February 27, 2013 / Leslie

Review: The Scent of Darkness by Margot Berwin

Scent of Darkness
by Margot Berwin

Genre: Magical Realism / Fantasy
Publisher: Pantheon
Publish Date: January 29, 2013
Format: Hardcover | 240 pages
Rating: 4 of 5

When Evangeline’s grandmother died, she left Eva her house in New York and a special gift, a scent created just for her. Her grandmother was aromata, a master of scent-making and perfume; but this was no ordinary perfume. In a note left with the gift Eva was warned that if she opened the vial, the scent would change her life forever.

Despite the warning, Evangeline uses the scent. She hopes that it will make her more attractive to Gabriel, a young medical student that she is friends with. It has the desired effect and Gabriel falls madly in love with her, but the scent makes her irresistible to everyone. Strangers, men and women, even cats and dogs, are attracted to her. When she walks into a room everyone notices. People walk up to her and ask what perfume she is wearing.

Not wanting to be apart from Gabriel, she follows him to Louisiana where he is attending medical school. The bayou heat intensifies the effect of the perfume. Everyone seems to desire Eva except Michael, an aspiring artist, who appears unaffected by the scent. In reality he also desires Eva, but his intentions are evil and Evangeline is soon caught up in his spell and now risks losing Gabriel.

The story is told from the point of view of Evangeline in a series of short chapters. None of the characters are fully developed and through Eva we learn about her grandmother and only the background we need to know on Gabriel and Michael. The unknown details add to the air of mystery surrounding Eva and the dark, seductive nature of the scent takes center stage. Themes of good vs evil and a romantic, at times erotic, love triangle add to the compelling plot.

Mystical and mysterious, exotic and mesmerizing, I enjoyed this story. Unique and original, I recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different.