A Sweet Sting of Salt

I read this in one sitting, and it was no burden whatsoever. Historic fantasy fiction, pretty firmly and lovingly set in time and place and tradition, with more than one lovely lgbtqia romance. One of those books where you, the reader, know exactly what fantastical stuff is going on, yet the main character doesn't figure it out until it's explicitly revealed at the last possible second—but somehow it's not actually annoying here at all! A true feat.

A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland is a tale that has been told many times before, but Sutherland is able to make it into a lyrical sapphic romance, combined with a mystery that slowly unfolds. The writing was so magical that the slower pace was welcomed so I could enjoy the beautiful way the author conjured up her retelling of the story.

For being a debut novel, Sutherland was able to create realistic characters, a fantastic(al) setting, a palpable feeling of yearning, and just the right amount of tension to have me wanting to keep reading to see what will happen next… even though I already knew from previous versions of the story.

I am very impressed with Sutherland and interested to see what they come up with next!

Historical Fiction with a Tinge of Myth
Review of the Random House Canada paperback, audiobook & eBook (April 9, 2024) read via a NetGalley Kindle ARC (downloaded March 14, 2024).

”Can not, Jean, can not! Must find my craiceann ròin*.” Jean still did not know the words, and she doubted she could repeat them if she tried, but she recognized them from Muirin’s story. The precious thing Tobias had taken from her.

This is magical historical fiction set in early 19th century Nova Scotia in Canada which is a queer retelling that blends Gaelic mythology with gothic atmosphere. Jean is a midwife living near a coastal fishing village who finds her mysterious neighbour Muirin out by the stormy shore one evening as she is about to give birth. show more Jean vaguely knew that her fisherman neighbour Tobias had brought home a new bride but the couple had led an isolated life. Jean assists in the birth of the child but is then soon confronted by the husband whose character she begins to doubt. Muirin herself appears reluctant to return home and Jean manages to convince Tobias that a period of recuperation is necessary.

Jean’s caring for Muirin and the child gradually develops into a love relationship, although Muirin is barely able to express herself in English and often resorts to Gaelic words. Although Jean does not understand the true nature of Muirin’s being, she knows there is something evil and possessive about Tobias’ motivations. That will eventually erupt into a dangerous and perilous situation for Jean as she decides to rescue Muirin and her newborn from an apparent captivity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first novel from Rose Sutherland for its atmospheric setting and descriptions and the way it brought a new interpretation to historical fiction and myth.

My thanks to the author, the publisher Random House Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

Soundtrack
I couldn’t resist listening to Eric Whitacre’s “The Seal’s Lullaby” which you can hear on YouTube performed by the Voces8 ensemble conducted by the composer here.

Footnote
* If you Google for this, the definition which you will likely find is for the Scottish Gaelic Cirein-cròin. The meaning in the novel is somewhat different though where it is meant more as a transforming object. show less

OKAY, THIS WAS ALMOST WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR ME!!!

i've loved selkie and mermaid tales since i was little. queering, and (esp, sapphic-ing) fairytales is one thing that GETS ME GOING, and this was sooooo good. i got very scared in the middle back half that maybe this was going to end up a tragic story (as many selkie stories are wont to do) but thank FUCK i was worried for nothing. i'm so happy that i own this copy (and a signed one at that!!, this was my pick for my aardvark book of the month pick) because it is absolutely one i will come back to, and this is absolutely an author i'm going to keep an eye out for.

i love jean. and i love muirin. and i love selkies. and i love queer ppl

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a lesbian retelling of the story of the selkie wife. In case you need a refresher, selkies are creatures who can shift between seal and human forms. The wife bit comes from the legend that if a man can find a female selkie in human form and take possession of her seal skin, she'll be unable to transform, and he can marry her. So, from a life shifting between forms to enjoy sea and land, the selkie becomes a prisoner of a man as long as he can keep her seal skin hidden from her. Probably not a good way to begin a happy marriage.

Rose Sutherland's retelling of the selkie wife, focuses on, Jean, a village midwife, but also an outcast because she once fell in love with another woman; Muirin, a mysterious woman who show more Jean finds in the snow in the dark of night in advanced labor; and Tobias, who appears after the birth and claims both Muirin and the child as his. You can figure out the plot from that bit of summary.

What a summary won't reveal is the wonderful world-building that Sutherland does and the intensity of her characters. A Sweet Sting of Salt is capital-g Gothic in all the best ways. Endless snow storms, animals who seem to be a bit more than animals, menace, and silences.

If you're a reader of Gothic fiction or a reader of queer fiction, you'll take great pleasure in A Sweet Sting of Salt. You'll struggle with the bad (and good) choices you know the characters will make. And you'll explore a folk tale both dark and light. Most of all, you'll ache for Jean and Muirin and will regret every moment you'll have to spend away from them if real life is unkind enough to interrupt your reading.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own. show less

This was a nice queer historical fiction. The language felt authentic but was still easy to follow, immersing me in the old Canadian East Coast countryside. It was a slow build, but I never wanted to put it down. The main character, Jean, is very likable, and we get enough of her inner thoughts to see her grow in confidence and self-assuredness throughout the story. Knowing it was a queer story, I was bracing myself for the pain of injustice, and while that was present, there was also a lot of beautiful acceptance and emphasis on finding a chosen family, which just warmed my heart. This book made me want to visit Halifax, and I better see some seals while I’m there! It was a great read over the long weekend.

A stunning period debut full of sapphic longing and nerve-wracking mystery. Jean, a young midwife living on the outskirts of 1800’s Nova Scotia is awoken in the middle of the night by cries of pain. She ventures out to discover a young woman in labor who doesn’t speak a word of English. Somehow Jean is able to help her deliver her baby and ascertain her name, Muirin. But her happy and open demeanor changes when her husband and Jean’s neighbor Tobias arrives. Although he agrees to let Muirin stay with Jean for a week to help her adjust to motherhood, his hot and cold behavior brings more questions than it answers.

In an effort to help Muirin Jean secretly begins teaching her English. But the more she learns, the more Jean becomes show more weary of Tobias’s intentions. And when their feelings grow beyond friendship Jean realizes she has to get Muirin out of there. But the deeper Jean digs, the more danger she finds herself in. Will Jean be able to save Muirin, the baby, and herself before Tobias figures out their plan? And what is the “treasure” Muirin keeps saying Tobias stole from her?

This freaking book oh my god. I knew it was going to be a 5-star read about halfway through and right I was. Definitely a slow burn and the prologue may seem out of place initially if you aren’t familiar with the original folktale. However, I don’t mean those as critiques in any way shape, or form. A Sweet Sting of Salt was completely flawless. Despite its slow pace, I found myself unable to put it down. The tension of Tobias’s increasing threats combined with the breathtaking chemistry between Muirin and Jean left me reeling for more.

Jean is everything I could want in a main character. She is stubborn but not annoyingly so and loyal to a fault for those she loves. Her unwavering determination to help Muirin despite barely knowing her is the stuff of sapphic dreams. And their friends to lovers' romance didn’t feel forced or trauma bondey. I despise tropes that only put people together due to a lack of choices or adrenaline-based relationships that are passion-heavy but will inevitably fizzle out. Which, thank goodness, could not be further from the relationship here.

I went into this book not knowing the original lore of the folktale it’s based on, The Selkie Wife, and I loved it. So don’t feel forced to do a load of research before cracking this open. The mystery is actually more interesting, in my opinion, if you don’t because the folktale does give parts of it away. But if you do already know the story don’t worry, there is still plenty of heart-pounding tension to keep your eyes glued to the page. Also it's so queer for a period piece!! Major bonus points in my book.

All in all, if you make one book purchase in April 2024, let it be this one. Not only will the cover look beautiful on your shelf but the story will have you racing to rate 5 stars on Goodreads faster than Jean can make the dough for her biscuits. Happy reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishings Ballantine for sending this eARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

CW: Abusive relationship, animal death, attempted murder, blood, childbirth, death, kidnapping, homophobia, pregnancy, stalking, and violence. show less