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Scarlet Oak: A Novel
Autumn whispered to the wind, “I fall but always rise again.”
For a long time, tree sprite Scarlet Oak has watched autumn fall and rise in the same way amidst her forested society of sprites. Wingless and bound to live and die with her birth oak, Horace, she longs for a deeper existence. Then, in 1977, her world is shaken when an autistic boy wanders into her woodland and they share a soulful moment before he takes his life on her tree. Smis, a Grim Reaper, arrives to usher the boy’s spirit to the Dark, but Scarlet insists that the boy did not intend to die. In a rare show of mercy, Smis gives her one year to find proof that the boy’s spirit belongs to the Light.
Scarlet leaves behind all that she has ever known. Passing as a teenage girl, she branches into the grieving hearts of the boy’s parents on a Maryland farm. But as secrets, fantasies, lies, and beautiful truths shadow her quest, the stage is set for an unimaginable fate to fall . . . when autumn rises again.
Narrated by three memorable characters—Scarlet, Horace, and Smis—Scarlet Oak is a mystery, a love story, and a tribute to resilience and the unique gifts that every soul has to offer.
For a long time, tree sprite Scarlet Oak has watched autumn fall and rise in the same way amidst her forested society of sprites. Wingless and bound to live and die with her birth oak, Horace, she longs for a deeper existence. Then, in 1977, her world is shaken when an autistic boy wanders into her woodland and they share a soulful moment before he takes his life on her tree. Smis, a Grim Reaper, arrives to usher the boy’s spirit to the Dark, but Scarlet insists that the boy did not intend to die. In a rare show of mercy, Smis gives her one year to find proof that the boy’s spirit belongs to the Light.
Scarlet leaves behind all that she has ever known. Passing as a teenage girl, she branches into the grieving hearts of the boy’s parents on a Maryland farm. But as secrets, fantasies, lies, and beautiful truths shadow her quest, the stage is set for an unimaginable fate to fall . . . when autumn rises again.
Narrated by three memorable characters—Scarlet, Horace, and Smis—Scarlet Oak is a mystery, a love story, and a tribute to resilience and the unique gifts that every soul has to offer.
- GenresFiction
340 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2021
68 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Angie Weiland-Crosby
1 book23 followersAngie Weiland-Crosby is an American writer who was raised in Southern Maryland, where the forest realm felt like her second home. She worked as a Hollywood story analyst and as a teacher, and has developed an international following for her inspiring quotes that soothe the soul. She is never far from nature and always close to the little things in life.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 3, 2022
Unique Nature!
This story was very unique., a story unlike I ever read before. It’s starts out where there are trees in the forest and born from each tree are beautiful tiny tree fairies. The main character throughout and narrator is Scarlet Oak, the tree fairy daughter of Horace the tree.
Outside the woods, there is a family of three and it’s Thanksgiving. Instead of sitting at the table enjoying one another along with the food; Helen and John are upstairs arguing. Their son, Finn, sitting at the table puts his hands over his ears, then decides to run. Finn, mind you, does not communicate at all, he rocks his body, hums or makes a screeching kind of sound.
Finn ends up running into the forest and climbs a tree which happens to be Horace. As he climbs, Scarlet Oak observes this human. She senses his pain. Suddenly, Finn hang’s himself while screaming Noooo! Suddenly Smis, who is equivalent to a grim reaper, appears to take Finn’s soul down below. Scarlet begs smis to not make this transition yet. She wants to prove that Finn in actuality, didn’t realize he was causing his death.
The next day, Finn’s father and friend arrives, finding Finn hanging. John (Finn’s father collapses into hysterics uncontrollably). Finn is taken down to be brought home and laid to rest. Scarlet oak senses all this pain and tells smis she can help bring happiness back upon this family. She is given a length of time to try, then she must return, or forever stay as she will be. As Scarlet runs to this family, her fairy self grows into human form. John finds her completely naked in the field. He covers her and brings her home to his wife, Helen. They try and communicate, but Scarlet does not know how to speak this language she hears. Nor does she understand the physical actions happening around her.
I don’t want to spoil the whole story for you. This is such a soul-touching story. Read to discover how Scarlet Oak becomes Willow Brook, learning to be human. Feeling love from her human parents as she felt love from her tree father. Discover more about Finn, Helen and John, along with Warren and his mother and each of their relationships with Willow.
It is an absolute sweet precious story. One I will forever treasure and remember, especially when I’m walking in the woods.
This story was very unique., a story unlike I ever read before. It’s starts out where there are trees in the forest and born from each tree are beautiful tiny tree fairies. The main character throughout and narrator is Scarlet Oak, the tree fairy daughter of Horace the tree.
Outside the woods, there is a family of three and it’s Thanksgiving. Instead of sitting at the table enjoying one another along with the food; Helen and John are upstairs arguing. Their son, Finn, sitting at the table puts his hands over his ears, then decides to run. Finn, mind you, does not communicate at all, he rocks his body, hums or makes a screeching kind of sound.
Finn ends up running into the forest and climbs a tree which happens to be Horace. As he climbs, Scarlet Oak observes this human. She senses his pain. Suddenly, Finn hang’s himself while screaming Noooo! Suddenly Smis, who is equivalent to a grim reaper, appears to take Finn’s soul down below. Scarlet begs smis to not make this transition yet. She wants to prove that Finn in actuality, didn’t realize he was causing his death.
The next day, Finn’s father and friend arrives, finding Finn hanging. John (Finn’s father collapses into hysterics uncontrollably). Finn is taken down to be brought home and laid to rest. Scarlet oak senses all this pain and tells smis she can help bring happiness back upon this family. She is given a length of time to try, then she must return, or forever stay as she will be. As Scarlet runs to this family, her fairy self grows into human form. John finds her completely naked in the field. He covers her and brings her home to his wife, Helen. They try and communicate, but Scarlet does not know how to speak this language she hears. Nor does she understand the physical actions happening around her.
I don’t want to spoil the whole story for you. This is such a soul-touching story. Read to discover how Scarlet Oak becomes Willow Brook, learning to be human. Feeling love from her human parents as she felt love from her tree father. Discover more about Finn, Helen and John, along with Warren and his mother and each of their relationships with Willow.
It is an absolute sweet precious story. One I will forever treasure and remember, especially when I’m walking in the woods.
March 12, 2021
Scarlet Oak is a soulful book that takes place in between two realms, the forest realm and the human realm. Scarlet Oak, a tree sprite that feels the loss of a human boy with autism (Finn), by suicide on her tree, promises to keep his spirit from the dark where SMIS (death) plans to take him. Scarlet takes human form in order to save Finn's spirit from the dark. She bargains with SMIS and has one cycle of the seasons to find evidence from Finn's life that demonstrates he belongs in the light. She ventures to the "bluebell" house where Finn's parents reside in grief and secrets. Scarlet eases her way into their hearts with so much magic and love. It is here she changes, Finn's parents change, and they all learn to welcome grief into their "bluebell" house as a guide from beyond.
This book ranks in my top 10 for sure. My heart was moved in the reading of Scarlet Oak. I truly had a hard time putting this book down. The verse is poetry filled with so many beautiful images that leads you into a story line that is both magical and at the same time very human. It reminds you of the magic that resides in us all. You accompany Scarlet, Helen and John (Finn's parents) on a journey of deep loss, the loss of a child by suicide, and the grief that accompanies such loss. It is fantasy but you are left feeling that so much of what transpires in this book, the magic that is labeled fantasy fiction, is actually real and lives in each of us. That humans are magical and resilient beings. It brings a renewed hope in humanity and our very connection to each other and nature.
My heart was most moved by this idea that grief is not something to be pushed away, fantasized out of or tucked into a box. The novel proposes another option, that possibly grief is something that can be allowed, sat with and brought to tea just like an old friend. That in this opening of our hearts to grief we are reminded of our ability to love.
This book ranks in my top 10 for sure. My heart was moved in the reading of Scarlet Oak. I truly had a hard time putting this book down. The verse is poetry filled with so many beautiful images that leads you into a story line that is both magical and at the same time very human. It reminds you of the magic that resides in us all. You accompany Scarlet, Helen and John (Finn's parents) on a journey of deep loss, the loss of a child by suicide, and the grief that accompanies such loss. It is fantasy but you are left feeling that so much of what transpires in this book, the magic that is labeled fantasy fiction, is actually real and lives in each of us. That humans are magical and resilient beings. It brings a renewed hope in humanity and our very connection to each other and nature.
My heart was most moved by this idea that grief is not something to be pushed away, fantasized out of or tucked into a box. The novel proposes another option, that possibly grief is something that can be allowed, sat with and brought to tea just like an old friend. That in this opening of our hearts to grief we are reminded of our ability to love.
April 20, 2023
If any of you follow my regular Facebook or Instagram, you see that I love to take photos of nature, and many times, I use a quote that goes with the photo I post. I just Google random quotes, and I found myself continually using words from Angie Weiland-Crosby. Her words are so beautiful, and fit so well. I saw that she was on facebook and instagram so I decided to message her and tell her how much I loved her quotes and also asked if she planned on publishing a book with these quotes along with beautiful pictures that matched. She answered me and told me that she actually does have a book like that in the works right now, And she added that she had a novel published. I ordered it, and saw that it isn't the usual type of book that I would read. I guess it would probably fall into the fantasy genre, which I normally I'm not a huge fan of, honestly. I absolutely loved and adored this book. While yes, it is a fantasy book, it also deals with grief and love. The story weaves Angie's beautiful words and a stunning backdrop with a heart-wrenching tale that I won't soon forget. It even included some quotes I recognized. Here's a couple of them:In the backwoods of nature's soul, I left my wild true heart. And:Meet me in the middle of your story when the soul is worn but wise. Angie is amazing and so kind to be corresponding with me. I admire her even more than I did before after reading this fantastic book.
March 6, 2021
Scarlet Oak is a beautiful page-turning debut novel by Angie Weiland-Crosby. It includes magical tree sprites, a complex Grim Reaper, and compelling yet ordinary people set in rural Maryland in the 1970’s. Thematically, the story deals with grief, love, and hope, while offering a profound glimpse into the lives of parents grieving the loss of their autistic son.
Scarlet is a tree sprite bound to live and die beside her forest father, an oak tree. Her world is upended one autumn night, however, when a boy hangs himself from her tree. She decides to morph into human form to save the boy’s broken spirit from Southern Maryland’s Grim Reaper, Smis, who intends to take him to the Dark.
Scarlet leaves her forest and finds her new home on farmland with the boy’s heartbroken parents. In the interest of not giving away too much, events unravel, traveling you across a spectrum of emotions, keeping the reader fully engaged.
This is an imaginative undertaking, stylistically unique. The rhythm and prose read like an ode to nature. The end result is that the novel makes you feel, think, all so deeply. This story has certainly stayed with me beyond the last page.
Scarlet is a tree sprite bound to live and die beside her forest father, an oak tree. Her world is upended one autumn night, however, when a boy hangs himself from her tree. She decides to morph into human form to save the boy’s broken spirit from Southern Maryland’s Grim Reaper, Smis, who intends to take him to the Dark.
Scarlet leaves her forest and finds her new home on farmland with the boy’s heartbroken parents. In the interest of not giving away too much, events unravel, traveling you across a spectrum of emotions, keeping the reader fully engaged.
This is an imaginative undertaking, stylistically unique. The rhythm and prose read like an ode to nature. The end result is that the novel makes you feel, think, all so deeply. This story has certainly stayed with me beyond the last page.
March 3, 2021
Through the voice of a tree sprite, a story unfolds lacing a mother’s love and a father’s guilt into a tapestry of wooded tales of magic and Southern Maryland’s own Smis. Voices that hum, both human and not, carry you into the depths of nature, the darkness and light of grief, and a love that blossoms into a healing forgiveness. The author gives voice to her characters with the understanding of nature itself, as well as an imagination beyond the ordinary.
Once finishing “Scarlet Oak” those voices and sprites, trees and spirits, remain within. A sign of not a good novel, but a great one. Don’t rush to read, but chew and savor, you’ll be forever glad that you did. There’s a style and rhythm to the author’s pen; I found it authentic and heartwarming. One can feel nature and its beauty within her soul that pour onto the pages like morning dew onto an awakening meadow.
Once finishing “Scarlet Oak” those voices and sprites, trees and spirits, remain within. A sign of not a good novel, but a great one. Don’t rush to read, but chew and savor, you’ll be forever glad that you did. There’s a style and rhythm to the author’s pen; I found it authentic and heartwarming. One can feel nature and its beauty within her soul that pour onto the pages like morning dew onto an awakening meadow.
March 20, 2021
Scarlet is a tree sprite, living in the Southern Maryland woodland. An anomaly since her early years, when an accident took her wings, she craves a more profound life; a deeper existence. One night in 1977, she witnesses a young, autistic boy, Finn, take his own life by hanging himself from her oak. Filled with an acute feeling of loss, she vows to keep his spirit from the Dark, where Smis, a Grim Reaper, means to take him.
Smis gives her one cycle of seasons to prove that Finn belongs in the Light, and Scarlet sets off on her quest to redeem the boy’s spirit. She morphs into human form and finds Finn’s heartbroken parents, John and Helen, living together in unspoken grief and pain, in their bluebell house. Here, Scarlet becomes Willow, and is accepted into the small, heartbroken family, helping in her own way to ease the pain of Finn’s passing, and learning for herself the true meaning of love as both a sprite and a human.
A mesmerising and beautiful debut novel from Angie Weiland-Crosby, Scarlet Oak will enchant you with its soulful prose. The novel is a magical ode to nature, and a story of grief, hope, and love, from a unique new talent.
Smis gives her one cycle of seasons to prove that Finn belongs in the Light, and Scarlet sets off on her quest to redeem the boy’s spirit. She morphs into human form and finds Finn’s heartbroken parents, John and Helen, living together in unspoken grief and pain, in their bluebell house. Here, Scarlet becomes Willow, and is accepted into the small, heartbroken family, helping in her own way to ease the pain of Finn’s passing, and learning for herself the true meaning of love as both a sprite and a human.
A mesmerising and beautiful debut novel from Angie Weiland-Crosby, Scarlet Oak will enchant you with its soulful prose. The novel is a magical ode to nature, and a story of grief, hope, and love, from a unique new talent.
April 8, 2021
With SCARLET OAK, Angie Weiland-Crosby channels the mystical power of nature into the lives of parents grieving an autistic child, providing them, and her readers, an experiential path to healing. Emerging from the woods shortly after their son's suicide is Scarlet Oak, a tree sprite - appearing in the form of a teenage girl - who reignites hope for a family devastated by loss. Scarlet connects to an unseen world, a forest mythology beautifully rendered, as she struggles to understand the words, rhythms, and emotions that drive its human counterpart. If you believe in that kind of thing, Scarlet Oak embodies the soul, hidden until needed, that compels a new chapter in one's life, when a new chapter seems so improbable. In a world too often focused on petty squabbles, Angie's novel - like her heroine - thrusts you into contact with an overlooked soul that longs for knotted oaks, tree leaf canopies, and the imagination to allow the best of nature to inspire the best in us.
Read
May 14, 2025Not for me.
It was written in a very poetic way, obnoxiously so. It gets in the way of the plot.
It's a love story? But her relationship with the love interest feels very flat - there was no building, chemistry - he doesn't understand her or know who she is! And glorifying teen pregnancy isn't the best message.
Why does a character (or 4) have to die for the ending to be satisfactory? It was unnecessary.
The deadline set at the beginning of the book made it really obvious. She's either going to return to her life as a sprite or forever be a human, and she's determined that she's obviously coming back to her old life... and then she *grows* and decides she should be a human. I'm so surprised.
I dunno, there were a lot of factors that made it difficult to read. It sounded so promising, but I could barely get through it.
A novel just like a poem: speaks to only some of its readers.
It was written in a very poetic way, obnoxiously so. It gets in the way of the plot.
It's a love story? But her relationship with the love interest feels very flat - there was no building, chemistry - he doesn't understand her or know who she is! And glorifying teen pregnancy isn't the best message.
Why does a character (or 4) have to die for the ending to be satisfactory? It was unnecessary.
The deadline set at the beginning of the book made it really obvious. She's either going to return to her life as a sprite or forever be a human, and she's determined that she's obviously coming back to her old life... and then she *grows* and decides she should be a human. I'm so surprised.
I dunno, there were a lot of factors that made it difficult to read. It sounded so promising, but I could barely get through it.
A novel just like a poem: speaks to only some of its readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2021
Wow! "Scarlet Oak" features elements of magic, mystery, tragedy, grief, and ultimately, love all set in a small rural American community. What more can you ask as a foundation for a great novel? It does take a special writer to pull it off though, and first time author Angie Weiland-Crosby does so with flair. It seemed to me like every page had another nuance that I wanted to stop and consider, but the story kept compelling me to continue onward. Mesmerizing means capturing one's complete attention as if by magic. Trust me, you will be mesmerized by "Scarlet Oak."
July 27, 2022
Oh my! This is nothing like anything I've read before. I purchased this book from a Facebook ad because it looked interesting. The day I received it in the mail, I had not intended on reading it yet, as I was in the midst of another book that I wanted to finish first. I thought I would just flip through the first couple of pages but then Scarlet Oak sucked me in and I finished it before even returning to my other book that once had priority. This book is a nice escape from reality, yet it's pretty deep.
March 12, 2021
I was captivated by the story and this idea of a tree sprite. The author described Scarlet Oak in such a way that I could see her and feel like she truly existed. I dove into this created world. The beauty of the story is how Scarlet Oak intertwines her life into the human world. There is also a depth and compassion within the story that lends the reader a gift to understand Autism. I truly hope the author writes a sequel because I want to be transported back to this magical world.
August 4, 2023
A wonderful book filled with poetry.
This book grabbed me not just because of the poignant story and characters but because I wanted to immerse myself further in the poetry of the author’s words. I marvel at the unusual use and combination of words to create magnificent images . I’ve heard the term “word smith “ used to describe an author but it is most apropos of Angie Weiland-Crosby.
This book grabbed me not just because of the poignant story and characters but because I wanted to immerse myself further in the poetry of the author’s words. I marvel at the unusual use and combination of words to create magnificent images . I’ve heard the term “word smith “ used to describe an author but it is most apropos of Angie Weiland-Crosby.
August 24, 2024
A beautifully written magical realism fantasy fiction.
The subject matter is sad in That it deals with suicide, grief, and autism, but it is written with a courageous beautiful understanding. .
The story is so deep and beautiful. It is an escape from reality with alot of real wisdom woven throughout
I could feel and see everything - the beautiful calmness woven into the magical knowledge of nature.
The author is gifted in her expression of nature relating to life.
The subject matter is sad in That it deals with suicide, grief, and autism, but it is written with a courageous beautiful understanding. .
The story is so deep and beautiful. It is an escape from reality with alot of real wisdom woven throughout
I could feel and see everything - the beautiful calmness woven into the magical knowledge of nature.
The author is gifted in her expression of nature relating to life.
March 25, 2021
Angie Weiland-Crosby beautifully weaves the synchronicities between the supernatural and the human world in this soulfully written novel. Scarlet Oak is a tree sprite who, as a result of a tragic, chance encounter with the human world, finds herself thrust into a soul-changing series of events which challenge her view on life, love, death, and connection.
July 15, 2021
A new twist in fantasy
This is a well written fantasy novel with a novel story unlike any I have read before. I predict we will see more stories from this author. This is her first novel but it looks like it was written by a seasoned writer like Mercedes Lackey. I look forward to a sequel to see her characters come to life once more.
This is a well written fantasy novel with a novel story unlike any I have read before. I predict we will see more stories from this author. This is her first novel but it looks like it was written by a seasoned writer like Mercedes Lackey. I look forward to a sequel to see her characters come to life once more.
December 4, 2022
What a wonderfully unique and spellbinding book! I could not put it down. It will forever change the way you look at life and nature, grief and love, death and poetry. I cried like a baby and my heart was filled, it was one of those books. If nature, magic and poetry move your soul you will love it.
April 16, 2023
I can honestly say I never have read a book such as this before
The way the author wove Nature speak with human speak, the absolute mystery that left me never knowing what would come next,the passion and exhilaration that the way she wove her words made me experience. I am a better person for having read this!
The way the author wove Nature speak with human speak, the absolute mystery that left me never knowing what would come next,the passion and exhilaration that the way she wove her words made me experience. I am a better person for having read this!
May 6, 2023
A beautifully written story of love and loss.
I've never written a review before, but this book compelled me to do so. Exquisitely written, in shades and colors of human emotions that left me breathless. You will never look at a tree in the same way again. If you have loved and lost deeply, this book will touch your soul.
I've never written a review before, but this book compelled me to do so. Exquisitely written, in shades and colors of human emotions that left me breathless. You will never look at a tree in the same way again. If you have loved and lost deeply, this book will touch your soul.
July 6, 2023
Angie! I thoroughly enjoyed your book. It's one-of-a-kind with thoughts that cause a person to pause and do a bit of introspection. A fairy tale lined with reality, about love and forgiveness, faith and loyalty. I feel that it has added a spark of goodness to our world. Thank you for all the work you put into it and thank you for sharing it!
February 3, 2023
Not an easy book to read as in the beginning a young autistic teenage boy hangs himself. Memories of a young boy who took his life this way keep flooding to the surface as I read this book. So many whys. But what I found in reading is that grief is okay and hope keeps us going.
October 30, 2022
What a unique concept and a beautiful world held within this book. If you are a lover of the forest, this is a good read.
Read
November 7, 2023DNF. I may pick this up at a later date. It is beautifully written but I just couldn’t get through it. Maybe it’s my mood?
December 20, 2024
The most beautiful and poetic book I have ever read. Haven’t cried this hard over a book - ever.
October 8, 2025
Pure Magic
This book is so beautifully written. The story is painful at times and poignant at others. The trees, the sprites and humans create a spellbinding tale.
This book is so beautifully written. The story is painful at times and poignant at others. The trees, the sprites and humans create a spellbinding tale.
February 4, 2023
Scarlet Oak is a beautiful book that shows you life and death, healing and pain, fantasy and reality, all at the same time. It brings original wondrous magic of its own but at the same time, reminds you that there is magic is in our reality everyday that we just call “Life”.
August 20, 2024
A masterfully written story unlike any fantasy I’ve read before. Truly unique. Poetic. Magical.
May 16, 2024
A peculiar book but in a good way.
March 23, 2023
Reading this beautiful love story is an unforgettable experience. Of all the books I have read, this is now one of my 16 favorites. It truly touched my heart.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews