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isnt_it_pretty's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Animal death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Outing, Homophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence, Rape, and Suicide
avacadosocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Confinement and Homophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Sexual assault, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
nhollie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Kidnapping, Animal death, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
kappafrog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've always wanted to write a historical queer
I adored Muirin! I'm a Gaelic speaker and was impressed that Sutherland got the genitive right on ròin. I would have liked to see more Gaelic in the book, but at least its presence was always there and not something that was treated as an afterthought. I also appreciated the inclusion of the Native characters. I'm not sure why Sutherland only named the Mikmaq in the acknowledgements and just used "Native" throughout the book, but I appreciated this as a more realistic spectrum of the types of people in 19th century Nova Scotia than some books would try to portray.
Of course, I absolutely loved the romance between Jean and Muirin. My heart ached for both of them, and I really felt the sense of frustration Jean had with having so few options for helping a woman in a bad situation in this place and time. The writing style of the book is not overly flowery, but I really appreciated the way Sutherland wrote her characters, making them feel very much like real people, and there were also some beautiful passages about the natural world of their surroundings. Sutherland was also very effective at creating a sense of dread with the escalating actions of the antagonist.
My only real plot qualm came late in the book:
What a wonderful book! I highly recommend it. It totally absorbed me while I was reading it. I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store!
Graphic: Death, Lesbophobia, Murder, Outing, Stalking, Death of parent, Confinement, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Suicide, Medical content, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Excrement, Miscarriage, Alcohol, and Colonisation
sapphic_alpaca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Outing, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Confinement, Medical content, Murder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Grief
Minor: Rape and Infidelity
marym2215's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I absolutely loved this book. This captivating debut seamlessly blended folklore, fantasy, and a tender love story centered around selkies, something I knew nothing about going into the book. Set against the windswept shores of Nova Scotia, the atmospheric backdrop enhanced the story’s mystery, romance, and gothic allure. I just wanted to be there with them! The palpable angst and deeply tender romance between Muirin and Jean had me swooning throughout the majority of the book. It was so easy to root for them as their characters leapt off the page, especially Jean’s strong will, drive, and resilience. While the pacing was a bit slower than my normal read, I was still swept away by the story, setting, and character development. I also really loved the author’s note at the end of the book. Whether you know anything about selkie folklore or not, I would highly recommend this book if you are looking to read a love story amidst a backdrop of mystery and gothic vibes. I am definitely looking forward to Sutherland’s future novels!
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of A Sweet Sting of Salt in return for my honest review.
Graphic: Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Animal death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Cursing, Animal death, Blood, Death, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Rape and Homophobia
kimwritesstuff's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jean meets Muirin while Muirin is in labor outside in a storm. Muirin basically ends up on Jean's doorstep while fleeing. After Jean helps her deliver a healthy son, Jean can sense something isn't right, but can't get answers to her questions because Muirin doesn't speak English. When Muirin's husband, Tobias, shows up, Jean doubles down and insists Muirin stay with her while recovering from birth. Tobias relents, only wanting what's best for his son and his wife. Over the course of a week, Jean watches Muirin blossom into motherhood and helps her learn English.
When Tobias comes to get Muirin and their son, Muirin closes up. Jean realizes Tobias is what's wrong in the picture. From there, a beautiful gothic love story unfolds. The author did her research and included some historical events and included indigenous people in the story. I love when authors take care with their characters and history. This story is just so full of detail, I felt the longing and I felt the isolation.
This was a good story built on longing and the power of women; there could have been more awareness in the main character and a quicker reveal of magical elements. Overall, a good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Dell Books.
Graphic: Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Animal death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Confinement
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent