djinnia's review
5.0
This is a retelling of a Celtic legend of Tam Lin. Tam Lin is trapped in the world of the fey and only Janette (there are variations of her name) can save him if she can do as he instructed.
It's a story of love and trust and faith.
I love it the moment I began to read it. The illustrations filled the pages. As the story weaves through the night, you end up rooting for her to succeed.
It's a story of love and trust and faith.
I love it the moment I began to read it. The illustrations filled the pages. As the story weaves through the night, you end up rooting for her to succeed.
earth_and_silver's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
A good little adaptation, with an interesting twist, to my mind, with having Jennet be out to reclaim her family home and the pretty gent being almost a bonus in the process.
sabine4242's review
5.0
This book caught my attention back in college with three huge factors- it was by Jane Yolen, whose Briar Rose I was adapting for my senior project; obviously, because a fairy tale re-telling; and finally, she chose MacKenzie, a family name, for the heroine's name.
It is a beautifully told and illustrated version of one of my favorite fairy tales.
It is a beautifully told and illustrated version of one of my favorite fairy tales.
hyacinth_girl's review
3.0
I bought and read this book because of the book The Dogs of Babel. The ballad on which this story is based is interspersed throughout the Dogs of Babel, and I thought the ballad (or at least the part in the book) was so beautiful that I had to find out more about it. It's definitely a great children's story that centers around the ballad and if your interested in Scottish folklore, you should check it out.
aminata's review
4.0
I only read this because it served as the inspiration for Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses. I highly enjoyed it
lexlingua's review
3.0
Cross-posted from my more detailed review at Lexlingua.co
This is a 36-page short story, a literal translation of one of the many Scottish ballads ever written on Tam Lin (since 1549!). Young Jennet MacKenzie wins back her family estate at Carterhaugh and frees the ensorcelled human enslaved there for a 100 years, back from the wicked Fey.
The main highlight of the book is the illustration work by Charles Mikolaycak. I sniffed around for more of Mikolaycak’s work; he had illustrated many folklore- / mythology- themed books (mostly for children/ young adults), giving them that perfect “otherworldly” look.
This is a 36-page short story, a literal translation of one of the many Scottish ballads ever written on Tam Lin (since 1549!). Young Jennet MacKenzie wins back her family estate at Carterhaugh and frees the ensorcelled human enslaved there for a 100 years, back from the wicked Fey.
The main highlight of the book is the illustration work by Charles Mikolaycak. I sniffed around for more of Mikolaycak’s work; he had illustrated many folklore- / mythology- themed books (mostly for children/ young adults), giving them that perfect “otherworldly” look.
maiakobabe's review
5.0
A gorgeously illustrated picture book version of a well-known Scottish ballad. This story has been retold many times and expanded into full length YA and adult novels. Jane Yolan's version keeps to the bones of the song, and is elegant in it's simplicity.
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