Fantasy Life

Oregon Coast / Seavy Village

by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Strange things have always happened in Seavy County, the most rugged stretch of Oregon's coastline. Violent storms spring up like magic, even when the rest of the state enjoys sunshine; unearthly beings are sometimes glimpsed in the twilight; and those who live there understand that a rare enchantment still lives in the world, although they seldom speak of it. For Seavy County is home to not just animal life, but to fantasy life as mythical creatures long vanished from the rest of the planet. The last survivors of a bygone age, they lead a precarious existence, skirting the fringes of modern civilization. The Buckingham family has protected the hidden wonders of Seavy County for generations. Forty years ago, Lyssa Buckingham's father lost his life doing just that. Lyssa fled from Seavy County, searching for a more normal life, but found tragedy and heartbreak instead. With her ten-year-old daughter, Emily, in tow, she has come home at last, just as the malignant forces that killed her father are gathering strength once more. Now Lyssa must make some hard choices. About the county, about Emily -- and about the fragile fantasy life that surrounds them all.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.

Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.

In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".

She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those annoying books where things would go MUCH easier if people just TALKED to each other. Everything in the plot hinges on People Keeping Secrets, or People Holding Things Too Close To Their Chests And Not Sharing. Jeezopete.

Positives: lots of female characters. Four generations of women. Interesting setting. Selkies
Negatives: heavy-handed environmental message. Nobody talks to anybody or really gets along, at least at first.

I was disappointed in the book, frankly. I find KKR's writing to be a mixed bag. Some things I quite like. Others just kinda don't work for me. This is one of the latter.

And there are no dragons or unicorns in this book. Jeezopete.

[K.D. Sarge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, and I really liked that there were only hints of romance around the edges. (I have nothing against romance, but it doesn't need to be a subplot or more in EVERY book.) There were hints that weren't followed and the ending wasn't as climactic as I wanted it to be, but overall it was satisfying.

[Shaunesay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has a very misleading cover, but it was a good story, yes there were fantasy creatures, but all were water based, there are no unicorns or dragons in it lol! Environmentally themed. I would definitely read more of this author.

[Samuel Lubell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story about mothers and daughters in a modern, rural setting about a family who are guardians of the local magic and have ties to the silkie.

[John Loyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyssa left Anchor Bay planning to live her life away from the magical prying of her mother. Only when it became clear that Emily had powers did she go back. When they finally arrive Emily loves Cliffside House, though Lyssa is having second thoughts. Grandma Cassie and Great-grandma Athena start telling Lyssa about the wreck of an oil tanker in their harbor thirty years ago. Explaining why they hate the family of Lyssa's ex-husband. Lyssa thinking she could have used that information before she married Reginald.

Meanwhile a fish woman washed up on the beach, and the deputy found a smaller creature in the creek. This scene introduces the sheriff, who went to high school with Lyssa.

We learn more details about the oil spill in 1970, and maybe that has something to do with what is happening in present day with the fantasy creatures.

Fun read, nice twists, Emily's character was especially cool. The chapters with her POV were great. I felt that the book could have been half as long. For instance in the first chapter Emily sneaks off to see her father and there are several pages of her trip to her old house. A bit of excitement, but crossing the busy street didn't add to the plot. Fine if my reading speed was twice as fast. 4 of 5 stars. By the way, there is no mention of unicorns or dragons in the book. I am not sure how they made the cover.

[K.A. Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this, just perfect PNW paranormal vibes~ Really sad to hear that the author had a two book deal that disappeared because of corporate shakeups because I want more! Women with powers in remote coastal Oregon, storms and selkies and sirens, creatures from the deep . . . fighting back against corporate abuses and climate change and the patriarchy . . . that ending twist . . . just gorgeous! Look for the author-preferred version for less silly-looking cover art and some bundled short stories in the same setting. :)

[Juan Sanmiguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family have been protecting the incredible creatures inhabiting Seavy County, Oregon. The Buckingham woman have been divided by past squabbles. They have to pull together in order to save themselves, the people of Seavy and the creatures under their protection. Rusch likes looking into families. Lack of communication is the root of the problem with Buckinghams. Once they overcome that problem they can work effectively to solve the problem in the book. Seavy County has been a setting in Rusch's other works. Look forward for new entries.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original and nicely written.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four generations of talented Oregon women try to head off a conflict between angry selkies and Big Oil.

[tesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it may win the award for Most Misleading Cover.
The book is about selkies. No dragons, unicorns, etc.
The trees and water are the only things on the cover that are in the book.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the beginning of the book. But the beginning didn't turn out like I thought it had. Then I liked it. A very complicated story, but worth reading.

[Althea Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the cover, one is led to expect a dragons-and-unicorns-type medieval fantasy, but this is really more of a supernatural/occult thriller, set in the modern day. Several generations of 'witches' must come together in coastal Oregon and protect its magic.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, selkies of doom foiled

[Kristine Sprunger · Rating 3 out of 5]

It became a little unclear as to which of the four female leads was the person who's head I was in.
Though the story was good, I'll probably never read it again.

[Mary Jo Rabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully crafted! Don't miss out on this one.

[Jalilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good mixture offantasy and reality taking place on the Oregon Coast. The cover is misleading, as there are no unicorns or dragons. Instead there are mythical water creatures; Selkies, Mermaids, Water sprites and 4 generations of strong magical women living in a big house on a cliff. I would definitely read more from this author.