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The Scent of Leaves
Janet has always dreamed about leaving her small town behind and starting over somewhere fresh. The only thing keeping her going is a photography obsession and her film camera. For her, life is a series of late nights spent working at a local gas station and days earning a final college credit before graduation. But she's been putting it off for so long she's starting to feel like it might not ever happen.
One night Tom appears, charming and handsome, and he goes out of his way to get to know her. Suddenly he's everywhere in her small town, appearing and disappearing at odd moments, creeping in on her days and nights. As they spend time together, Janet falling more under his spell each day, she begins to realize that reality is different around Tom. Small things begin to happen, odd occurrences turning into strange events, as Janet is pulled deeper into the mystery surrounding him.
In this modern retelling of the classic Ballad of Tam Lin, the world is brought into sharp focus through the lens of a camera. The line between what is real and fantasy blurs, nature stealing in around the edges, and Janet comes to understand that there is more at stake than just a broken heart.
One night Tom appears, charming and handsome, and he goes out of his way to get to know her. Suddenly he's everywhere in her small town, appearing and disappearing at odd moments, creeping in on her days and nights. As they spend time together, Janet falling more under his spell each day, she begins to realize that reality is different around Tom. Small things begin to happen, odd occurrences turning into strange events, as Janet is pulled deeper into the mystery surrounding him.
In this modern retelling of the classic Ballad of Tam Lin, the world is brought into sharp focus through the lens of a camera. The line between what is real and fantasy blurs, nature stealing in around the edges, and Janet comes to understand that there is more at stake than just a broken heart.
272 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2021
11 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Trattner
14 books194 followersKathryn Trattner is an award-winning author who has loved fairy tales, folk stories, and mythology all her life. Her hands-down favorites have always been East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the myth of Persephone and Hades. When not writing or reading, she's traveling as much as possible and taking thousands of photos that probably won't get edited later. She lives in Oklahoma with her wonderful husband, two very busy children, one of the friendliest dogs ever, and three cats who think they’re in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 24, 2023
Chilling, magical, delightful.. retelling of a Scottish tale? This was such an AMAZING read! I’ve never read anything like it and it was so great!
April 20, 2021
***Thank you to the author for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review***
I am all about fairytale re-telling’s or bringing back stories about ancient myths that have been long forgotten. I will be quite honest with you, before I read this book, I had to learn what the “Ballad of Tam Lin” was because I had never heard of it. I read some quick stories about the origins of the story, so I had a much clearer grasp on what the book was to be about.
The story focuses on our MC Janet, who has a love for photography. One day she meets a guy named Tom. Janet notices something very wrong about Tom but really cannot place what it is. When he is constantly showing up around her, she starts to get wary and starts to question everything around her. Janet is a strong woman but seems to not know what is teetering on reality.
This story really was unique and although it may be a “re-telling” from an ancient fairy tale this really does not compare. I quite honestly loved this story because the author was very good at weaving that world around me, the words were lyrical and magical. I found myself continually reading even though I knew I needed to get other things done. I truly felt like I could not do anything else until I finished this book, which I did in one sitting.
If you love reimagining’s of fairy tales, if you love the fae or magical worlds built so lyrically then this book will definitely be one you want to pick up.
I am all about fairytale re-telling’s or bringing back stories about ancient myths that have been long forgotten. I will be quite honest with you, before I read this book, I had to learn what the “Ballad of Tam Lin” was because I had never heard of it. I read some quick stories about the origins of the story, so I had a much clearer grasp on what the book was to be about.
The story focuses on our MC Janet, who has a love for photography. One day she meets a guy named Tom. Janet notices something very wrong about Tom but really cannot place what it is. When he is constantly showing up around her, she starts to get wary and starts to question everything around her. Janet is a strong woman but seems to not know what is teetering on reality.
This story really was unique and although it may be a “re-telling” from an ancient fairy tale this really does not compare. I quite honestly loved this story because the author was very good at weaving that world around me, the words were lyrical and magical. I found myself continually reading even though I knew I needed to get other things done. I truly felt like I could not do anything else until I finished this book, which I did in one sitting.
If you love reimagining’s of fairy tales, if you love the fae or magical worlds built so lyrically then this book will definitely be one you want to pick up.
June 13, 2022
An absolutely AMAZING book by one of my very favorite authors.
January 19, 2021
In this modern retelling of the ballad of Tam Lin, college student Janet is driven by her love of photography. When she meets a handsome yet mysterious man named Tom at the gas station where she works, she doesn’t quite know what to think, yet is unable to get him out of her head. Tom begins to appear in all the places Janet frequents, and as wary as she is, she can’t help but be drawn to him. When strange things begin occurring, Janet sets out to find the truth about Tom, and the questionable house in the woods where he lives amongst people who give her a bad feeling.
This was a good modern retelling. There were some small grammar errors, but it was still an enjoyable read. I will be looking into more of Kathryn Trattner’s work.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a good modern retelling. There were some small grammar errors, but it was still an enjoyable read. I will be looking into more of Kathryn Trattner’s work.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2021
Like the title implies, The Scent of Leaves is a story told through the senses. It is based on the Ballad of Tam Lin, a Scottish folktale on which ACOTAR is also based. This book is no ACOTAR. This book is like falling asleep in the sun; disorienting and delightful. Like waking at twilight, it's also chilling. The magic is equally lovely and disturbing. The characters are equally friend and foe. Like Janet, the reader will question everything. Like Mistress of Death, the other book I've read by this author, the prose is atmospheric, stunning, and visceral. A marvel, really. I recommend this creepy and compelling fairytale retelling.
March 29, 2022
This book is exceptional! The writing brings the characters to life, especially Janet, and the events are sufficiently creepy to keep the reader IN the story. It's a modern retelling of the legend of Tam-Lin, which wasn't high on the list of my early fairy tale reads. I was only vaguely aware of the story and did a Wikipedia search to refresh my understanding of it. It wasn't necessary, but did help me anticipate the ending...sort of. The ending was still a surprise! I was enchanted by this story and highly recommend it.
August 16, 2023
Loved the ethereal style in this book. Kudos to the author for the voice. If fairy glamor met horror, this would be the book to do it. So many creepy things, but the descriptions were superb.
Grammar needs a huge address. There are punctuation issues, missing and added words, and misused words, such as collage instead of college.
For my clean readers: violence is minimal and language is limited. Romance-kissing and sex, though not graphic. Horror type book, not for faint of heart.
Grammar needs a huge address. There are punctuation issues, missing and added words, and misused words, such as collage instead of college.
For my clean readers: violence is minimal and language is limited. Romance-kissing and sex, though not graphic. Horror type book, not for faint of heart.
December 6, 2021
Who cares about typos when the story is This Good?!
Yes, a good proofreading and some editing is needed. Big deal.
I loved the story. I enjoyed being ensnared in the mystery and magic of the tale being told! The characters were just right for the story, just enough foolishness and just enough nasty.
Yes, a good proofreading and some editing is needed. Big deal.
I loved the story. I enjoyed being ensnared in the mystery and magic of the tale being told! The characters were just right for the story, just enough foolishness and just enough nasty.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews