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samsearle's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, and Kidnapping
alwayspizza's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing story! An amazing tale of one’s wrong, love, loneliness, and community. I hope that Su Bristow writes more novels. The story of Donald and Mairhi was unexpected and beautiful.
gothchinchilla's review against another edition
1.0
Local guy rapes a girl and goes through character development. But it's fine cause she falls in love with him!
P.S. This book is described as "a retelling of the selkie legend" but there wasn't anything new added to the original story really, apart from the heavy-handed rape apology I guess. So maybe just go and read the wiki page instead.
P.P.S yeah of course the girl can't speak
P.S. This book is described as "a retelling of the selkie legend" but there wasn't anything new added to the original story really, apart from the heavy-handed rape apology I guess. So maybe just go and read the wiki page instead.
P.P.S yeah of course the girl can't speak
emeraldreviews's review
5.0
A heart-breaking yet beautiful tale of family, secrets, myth and ultimately…love.
What begins with a horrific act shakes the foundations of Donald’s family and ultimately the entirety of the extremely close knit community. But that horrific act evolves into its own seemingly close knit family against all odds. Su Bristow envelops the reader in a warm cloak of storytelling whilst stoking the fire of intrigue within.
The story takes place within a small fishing village with a small selection of characters but all of these are rich and extremely well written. The small locational base doesn’t mean that Su is limited with her story but instead fills every inch of the little village with detailed descriptions and fantastic scene setting. This seemingly idyllic little village becomes a stunningly attractive place to live at the hands of Su. Such a beautiful world took over my brain whilst reading.
The main character, Donald, is a deep, mysterious character whose growth throughout the book is absolutely sublime. You will hate him at times, but you will also feel pity for him, feel pain with him and also…love with him. Su Bristow’s portrayal of an entirely silent character is masterful, the characterisation and deep emotional bond she is able to encourage with simple descriptions of hand movements and gestures is pure magic.
Sealskin is a dark story that you will read with bated breath. Let Su Bristow take you on a trip through a Selkie myth which will extract every emotion from you. I cannot wait for more from Su after this. Which is, by the way, her FIRST novel!! Please, if you enjoy dramatic, emotional stories…read this book.
What begins with a horrific act shakes the foundations of Donald’s family and ultimately the entirety of the extremely close knit community. But that horrific act evolves into its own seemingly close knit family against all odds. Su Bristow envelops the reader in a warm cloak of storytelling whilst stoking the fire of intrigue within.
The story takes place within a small fishing village with a small selection of characters but all of these are rich and extremely well written. The small locational base doesn’t mean that Su is limited with her story but instead fills every inch of the little village with detailed descriptions and fantastic scene setting. This seemingly idyllic little village becomes a stunningly attractive place to live at the hands of Su. Such a beautiful world took over my brain whilst reading.
The main character, Donald, is a deep, mysterious character whose growth throughout the book is absolutely sublime. You will hate him at times, but you will also feel pity for him, feel pain with him and also…love with him. Su Bristow’s portrayal of an entirely silent character is masterful, the characterisation and deep emotional bond she is able to encourage with simple descriptions of hand movements and gestures is pure magic.
Sealskin is a dark story that you will read with bated breath. Let Su Bristow take you on a trip through a Selkie myth which will extract every emotion from you. I cannot wait for more from Su after this. Which is, by the way, her FIRST novel!! Please, if you enjoy dramatic, emotional stories…read this book.
megan_prairierose's review
1.0
So there’s a rape on page 6 of this book. I feel sick. I can’t read anymore of this.
rkishu's review
DNFed because of the rape scene at the beginning. I don’t read rape romances. I also found it tiring that the protagonist is a weirdo who cannot stand up against his mother and lets her be responsible for everything. And how can she tell so early that the woman is pregnant? Also, why does he now have to marry the selkie after seeing them dance naked. I don’t know. I just don’t vibe with stories like this.
hayleyyyreads's review
4.0
Very well paced and beautiful writing that pulls you in and keeps you hooked right to the end
sophieacton's review
Because it was the BIGGEST pile of shit I've ever read. Rape is not a 'terrible mistake' and I'll never EVER be on board with a Rapey romance. No matter how beautifully it's tarted up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Rape
caitlinking's review
I’m angry that a woman wrote this and thought a rape to romance storyline was okay. Such a shame because some of the writing is beautiful but, I cannot get on board with rape being excused as a “terrible mistake” and then a rapist being written as a sympathetic character. Everyone glossing over the rape in this book needs to give their head a wobble.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
theoneandonlyredrose's review
3.0
I was really looking forward to reading this for book club but was rather disappointed with it. The writing was all a bit ploddy and could have been so much more atmospheric and magical, not ‘dark and brooding’ at all. Opinion shared by the rest of my group.