Book Review: The Sparrow and the Oak Tree by Jamie Jackson
The Sparrow and the Oak Tree is an upbeat fantasy retelling of the classic medieval story of Tristan and Isolde, supplanting the original love potion with fae magic and a cursed forest. It’s ultimately a light read with multiple POVs, an abundance of romance, and even a little smut.
The fact that the plot exists mainly as a vehicle for the romance is not actually what makes this an easy read. Credit there actually goes to Jamie Jackson’s decision to have each character's perspective flow seamlessly into the next, picking up right at the exact moment where the last perspective ended. Not only does this allow for each character to offer up their thoughts on a situation without having to retread over any details, it also has the added benefit of keeping the progression contained to bite-sized chunks. Because of this it is incredibly easy to put the book down when you need to and not feel lost, while also being flexible enough to accommodate both short and binge reading sessions, depending on what suits your needs.
I can’t praise the book enough for having a superb writing style that keeps things feeling fresh. Even the choice to switch between 1st person and 3rd person narration, depending on which character was the focal point, helped add to my enjoyment of the book. Not only does the author prove herself capable of writing well in both approaches, it’s also one of those small details (worthy of being added) that a less experienced author might not have ever considered incorporating. If you suffer with a short attention span, then this is the kind of book that will keep snapping you back into focus, and you’ll be grateful for it.
Fun, romantic and smutty; this delivers on the exact vibes it seeks to give off. While I did appreciate my time with the story, I can absolutely see it being pesticide for the wrong reader. If you aren’t prepared for copious flirting, sexual tension and instant uncontrollable love, then this book will repel you like a forcefield. There’s not enough beyond those three elements on offer that isn’t functionally set-dressing, so you have to be actively seeking out this kind of experience to get the most out of it.
Regardless, I enjoyed my time with The Sparrow and the Oak Tree and I’m glad I gave it a chance. Despite not being what I typically read (I have a clinical aversion to everything fae) I still found more than enough things to love about it. I’ve covered plenty of books entered into SPFBO 9 at this point, and a running theme has been how high the authors have set the bar. Jamie Jackson, much like her contemporaries, has not let those standards slip, excelling in a subgenre of fantasy that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
