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Selkie
From the author of Medusa comes another beautiful and emotional story, this one featuring a selkie, a mythological creature who can turn from a seal into a human.
Seven years ago, Quinn finally dared to transform from a seal into a human and took her first steps on land. As a selkie, she is both a daughter of land and sea. But when a human stole her pelt, he stole her freedom as well, forcing Quinn to become his wife and bear his children. As legend tells, capturing a selkie will bring you luck, and she became a coveted prize.
Constrained to a life that was no longer her own, Quinn longed for nothing more than to find her pelt and seize her freedom. Then one day, her eldest daughter hands Quinn her pelt and without a second thought, Quinn snatches it and escapes to the sea. But she's no longer used to swimming and doesn't know where her herd has gone. And after an almost disastrous encounter with her former husband, leaving her severely injured, Quinn doesn't even have the strength to go searching.
Instead, she finds herself taking shelter on a nearby island with a lighthouse and three lighthouse keepers. Quinn doesn't trust humans anymore and wants to stay hidden from the keepers. But she can't survive on her own either. Can she learn to trust these humans and shed her hatred of all humankind? Or will she give into her fears and accept the monstrous fate that others have bestowed upon her?
Seven years ago, Quinn finally dared to transform from a seal into a human and took her first steps on land. As a selkie, she is both a daughter of land and sea. But when a human stole her pelt, he stole her freedom as well, forcing Quinn to become his wife and bear his children. As legend tells, capturing a selkie will bring you luck, and she became a coveted prize.
Constrained to a life that was no longer her own, Quinn longed for nothing more than to find her pelt and seize her freedom. Then one day, her eldest daughter hands Quinn her pelt and without a second thought, Quinn snatches it and escapes to the sea. But she's no longer used to swimming and doesn't know where her herd has gone. And after an almost disastrous encounter with her former husband, leaving her severely injured, Quinn doesn't even have the strength to go searching.
Instead, she finds herself taking shelter on a nearby island with a lighthouse and three lighthouse keepers. Quinn doesn't trust humans anymore and wants to stay hidden from the keepers. But she can't survive on her own either. Can she learn to trust these humans and shed her hatred of all humankind? Or will she give into her fears and accept the monstrous fate that others have bestowed upon her?
432 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2025
11 people are currently reading
7000 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 10, 2025
I have always loved mythology, but especially that of the U.K. Therefore, I was already familiar with the legend of the selkie and rushed to request this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley. I would say I enjoyed Quinn’s journey, but I actually was often upset at the sheer unfairness of her life once she was forced to stay human.
Today’s society is full of men who think that women are literally their property. The man who stole Quinn’s pelt and forced her to become his wife and bear his children is no different from the incels of today who wonder why they can’t get women to date them. Quinn’s husband is astonished that she doesn’t magically fall in love with him after hiding her pelt and raping her over and over. I mean, what woman wouldn’t be thrilled at her good fortune, landing such a prize of a husband? /s
Quinn is wholly unfamiliar with the ways of human society, and she quickly and irrevocably alienates the town’s inhabitants, making her new circumstances even more challenging.
Years pass, and then one day, one of her children accidentally comes across Quinn’s pelt, and then Quinn’s story really begins. Is she of the sea still? Or is she of land? In her quest to find her herd and learn to be a seal again, she is again forced to rely on others to heal. Can she do that? Quinn has only ever known humans who hurt her.
The prevailing question becomes, do kind humans exist?
Even if you think you don’t like folklore or mythology, I encourage you to give this novel a try. There are themes in here that deal with loneliness, misery, obligation, freedom and found family—things that all of us experience. Quinn’s story begins with so much sorrow and anger that she cannot see a way out. It’s only when she has her pelt back that she’s able to choose for herself again, and that’s when the real beauty of life starts to shine forth. It’s magical to see.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an e-copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
Today’s society is full of men who think that women are literally their property. The man who stole Quinn’s pelt and forced her to become his wife and bear his children is no different from the incels of today who wonder why they can’t get women to date them. Quinn’s husband is astonished that she doesn’t magically fall in love with him after hiding her pelt and raping her over and over. I mean, what woman wouldn’t be thrilled at her good fortune, landing such a prize of a husband? /s
Quinn is wholly unfamiliar with the ways of human society, and she quickly and irrevocably alienates the town’s inhabitants, making her new circumstances even more challenging.
Years pass, and then one day, one of her children accidentally comes across Quinn’s pelt, and then Quinn’s story really begins. Is she of the sea still? Or is she of land? In her quest to find her herd and learn to be a seal again, she is again forced to rely on others to heal. Can she do that? Quinn has only ever known humans who hurt her.
The prevailing question becomes, do kind humans exist?
Even if you think you don’t like folklore or mythology, I encourage you to give this novel a try. There are themes in here that deal with loneliness, misery, obligation, freedom and found family—things that all of us experience. Quinn’s story begins with so much sorrow and anger that she cannot see a way out. It’s only when she has her pelt back that she’s able to choose for herself again, and that’s when the real beauty of life starts to shine forth. It’s magical to see.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an e-copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
did-not-finish
August 17, 2025Dnf'd since the content was starting to get sketchy. No thank you!
May 16, 2025
This is the first selkie folklore novel I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Quinn's journey of finding herself, connecting to her heritage, and fighting for her found family is compelling and tragic at times.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the enchanting atmosphere and the exploration of selkie lore, I found myself wishing the romantic elements played a more significant role in the overall story.
Overall, I definitely would recommend this to anyone who enjoys folklore-inspired fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of Selkie!
While I thoroughly enjoyed the enchanting atmosphere and the exploration of selkie lore, I found myself wishing the romantic elements played a more significant role in the overall story.
Overall, I definitely would recommend this to anyone who enjoys folklore-inspired fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of Selkie!
July 12, 2025
I recently read Medusa by this author, and immediately went to look into her other books and turns out it was her debut but another one was coming out. Seeing it wasn't out yet, I rushed over to NetGalley to see if it was there, and it was. So, thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC to read. All thoughts are my own.
I really enjoyed this. I was filled with so much rage at certain points, but given what was happening that made sense.
One of my favourite tropes is found family, and that trope was so well done within this book. I really loved seeing the relationships develop and the characters begin to get closer.
Overall really happy with the ending, though it felt a bit quick. That was likely me though because I just didn't want it to be over.
A really great book, and I will be following this author closely to keep any eye on any new releases.
I really enjoyed this. I was filled with so much rage at certain points, but given what was happening that made sense.
One of my favourite tropes is found family, and that trope was so well done within this book. I really loved seeing the relationships develop and the characters begin to get closer.
Overall really happy with the ending, though it felt a bit quick. That was likely me though because I just didn't want it to be over.
A really great book, and I will be following this author closely to keep any eye on any new releases.
August 15, 2025
Selkie is a beautifully written slow burn novel full of heart. This is a story of pain, found family, healing, and going after the life you truly want and deserve. I loved every minute of this book and was so sad to see it end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 19, 2025
I need to stop getting excited about selkie novels. Ugh.
A shallow mythology retelling that takes far too long to say not very much and does nothing interesting with the selkie legends. Flimsy characters, painful worldbuilding and a narrative that tries to have its cake and eat it. I kept reading hoping it was going to come together, only for it to end in a groan.
But what really grated the whole way through was the laziness. It's a book about a seal shapeshifter that gets confused by basic seal physiology. It's set in late-1890s Scotland and the characters speak in modern Americanisms. The technology of the time gets used in nonsensical ways. Anachronisms all over the place. I swear to god, the men in the story refer to the main character as 'Ms. Quinn'. Ms. In the 1890s.
A shallow mythology retelling that takes far too long to say not very much and does nothing interesting with the selkie legends. Flimsy characters, painful worldbuilding and a narrative that tries to have its cake and eat it. I kept reading hoping it was going to come together, only for it to end in a groan.
But what really grated the whole way through was the laziness. It's a book about a seal shapeshifter that gets confused by basic seal physiology. It's set in late-1890s Scotland and the characters speak in modern Americanisms. The technology of the time gets used in nonsensical ways. Anachronisms all over the place. I swear to god, the men in the story refer to the main character as 'Ms. Quinn'. Ms. In the 1890s.
June 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of Selkie by Nataly Gruender.
Release Date: August 12th
As someone who loves mythology and folktales from all cultures, I was quite interested in the idea of a book that follows selkies (seals that can turn into humans). This book was quick and easy to read as you get sucked up into the world of our main character, Quinn. I found the characters to be well written and they all had fascinating backstories that added to their complexity. The relationships between the characters were heartwarming and authentic. This would be a great pick for anyone who loves a found family story. My one problem with the book was that I did think the first section was a bit boring. However, once it picks up, it was hard to put the book down. I would recommend to fans of folklore, found families, and stories about women breaking free from societal norms.
Release Date: August 12th
As someone who loves mythology and folktales from all cultures, I was quite interested in the idea of a book that follows selkies (seals that can turn into humans). This book was quick and easy to read as you get sucked up into the world of our main character, Quinn. I found the characters to be well written and they all had fascinating backstories that added to their complexity. The relationships between the characters were heartwarming and authentic. This would be a great pick for anyone who loves a found family story. My one problem with the book was that I did think the first section was a bit boring. However, once it picks up, it was hard to put the book down. I would recommend to fans of folklore, found families, and stories about women breaking free from societal norms.
July 21, 2025
I was excited to read this new release from Nataly Gruender, as I enjoy reading about Selkies and other Celtic mythology. The setting of this book was well-written, and Gruender did a lovely job creating an evocative and compelling setting for this story.
Sadly, the story itself fell flat in many ways. The characters lacked depth and complexity, and I found it unbelievable that Quinn would abandon her children to a cruel community and father in order to run away with a group of people that she only knew for a few weeks at most.
The overall themes of found family and freedom were enjoyable, but not executed well in the grand scheme of the story. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book early!
Sadly, the story itself fell flat in many ways. The characters lacked depth and complexity, and I found it unbelievable that Quinn would abandon her children to a cruel community and father in order to run away with a group of people that she only knew for a few weeks at most.
The overall themes of found family and freedom were enjoyable, but not executed well in the grand scheme of the story. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book early!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
True Rating: 4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a free copy of this book. All thoughts listed below are my own.
After reading Medusa, I was super excited to get this widget and couldn't wait to dive in. Selkie's are a lesser known part of mythology and seeing them be explored was intriguing. Nataly seems to have cornered a market on mythological retelling and honestly I am here for it. Nataly has a wonderful way of taking villains and showing that they are often truly a victim of being in a man's world, Selkie is not an exception.
Quinn, our FMC and Selkie in question, has her seal pelt stolen from her by a man who believes that she will bring him luck and fortune. She is forced to become his wife and have his children, but his pride prevents him from letting her go despite the misfortune she has actually brought. Seven years of being forced to remain on land, her eldest daughter finds and returns her pelt. Quinn escapes, but after an unfortunate encounter with her husband, she is wounded and forced to take shelter on an island with a lighthouse and its three keepers, after she is unable to find her Selkie herd.
During this time, we get to experience flashbacks into her life before her pelt is returned to her. We get to witness her, in some ways self inflicted, isolation from the human village she is forced to live in. Ambiguous, but yet very clear, references to her SA at the hands of her forced husband, births she had to do alone as no one would help her, and watching her children bear the brunt of the oddness of her mother. Quinn's anger and frustration, along with the fear of her husband, are so pronounced I found myself feeling them along with her every time they were on the page. She is the victim here, despite the world portraying her as the villain. Quinn is a very complicated character. She is written with a dual nature in this story that I absolutely adore, because its so realistic. She has moments of being selfish and moments of being selfless, which we all do. Ultimately, its up for you as the reader to decide which she is.
She has to navigate her own experiences with humans when it comes to the three lighthouse keepers. She has seven years of selfishness and hatred under her belt from living in the village, yet these three keepers are challenging everything she knows. This growth that Quinn shows during these few weeks/months of living on the island is some of the best development I've read in a while. There are a few twists that are revealed while on this island, some obvious and some that I did not see coming.
There is one part of the book that stands out to me that I can not get over, in a good way. The author wove in a few other myths into this story, in the form of Kelpies and Bean-Nighe. There is a chapter that focuses on the myth of the Washerwomen (or Bean-Nighe) and I could not devour this section more! The depth of this side character was so jaw dropping, and I want to explore this myth/character. Nataly, please make this your next book! This character stole the show for me in the best way possible and I want more!
The ending of the book is very vague. It ends happily, don't get me wrong, but as far as a true conclusion, it doesn't really give that. And to be honest, normally that bothers me but in this book it works so well. It's up to you what happens after, with Quinn and her found family. I see myself reading this book again!
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a free copy of this book. All thoughts listed below are my own.
After reading Medusa, I was super excited to get this widget and couldn't wait to dive in. Selkie's are a lesser known part of mythology and seeing them be explored was intriguing. Nataly seems to have cornered a market on mythological retelling and honestly I am here for it. Nataly has a wonderful way of taking villains and showing that they are often truly a victim of being in a man's world, Selkie is not an exception.
Quinn, our FMC and Selkie in question, has her seal pelt stolen from her by a man who believes that she will bring him luck and fortune. She is forced to become his wife and have his children, but his pride prevents him from letting her go despite the misfortune she has actually brought. Seven years of being forced to remain on land, her eldest daughter finds and returns her pelt. Quinn escapes, but after an unfortunate encounter with her husband, she is wounded and forced to take shelter on an island with a lighthouse and its three keepers, after she is unable to find her Selkie herd.
During this time, we get to experience flashbacks into her life before her pelt is returned to her. We get to witness her, in some ways self inflicted, isolation from the human village she is forced to live in. Ambiguous, but yet very clear, references to her SA at the hands of her forced husband, births she had to do alone as no one would help her, and watching her children bear the brunt of the oddness of her mother. Quinn's anger and frustration, along with the fear of her husband, are so pronounced I found myself feeling them along with her every time they were on the page. She is the victim here, despite the world portraying her as the villain. Quinn is a very complicated character. She is written with a dual nature in this story that I absolutely adore, because its so realistic. She has moments of being selfish and moments of being selfless, which we all do. Ultimately, its up for you as the reader to decide which she is.
She has to navigate her own experiences with humans when it comes to the three lighthouse keepers. She has seven years of selfishness and hatred under her belt from living in the village, yet these three keepers are challenging everything she knows. This growth that Quinn shows during these few weeks/months of living on the island is some of the best development I've read in a while. There are a few twists that are revealed while on this island, some obvious and some that I did not see coming.
There is one part of the book that stands out to me that I can not get over, in a good way. The author wove in a few other myths into this story, in the form of Kelpies and Bean-Nighe. There is a chapter that focuses on the myth of the Washerwomen (or Bean-Nighe) and I could not devour this section more! The depth of this side character was so jaw dropping, and I want to explore this myth/character. Nataly, please make this your next book! This character stole the show for me in the best way possible and I want more!
The ending of the book is very vague. It ends happily, don't get me wrong, but as far as a true conclusion, it doesn't really give that. And to be honest, normally that bothers me but in this book it works so well. It's up to you what happens after, with Quinn and her found family. I see myself reading this book again!
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August 10, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Selkie by Nataly Gruender is a third person-POV speculative historical set in Scotland in the 1930s and 40s. Quinn is a selkie who traveled with her herd until her pelt was stolen while she was out playing with some of her peers. Her husband, Owen, believes that she will bring him fortune and is determined to have a family with her. When Quinn finally sees a chance to return home, she leaves her three children behind, but her finds that her herd has moved on.
This sits in a very similar place for me as Nataly Gruender’s previous book: it’s more of a historical character study that acknowledges the fantastical aspects of the main character rather than an actual fantasy. For me, this would be just as at home on a women’s fiction or book club shelf as it would a fantasy shelf, which makes it kind of hard to define beyond ‘speculative historical character study.’ The focus stays pretty firmly on Quinn in the moment and how she is perceiving the world and that makes the more fantasy elements that are attached to her feel more normal.
Nataly Gruender takes a very different turn from the typical selkie story, which often has a tinge of tragic romance and longing for a lost love from the POV of the man who kept the selkie’s pelt. This centers the selkie’s experience and depicts it as entrapment and a longing to leave. Quinn struggles to connect to her children, in part because she never really wanted them and also because she cannot sense selkie aspects in them. I don’t think it means she doesn’t love and care for them as she would have had no qualms killing Owen and leaving them alone if that was the case. It’s more that they are connected to a relationship she was in against her will and she can’t bring them with her because she doesn’t know if they would even survive in the sea.
There is a minimal amount of dialogue and the pacing is on the slower side. Quinn’s interiority is what is supposed to shine and be given weight and depth, including her budding feelings for Maisie and her learning how to trust humans when she takes refuge at the lighthouse after Owen hits her with a spear. It is a very gradual shift, but it felt believable because Quinn never really hated humans. She just resented Owen and how his actions isolated her from everyone and everything she had ever known and the way that impacted her place in the village. Her connection to the ocean and the creatures within it has been fractured over the seven years she was on land and we do feel that loss.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that like a lighter touch for the fantastical and readers of women’s fiction who want a spin on the selkie myth
Selkie by Nataly Gruender is a third person-POV speculative historical set in Scotland in the 1930s and 40s. Quinn is a selkie who traveled with her herd until her pelt was stolen while she was out playing with some of her peers. Her husband, Owen, believes that she will bring him fortune and is determined to have a family with her. When Quinn finally sees a chance to return home, she leaves her three children behind, but her finds that her herd has moved on.
This sits in a very similar place for me as Nataly Gruender’s previous book: it’s more of a historical character study that acknowledges the fantastical aspects of the main character rather than an actual fantasy. For me, this would be just as at home on a women’s fiction or book club shelf as it would a fantasy shelf, which makes it kind of hard to define beyond ‘speculative historical character study.’ The focus stays pretty firmly on Quinn in the moment and how she is perceiving the world and that makes the more fantasy elements that are attached to her feel more normal.
Nataly Gruender takes a very different turn from the typical selkie story, which often has a tinge of tragic romance and longing for a lost love from the POV of the man who kept the selkie’s pelt. This centers the selkie’s experience and depicts it as entrapment and a longing to leave. Quinn struggles to connect to her children, in part because she never really wanted them and also because she cannot sense selkie aspects in them. I don’t think it means she doesn’t love and care for them as she would have had no qualms killing Owen and leaving them alone if that was the case. It’s more that they are connected to a relationship she was in against her will and she can’t bring them with her because she doesn’t know if they would even survive in the sea.
There is a minimal amount of dialogue and the pacing is on the slower side. Quinn’s interiority is what is supposed to shine and be given weight and depth, including her budding feelings for Maisie and her learning how to trust humans when she takes refuge at the lighthouse after Owen hits her with a spear. It is a very gradual shift, but it felt believable because Quinn never really hated humans. She just resented Owen and how his actions isolated her from everyone and everything she had ever known and the way that impacted her place in the village. Her connection to the ocean and the creatures within it has been fractured over the seven years she was on land and we do feel that loss.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that like a lighter touch for the fantastical and readers of women’s fiction who want a spin on the selkie myth
August 4, 2025
📖 Title: Selkie-a standalone
✍🏾 Author: Nataly Gruender-I read Medusa and gave it 5⭐
📅Publication date: 8/12/25 | Read 8/3/25
📃 Format: e-Book 432 pgs.
Genre:
*Mythology/Fairy tales
*Historical Fic
Tropes:
*secret identities-selkie vs human, woman vs. man
*2nd chance romance
*found family
*LGBTQIA+ rep
👆🏾POV: 3rd person single
⚠️TW: domestic violence, S/A, bullying, town gossip, h injured w/ a spear, murder
🌎 Setting: Scotland
Summary: Quinn is curious about being on two legs, so she and four selkies go to land and Quinn transforms into a human. She didn't notice but a man (her soon to be husband)- takes her pelt believing the selkie will bring fortune, luck, and family. He takes her captive, hides her pelt, and forces her into marriage and motherhood. After seven years on land, Quinn gets her pelt back with her kids' help and she escapes to the sea. When she finds her herd gone and is injured by Owen, she discovers a lighthouse with three keepers. Can she trust these humans, or can she survive alone?
👩🏾 Heroine: Quinn
🎭 Other Characters:
* Flora + Evie-Quinn's daughters 7 and 6
* Owen Melville-Quinn's husband, a fisherman
* Oliver-Quinn's son
* Finn MacArthur+ James "Jamie" Donovan- the lighthouse keepers
* Tavis Murdoch-the newest keeper
🤔 My Thoughts: This a unique novel featuring a selkie-a mythological shapeshifter I was unfamiliar with. There were legends and fairytales about them, but through Quinn I learned how magical they were. The lighthouse keepers were a found family with a lot of secrets. I felt bad for Quinn's children because they didn't have anything to do with Owen's cruelty. I wished she took Oliver with her, and she was a little selfish returning for only Maisie. I understood her need for independence, but I wished her family meant more to her.
Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level 1/5 🌶️ kissing only
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Nataly Gruender for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
✍🏾 Author: Nataly Gruender-I read Medusa and gave it 5⭐
📅Publication date: 8/12/25 | Read 8/3/25
📃 Format: e-Book 432 pgs.
Genre:
*Mythology/Fairy tales
*Historical Fic
Tropes:
*secret identities-selkie vs human, woman vs. man
*2nd chance romance
*found family
*LGBTQIA+ rep
👆🏾POV: 3rd person single
⚠️TW: domestic violence, S/A, bullying, town gossip, h injured w/ a spear, murder
🌎 Setting: Scotland
Summary: Quinn is curious about being on two legs, so she and four selkies go to land and Quinn transforms into a human. She didn't notice but a man (her soon to be husband)- takes her pelt believing the selkie will bring fortune, luck, and family. He takes her captive, hides her pelt, and forces her into marriage and motherhood. After seven years on land, Quinn gets her pelt back with her kids' help and she escapes to the sea. When she finds her herd gone and is injured by Owen, she discovers a lighthouse with three keepers. Can she trust these humans, or can she survive alone?
👩🏾 Heroine: Quinn
🎭 Other Characters:
* Flora + Evie-Quinn's daughters 7 and 6
* Owen Melville-Quinn's husband, a fisherman
* Oliver-Quinn's son
* Finn MacArthur+ James "Jamie" Donovan- the lighthouse keepers
* Tavis Murdoch-the newest keeper
🤔 My Thoughts: This a unique novel featuring a selkie-a mythological shapeshifter I was unfamiliar with. There were legends and fairytales about them, but through Quinn I learned how magical they were. The lighthouse keepers were a found family with a lot of secrets. I felt bad for Quinn's children because they didn't have anything to do with Owen's cruelty. I wished she took Oliver with her, and she was a little selfish returning for only Maisie. I understood her need for independence, but I wished her family meant more to her.
Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level 1/5 🌶️ kissing only
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Nataly Gruender for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
April 29, 2025
More Selkie books please! I like Selkie lore and this one is from the author of Medusa which I really enjoyed (so good!). This wasn't as good o ONLY because it was a little rushed in the end and I didn't want it to end! From the start I if course was angry for Quinn, I saw red when she was held against her will. I understood her feelings towards those adults around her. It made me sad. Reading her journey was so so good though. This didn't end like I thought it might, I'm sad about that but also happy with how it ended for some of the characters. Not happy for others. It was a quick read. I started it yesterday. Finished it today.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this egalley. I was not obligated to leave a review. All opinions are my own
Description
From the author of Medusa comes a beautiful and emotional story featuring a selkie: a mythological creature who can turn from a seal into a human.
Seven years ago, Quinn finally dared to transform from a seal into a human and took her first steps on land. As a selkie, she is both a daughter of land and sea. But when a human stole her pelt, he stole her freedom as well, forcing Quinn to become his wife and bear his children. As legend tells, capturing a selkie will bring you luck, and she became a coveted prize.
Constrained to a life that was no longer her own, Quinn longed for nothing more than to find her pelt and seize her freedom. Then one day, her eldest daughter hands Quinn her pelt and without a second thought, Quinn snatches it and escapes to the sea. But she's no longer used to swimming and doesn't know where her herd has gone. And after an almost disastrous encounter with her former husband, leaving her severely injured, Quinn doesn't have the strength to go searching.
Instead, she finds herself taking shelter on a nearby island with a lighthouse and three lighthouse keepers. Quinn doesn't trust humans anymore and wants to stay hidden from the keepers. But she can't survive on her own. Can she learn to trust these humans and shed her hatred of all humankind? Or will she give into her fears and accept the monstrous fate that others have bestowed upon her?
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this egalley. I was not obligated to leave a review. All opinions are my own
Description
From the author of Medusa comes a beautiful and emotional story featuring a selkie: a mythological creature who can turn from a seal into a human.
Seven years ago, Quinn finally dared to transform from a seal into a human and took her first steps on land. As a selkie, she is both a daughter of land and sea. But when a human stole her pelt, he stole her freedom as well, forcing Quinn to become his wife and bear his children. As legend tells, capturing a selkie will bring you luck, and she became a coveted prize.
Constrained to a life that was no longer her own, Quinn longed for nothing more than to find her pelt and seize her freedom. Then one day, her eldest daughter hands Quinn her pelt and without a second thought, Quinn snatches it and escapes to the sea. But she's no longer used to swimming and doesn't know where her herd has gone. And after an almost disastrous encounter with her former husband, leaving her severely injured, Quinn doesn't have the strength to go searching.
Instead, she finds herself taking shelter on a nearby island with a lighthouse and three lighthouse keepers. Quinn doesn't trust humans anymore and wants to stay hidden from the keepers. But she can't survive on her own. Can she learn to trust these humans and shed her hatred of all humankind? Or will she give into her fears and accept the monstrous fate that others have bestowed upon her?
July 9, 2025
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
When I saw an arc for Medusa, not that long ago, I was going through a Greek myth retelling phase. And, if we're being real here, I'm always going through that phase. Anyway, I loved it and so Selkie was an automatic request for me. I'm not particularly familiar with the selkie myth, either, so I was excited to have this be a preliminary exposure to it.
Once again, the prose is beautiful and stunning and so incredibly poetic. I really felt like Gruender was able to take me and wrap me up in sea salt breezes and crashing waves and sunlight and storms at the turn of each page. Her strength, though, is in her ability to take these women we have often viewed as villains and show why they may, in fact, have been the victims. I just... I just have loved both of her books so much.
The only weakness that I felt like Selkie may have had (especially stacked up against Medusa) is that there wasn't much plot. Now that I've finished the book, I can see that it's because the story is fully encapsulated in the characters and in Quinn as she tries to figure herself out and redefine many different aspects of her life. Knowing this makes it all come together neatly, but while I was reading the book I started to get a little impatient as I wondered what the plot was and when it would start. There's not really a way, per se, to be told in advance of starting a book that the character is the plot, but I kind of wish I had known that earlier on to get myself more fully submerged.
I know some readers felt like the storyline with the children was unsatisfying and should have had a stronger sense of closure, but I really didn't feel that way. Perhaps it's because I'm not a mother? I'm not sure. But I felt fine with how that was resolved.
Overall, I really loved the mood and feel of the book and setting. Gruender's books will continue to be an automatic read for me.
When I saw an arc for Medusa, not that long ago, I was going through a Greek myth retelling phase. And, if we're being real here, I'm always going through that phase. Anyway, I loved it and so Selkie was an automatic request for me. I'm not particularly familiar with the selkie myth, either, so I was excited to have this be a preliminary exposure to it.
Once again, the prose is beautiful and stunning and so incredibly poetic. I really felt like Gruender was able to take me and wrap me up in sea salt breezes and crashing waves and sunlight and storms at the turn of each page. Her strength, though, is in her ability to take these women we have often viewed as villains and show why they may, in fact, have been the victims. I just... I just have loved both of her books so much.
The only weakness that I felt like Selkie may have had (especially stacked up against Medusa) is that there wasn't much plot. Now that I've finished the book, I can see that it's because the story is fully encapsulated in the characters and in Quinn as she tries to figure herself out and redefine many different aspects of her life. Knowing this makes it all come together neatly, but while I was reading the book I started to get a little impatient as I wondered what the plot was and when it would start. There's not really a way, per se, to be told in advance of starting a book that the character is the plot, but I kind of wish I had known that earlier on to get myself more fully submerged.
I know some readers felt like the storyline with the children was unsatisfying and should have had a stronger sense of closure, but I really didn't feel that way. Perhaps it's because I'm not a mother? I'm not sure. But I felt fine with how that was resolved.
Overall, I really loved the mood and feel of the book and setting. Gruender's books will continue to be an automatic read for me.
April 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced copy <3
This is the story of Quinn, a selkie -- mythical creatures of Celtic/Nordic origins that are able to shift from seal to human, allowing them to live both on land and in the water -- who gets trapped on land by a man (typical) who wants to use her for his own gain. Her forces her into marriage and motherhood and keeps her from returning to her herd.
After years of searching for the pelt that will allow her to return to the sea, she finally discovers it and takes off for the water. As she escapes, her husband chases her down and subsequently injures her, forcing her to take refuge on an island inhabited only by three lighthouse keepers. Because she is deeply distrustful of humans, Quinn is hesitant to accept their help, but due to her injury she soon realizes she has no choice and is soon taken in.
With her vengeful husband on her tail and her true identity emerging, Quinn's feelings for one of the keepers starts to bubble to the surface, and she must decide if she should stay or return to the sea.
I found this book very readable/bingeable and enjoyed learning about selkies, as I feel like so few fantasy books focus on that specific mythos. Quinn and Maisie's *friendship* was lovely to watch evolve, and seeing these men show Quinn that not all people (especially men) are bad was beautiful.
While overall I liked this book, it felt like it was lacking somehow, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I felt a little disconnected from the characters or I didn't totally buy what the author was selling re how selkies transform/shift. Or maybe I just have a milelong TBR I'm impatient to get to?
Did I love it? No. But would I recommend it? Yes. Still fun and different from what we usually see with these kinds of stories.
Overall, I gave this book 3.5/5 stars, rounded up.
This is the story of Quinn, a selkie -- mythical creatures of Celtic/Nordic origins that are able to shift from seal to human, allowing them to live both on land and in the water -- who gets trapped on land by a man (typical) who wants to use her for his own gain. Her forces her into marriage and motherhood and keeps her from returning to her herd.
After years of searching for the pelt that will allow her to return to the sea, she finally discovers it and takes off for the water. As she escapes, her husband chases her down and subsequently injures her, forcing her to take refuge on an island inhabited only by three lighthouse keepers. Because she is deeply distrustful of humans, Quinn is hesitant to accept their help, but due to her injury she soon realizes she has no choice and is soon taken in.
With her vengeful husband on her tail and her true identity emerging, Quinn's feelings for one of the keepers starts to bubble to the surface, and she must decide if she should stay or return to the sea.
I found this book very readable/bingeable and enjoyed learning about selkies, as I feel like so few fantasy books focus on that specific mythos. Quinn and Maisie's *friendship* was lovely to watch evolve, and seeing these men show Quinn that not all people (especially men) are bad was beautiful.
While overall I liked this book, it felt like it was lacking somehow, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I felt a little disconnected from the characters or I didn't totally buy what the author was selling re how selkies transform/shift. Or maybe I just have a milelong TBR I'm impatient to get to?
Did I love it? No. But would I recommend it? Yes. Still fun and different from what we usually see with these kinds of stories.
Overall, I gave this book 3.5/5 stars, rounded up.
August 11, 2025
Gruender brings to life the Selkie folklore through the eyes of a woman named Quinn.
Quinn, who gave into her desire to become human lost her ability to return to what she knows. She is robbed of her identity by a man who claims her as his property, as certain men are wont to do. She becomes a means to an end, a status symbol, and bearer of children she didn’t ask for. Quinn experiences the greed and sexism that forces women into positions they never wanted but feel powerless to fight. But when her oldest child finds her pelt, it opens back up her freedom and her choice, and she is no longer slave to her husband’s tyranny. But she isn’t safe.
As we journey along with Quinn, and see her struggles to figure out who she is meant to be, we also see her journey of rebuilding trust. Human is a dirty word, and as far as she knows, represents a cruel and selfish creature. But that doesn’t stop the keepers of the island she found herself stranded on from showing her that kindness can be given and received-just because someone wants to care for you. Slowly, Quinn’s wounds begin to heal, and she find a new, albeit, hodgepodge family that accept her for who she is-whatever she decides that will be. She learns that love is not always forced or ripped from you; it can be a kind word, a tender tone, a boundary respected.
There are themes of sadness, pain, and anger woven throughout this story, but also hope, love, and acceptance. I enjoyed this take on the Selkie folklore, and would recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley, and Grand Central Publishing, for my arc. My opinion is my own.
Quinn, who gave into her desire to become human lost her ability to return to what she knows. She is robbed of her identity by a man who claims her as his property, as certain men are wont to do. She becomes a means to an end, a status symbol, and bearer of children she didn’t ask for. Quinn experiences the greed and sexism that forces women into positions they never wanted but feel powerless to fight. But when her oldest child finds her pelt, it opens back up her freedom and her choice, and she is no longer slave to her husband’s tyranny. But she isn’t safe.
As we journey along with Quinn, and see her struggles to figure out who she is meant to be, we also see her journey of rebuilding trust. Human is a dirty word, and as far as she knows, represents a cruel and selfish creature. But that doesn’t stop the keepers of the island she found herself stranded on from showing her that kindness can be given and received-just because someone wants to care for you. Slowly, Quinn’s wounds begin to heal, and she find a new, albeit, hodgepodge family that accept her for who she is-whatever she decides that will be. She learns that love is not always forced or ripped from you; it can be a kind word, a tender tone, a boundary respected.
There are themes of sadness, pain, and anger woven throughout this story, but also hope, love, and acceptance. I enjoyed this take on the Selkie folklore, and would recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley, and Grand Central Publishing, for my arc. My opinion is my own.
August 15, 2025
This was such a great read. I love a good fairytale, and I’ve always been fascinated by selkies. This one did not disappoint. Quinn is a young selkie who just wants to know what it is like to have legs. She doesn’t plan on staying human, she just wants to have a quick run on the beach with her friends. Quinn and her friends enjoy their brief stint as humans, and then put their pelts back on, so they can return to the ocean. There is just one problem. Quinn’s pelt is missing. A human from the local village crept up on Quinn and her friends and stole her pelt. Now she is compelled to stay with him, as he holds her pelt. Seven long years pass, Quinn is forced to marry Owen, the man who holds her pelt, and have his children. One day, while playing hide and seek her children find her pelt and bring it to her. Quinn sees the chance to escape and takes it. However freedom isn’t everything she expected it to be. This story really felt like a coming of age story, but for a new adult instead of a teenager. Quinn’s journey really focuses on what it means to be human, what family means, and how our connections to others shape who we are. I also really liked the commentary on the domestic lives of women in the 19th century, and how so much of what women endured was seen as socially acceptable. There is a love story, and there is no spice whatsoever. I would still consider this an adult book however, just because of the age of the characters and the themes involved. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fairytales/myths, stories with found family, character driven stories, and characters who take a journey of self discovery.
June 27, 2025
Selkie—I loved the lore and reading a story from the POV of a selkie was very interesting. Often, we get the human perspective of a woman who abandons her children the moment she finds her pelt never hearing from the perspective of the demonized selkie. The author did a great job of describing the conflicted feelings and emotions of Quinn the selkie woman trapped on land when her pelt was stolen and forced to espouse Owen, her captor.
I read this book in two days, it was a good read— but the ending let me down. I won’t use spoilers here, but I find some of the choices didn’t quite make sense in regards to the children. The statement “some women just aren’t made to be mothers��� cannot distract the reader from the fact that she did feel both maternal and responsible for the way her children were received by the community… and her abandoning them to the monster who both caged her, forced himself on her, and then tried to kill her when she escaped? Well… that seems like a stretch in light of the choices she might have made based on the way the story ended. Her journey to self discovery and freedom left me wondering more in sadness about how her children fared than being joyful with her for overcoming… and to be fair- it’s a selkie story. I completely expected her children to be abandoned. I just wish it felt less selfish in the end (or at the very least make it apparent she never cared for them at all).
I would like to thank Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read this book in two days, it was a good read— but the ending let me down. I won’t use spoilers here, but I find some of the choices didn’t quite make sense in regards to the children. The statement “some women just aren’t made to be mothers��� cannot distract the reader from the fact that she did feel both maternal and responsible for the way her children were received by the community… and her abandoning them to the monster who both caged her, forced himself on her, and then tried to kill her when she escaped? Well… that seems like a stretch in light of the choices she might have made based on the way the story ended. Her journey to self discovery and freedom left me wondering more in sadness about how her children fared than being joyful with her for overcoming… and to be fair- it’s a selkie story. I completely expected her children to be abandoned. I just wish it felt less selfish in the end (or at the very least make it apparent she never cared for them at all).
I would like to thank Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 11, 2025
Where have I been all my life? This Scottish folklore grabbed me by the ankles and pulled me under. Nataly wrote this book so beautifully and I will forever think of selkies and this book, whenever I see seals.
I loved almost everything about this book. I love all the behavior and emotions that were presented. How one little ruthless decision can lead to such an impact on not just you, but everyone surrounding you. The lighthouse being the beacon for not just the FMC but the keepers also in finding their way. I love the message behind the story that just because the majority of people may be cruel, not everyone is. There are people out there who are kind and worth the fight.
Going further into the book, I do wish that instead of focusing on a domestic relationship, this story would have been 10x better if it focused on friendship and not romance. I didn't feel like the need for romance was necessary given that Quin and Maisie had such a short time together. I did not like how Quin (FMC) was willing to leave her kids behind, too. She didn't even think to turn them into selkies as she did with the keepers. Her children were struggling, and she just left them even though her son was just like her. Why would she even think her captor was gonna take care of them when he was constantly trying to locate her and trap her again? Who knows.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this eARC!
I loved almost everything about this book. I love all the behavior and emotions that were presented. How one little ruthless decision can lead to such an impact on not just you, but everyone surrounding you. The lighthouse being the beacon for not just the FMC but the keepers also in finding their way. I love the message behind the story that just because the majority of people may be cruel, not everyone is. There are people out there who are kind and worth the fight.
Going further into the book, I do wish that instead of focusing on a domestic relationship, this story would have been 10x better if it focused on friendship and not romance. I didn't feel like the need for romance was necessary given that Quin and Maisie had such a short time together. I did not like how Quin (FMC) was willing to leave her kids behind, too. She didn't even think to turn them into selkies as she did with the keepers. Her children were struggling, and she just left them even though her son was just like her. Why would she even think her captor was gonna take care of them when he was constantly trying to locate her and trap her again? Who knows.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this novel!
Selkie follows Quinn, a bold Selkie (mythological seal who can shed her pelt and assume her human form). Quinn becomes stranded as a human when she first sheds her pelt for a brief taste of life on land and a man steals her pelt and holds Quinn captive as his wife. Folk lore claims that stealing a selkie’s pelt will bring you luck and fortune, but for Quinn, it brings 7 long years of heartache and a lonely life separated from the sea she longs for.
One day Quinn’s eldest daughter finds her pelt and selflessly hands it back to Quinn, who takes to the sea…but will it be her last encounter on land with humans?
This was a beautiful tale of this mythical creature meeting the human world, and left me torn on how I felt about Quinn. At times she seems cold and unattached as a mother, but in peeling back the layers of what it means to be a Selkie, forever bonded with her herd and the sea, and longed for not for her heart but for her pelt and what she can do for others, my understanding of her complexity heightened and I yearned for Quinn to find happiness in a new way.
This was my first book by Nataly Gruender, but it won’t be my last. She brought the lore of selkies to life in a beautiful tale of hardship, companionship, and love.
Selkie follows Quinn, a bold Selkie (mythological seal who can shed her pelt and assume her human form). Quinn becomes stranded as a human when she first sheds her pelt for a brief taste of life on land and a man steals her pelt and holds Quinn captive as his wife. Folk lore claims that stealing a selkie’s pelt will bring you luck and fortune, but for Quinn, it brings 7 long years of heartache and a lonely life separated from the sea she longs for.
One day Quinn’s eldest daughter finds her pelt and selflessly hands it back to Quinn, who takes to the sea…but will it be her last encounter on land with humans?
This was a beautiful tale of this mythical creature meeting the human world, and left me torn on how I felt about Quinn. At times she seems cold and unattached as a mother, but in peeling back the layers of what it means to be a Selkie, forever bonded with her herd and the sea, and longed for not for her heart but for her pelt and what she can do for others, my understanding of her complexity heightened and I yearned for Quinn to find happiness in a new way.
This was my first book by Nataly Gruender, but it won’t be my last. She brought the lore of selkies to life in a beautiful tale of hardship, companionship, and love.
August 26, 2025
Selkies is a haunting yet beautiful story centered on freedom, choice, and sacrifice. Quinn’s journey is both magical and deeply human as she struggles between returning to her true form as a seal or staying for the “human” children she never chose to have. The novel draws a powerful parallel to women escaping abusive relationships, the guilt of leaving children behind, the manipulation that keeps them tethered, and the crushing loss of freedom when every choice is taken away.
Quinn’s stolen pelt, her forced motherhood, and Owen’s constant manipulation highlight how her autonomy was ripped from her piece by piece. Yet despite years of longing to return to the ocean, she finds someone worth considering a future in her human form for. This theme of agency threads through the whole book, mirrored by MacArthur’s own impossible choice: protecting sailors by lighting the beacon, or protecting the small family he has come to care for by keeping the lighthouse dark.
I was nervous about how it would end, but the conclusion struck the perfect balance of bittersweet and hopeful. As a creature of two worlds, Quinn was never going to escape without sacrifice, but the ending honored both sides of her. Selkies is a lyrical and thought-provoking read that beautifully captures the complexity of choice, freedom, and love.
Quinn’s stolen pelt, her forced motherhood, and Owen’s constant manipulation highlight how her autonomy was ripped from her piece by piece. Yet despite years of longing to return to the ocean, she finds someone worth considering a future in her human form for. This theme of agency threads through the whole book, mirrored by MacArthur’s own impossible choice: protecting sailors by lighting the beacon, or protecting the small family he has come to care for by keeping the lighthouse dark.
I was nervous about how it would end, but the conclusion struck the perfect balance of bittersweet and hopeful. As a creature of two worlds, Quinn was never going to escape without sacrifice, but the ending honored both sides of her. Selkies is a lyrical and thought-provoking read that beautifully captures the complexity of choice, freedom, and love.
June 29, 2025
3.5 stars
I love anything and everything relating to mythology, so I was very excited to pick this up. However, I am feeling conflicted with this story, because there were a number of scenes I loved and a few I was craving more of. Starting off with the good, I thought the found family was beaaaautiful and and SO SO well-done! I truly felt the connections and depth between each of these characters.
I also really enjoyed the inner thoughts of Quinn and the overall theme of women being forced into roles they did not choose/want. I think that is a very important topic that not too many books really delve into. You really get an insight into Quinn and her inner turmoil between I did wish we got more of that, and I also felt that the pacing was a tad on the slower side between the 25-40% mark. Overall, a quick read that you'll enjoy if you like Scottish folklore and found family.
Thank you to Grand Central Pub for the e-ARC!
I love anything and everything relating to mythology, so I was very excited to pick this up. However, I am feeling conflicted with this story, because there were a number of scenes I loved and a few I was craving more of. Starting off with the good, I thought the found family was beaaaautiful and and SO SO well-done! I truly felt the connections and depth between each of these characters.
I also really enjoyed the inner thoughts of Quinn and the overall theme of women being forced into roles they did not choose/want. I think that is a very important topic that not too many books really delve into. You really get an insight into Quinn and her inner turmoil between I did wish we got more of that, and I also felt that the pacing was a tad on the slower side between the 25-40% mark. Overall, a quick read that you'll enjoy if you like Scottish folklore and found family.
Thank you to Grand Central Pub for the e-ARC!
September 7, 2025
A compelling story, bringing the myth of the selkie to life complete with heartache, self-discovery and love. Quinn, a selkie (a mythological creature that transforms from a seal to a beautiful creature), is forced into human captivity after a human steals her pelt and she subsequently bears three children. Unhappy with her situation, she ultimately finds refuge at an island with lighthouse keepers. My heart hurt for her as she had to make the decision to escape, leaving the only human things she loved behind. Her redemption was a process and equally full of heartache. The prose was beautifully written: bringing depth and complexity to the characters and the sensory details of the scenery exquisite. I was enchanted with the story and the writing.
I was able to tandem read this and wow, what an emotional experience! The sole female narrator, Siobhan Waring, did a fantastic job with pacing and the variances in her voice. The narration added to the mythological and oceanic vibes and surrounded my senses.
Thanks to GrandCentralPub for the gifted book and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.
I was able to tandem read this and wow, what an emotional experience! The sole female narrator, Siobhan Waring, did a fantastic job with pacing and the variances in her voice. The narration added to the mythological and oceanic vibes and surrounded my senses.
Thanks to GrandCentralPub for the gifted book and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.
July 1, 2025
Oh man, this hurt the whole way through—in mostly a good way though. I appreciated Quinn. She is a very complicated character, and the circumstances of her kidnapping are horrifying. I'm glad she found a second family with the keepers, and that bittersweet ending helped heal my heart a bit, but... I feel so badly for her children.
This was a dark, touching story, with a dash of hopefulness in the end, despite that... I think something was missing. Maybe if I knew what ended up happening to her children, I would feel differently, but from what we've seen? Honestly, it breaks my heart, and I would have preferred to see them one last time, perhaps sometime in the future, since this book alternates between the past and the present. I don't know, I just think they were stuck in the crossfire of their parents and I couldn't help but think of them the whole time. It broke my heart.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.25/5
This was a dark, touching story, with a dash of hopefulness in the end, despite that... I think something was missing. Maybe if I knew what ended up happening to her children, I would feel differently, but from what we've seen? Honestly, it breaks my heart, and I would have preferred to see them one last time, perhaps sometime in the future, since this book alternates between the past and the present. I don't know, I just think they were stuck in the crossfire of their parents and I couldn't help but think of them the whole time. It broke my heart.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.25/5
August 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the E-ARC!
I am always such a sucker for the found family trope and “Selkie” was no different. The development of the found family between the four main characters was so delightfully well done. It was a slow build, but it helped the story feel a lot more authentic, even with the mythological aspect.
Speaking of the myth, I admit I was not super familiar with the myth of selkies before diving into this book (pun intended), but the novel did such a great job of setting up and explaining the myth and what selkies are.
I really liked how the story was set up between the current time and glimpses of Quinn’s past. I think it really helped to tell the story that way rather than in a strictly linear story. I also emphasized a lot with Quinn, the main character, for all that she went through during the story. I thought the ending was superb, but I wanted a little more of an epilogue, maybe even a time skip.
Also spoiler: this book was much gayer than I anticipated, which I was a huge fan of.
I am always such a sucker for the found family trope and “Selkie” was no different. The development of the found family between the four main characters was so delightfully well done. It was a slow build, but it helped the story feel a lot more authentic, even with the mythological aspect.
Speaking of the myth, I admit I was not super familiar with the myth of selkies before diving into this book (pun intended), but the novel did such a great job of setting up and explaining the myth and what selkies are.
I really liked how the story was set up between the current time and glimpses of Quinn’s past. I think it really helped to tell the story that way rather than in a strictly linear story. I also emphasized a lot with Quinn, the main character, for all that she went through during the story. I thought the ending was superb, but I wanted a little more of an epilogue, maybe even a time skip.
Also spoiler: this book was much gayer than I anticipated, which I was a huge fan of.
June 2, 2025
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Y’all. This glow up though! I read Medusa from Netgalley a while back and enjoyed it, although the ending was obvious (downside to myth retellings) and the plot was a smidge slow for me.
This one.
This one.
I was not prepared to like this one as much as I did. The plot? Interesting and follows the lore pretty well. Tragic and empowering all at once. The characters? Interesting, mysterious, and pleasantly surprising. And the character development. Just… 👌🏻. Imperfections in every character, giving this book a relatability I haven’t had in a while. The writing? Descriptive, flowing, easy to follow, fits the mood for the book (this is the real challenge), and paints a picture. I can find no fault in this book.
Sapphic romance. Sort of women’s fiction-y. Go get this when it comes out. 🥹
Y’all. This glow up though! I read Medusa from Netgalley a while back and enjoyed it, although the ending was obvious (downside to myth retellings) and the plot was a smidge slow for me.
This one.
This one.
I was not prepared to like this one as much as I did. The plot? Interesting and follows the lore pretty well. Tragic and empowering all at once. The characters? Interesting, mysterious, and pleasantly surprising. And the character development. Just… 👌🏻. Imperfections in every character, giving this book a relatability I haven’t had in a while. The writing? Descriptive, flowing, easy to follow, fits the mood for the book (this is the real challenge), and paints a picture. I can find no fault in this book.
Sapphic romance. Sort of women’s fiction-y. Go get this when it comes out. 🥹
August 11, 2025
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't expect the ending to be so heartwarming? If you have ever watched "Song of the Sea" imagine if the ending was different? The writing was really solid and included different folklore aspects of Scottish mythology such as Kelpies and the Washerwoman. All of the characters in this story were so wonderfully written and I felt as if their whole group dynamic was perfect.
Additionally, this book focuses on the idea of choice and the power that you have despite the circumstances of your birth, choices and gender. There were relationships in this book that I didn't expect but loved once they were revealed!
Overall, if you like a story of a found family overcoming their own trauma, choices and learning how to embrace change this is it!
I didn't expect the ending to be so heartwarming? If you have ever watched "Song of the Sea" imagine if the ending was different? The writing was really solid and included different folklore aspects of Scottish mythology such as Kelpies and the Washerwoman. All of the characters in this story were so wonderfully written and I felt as if their whole group dynamic was perfect.
Additionally, this book focuses on the idea of choice and the power that you have despite the circumstances of your birth, choices and gender. There were relationships in this book that I didn't expect but loved once they were revealed!
Overall, if you like a story of a found family overcoming their own trauma, choices and learning how to embrace change this is it!
June 2, 2025
I loved Medusa and Selkie is right there in my opinion.
Quinn is a Selkie, half human, half seal. For a long time she has been curious about what happens on land, but she is warned against getting close.
But seven years ago, she did it. Transformed herself into a human girl. And a man steals her skin and basically enslaves her in his home to have children. She is miserable and she is shunned. Because once you steal a selkie’s skin, she is powerless to change back.
For years she has suffered but when one of her children brings her the skin, she goes. Now injured and afraid, she has to learn to trust another woman, a human, and maybe find a new life, with love and acceptance.
I loved this one.
NetGalley/ Grand Central Publishing August 12, 2025
Quinn is a Selkie, half human, half seal. For a long time she has been curious about what happens on land, but she is warned against getting close.
But seven years ago, she did it. Transformed herself into a human girl. And a man steals her skin and basically enslaves her in his home to have children. She is miserable and she is shunned. Because once you steal a selkie’s skin, she is powerless to change back.
For years she has suffered but when one of her children brings her the skin, she goes. Now injured and afraid, she has to learn to trust another woman, a human, and maybe find a new life, with love and acceptance.
I loved this one.
NetGalley/ Grand Central Publishing August 12, 2025
July 26, 2025
Nataly Gruender’s books are captivating, tender, and full of heart. I am lucky enough to have had the chance to read her novels before they’re on the shelves and I can’t recommend them enough.
Gruender’s sophomore novel follows MEDUSA, an adaptation of the title character’s myth as she journeys from daughter to priestess to the bearer of a curse that destines her to fate. It is a magnificent debut and I am so proud to recommend it.
In SELKIE, follow Quinn as she sheds her pelt and emerges a woman. I feel a similar feminine rage for Quinn that I do for Medusa, and readers will feel her anguish just as deeply as they’ll feel her joys. Family is lost, found, and created. SELKIE is emotionally complex, gripping, and human.
Gruender’s sophomore novel follows MEDUSA, an adaptation of the title character’s myth as she journeys from daughter to priestess to the bearer of a curse that destines her to fate. It is a magnificent debut and I am so proud to recommend it.
In SELKIE, follow Quinn as she sheds her pelt and emerges a woman. I feel a similar feminine rage for Quinn that I do for Medusa, and readers will feel her anguish just as deeply as they’ll feel her joys. Family is lost, found, and created. SELKIE is emotionally complex, gripping, and human.
May 26, 2025
This was such a lovely story. Following the story of a young selkie who is turned, not by choice, into a woman, the parallels for women throughout history really rang close to home. I loved the mythology, character development, and beautiful painting of the scenery in this story. It felt so cozy at times, but also being able to feel the cold and windy loneliness felt by the main character as well. I highly recommend this to someone who has enjoyed mythological books for more well-known story genres.
I highly recommend this book to people who have enjoyed Madeline Miller's well-crafted works.
I highly recommend this book to people who have enjoyed Madeline Miller's well-crafted works.
May 29, 2025
Thank you NetGalley! A heartfelt story of Quinn, a young Selkie. Hearing the stories from her mother, Quinn wanted to risk the danger and try to walk on 2 legs as a human. With some of her fellow herd mates, they tempt fate but Quinn’s pelt is stolen and she now is imprisonment in her human form by her soon to be husband, Owen. After 7 Years, she escapes after her pelt is returned. Quinn finds herself in trouble and 3 lighthouse keepers offer her shelter but her past is coming after her and others have secrets of their own as well. A look into the intricacies of wanting what we think we are missing out on and what we really want.
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