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nevermoregothic's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility
wardenred's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was strange, sharing the silence with a man who’d always fit into his life like an organ, and a man who’d wandered into their home like a leak or a bear—capable of causing invisible damage or very real, very visible problems.
I very much loved the prose and the vibes here. In many ways, it's like the ultimate cozy/cottagecore book, with so many descriptions that really pulled me in. All the scenes involving cooking, gardening, just hanging out in the lighthouse during storms, going to town on errands, and such were so immersive and character-focused and didn't feel like fluff at all.
I also loved the witchiness that permeated every part of the story—even the ones that weren't centered around resurrection spells or healing salves. And speaking of those actual magic scenes, they were so well done! I particularly enjoyed how the beginning was at once all "yes, witchcraft and necromancy are absolutely real" and somewhat ambiguous. Ethan certainly brought the seal back to life, but is Ethan correct believing the resurrected seal is a selkie? Or is Peter correct in assuming it's merely an animal? Even with the blurb making it clear that yes, there's a selkie here, that ambiguity was still very strong and I loved what it added to the story.
Unfortunately, when it came to the romance—the thing I was reading for—I felt somewhat let down. I came in expecting a poly love story, and what I got didn't fully read like one. Before Nico even joined the narrative properly, there was so much focus on Ethan and Peter's "marriage in crisis" situation that I was already reading it as a "marriage in crisis" romance, rooting for them to figure things out and reaffirm their bond. And Nico, eventually, just felt like a tool they were using to bring back the spark, and not a full person of his own and a full participant of the relationship. Part of it came from this pacing issue I've mentioned, part of it, simply from how a lot of the early-ish interactions between of them were handled and how much everything was about Ethan and Peter and their family. I felt like the narrative tried to switch gears closer to the end, but it was too late in the story for me to truly buy it.
Still, loved the vibes, loved the trans rep, loved the little coastal town and all the tiny subplots about its residents. Definitely interested in checking out the author's other works!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infertility, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
talasterism's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
honestly was a bit blown off by how good it was ! im so not into pregnancy trope or the sex pollen or w/e its called trope, but this was just written so lovely, i especially loved the opening sentence of "Ethan Shaw carried two knives, one for lilies, the other for veins" like it already tells us so much about the character. the writing of this was so beautiful, i really really dig the style of "the comet the sea had coughed out" and "blushing like a damsel, still as a viper" and "who's to say that witchcraft isn't goodhood" and and and! also i just really had to read this book bc the premise sounded so close to my ocs (winnow being a bird, flying into the garden of a strongly established couple, all of them falling for each other after unturning him from a bird - like the details and vibes and setting are super different, but it is still close enough that it in the vaguest way can remind me of my favourite ocs agsdhfkj
short and sweet! my fave polyam book - oh and the smut was so good too, just very beuatifully / visually described, v tasteful ALSO i love the sea and the ! and the characters of course too, Ethan is such a lil shit and Peter is sOOO gah! lovely and kind but would snap u in half if u look at ethan wrong
short and sweet! my fave polyam book - oh and the smut was so good too, just very beuatifully / visually described, v tasteful ALSO i love the sea and the ! and the characters of course too, Ethan is such a lil shit and Peter is sOOO gah! lovely and kind but would snap u in half if u look at ethan wrong
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy and Drug use
nloprest6318's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Medical content
amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
No longer supporting this author who is brown facing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Infertility
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
yourbookishbff's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This is cozy magical realism/light fantasy at its absolute best. I love this blend of witchcraft and necromancy with cottage core, and I felt so soothed by the story. The romance itself actually deals with some heavier themes - specifically attempts to start a family and fears of infertility - and the relationship between our primary couple feels fully realized and tender. I appreciated the sharp edge the selkie brings to their seemingly idyllic life and the ways in which they have to navigate new desires and expectations. This is like a beautifully queer (and erotic) Practical Magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Transphobia
Notes on consent: because we are introduced to a long-time couple (married and with each other for more than 10 years), a lot of the consent throughout their intimacy will start with verbal initiation and then it's largely assumed from there. Scenes between all three characters are written in more of a surreal style and don't show every interaction or conversational beat. The primary couple are attempting pregnancy throughout and there is brief discussion of how the third character can interact with them.blakeandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
astravars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
my HEART
full review to come soon
full review to come soon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Infertility
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Death
downtown_kb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ethan and his husband Peter find themselves in possession of a dead selkie. Ethan, a witch and necromancer, decides to try and bring it back to life.
Holy crap, this book captivated me. I almost didn’t finish this right off the bat because it started with a focus on their relationship strain because of their struggle with infertility and wanting to start a family. And yes, I know that was in the blurb, but in the context of what I was told was a fluffy book with Fae and magic, I figured it would just be a light and magical thing. But it actually is a major theme of the book and was poking a big bruise that I did not want to poke.
However, the writing was so mesmerizing and beautiful, and I found myself continuing without even having to try. Ethan expressed so many fears and anxieties I have felt so deeply. This book became so poignant for me and I freaking loved it.
However, the writing was so mesmerizing and beautiful, and I found myself continuing without even having to try. Ethan expressed so many fears and anxieties I have felt so deeply. This book became so poignant for me and I freaking loved it.
Ethan is fierce and brave. Peter is such a sweetheart and so supportive. They communicate so well. Nico respects the shit out of their boundaries and there is some great steam. And again, their writing is so beautiful.
I should have known based off the song in the dedication.
I should have known based off the song in the dedication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Sexual content
potalian's review
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Infertility
Minor: Pregnancy and Death