THE SCENT OF YOUTH.

THE SCENT OF YOUTH by MANDI MARTIN.

Target Age ... YA / NA / Adult

Genre ... Dark Fantasy

Publication Date ... March 2026

Publisher ... The Book Guild

Estimated Page Count ... 500

Standalone Novel

Author Content Warning ... Bullying, child loss

Purchase Link ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scent-Youth-Mandi-Martin-ebook/dp/B0GJ66CQKW

Curses are not just supernatural

Scorned for his unusual appearance and nature, young Josiah’s expulsion from school leads him to the grim world of rat-catching at the local orphanage. Amid new-found bonds and a simmering animosity, a longing for independence draws him towards the quiet life of a nearby village.

 

Welcomed by kind souls, Josiah earns his keep as a skilled vermin remover and helpful stable hand. But when a rat-borne illness strikes the town, Josiah’s unique abilities bring him to the attention of the imposing Duke.

 

Within the castle walls, caught in the strange dynamic between the Duke’s son Bergen and the formidable Helga – children and ogres in one – Josiah’s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of the spirited Nadia. Their shared love of poetry ignites a passionate connection, but joy is fragile, and loss leaves an indelible mark.

 

Unbeknownst to Josiah, Helga’s deep-seated hatred of children is taking root within the Duke’s domain, setting in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably alter his destiny…

Wow! Deliciously dark. This was one bleak story but don't get me wrong, put in mind of a Grimms' fairytale, I mean this as a positive rather than a negative.

Targeted at the YA {Young Adult}/NA {New Adult?} market. The story follows Josiah, rat catcher extraordinaire as a rat-borne illness strikes town. I'm aware many would say the rats were merely vermin BUT I found some of the descriptions of the 'disposal' of them overly descriptive and unnecessary. 

Right from the off though I found myself fully immersed in the aforementioned Josiah's journey, finding him a deeply engaging if increasingly unlikeable character which made the Duke and Duchess all the more disappointing.

Fairytale villains who only just avoided being pantomime villains. Not that I have anything against pantomime villains, far from it. Its just that sometimes they work in literature and, well, sometimes they simply belong in pantomimes and alas on this occasion, for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, I found myself unable to engage with either the Duke or Duchess as the villains of the tale.

Frustrated by the curse ... or lack of one. Despite being mentioned on more than one occasion, I was left deeply disappointed that this thread of the story just didn't materialise which brings me to the ending of the book ...

With a plot that just seemed to fizzle out, I kept telling myself that perhaps The Scent Of Youth was the first book in a series but the truth is there isn't anything to evidence this. 

Hoping I'm wrong and that there is a part two to this folklore inspired book as I'm struggling to believe this can be the end of the tale.

I’m an Isle of Wight author with Birmingham roots. Writing became an outlet after a late diagnosis of autism, and it became more important after health problems also came about. I take my style and inspiration from classical novels and folklore. Some of my royalties are given to charities that supported me, but my main aim is to take people on a journey.

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

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