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A review by tessa_talks_books
A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke
4.5
A Haunting in the Arctic is a beautifully tragic story that held me in its grip from beginning to end. The story is told mainly in a dual timeline - a 1901 story featuring Nicky, who finds herself on a whaling vessel after being attacked in the street, and a current-day timeline featuring Dominique, who is filming the same boat (as in the 1901 timeline) that has since run aground and is slated to be pulled out to sea and allowed to sink.
I loved the Selkie Wife folklore that is threaded throughout the story. It’s just the perfect fit for this story, which is shockingly challenging and disturbing but ultimately heart-wrenching. I was fascinated by learning about the folklore and watching it play out in this story.
Both timelines’ stories are as harsh as the environment, which is vividly detailed and almost gothic in its oppressive atmospheric feel. I had to speed-read through quite a few more brutal scenes. Still, I’m so glad I stuck with it because the ending, which brought it all together - the two timelines and the various side stories - touched my heart profoundly.
A Haunting in the Arctic is beautifully written, heart-wrenchingly authentic, and delightfully crafted in the most challenging and perfect ways.
I loved the Selkie Wife folklore that is threaded throughout the story. It’s just the perfect fit for this story, which is shockingly challenging and disturbing but ultimately heart-wrenching. I was fascinated by learning about the folklore and watching it play out in this story.
Both timelines’ stories are as harsh as the environment, which is vividly detailed and almost gothic in its oppressive atmospheric feel. I had to speed-read through quite a few more brutal scenes. Still, I’m so glad I stuck with it because the ending, which brought it all together - the two timelines and the various side stories - touched my heart profoundly.
A Haunting in the Arctic is beautifully written, heart-wrenchingly authentic, and delightfully crafted in the most challenging and perfect ways.