of my favorite authors. This phenomenal short story features a young woman with a painful past and bleak present. Faced with her mother's deathly illness and an uncertain future, Oksana grasps at one small thread of hope. By weaving her love and selfless wishes for the betterment of others into her work, she not only captures the reader's heart, but that of another. She is steadfast, practical, and resilient, but also so resigned to choosing what's best for those around her instead of taking care of herself.
I adored everything about this book. The plot, the characters, the depth of cultural and historical setting, ALL of it. As with other tales of Khortytsia Island, the setting is rich with Ukrainian influences and connection to real history, enabling the reader to fully appreciate the personal and societal battles characters face to achieve self-determination, joy and love, and purpose.
I highly recommend this book and all other Tales of the Khortytsia Island. If Shelest ever binds them all together in an anthology, hardbound, illustrated, with sprayed edges, I do not care how much it will cost, I will buy it.
I adored everything about this book. The plot, the characters, the depth of cultural and historical setting, ALL of it. As with other tales of Khortytsia Island, the setting is rich with Ukrainian influences and connection to real history, enabling the reader to fully appreciate the personal and societal battles characters face to achieve self-determination, joy and love, and purpose.
I highly recommend this book and all other Tales of the Khortytsia Island. If Shelest ever binds them all together in an anthology, hardbound, illustrated, with sprayed edges, I do not care how much it will cost, I will buy it.
June 13, 2023
The Scarlet Thread is a powerful story, most deserving of five stars. It is beautiful and fulfilling! I was hooked from the first paragraph and ended up on the edge of my seat for the last bit. Then Shelest deftly tied it all together with a resounding and satisfying ending. What a brilliant story.
I was very much taken with the historical element of this story. I've read some of Shelest's other short stories set in Cossack-ruled Ukraine, but this one is by far my favourite. There was so much cultural information included in this story as well as the overarching constant of human emotions and experiences that are the same no matter when they take place. I also loved the way Shelest weaves the tradition of vishyvanka into this magical tale. The beautiful imagery and the meaning added to each of the patterns Oksana chose to add to her embroidery was simply marvelous!
Oksana is a wonderful MC. I loved how empowering this story is when seen through her eyes. And the message that no matter what we experience, out of the ashes of what came before we can always find worthiness.
It is a simple tale but it's so beautifully written and immensely moving!
I was very much taken with the historical element of this story. I've read some of Shelest's other short stories set in Cossack-ruled Ukraine, but this one is by far my favourite. There was so much cultural information included in this story as well as the overarching constant of human emotions and experiences that are the same no matter when they take place. I also loved the way Shelest weaves the tradition of vishyvanka into this magical tale. The beautiful imagery and the meaning added to each of the patterns Oksana chose to add to her embroidery was simply marvelous!
Oksana is a wonderful MC. I loved how empowering this story is when seen through her eyes. And the message that no matter what we experience, out of the ashes of what came before we can always find worthiness.
It is a simple tale but it's so beautifully written and immensely moving!
June 15, 2023
I first read The Scarlet Thread in the Feathers of Hope anthology raising funds to help displaced children of Ukraine. This is a slightly enhanced version of this hopeful tale, equally as good.
Against her better judgment, Oksana promises to wed the local miller so he’d support her dying mother or else they’d be destitute. Next, a Cossac drops nearly dead at her door and while she cares for him, he questions her resolve of marrying to survive and she keeps embroidering her vyshivanka shirt for her mother, believing the magic of her wishes sewn into the design will stave off death.
Shelest writes her historical romance see-saw emotional rollercoasters masterfully - I loved how Oksana fell for Andriy and how she grappled against her conscience of using the miller to get food & medicine to survive. I also loved how much superstition and/or faith were referenced - if I do this, my mother will survive - because sometimes hope is all we have. I loved the details on creating embroidery and the fact that a piece of ethnic beauty of the region features on the cover as well.
Edge-of-the-seat-good, recommended for lovers of folk tales blending in history & magic.
Against her better judgment, Oksana promises to wed the local miller so he’d support her dying mother or else they’d be destitute. Next, a Cossac drops nearly dead at her door and while she cares for him, he questions her resolve of marrying to survive and she keeps embroidering her vyshivanka shirt for her mother, believing the magic of her wishes sewn into the design will stave off death.
Shelest writes her historical romance see-saw emotional rollercoasters masterfully - I loved how Oksana fell for Andriy and how she grappled against her conscience of using the miller to get food & medicine to survive. I also loved how much superstition and/or faith were referenced - if I do this, my mother will survive - because sometimes hope is all we have. I loved the details on creating embroidery and the fact that a piece of ethnic beauty of the region features on the cover as well.
Edge-of-the-seat-good, recommended for lovers of folk tales blending in history & magic.
July 16, 2023
Embroidered magic
As a lover of embroidery, I was enamored by this story and the initial image of the red work Elena shared at the start of this tale. I had read 'The Scarlet Thread' in one of the books in the Enchanted Series and was thrilled to see it as a stand alone now. I hope one day that it will be in paperback form as well. There is real magic in hand worked embroidery and the recipient of this gift is truly loved.
As a lover of embroidery, I was enamored by this story and the initial image of the red work Elena shared at the start of this tale. I had read 'The Scarlet Thread' in one of the books in the Enchanted Series and was thrilled to see it as a stand alone now. I hope one day that it will be in paperback form as well. There is real magic in hand worked embroidery and the recipient of this gift is truly loved.
September 23, 2023
Thread and Betrothals
Oskana is a girl in a village who embroders. Her sick mother has things in dire straights. A mysterious woman gives her a red thread and says it will heal her mom. While she works, the miller asks her to marry him. Knowing she has no other choice, she agrees. Then a Cossack appears on her doorstep, injured and needing help. So she helps. This sets off a whole chain of events in her life that she never expected. Such a fun story!
Oskana is a girl in a village who embroders. Her sick mother has things in dire straights. A mysterious woman gives her a red thread and says it will heal her mom. While she works, the miller asks her to marry him. Knowing she has no other choice, she agrees. Then a Cossack appears on her doorstep, injured and needing help. So she helps. This sets off a whole chain of events in her life that she never expected. Such a fun story!
February 4, 2025
A short and sweet romance that unfolds and develops quickly, so if that's your cup of tea then you'll enjoy this! Probably even over a cup of tea because it's a fast, easy read.
What I love the most is while it's fictional, the elements are based on Ukrainian traditions and folklore. The spotlight on embroidery was really interesting and there's truly a feel of this not being your typical fantasy read.
What I love the most is while it's fictional, the elements are based on Ukrainian traditions and folklore. The spotlight on embroidery was really interesting and there's truly a feel of this not being your typical fantasy read.
November 11, 2025
Crafts are a culture and a love language
Tales passed down along with the skills craft magical endings…
"The Scarlet Thread was previously published in a limited-time anthology Feathers of Hope that collected funds to support Ukraine during this difficult time. In a way, this story reflects the main trait of Ukrainian people— they never give up, no matter the hardships. May it give you courage to persevere and hope."
Tales passed down along with the skills craft magical endings…
"The Scarlet Thread was previously published in a limited-time anthology Feathers of Hope that collected funds to support Ukraine during this difficult time. In a way, this story reflects the main trait of Ukrainian people— they never give up, no matter the hardships. May it give you courage to persevere and hope."
June 18, 2023
I loved this story! Embroidery is very important to the people of Ukraine, and here it was used to show Oksana's hopes and dreams, to tie together her relationships with others, and as a magical conduit.
September 22, 2023
Lovely
What a truly lovely story. Reminds me of brothers Grimm type of tale. Really enjoyed it; from horror to blessed future with a true soul mate. Would love to read more like this. A memorable tale.
What a truly lovely story. Reminds me of brothers Grimm type of tale. Really enjoyed it; from horror to blessed future with a true soul mate. Would love to read more like this. A memorable tale.
June 26, 2025
This was a super sweet read! I enjoyed the realisticness of a slightly broody and hardworking female MC. I really appreciate the effort of capturing Ukranian culture.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews