Water related themes always capture my attention. New to me author Ms. Brennan weaves a tale of sorrow, loss, and new beginnings. I don't believe I have ever read a happy tale about selkies. Because their lives are always threatened and humans are horrible. This tale is about Brigit and her life in small fishing village in Nova Scotia.
Personally, if I knew that Selkies would bless us if we were good to them, I'd make sure the entire town understands this and keeps it as an open understood secret. Then again, I am completely enamoured of selkies. Ms. Brennan stays close to true to the selkie mythos with how to keep a selkie on land. The nice twist in this one, is that Brigit's mother loves her father and wants to stay with them. Still, the rules to switch between land and water are harsh and unforgiving. I don't like it.
Brigit's tale is a slight coming of age story as she grows up a bit through loss and hardship. I feel for her because she is in two worlds and yet not accepted in either. She needs to hid her uniqueness that makes her so amazing. It breaks my heart what she needs to do to keep the villagers from turning into a raving mob. I did like the priest in this story as he sticks up for her. That was unexpected and lovely.
There are a few traumatic scenes in this story and I felt it made the book richer and more meaningful. Whilst Brigit is a young lass, the concepts in this story may be a bit much for children and young teens in this day and age. Still, I would encourage them to read this book and learn about hatred, pettiness, and animal cruelty. I reiterate - humans are horrible. But there are a few redeeming ones. This melancholy fantasy is recommended for readers who enjoy character growth tales with a touch of magic.
