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Hunter of Seals
Maeve Lansing’s new job isn’t going well, and the rabid seal attacks are only part of the problem.
Isolated, plagued by bizarre malfunctions, and battered by cataclysmic storms, the offshore drilling rig Sealg Ròin has been anchored off the coast of Scotland for months without a drop of oil to show for it. Rogue waves are a near-constant threat, the equipment has a mind of its own, and Maeve, the rig’s newest crewmember, is positive the captain is hiding something. Not to mention the seals, who are vicious, relentless, and impossibly smart, and come with a wildlife expert in hot pursuit who seems to want Maeve gone, too.
When that pack of seals turns out not to be seals at all, but an army of mythological creatures, Maeve suddenly finds herself sucked into a world of selkies, sea witches, and storm gods. She’ll have to uncover the real mission of the Sealg Ròin before the rig’s scant luck runs out, and find a way to protect herself and the rest of the crew without betraying everything she knows is right.
Hunter of Seals is the first in an action-packed five-book saga steeped in mystery, mythology, and slow-burn romance.
Isolated, plagued by bizarre malfunctions, and battered by cataclysmic storms, the offshore drilling rig Sealg Ròin has been anchored off the coast of Scotland for months without a drop of oil to show for it. Rogue waves are a near-constant threat, the equipment has a mind of its own, and Maeve, the rig’s newest crewmember, is positive the captain is hiding something. Not to mention the seals, who are vicious, relentless, and impossibly smart, and come with a wildlife expert in hot pursuit who seems to want Maeve gone, too.
When that pack of seals turns out not to be seals at all, but an army of mythological creatures, Maeve suddenly finds herself sucked into a world of selkies, sea witches, and storm gods. She’ll have to uncover the real mission of the Sealg Ròin before the rig’s scant luck runs out, and find a way to protect herself and the rest of the crew without betraying everything she knows is right.
Hunter of Seals is the first in an action-packed five-book saga steeped in mystery, mythology, and slow-burn romance.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
About the author
Colleen McCracken
1 book2 followersColleen McCracken is a fantasy and sci-fi author based in the Pacific Northwest. She has been making up stories since she learned to talk, writing them down since she learned to write, and turning them into novels since the age of 14. When she isn't writing, she can be found wandering the Cascade Mountains, riding her old and ornery rescue horse, or doing math for fun like some kind of lunatic.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 28, 2025
"We're not in our territory out here, Lansing. We're in theirs"
I got ABSOLUTELY sucked into this one!! Once I got started, I just couldn’t put it down!!
I can personally attest to Scotland being a perfect backdrop for a fantasy tale. Steeped in lore and with landscapes that will leave you breathless while practically tasting the magic in the air... I mean chefs kiss!! Little did I know that this story would sweep me off shore to ... an oil rig... & I know, I know! You probably had the same first thought as me ... that’s a little less magical and romantic than I was thinking, but when I tell you it slaps – IT SLAPS!!
Maeve Lansing has just started her new job at the Oil Rig Sealg Ròin off the coast of the Isle of Skye ... but things are most definitely not what they seem. A crew that is cantankerous at best, a Captain that doesn’t seem to bat an eye at anything let alone the million & one health and safety violations (trust me, I’m on a board! Lol). Throw into that mix, a mysterious stranger who seems to come and go in the blink of an eye, and a hoard of feral seals... you read that right, downright FERAL seals doing all they can to capsize this rig ... well to put it simply, you’ve got yourself one heck of a read!!
Do yourself a favour & grab this book ASAP!!
If you love these tropes: Scottish Folklore, Enemies to Lovers, Slow burn, High seas action & adventure, Women in STEM, Found family and more, then this book is your jam!!
Thank you so much to the author for an eARC to read!!
I got ABSOLUTELY sucked into this one!! Once I got started, I just couldn’t put it down!!
I can personally attest to Scotland being a perfect backdrop for a fantasy tale. Steeped in lore and with landscapes that will leave you breathless while practically tasting the magic in the air... I mean chefs kiss!! Little did I know that this story would sweep me off shore to ... an oil rig... & I know, I know! You probably had the same first thought as me ... that’s a little less magical and romantic than I was thinking, but when I tell you it slaps – IT SLAPS!!
Maeve Lansing has just started her new job at the Oil Rig Sealg Ròin off the coast of the Isle of Skye ... but things are most definitely not what they seem. A crew that is cantankerous at best, a Captain that doesn’t seem to bat an eye at anything let alone the million & one health and safety violations (trust me, I’m on a board! Lol). Throw into that mix, a mysterious stranger who seems to come and go in the blink of an eye, and a hoard of feral seals... you read that right, downright FERAL seals doing all they can to capsize this rig ... well to put it simply, you’ve got yourself one heck of a read!!
Do yourself a favour & grab this book ASAP!!
If you love these tropes: Scottish Folklore, Enemies to Lovers, Slow burn, High seas action & adventure, Women in STEM, Found family and more, then this book is your jam!!
Thank you so much to the author for an eARC to read!!
August 19, 2025
Hunter of Seals follows Maeve Lansing, a new hire on an offshore drilling rig. Very quickly, things are not as they should be. The ship is falling apart, she’s sent to do administrative work instead of her actual job as a driller, and oh yeah—they keep getting attacked by seals. When a cagey “inspector” comes snooping around, Maeve throws herself into the mystery, only to discover that this ship, and the people on it, aren’t all they say they are.
McCracken is a master of voice. Maeve is an undeniably fun and snarky FMC and being in her head is an absolute delight. Tone wise, you can tell throughout that McCracken has a firm handle on this character and their motivations. Maeve’s character arc is believable and satisfying, and the cast of main characters come alive in mere sentences (huge Strickland and Bostick fan here.)
This is definitely slow burn in the most true sense, so if you’re expecting a sweeping romance, it’ll absolutely get there. The banter is so well done and Tristan is a fantastic love interest. He LEANS. On many SURFACES. Possibly the hottest thing a man can do. Also, he cares and is fiercely loyal, but I mean, the leaning surely comes first. The tension between these two is delicious and I can’t wait to see where it progresses, because this is such a good base.
There is not one thing I could find and change about this plot. Having read this story three times now (and having plans to read it MORE,) I can happily tell you that it is quickly paced, exciting, emotional, and an absolute five star read. It has something for everyone, from thrills to romance to fantasy. I cannot wait to read more from McCracken so I’ll just be here twiddling my thumbs until the next book.
McCracken is a master of voice. Maeve is an undeniably fun and snarky FMC and being in her head is an absolute delight. Tone wise, you can tell throughout that McCracken has a firm handle on this character and their motivations. Maeve’s character arc is believable and satisfying, and the cast of main characters come alive in mere sentences (huge Strickland and Bostick fan here.)
This is definitely slow burn in the most true sense, so if you’re expecting a sweeping romance, it’ll absolutely get there. The banter is so well done and Tristan is a fantastic love interest. He LEANS. On many SURFACES. Possibly the hottest thing a man can do. Also, he cares and is fiercely loyal, but I mean, the leaning surely comes first. The tension between these two is delicious and I can’t wait to see where it progresses, because this is such a good base.
There is not one thing I could find and change about this plot. Having read this story three times now (and having plans to read it MORE,) I can happily tell you that it is quickly paced, exciting, emotional, and an absolute five star read. It has something for everyone, from thrills to romance to fantasy. I cannot wait to read more from McCracken so I’ll just be here twiddling my thumbs until the next book.
August 18, 2025
🦭Title: Hunter of Seals by Colleen McCracken
🌊Vibe Check: Passive Aggressive FMC, dreamy magical MMC, buttloads of sass
⚡️Genre: Fantasy Slow Burn Romance
⭐ Rating: 5/5
🦭My Thoughts:
Shut the front door, a debut THIS good?!?
Colleen is an absolute mastermind. Selkie’s are so underused in fantasy (in my eye) but this story is ripe with them. The oil rig was such a unique setting, I’d never considered but oh my GOSH do I honestly want more. The FMC Maeve is so stellar, I absolutely LOVE her characterization. The side characters too, everyone seemed so real and thought out. I honestly was stressing majority of the book it felt so real.
I think this story has made it into my top 3 books for this year, truly. It was absolutely spectacular and I can’t wait to see more from this author. I can not sing higher praise.
🌊Standout Elements:
Selkies and Sea Witches!
“What’s she going to do, turn into a seal about it?”
A book to read if you enjoy going “oh my god” every other page and a slow burn so slow they don’t even kiss in this book.
⚡️Final Thoughts:
A SPECTACULAR novel by a new up and coming author I expect to become a best seller in no time!
🌊Vibe Check: Passive Aggressive FMC, dreamy magical MMC, buttloads of sass
⚡️Genre: Fantasy Slow Burn Romance
⭐ Rating: 5/5
🦭My Thoughts:
Shut the front door, a debut THIS good?!?
Colleen is an absolute mastermind. Selkie’s are so underused in fantasy (in my eye) but this story is ripe with them. The oil rig was such a unique setting, I’d never considered but oh my GOSH do I honestly want more. The FMC Maeve is so stellar, I absolutely LOVE her characterization. The side characters too, everyone seemed so real and thought out. I honestly was stressing majority of the book it felt so real.
I think this story has made it into my top 3 books for this year, truly. It was absolutely spectacular and I can’t wait to see more from this author. I can not sing higher praise.
🌊Standout Elements:
Selkies and Sea Witches!
“What’s she going to do, turn into a seal about it?”
A book to read if you enjoy going “oh my god” every other page and a slow burn so slow they don’t even kiss in this book.
⚡️Final Thoughts:
A SPECTACULAR novel by a new up and coming author I expect to become a best seller in no time!
October 27, 2025
This was too good to be a debut!!!
A refreshing fantasy set on an oil rig, the humans are attacked by seals, but are they really seals?
the author has created an immersive world where you are always fully engaged with the story with its fast pacing and easy to follow along plot, whilst carefully weaving in mythological creatures, magic and secrets.
Selkies, sea witches, secrets and a seriously slow burn where they don't even kiss.
The FMC's sass was off the charts and her witty quips had me cackling so hard.
The MMC is charming, flirtacious, harboring his own secrets.
Absolutely a must read i can't wait to see what comes next.
I am so grateful to the author for allowing me to read this as an ARC this is my honest review.
A refreshing fantasy set on an oil rig, the humans are attacked by seals, but are they really seals?
the author has created an immersive world where you are always fully engaged with the story with its fast pacing and easy to follow along plot, whilst carefully weaving in mythological creatures, magic and secrets.
Selkies, sea witches, secrets and a seriously slow burn where they don't even kiss.
The FMC's sass was off the charts and her witty quips had me cackling so hard.
The MMC is charming, flirtacious, harboring his own secrets.
Absolutely a must read i can't wait to see what comes next.
I am so grateful to the author for allowing me to read this as an ARC this is my honest review.
March 15, 2026
Having only recently gotten back into reading recreationally, this was a great book to keep my interest burning! Magic, mayhem, technical drilling knowledge, and good old fashioned Scottish stubbornness rolled into one seal flooded modern fantasy story! Very unique premises and world building, with fun and relatable characters. I am picky about the first person novels I read, but this one was really enjoyable! I had no problem sinking into the perspective of Maeve, our firey, stubborn and determined protagonist. Looking forward to seeing more of this world. I did find myself wanting the climactic scenes at the end to last just a bit longer. Hopefully we get more of that action in any future installments, and get to learn more about the interesting power systems this book sets up!
February 27, 2026
One of the best reads this year!
Maeve is an absolute amazing FMC! 🫶 She's got a backbone of steel and stands strong in a heavily male dominated environment. Oh, and she's hilarious!
Never thought I'd ever want to visit an oil rig, but after reading this I'm sure there must be adventure (and seals) to be found 😁
Bostick, Nuttal, and Strickland are the absolute best trio of supporting cast. I found myself laughing at their antics while simultaneously waiting to see if they could be trusted 👀
This book has mystery, action, adventure, and magic in spades 💫
Everything about it makes it an auto by series for me. I cannot wait for the next installment to drop!!
Maeve is an absolute amazing FMC! 🫶 She's got a backbone of steel and stands strong in a heavily male dominated environment. Oh, and she's hilarious!
Never thought I'd ever want to visit an oil rig, but after reading this I'm sure there must be adventure (and seals) to be found 😁
Bostick, Nuttal, and Strickland are the absolute best trio of supporting cast. I found myself laughing at their antics while simultaneously waiting to see if they could be trusted 👀
This book has mystery, action, adventure, and magic in spades 💫
Everything about it makes it an auto by series for me. I cannot wait for the next installment to drop!!
April 30, 2026
The only reason I didn’t devour this book in two days is because it had to spend 36 hours in the (mental) freezer. I am SO GLAD I let it back out of the freezer! Hunter of Seals is going to live rent free in my head from now on. I LOVED IT. If y’all are looking for a book to get you out of a slump, this is it. Maeve is such a badass and this is HER story. I am excited to get more Tristan (please, please @itsmywriterbrain ), but I love that this is a slooooooow burn and Maeve-centric. This book made me laugh, cry, gasp, yell. I am literally on the edge of my seat waiting for book two to drop (which is SOON, y’all)!
#hunterofseals #selkie #scotland #read books
#hunterofseals #selkie #scotland #read books
September 1, 2025
**4.5**
I was feeling a bit slumpy, and this book pulled me right out of it. The set up was really good, the setting was explained beautifully, and the characters had a ton of personality. Every character felt well-rounded and unique, and the story was captivating and original. I really enjoyed my time reading this, and I’d highly recommend it!
I was feeling a bit slumpy, and this book pulled me right out of it. The set up was really good, the setting was explained beautifully, and the characters had a ton of personality. Every character felt well-rounded and unique, and the story was captivating and original. I really enjoyed my time reading this, and I’d highly recommend it!
May 10, 2026
Oh. My. Gosh. This book was fantastic. The main character Maeve was strong, resilient and smart and as a fellow woman working in a male dominated field she made me feel seen. All that plus Scottish mythology makes this an instant win. Plus this book was laugh out loud funny in places (puffins wearing bowties?? Yes please)
Read this book immediately. You won't regret it.
Read this book immediately. You won't regret it.
May 14, 2026
Loved this so much and can’t wait for the next one!! Incredibly character development with Maeve and the other characters. The twist and turns and backstabbing this book took me on were such a wild ride and it was so worth the read!
August 13, 2025
Cannot wait for people to experience this story and these characters!
October 21, 2025
This story is unlike anything I've ever read and I mean that in the absolute best way imaginable.
Behold a book that has something for everyone: adventure, wit, hope, heartbreak, romance, atmosphere, humour, and it's all wrapped up in gorgeous writing. It defies genre, placing it firmly in the same category as some of the best stories. The kind that you sink into, live in, and leave with a mark. It has heart.
Maeve is a brilliant character. She's real, you can't convince me otherwise.
It's distinctly brilliant. I cannot stress enough how much you need to read this.
Behold a book that has something for everyone: adventure, wit, hope, heartbreak, romance, atmosphere, humour, and it's all wrapped up in gorgeous writing. It defies genre, placing it firmly in the same category as some of the best stories. The kind that you sink into, live in, and leave with a mark. It has heart.
Maeve is a brilliant character. She's real, you can't convince me otherwise.
It's distinctly brilliant. I cannot stress enough how much you need to read this.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews