The Scarlet Trefoil
by L.A. Kelly
The Scarlet Trefoil is the third novel about Tahn Dorn. The exact year of the setting of the book isn’t disclosed, but the main mode of transportation is the horse, the main weapon a sword, and lords and ladies abound. I didn’t read the first novel, but the way the author writes, I never felt that I was missing any key information as I read the second novel. I felt this way about this book, too.
This is not an easy book to read. As stated above, I didn’t read the first novel, but in the second one the author put poor Tahn through so much pain and through so many difficult situations I questioned whether or not a mere mortal could have actually survived such treatment. I know that feeling would have been compounded if I’d actually read the first novel. As I got into this book there was a point where I literally said “Oh come on!” feeling that the author had gone way overboard this time. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The book opens with an invitation to the wedding of Tahn Dorn and Lady Netta Trilett. They’d both survived the horrors that were recounted in earlier novels and were now ready to embark on a new life together. It’s the day before the wedding and Netta is headed to her bridal party at another estate. Tahn isn’t thrilled with this idea at all. With all he’s been through over the years he fears for her safety. Adequate precautions are made. Men are hand picked by Tahn to escort Netta and Tahn is expected to attend a party given in his honor. He has problems enjoying himself as he continues to fear for Netta’s safety.
At last he can’t stand it any longer and heads out to meet her on her way home. What he finds is total chaos with injured and dead strewn all over. To his ultimate horror, Netta is missing. The rest of the book contains Tahn’s desperate search for the love of his life and reveals the lengths he’ll go to to save her life. The author also shows the deep love Netta has for Tahn and the great lengths she’ll go to for him as well.
Which brings me back to my main concern about this book. Even though this is fiction, the author really pushes the limits of believability. I don’t see how it’s humanly possible for anyone to survive everything that Tahn was put through. But having said that, I still enjoyed the book. It shows beyond a shadow of a doubt the fulfillment of “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!” It is only through divine intervention that both Tahn and Netta get through this harrowing time.
I would recommend this book for middle to late teens on up.
Reviewed by Lynn Worley
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