Customer Reviews

Seal Island

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is well written, with fabulous descriptions of the beautiful Maine coastline. The characters are well developed, and are easy to like. What this book suffers from is shoddy editing. I found several instances where words are left out, and other instances where the words are mis-spelled. Ms. Brallier, a gifted story teller, deserves to have her publisher put forth more effort in the editing department. Despite the complaint, I would recommend this story as I enjoyed reading it very much. More from this author!

She takes the tried and true seelie myth and weaves an interesting tale. The real problem with this book is the length. It takes too long and moves too slowly. By 1/3 of the book you know the bad guy and you know the ending.

I bought this book after reading her second novel "The Boundless Deep. While I enjoyed that book, I loved this one for it's more simplicity. It was an easier read and I enjoyed the characters more. It is dreamy, romantic and suspenseful. This novel was particularly refreshing because it was supernatural, but different from the vampire, werewolve, shift-shaper novels that are really in abundance now.

I found this book un-put-down-able. It had a great Gothic feel to it. Not your standard romantic suspense fare. At one point, I started to get a little worried that the heroine might end up picking the wrong man...I was never sure how it would all turn out until very close to the end of the book. I'm happy to say that Ms. Brallier didn't disappoint me! I eagerly await her next book.

This book captivates and thrills all the way through. The characters are fully developed and very real. Although there is a romance element, it's not really a romance novel, but a self-discovery, mystery sort of story. I'd highly recommend it.

Summer on a quiet Maine island in the house she inherited from her aunt seems perfect to Cecil Hargrave--she'll have time to regroup from losing her New York City job and apartment. The town charms her--as do the handsome journalist, the young lobsterman who helps her feed the seal her aunt raised, and the compelling mechanic from an even more remote island. But when she learns her aunt was murdered, can she trust any of them? Whose ashes are in the urn on the mantel? What secret was her aunt hiding--and who is keeping it from Cecil now?

Kate Brallier's love of Maine meshes perfectly with imported selkie myth in this contemporary fantasy. Rather darkly romantic, Seal Island explores the clash of legend with modern life.
For readers who'd like a vacation from the reality of urban life--with sexy yet tortured men, fabulous food, and even a tasteful souvenir shop.

Part of Tor's paranormal romance line.

Seal Island by Kate Braillier is a great debut novel. Without going into the details of the novel (see previous reviews), Ms. Braillier does a stellar job with her characters, the mystery and the setting, and the haunting legend of the selkie. It made me yearn for the maine coastline. and i love a first person story when its done well. The author accomplished that. I was surprised by the numerous typos in the book, however. I also felt the book was a tad too long, resulting in a bit of a sagging middle. These are nits, because for a first book, Seal Island is exceptional.

Though she scarcely knew her aunt Allegra, Cecil is the woman's heir when she suddenly meets a premature death. The timing of that legacy comes as an opportunity. Having just lost her job, Cecil needs a break from life, the simplicity of her aunt's island home holds promise for her. Simplicity? That may be what she expected, but it is hardly what she got. Her aunt's affairs are shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and of the four males who show an interest in her, the least complex and demanding of her is - a seal. However, Ragnorak does not have the appeal that Richard, Tom, and Ronan do. As she learns all three men's secrets, she finds herself pulled in multiple directions and drawn into danger. The choice of who she loves could be one of life or death.

*** You'll probably think you know how things are going to turn out, but you will find the ending to be a surprise. Some readers may be put off by the first person narrative, yet the introspective aura to the novel does lend itself to that. Ms. Brallier makes an impressive debut with Seal Island. ***

Cecilia "Cecil" Hargrave inherits a beachfront house and a small business on glorious Seal Island in Maine. Since Cecil has just been laid off from work and lost her apartment, she decides to spend the summer on Seal Island to relax a bit and figure out what she will do with her life. Cecil makes new friends and slips into the local town life almost seamlessly. She also becomes friends with three very different men.

Richard is the editor of the local paper. He is patient, steady, and dependable. Tom is a lobsterman with the sea in his blood and has a mysterious part time job that pays the bills. His pragmatic look at life keeps Cecil guessing as to just what will happen next. Then there is Ronan who is shy about approaching Cecil as friends, and later as more, but with a spontaneous approach at life that attracts her.

During her summer afternoons Cecil spends time on the shore line where she makes friends with a special seal named Ragnarok. Between Cecil's new friends, her business, and Ragnarok, her days are carefree and filled with warmth. But when night falls, Cecil is torn between the men.

**** This is the debut novel of author Kate Brallier, and what an excellent one it is! It is larger than most books now-a-days, but only because the author inserts descriptive backgrounds of the characters and the town so that readers find themselves submerged into the life on Seal Island. Most of the story reads like a contemporary romance with some danger thrown in for spice. However, be advised that there is some supernatural or mystical sections as well. This one is the PERFECT read during a beach vacation! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I ordered this book from this place on Amazon and it said the condition was very good. When I got it, part of the cover was torn and part of the spine was broke. Very miss leading on the condition for this book. But other books I have gotten from Amazon have been great.