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ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Gloaming in Books
May 2, 2018 (Updated May 2, 2018)
A grown up fairy tale
This is a story which weaves the fantastical and the real together so well. It's set on a small, remote Scottish island, where the people there believe in selkies and turn to stone on a cliff top looking out to the ocean, when they die.
Mara Ross and her family live in a run down castle, that they never quite manage to repair. After her little brothers death, Mara leaves the island with Pearl, who she often refers to as a mermaid or a selkie (it's her job, actually).
This is a story of love, loss, hope, return and growing up. Fairy tales are used as a way of illustrating gender roles and how they have changed. This all sounds far too 'dry' though. This story is written in such lyrical, wistful language. It's beautiful. I could carry on reading it for another 200 pages. You're never quite sure what's real and what's fairy tale - and that's O.K.
And for the record, I like that there's no definite ending. I think that works really well with the rest of the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
Mara Ross and her family live in a run down castle, that they never quite manage to repair. After her little brothers death, Mara leaves the island with Pearl, who she often refers to as a mermaid or a selkie (it's her job, actually).
This is a story of love, loss, hope, return and growing up. Fairy tales are used as a way of illustrating gender roles and how they have changed. This all sounds far too 'dry' though. This story is written in such lyrical, wistful language. It's beautiful. I could carry on reading it for another 200 pages. You're never quite sure what's real and what's fairy tale - and that's O.K.
And for the record, I like that there's no definite ending. I think that works really well with the rest of the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
The Craft Seller's Companion: The Crafty Entrepreneurs Essential Directory: Suppliers, Resources and Advice
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Do you dream of turning your creative hobby into a real craft business? Do you sell your handmade...
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Waves (Inhuman Love Collection #1) in Books
Jun 21, 2023
WAVES is the first book in the Inhuman Love Collection and we start off with a selkie and a marine biologist. I loved how the first bit with Ezra was titled with his name, but the first bit with Kai was titled with what he was. A small detail, but one I liked.
There were a few things in this I didn't like - the ex-fiance for one, but then, I wasn't supposed to. I thought there would be more to his storyline as it seemed like a big deal but then it sort of fizzled out. Also Mary and Eric. I know Mary was Ezra's BFF but it felt like she was a little pushy. Eric was nice most of the time but jumping to conclusions when someone is injured isn't a good way to be. Some of the side characters didn't add anything to the story either in my opinion.
What I did like was the constant affection between Kai and Ezra. The forehead touches were so sweet and I loved those. And things like the pool and trying to get the pH levels right to imitate the sea. That's a love language right there. There was an occasion when Ezra is being slightly forward with Kai, but Kai did agree and ended up enjoying it, so I guess it worked out. It just felt a little icky considering Kai's preferences up to that point.
On the whole, I enjoyed this story and that epilogue was so sad! It left me with so many questions though, I'll admit! I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 21, 2023
There were a few things in this I didn't like - the ex-fiance for one, but then, I wasn't supposed to. I thought there would be more to his storyline as it seemed like a big deal but then it sort of fizzled out. Also Mary and Eric. I know Mary was Ezra's BFF but it felt like she was a little pushy. Eric was nice most of the time but jumping to conclusions when someone is injured isn't a good way to be. Some of the side characters didn't add anything to the story either in my opinion.
What I did like was the constant affection between Kai and Ezra. The forehead touches were so sweet and I loved those. And things like the pool and trying to get the pH levels right to imitate the sea. That's a love language right there. There was an occasion when Ezra is being slightly forward with Kai, but Kai did agree and ended up enjoying it, so I guess it worked out. It just felt a little icky considering Kai's preferences up to that point.
On the whole, I enjoyed this story and that epilogue was so sad! It left me with so many questions though, I'll admit! I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 21, 2023
The Treasure of Rigmore House (Betwixt the Sea and Shore #3)
8.0
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An heiress forced to choose a husband by her next birthday. A former selkie bent on revenge. Can...
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