What do you think?
Rate this book
Leaf and Scale #2
The Tattling Whisperwoods
Words have power, and secrets can kill…
The village of Drake’s Bend has long been guardian of a sacred grove where ancient trees offer gentle counsel to those who dare share their secrets. For centuries, this delicate balance between confession and wisdom has been maintained.
Until now.
The whisperwoods have turned venomous. The trees sharpen sacred confidences into devastating weapons of betrayal, threatening to tear the local community apart. Old friendships are being torn apart, and villagers fall ill with a mysterious sickness. But the whisperwoods hold still darker secrets that are twisted and spread to the highest reaches of London society. The old sentinels could be lost forever as the call to silence them grows louder.
Fern must uncover the truth behind what poisons both trees and people before time runs out and lives are ruined. The ancient sentinels are the last of their kind, and their loss would forever silence a magic as old as Britain itself. But in the race to save both grove and villagers, Fern discovers that some secrets were meant to stay buried—and awakening them could destroy everything she holds dear.
The village of Drake’s Bend has long been guardian of a sacred grove where ancient trees offer gentle counsel to those who dare share their secrets. For centuries, this delicate balance between confession and wisdom has been maintained.
Until now.
The whisperwoods have turned venomous. The trees sharpen sacred confidences into devastating weapons of betrayal, threatening to tear the local community apart. Old friendships are being torn apart, and villagers fall ill with a mysterious sickness. But the whisperwoods hold still darker secrets that are twisted and spread to the highest reaches of London society. The old sentinels could be lost forever as the call to silence them grows louder.
Fern must uncover the truth behind what poisons both trees and people before time runs out and lives are ruined. The ancient sentinels are the last of their kind, and their loss would forever silence a magic as old as Britain itself. But in the race to save both grove and villagers, Fern discovers that some secrets were meant to stay buried—and awakening them could destroy everything she holds dear.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2025
27 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Tilly Wallace
36 books604 followersTilly writes whimsical historical fantasy books, set in a bygone time where magic is real. With a quirky and loveable cast, her books combine vintage magic and gentle humour. Through fierce friendships her characters discover that in an uncertain world, the most loyal family is the one you create.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 31, 2025
tilly wallace gets better with every book. i adore this series and am looking forward to more fern, squib, eurydice, millie, et al.
July 29, 2025
3.75
I continue to love Marian Hussey's narration.
The beginning of this book, especially, was very much a "cozy fantasy" in the sense that a lot of it had a sort of "daily life in the village" vibe to it. I would say the Whisperwoods themselves aren't even really mentioned until, like, 1/3 of the way into the book.
In this book Fernis once again trying to balance multiple avenues - she gets a job with Lord Drakeman to help clean up his conservatory (which, I mean, we knew was gonna happen as soon as she saw it in the first book, right?), the Tattlewoods are sick, people in the village are getting sick, and she continues developing her friendship with Millie and Squib, while taking care of Eurydice.
Sometimes I wonder, though, if Fern is the only person in the village who, like, does things? She's constantly bopping to the Witch Ladies cottage to pick up medicine, that she then goes around and distributes to the sick people, while also having to bop back and forth to the Manor to enlist Drakeman's assistance on finding a cure, and then she has to try to , and it's like, girl - get someone to do a chore! Damn.
At least she does have help with Eurydice, since she's away from home so much. (Though it was nice to see Eurydice )
We also get little niggles into the presumably larger plot - the reason for the decline of the dragons. In both books this gets mentioned and sort of explored, before more pressing concerns become the main focus, so I know this is going to be the big resolution of the series finale, whenever that happens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My one complaint is I wish there was more development of the
I continue to love Marian Hussey's narration.
The beginning of this book, especially, was very much a "cozy fantasy" in the sense that a lot of it had a sort of "daily life in the village" vibe to it. I would say the Whisperwoods themselves aren't even really mentioned until, like, 1/3 of the way into the book.
In this book Fernis once again trying to balance multiple avenues - she gets a job with Lord Drakeman to help clean up his conservatory (which, I mean, we knew was gonna happen as soon as she saw it in the first book, right?), the Tattlewoods are sick, people in the village are getting sick, and she continues developing her friendship with Millie and Squib, while taking care of Eurydice.
Sometimes I wonder, though, if Fern is the only person in the village who, like, does things? She's constantly bopping to the Witch Ladies cottage to pick up medicine, that she then goes around and distributes to the sick people, while also having to bop back and forth to the Manor to enlist Drakeman's assistance on finding a cure, and then she has to try to , and it's like, girl - get someone to do a chore! Damn.
At least she does have help with Eurydice, since she's away from home so much. (Though it was nice to see Eurydice )
We also get little niggles into the presumably larger plot - the reason for the decline of the dragons. In both books this gets mentioned and sort of explored, before more pressing concerns become the main focus, so I know this is going to be the big resolution of the series finale, whenever that happens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My one complaint is I wish there was more development of the
October 1, 2025
4.25 stars. I listened to this via audiobook and really enjoyed it. I was surprised at first that I was liking it as much as I was because book 1 was a rounded up 3 star read for me. This book felt so cozy and engaging at the same time. I enjoyed all the characters and Lord Drakeman grew on me a little in this book. I would like to see his character developed more because out of all the characters in the story he is the one that feels not as known but I think that is probably somewhat due to the mysteriousness about him.
The setting for this was great. The descriptions were vivid. As a small note, knowing Fern is almost 30 was interesting in a good way. It is nice to not only follow characters in their early 20s.
To sum things up, if you want an interesting, cozy yet adventurous read, I really recommend this one. It picks up fairly quickly as soon as the Whisperwoods are introduced, although I felt decently engaged before that as well. This does end on a small cliffhanger but that is okay. I definitely want to listen to the next book! I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook if you like audiobooks. Marian Hussey really brought the story to life, and I was able to picture everything really well with the great descriptions and writing Tilly Wallace provided.
The setting for this was great. The descriptions were vivid. As a small note, knowing Fern is almost 30 was interesting in a good way. It is nice to not only follow characters in their early 20s.
To sum things up, if you want an interesting, cozy yet adventurous read, I really recommend this one. It picks up fairly quickly as soon as the Whisperwoods are introduced, although I felt decently engaged before that as well. This does end on a small cliffhanger but that is okay. I definitely want to listen to the next book! I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook if you like audiobooks. Marian Hussey really brought the story to life, and I was able to picture everything really well with the great descriptions and writing Tilly Wallace provided.
November 1, 2025
I like nice stories of nice people with interesting endings. Some would call me shallow for that. Some think fiction is a waste of time. Some think non-fiction and philosophical rumination are the only things to read.
I read to relax- to go on wee vacations because I cannot afford to travel any other way. Truthfully, I don’t want to hear or know an author’s opinions on absolutely everything- but I tolerate it from their characters. I finished know the author’s- they don’t know me so I don’t have to care.
I like characters like Fern who do good when possible and keep their corner of the world tidy and have an interesting cadre of friends and family.
This book was even better than the first book in the series.
I am looking forward to the arrival of book 3 in the series coming out in February.
If you want a tale of everyday heroes mixed with magic- you’ll enjoy this in between all the other things you have to do in your days.
I read to relax- to go on wee vacations because I cannot afford to travel any other way. Truthfully, I don’t want to hear or know an author’s opinions on absolutely everything- but I tolerate it from their characters. I finished know the author’s- they don’t know me so I don’t have to care.
I like characters like Fern who do good when possible and keep their corner of the world tidy and have an interesting cadre of friends and family.
This book was even better than the first book in the series.
I am looking forward to the arrival of book 3 in the series coming out in February.
If you want a tale of everyday heroes mixed with magic- you’ll enjoy this in between all the other things you have to do in your days.
September 23, 2025
An antidote to the pain in the world
I read these books as Trump is dismantling Democracy in the USA and it managed to both make me laugh and feel hope. They should make this a series so we can read it and stream it. And a great band should set it to music. I really think Tilly Wallace,you might save the word’s soul with your magic. I know you have magic paper and ink with which you wrote these stories. Thank you! 🩵💙💜🌈🌼🌸🌷🌷🪷🍀💐🍄☘️
I read these books as Trump is dismantling Democracy in the USA and it managed to both make me laugh and feel hope. They should make this a series so we can read it and stream it. And a great band should set it to music. I really think Tilly Wallace,you might save the word’s soul with your magic. I know you have magic paper and ink with which you wrote these stories. Thank you! 🩵💙💜🌈🌼🌸🌷🌷🪷🍀💐🍄☘️
Want to read
July 24, 20258/5/25 but unknown audio date
August 28, 2025
Enchanting story!
This book delves deeper into the secrets of dragons, magical trees, and the exceptional heroine. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
This book delves deeper into the secrets of dragons, magical trees, and the exceptional heroine. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
August 28, 2025
ughhhh I loved this book so much!! I can't wait for the next one!
September 10, 2025
3.5. stars Another extremely cozy, cute book in a series I want to continue as soon as possible. Fern is an extremely likeable character and the idea of the Tattling Whisperwoods was so creative. Drake's Bend is a magical place I wish I could visit. :)
October 5, 2025
another great read from Tilly Wallace!
Cozy, female led action with dragons and plants thrown in for fun! Slow burn romance, friendship, and good deeds abound.
Cozy, female led action with dragons and plants thrown in for fun! Slow burn romance, friendship, and good deeds abound.
October 22, 2025
I really enjoy the botany aspects of these books!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews