Customer Reviews

Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not a big fan of the paranormal romance novel. I think there are so many of them that calling them cliche is too mild a term. What is worse is that so many of them seem like it is the same story written over and over again.

But Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1) gives the subgenre a nice boost in the right direction.

Caleb Hunter is a former soldier and big city policeman. Understandably, he has returned home to an island off the coast of Maine called World's End. He's come back because he wants a simpler life.

Margred is a child of the sea. Literally. She's a selkie who is 700 years old and she comes to shore in search of sex and she chooses Caleb as her target.

The story opens as simple as that. She wants him, she lets him know, he backs off but can't quite forget her. He searches her out again and they have their tryst. After that, it is she who can't quite forget him.

And that's where the main narrative begins and Ms Kantra does a wonderful job of keeping the balance between explaining the mythical (and making it seem plausible), a believable romance, and a small town murder mystery with distinctive characters.

The story is well paced and never overdone. Events that unfold are described in such a fashion that it never feels rushed or convoluted. Secondary characters are given enough distinction that they don't feel like props to the main characters.

And the main characters are likable without being too perfect. Caleb is no rich man. He lives in a one bedroom apartment. He has issues with his father. He has a limp he acquired from his stint in the Iraq war. He has a few nightmares too. Margred is a selkie who is forced to be a human for an indeterminate amount of time. She's fairly sure she doesn't want to stay that way. She has moments of cowardice and indecision.

But these quirks of theirs never overpower or overtake Caleb and Margred's innate goodness. The quirks just make them accessible and relatable and easy to spend time with.

So easy that I read this novel in one evening. The story flow was simply that smooth and enjoyable.

And already I'm looking forward to more from Ms Kantra and the good news for me is that her next Children of the Sea novel, Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2), is coming out in August 2008. Based on the quality of Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1), I can't wait!

Police Chief Caleb Hunter never expected to find a woman as alluring as Margred along the shoreline of World's End. Caleb is a man seeking only peace, a job that he can relax and try to forget the horrors of war. Margred shines like a beacon of hope to him, but she has a secret she knows he won't possibly believe. Margred is a selkie and everyone knows selkies are not meant for everlasting love with humans. Or are they? Meanwhile, the quiet island now harbors a darkness that threatens Margred's entire existence. Will Caleb believe Margred is a selkie in time to stop the evil that lurks on the island?

Atmosphere is key to the success of SEA WITCH. Virginia Kantra creates a very haunting, almost mystical mood that makes the selkie legends seem alive. One can easily envision both the island of World's End as well as the selkies' island Sanctuary through Ms. Kantra's vivid descriptions.

Virginia Kantra does a great job with character development. Margred is a bit distant initially, as befitting a selkie. The changes that occur in her help propel the story, as she is woman unused to caring for anyone but herself. Caleb challenges all that she knows and believes about herself and her race. Caleb is a great contrast to Margred, a man with deep emotional scars after a life of sacrifice. Whether fighting for his country or looking after his family, Caleb has willingly put aside his own needs. And yet despite their differences, Caleb and Margred share one thing in common... both are lonely and see potential happiness in the other.

SEA WITCH is an unusual story, one that draws the reader into the dark but oh so captivating world of the selkies. I've read other paranormal short stories by Virginia Kantra and am glad to see her style translates well into a full length paranormal tale. Easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Margred is a selkie. Able to shift shape and live either as a human or a seal, Margred is a widow and has gone without the sexual touch of a mate for many years. Finally, however, her need for touch and the warmth of another has driven her to shore and an island called World's End. Carefully hiding her pelt, a selkie's greatest possession and treasure, Margred begins her hunt for the perfect man. She finds him in the form of island Police Chief Caleb Hunter, a veteran of the Iraqi war and a local islander.

Caleb Hunter is a one-man force. As far as law enforcement goes, he is it. Fielding yet another call from an irate islander complaining of a bonfire on the beach, Caleb is astonished to see the beautiful dark eyed woman staring at him across the flames. Attraction flares in her eyes and Caleb finds himself instantly lured to her side where sparks fly.

Margred and Caleb spend hours satisfying each other but as soon as Caleb's guard is down, Margred disappears, taking Caleb's heart with her. Unable to forget her, Caleb spends the next few days searching the beach looking for the sensuous siren that fills his thoughts and haunts his dreams. The lovers are reunited once again when Caleb rescues her after an assault. Margred states she can't remember her attacker and Caleb knows she is withholding information. He has to earn her trust - he yearns for it. But, he is ill prepared for her story.

I read Virginia Kantra's novella, `Sea Crossing' in the Shifter anthology a few short weeks ago and since that time, I have been dying for the release of Sea Witch. Sea Witch has combined paranormal elements with legend and lore to equal a sensuous, sultry, and suspenseful tale. The epitome of an avenging hero, Caleb's desire to protect Margred was noteworthy and I loved watching them fall in love with each other.

Sea Witch is exactly what I wanted it to be and I have no choice but to Joyfully Recommend this endearing and provocative novel.

Talia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This is the story of a lonely Selkie Margred, who comes out of the sea long enough to get sex from a human male. I was a little unclear on whether human men were just better at this, or why the selkie women wouldn't just have sex with the selkie men. But anyways, Margred picks Caleb, the sheriff in the small town of World's End and a recent vet of the war in Iraq. Caleb is immediately thinking Margred the woman of his dreams, he wants more than a fling...and Margred is immediately ready to jump back in the water. She leaves him, and he is upset. But then she is attacked later on the beach. Caleb decides its up to him to care for her and keep her safe from the 'man' on the beach who attacked her. Magred is much more upset by the fact that this "man" is actually a demon who dumped her pelt into the fire. Her pelt is her seal skin which allows her to go below the sea, back to her seltie home. When another seltie shows up dead, the book takes on a new direction and Caleb and Margred vow to find the killer. And Magred, may realize she has more feelings for Caleb than she thought possible. This was a well written romance novel with a ton of original ideas. My problem with this story is that I thought there was too much sex for my liking. I had a hard time deciding if they were falling in love or if it was just the rush of all that sex. There is a fine line sometimes, to be sure. Besides being beautiful and needing his help, I couldnt' really see much that stood out in Margred's personality to draw Caleb's interest. The mystery was good and the ending came too soon. There were some elements left in the story where I can see the series going in the future. This was an entertaining story, good but not great. If you are as much a romance lover as a paranormal lover than this is the book for you.

*2.5 Stars*

I found this book pretty frustrating. The world idea was interesting, and I wanted to like it just for that--I mean, come on, selkies!--but I found the world building thin and the romance even thinner.

One of my largest problems with this book was the hero, Caleb. He played the role usually reserved for super irritating females that are sweeter than pie and perfect. He was the quintessential martyr throughout the book. He never got truly angry with the heroine (and she did some pretty lame things) and when he did get a little irritated, he would be over it before you could blink. I don't appreciate that character type any more in a man than I do in a woman.

I have future images of him scrambling to pick up the pieces behind her while she plays the lovable "free spirit" and wanders away without telling anyone her whereabouts after she gets tired of waiting for a ride, or something equally irritating that Caleb will just excuse as part of her charm.

I had a really hard time warming up to Margred after the events in the beginning. I don't have a problem with her pragmatic attitude toward sex, but I do have a problem with the shady way she treats her chosen partner. You may not want strings, but that doesn't give you the right to hop off his lap and leave without saying goodbye after round two while he thinks you'll be right back. (FYI: Not a spoiler - it happens in by page 33) That just makes you skeezy, and it infuriates me that the hero didn't have a problem hooking back up with her when she came back.

The relationship felt pretty nonexistent to me. They fell in love, but I can't remember seeing it happen. They weren't ever shown to be having a personal conversation. How could they really? Margred lied about herself, and it's not like she could give him in depth details about her life and personality without admitting all. So, what exactly did he love? The sex? Because that seems to have been all that was really developed.

Margred seemed to go from a stoic, emotionally self contained selkie, to a sobbing quivering mess in no time flat. It happened so fast that I felt I got whiplash from the change.

After I gave up on the romance I stuck it out because I wanted more info on the world. I wish there was more detail about her people running through these pages. I didn't want an info dump, but I was expecting something a little more comprehensive. Hopefully we get more detail in the second book.

I read a selkie short story by Kantra in an anthology. That was the first I had heard of her. So, when I saw a book by her on the shelf I recognized the plot and remembered how I enjoyed the short story. I was not disappointed with this one. There was a lot of passion, mystery, and relationship development. I thought the characters were interesting and I enjoyed seeing the them develop and grow throughout the story. I will definitely read more by this author.

Love this one, and can't wait to read the rest of the series! Margred was a great character, and I really enjoyed her transformation from selkie to human. Kantra delves into a lot of great themes in this book, not the least of which is what it means to have a soul. Highly enjoyable read!

Book came fast in great shape. I really like Virginia Kantra. I read both is her Children of the Sea books back to back and I am waiting for book three. Got an extra copy of this book for a stocking stuffer

SEA WITCH hooked me in from the first sentence until the absolute last word. Virginia Kantra did a masterful job at world building the paranormal elements until I totally believed the Children of the Sea could be living here in my own seaside town. Caleb was mega yummy and Maggie completely enchanting - what a hot couple! I love, love, loved this book! Can't wait to get my hands on SEA FEVER. For a sure fire page turning beach read, submerge yourself in this sexy, mystical adventure!

When Margred, a lust-driven Selkie, seeks a human's touch upon land, the last thing she anticipates is becoming trapped in her human form. Caleb Hunter is a man with a past and then some. A veteran of the war in Iraq he has returned to Maine injured both physically and emotionally. Returning to his childhood home on the Maine island of World's End life is simpler, quieter. Until Magred shows up and seduces him with her exotic beauty and mysterious manner. She promises to return to him knowing full well she will not for she is Selkie and that is not their way. When she does return, strangely drawn back to Caleb, tragedy strikes and she must lie to Caleb in order to protect him.

When another Selkie turns up dead the plot thickens and Magred can't keep her secrets any longer. There's a demon loose in World's End and he's trying to make war between the elements of land and sea, earth and water. Trapped on land Magred must do whatever is within her power to stop the demon before he does anymore damage or kills the man she has just realized she loves. But when all is said and done can she ever return to the sea?

I'm normally a vampires and shapeshifters kind of gal, but over the summer I had a real desire to find a good mermaid or other water creature series. Thanks to some nice gals around Amazon.com's paranormal romance forum I decided I wanted to give Kantra's Children of the Sea a try. Caleb was a great hero, I thought he was a little stereotypical at first but he really grew on me. His desire for a simple, happy life were believable, not cheesy. Magred was a tougher sell. I struggled to like her and found her sudden realization of love a bit forced. I think her Selkie personality would have made a great character in a non-romance story.

Kantra did a great job of setting up a simple mythos for the series and brought in the hero for her second book and the heroine for her third seamlessly. I loved the isolated Maine setting but really hope to see more of the Selkie's world later in the series. The love scenes between Caleb and Magred were tasteful and not overly graphic, leaving something to the imagination which is what I prefer most of the time. The overall plot of Sea Witch ended a little too easily in my opinion but left no annoying cliff-hangers either. All in all I think this is the start of a very promising and very original series.