This book just wasn't for me. Despite the warning that the story would show the depths of human cruelty but also the love, it didn't show the love. I was left feeling rather sad and bitter about how the women were treated and wondering where the satisfying ending was.

I just finished this and I want to get my thoughts down right away. This is a really fantastic story and I am a huge fan of Lanagan. I have never read anything of selkies, so this is rather new to me. That said, I did not enjoy this story. There were chapters where I actually had pains in my stomach while I read because I KNEW the character was going to let us down. I knew it and like a car sliding on ice, I read on hoping and hoping that the character would redeem themselves. Nope.
The story raises many great questions. Who is the villain here? Is it the sea witch? Is it the men of the island? Are the women of the island to blame for allowing this to happen? While part of me sympathized with the witch, I just don't understand what happened to her from the time she bought the big house in town, to the point where she moved back to the water's edge. She remained bitter all those years? And why did her children die when all the other male children flourish?
I am sure my library needs to own this title when it is published, but finding a good match for this book and a reader is going to be a challenge. This just isn't something I think most teens would enjoy. Like I said earlier, I am glad I read it, but I didn't enjoy it. So why four stars? Because the writing is way above par, the story is excellent, and because I am a big fan.
I do wonder how this would have been had the island women called the men from the sea instead of the way it went in the novel? Hmm.

This was unique and beautiful, I loved the contrast of the setting and the magic. I suspect it would be a good crossover title.

I love this sea shanty of a tale, the way in which it is told from so many different points of view throughout so many different years. The entire concept, from the witch to the seal women and the neat connections at the tale's end, were simple and wonderful.

I didn't get a chance to read this before it expired on my nook. I'm sorry! I do hope to one day buy and read this!