A review by jedore
The Secret of Roan Inish by Rosalie K. Fry

hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I've no idea of the future, but I can see the past quite well. And the present, if the weather's clear.

Set in Scotland, this short and sweet magical tale for all ages tells the story of a young girl searching for her baby brother who was swept out to sea when the family left the tiny island where they had lived for generations.

The magic is in the form of selkies, which are mythological creatures that are both seal and human, and the life of the baby, then little boy, they both kept and protected.

As I read this story, I was reminded of one of my all-time favorite books—Bridge to Terabithia. Like this book, The Secret of Roan Inish was also made into a movie. 

This is a super short young adult book, so character development doesn’t go very deep, but you do get a solid taste for life in Scotland’s seaside and island communities. This was an absolutely delightful treat in between two grown-up books!


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