A review by theteaisaddictive
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-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

I’m in the unique position of having read an early draft of this book, many years ago, and getting to see it in its final form is so, so special. 

I really enjoyed this book — the love story is sweet, the slow pace and atmosphere pitch-perfect. I’m a sucker for Canadians describing the deep impact the natural world has on their protagonists, and Jean’s remote cottage and bustling village life felt so real and vivid. Although the language barrier between Jean and Muirin does result in a slightly awkward ‘lore drop’ chapter towards the end of the book, it’s worth it to see a character otherwise made voiceless (both by the language barrier and her material circumstances) make her side of the story perfectly clear. 

This is a perfect balm to a retelling of the same legend I read several years ago, which sided with the Tobias of its own story. Animal brides, and selkies specifically, are a favourite folk tale of mine, and I was so happy to see one with a queer twist; and multiple queer characters, at that!

Is the epilogue a tad overdrawn with how happy it is? Perhaps, but with everything the girls went through and the historical setting, I really don’t find myself getting to annoyed at it. They certainly earned their happy ending.

In conclusion: I am proud to be the number one Tobias hater, and it’s memorialised forever in the author’s note.  🐐🦭🦊🌊