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kathydavie's review
5.0
It's 1972 and this story takes place well before Rosemary and Rue, 1, which ensures that "In Sea-Salt Tears" is 0.5 chronologically in the October Daye urban fantasy series.
My Take
A tale of love and regret...of remorse of all kinds.
This is a split from the October Daye series and still features the Luidaeg as a side character even though it’s all about her. It’s a poignant tale that confirms betrayal by loved ones as the greatest perfidy of all.
Bittersweet with ache and love, with a dip into the life of the Selkies. Their bargain for their lives. (For more on Selkies, Roane, and the Luidaeg, read One Salt Sea, 5).
I’m with Tempe. Considering the limitations of the skins and what Liz’s mother reveals to Liz, why do they bring their children up to believe this is the be-all-and-end-all of life? As for what we do learn about Liz’s mother, why even give her daughter that choice?
Although, that last line...it does make sense of her mother’s ultimate choice.
The Story
It begins in 1972 with a bonfire of pain as those not chosen seek solace among themselves. Where Liz meets Annie and a friendship of years grows into so much more.
It’s a moment of decision. Of second best. Of truths.
The Characters
Liz Ryan, Mathias, Colin, and Tempe are those we meet around the fire. Daisy is the first to receive her skin in this story.
Annabel Lee is a Roane who must hold to tradition.
Diva is Liz’s daughter. The four Selkie clans in the area are the Ryans (Liz has just become their head), Chases (Isla Chase is their head), O’Connells (Joan O’Connell is their head), and Anthonys (Claude Anthony is their head).
The Cover
The cover is a sea and sky of bright blues in the dawn hours as a lone woman walks the water's edge on the beach.
The title is sadly accurate, the beginning and end are what this story is about. It’s the central word that pinpoints most specifically whose tears will fall...on both sides, it will be “In Sea-Salt Tears”.
My Take
A tale of love and regret...of remorse of all kinds.
This is a split from the October Daye series and still features the Luidaeg as a side character even though it’s all about her. It’s a poignant tale that confirms betrayal by loved ones as the greatest perfidy of all.
Bittersweet with ache and love, with a dip into the life of the Selkies. Their bargain for their lives. (For more on Selkies, Roane, and the Luidaeg, read One Salt Sea, 5).
This was so poetic...Oh, Annie’s tale about her parents is so sad
”Then her mouth found its way between my legs, and ah, I didn’t care what happened next. The tide was coming in, and I was coming with it.”
I’m with Tempe. Considering the limitations of the skins and what Liz’s mother reveals to Liz, why do they bring their children up to believe this is the be-all-and-end-all of life? As for what we do learn about Liz’s mother, why even give her daughter that choice?
Although, that last line...it does make sense of her mother’s ultimate choice.
The Story
It begins in 1972 with a bonfire of pain as those not chosen seek solace among themselves. Where Liz meets Annie and a friendship of years grows into so much more.
It’s a moment of decision. Of second best. Of truths.
The Characters
Liz Ryan, Mathias, Colin, and Tempe are those we meet around the fire. Daisy is the first to receive her skin in this story.
Annabel Lee is a Roane who must hold to tradition.
Diva is Liz’s daughter. The four Selkie clans in the area are the Ryans (Liz has just become their head), Chases (Isla Chase is their head), O’Connells (Joan O’Connell is their head), and Anthonys (Claude Anthony is their head).
The Cover
The cover is a sea and sky of bright blues in the dawn hours as a lone woman walks the water's edge on the beach.
The title is sadly accurate, the beginning and end are what this story is about. It’s the central word that pinpoints most specifically whose tears will fall...on both sides, it will be “In Sea-Salt Tears”.
serafim's review
4.5
i feel very little sympathy for liz, she didn't really manage to endear herself to me, but i loved seeing the luidaeg as a central character and getting to know more about her
sunshine4you's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lisawreading's review
4.0
A sweet, sad story in the October Daye urban fantasy series, focusing on the Luideag. Definitely recommended for fans of the series, but don't read until after you've read the 5th novel in the series.
nattyg's review
5.0
A very good in-depth view of the Sea Witch and her love/hate relationship with the Selkies
blodeuedd's review
4.0
A short story that was sad. No happy ending here, but that depends on how you see it and what you want.
I liked it and the selkie stories are always sad in this universe. They are not the happiest of fairies...at all.
Love and loss and making choices is what it was about
I liked it and the selkie stories are always sad in this universe. They are not the happiest of fairies...at all.
Love and loss and making choices is what it was about
amibunk's review
4.0
This is probably the best novella I’ve read. Beautiful language, great storytelling, and a tragic ending made this just a treat to read.
tzurky's review
4.0
This was a surprisingly nice little story. In the manner of other UF series it gave more detail about a background character, in this case the sea-witch. But it tried to mix things up a bit by being told in a first person perspective of a different person and giving details that are emotional rather than plot-related.
It doesn’t add much but I just liked the story and how it fits into the world-building. The cruelty and tragedy of the fae world are the things I like most about this series. McGuire certainly likes to put her characters through the physical and/or emotional meat-grinder.
And in my view that’s precisely the point of fairy tales, so I wholeheartedly approve of the approach.
It doesn’t add much but I just liked the story and how it fits into the world-building. The cruelty and tragedy of the fae world are the things I like most about this series. McGuire certainly likes to put her characters through the physical and/or emotional meat-grinder.
And in my view that’s precisely the point of fairy tales, so I wholeheartedly approve of the approach.
raven_morgan's review
4.0
Read as part of the 2013 Hugo packet.
Reading this reminded me that I really need to catch up with the October Daye books. This is probably my favourite of McGuire's stories or books that I've read. Love the mythology, and the poignancy of the story.
Reading this reminded me that I really need to catch up with the October Daye books. This is probably my favourite of McGuire's stories or books that I've read. Love the mythology, and the poignancy of the story.