Review: I loved the originality of this story . .
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 9, 2014
The title of Lori L Clark's book is admittedly not very inspiring, but the tree really has a central role to play throughout the story, as influential events take place around, on and underneath it.The tree is on Blythe Fountain's land and when Ariel inherits her great-aunt's estate she considers cutting it down, but as she settles into her new life in the small town of Steele Grove she hears stories about the history of the house she now names Fountianwood, its land and her ancestors, which delay her decision.After reading the synopsis of The Dead Tree I resumed this would be a ghost story, but instead it is a clever and intricate novel about Ariel's search for truth. With the help of her great-aunt's memoirs and information gleaned from the town's citizens the story of the tree takes a frightening and sinister twist. At the moment of the 'big reveal' Lori L Clark takes the perfect opportunity to both shock and sadden her reader and as the pieces of the mystery fit together we are left stunned.Ariel is an independent character, who is determined and tough. Had the protagonist had opposite traits I think I would have reacted differently to the plot because I relied on Ariel's reaction to guide my own.I enjoyed the romantic aspect of The Dead Tree and the fact that with Grady's connection to the tree's past, the cycle of the story ends with hope.Although I liked the originality of Lori L Clark's writing I would like to have seen if the promise of happiness at Fountainwood revived the magic of the tree.Ignore the fact that this sounds like a gardening manual and give The Dead Tree a try, you won't be disappointed!I received this as a complimentary review copy, but this has had no influence on my opinion.