Review: Beneath the Mother Tree

Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is brimming with Mother Nature and her creations; overflowing with love and respect for the natural world.

It also comes with a healthy side of imagination and fantasy.

LOVED IT.

Ayla lives on a small island, immersed in nature and her Grappa's stories - Irish folk tales passed down to him by his own grandmother. Ayla knows she's too old to believe in his tales of faeries and tree-folk any more, but part of her won't let them go.

A mother and son arrive on the island, bringing their baggage with them. Riley is still hurting from the loss of his step-father, David, and his relationship with his mosquito-obsessed mother is strained. Marlise is afraid that if Riley discovers her secret, she'll lose him.

Grappa may be a drunk, but he knows the stories are true, and he's convinced Far Dorocha - dark servant to the Faery Queen - is after his Ayla. He'll stop at nothing to protect her.

This compelling tale is part romance, part mystery. As Ayla and Riley inevitably get to know one another, the reader is also trying to puzzle out the full extent of Marlise's secret. There's also that question of whether the novel intends to stray into the realm of fantasy, or whether the fantasy is simply left to stem from inference and the imagination of the reader.

The island has a very real presence; the writing is beautifully crafted to create a unique character from its setting, with its own history. The ever-present mosquitoes aid the contrast of sandy beaches and boggy wetland, and the island's inhabitants are typical small-towners.

I really enjoyed the atypical relationships. Marlise clearly has a few screws loose, but at times I still felt sorry for the way she was so afraid of losing Riley. A mother's love is a powerful thing. Grappa frustrated me with his determination to blame everything on signs and myths etc. but it makes him such a wonderful character, and his stubborn faith is really admirable. Ayla admits she's not like others her age, and the relationship with Riley blossoms slowly and timidly, which made it much more believable and far more endearing than the insta-love that ruins so many other novels. I often felt the urge to slap at non-existent mosquitoes, so powerful was their presence.

This is a tangled story of faith, love and nature. I found it instantly compelling, and its clever blend of mystery, myth and romance means this novel has something for most readers. Beautifully written and absolutely captivating. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author for my ARC.

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