First off, I am an absolute sucker for selkie stories. I don’t even know why, but selkies are one of my top favorite mythological creatures. When I saw the title of A Sweet Sting of Salt and read the synopsis, I knew I needed this book immediately. When I got the email with an arc, I had to hold in screams of excitement and started reading almost immediately.

A Sweet Sting of Salt tells the story of Jean, a midwife in a small coastal town who keeps to herself, especially after rumors got around about her and her best friend having something romantic going on between them. But she has earned back her community’s respect because of her skill as a midwife. One night during a storm she hears a woman cry out and finds Muirin, her neighbor’s wife, about to have her baby, and quickly gets her inside. Because of Jean’s own history, she’s nervous to let Muirin leave immediately because some of her behaviors seem off and she wants to keep an eye on her and the baby, keep them safe. Over the time she and Muirin become friens, Muirin’s husband Tobias becomes jealous and some of his behaviors worry Jean to the point that when Muirin returns home, Jean can’t help but want to help her.

I really love the writing; it has a slow, almost lyrical quality that works really well for telling a folktale reimagining. There are so many great moments to show the deepening of the friendship between Jean and Muirin, and so many moments so full of quiet tension as Tobias’ true nature was revealed. Also Jean’s chosen family of Anneke and Laurie are some of my favorites, and I love the support she has. Also I loved and adored that queerness was portrayed, especially that even if by-and-large community couldn’t know both Jean and Laurie had family and friends and support and love.

This is such a great twist on The Selkie Wife folktale and made my heart so full of warm-fuzzies by the end. I just, this book is so much what I didn’t even know I wanted or needed in my life. I can’t wait to see what else Rose Sutherland writes, because with A Sweet Sting of Salt, Sutherland is already off to a great start.

[Cannonball review will post April 7, 2024]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting my wish!

Folklore has always been of interest to me and the story of the Selkie Wife is one I recall of having heard when I was a child, albeit in a different language, which is why I wished for the book on sight.

This book is a marvel! The historical world building in this book is impressive and submersive, making me feel as though I was there, day to day. The author's research clearly must've been immaculate if it allowed her to construct a world that really makes you feel as though the novel's world is the world you live in.

The writing of course is also a large part of the immersion and I enjoyed the structure of the novel as well as the writing style of the author. There is a tense and yet subdued pace to the story, wherein there are many day-to-day, mundane events that all somehow build the overall tension the reader grows to feel throughout the book -- when it breaks, events happen in a breathtaking rush that makes the book un-put-downable.

Mythologically, it is also well constructed, things making the right amount of sense in order to not break you out of the immersion. The superstitious nature of the town blended into the magical structure in a truly fascinating manner.

Of course, the main focus of the book were the relationships between Jean and everyone around her. The characters were well constructed: flawed, real and believable. Jean's development over the course of the book was heartwarming and I loved her interactions with everyone around her. Muirin was amazing -- I just loved everything about her.

Overall, a must read of the retelling genre! Highly recommended.