The Cost of the Coat

by Darbie Hamilton

Dive into the depths of this modern twist on an old Irish myth.

Shannon Rowle was never someone the average person would describe as normal. Between the disappearance of her father as a child, her eccentric artist of a mother, and her inability to speak, normal was never even on the table. But when she and her friend Mandy are attacked, they encounter a reality far beyond what they thought was possible. A world that until that moment only existed in the tales of old fishermen. Strangest of all, maybe...just maybe... Shannon belonged to that world all along.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[BookishVibesClub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute coastal fantasy to get lost in with selkie sea lion shifters and mermaids. I really enjoyed the magical escape into this world and it would make for a relaxing beach YA read. The story follows an 18 year old half selkie, her best friend, and her secret protector. They end up in the middle of a war between magical beings. In talking with an enemy mermaid, they work through the cause of this war. I’m not sure if this is a standalone or if there is a second book planned, but I would like to see more of how things end up for the main characters.

🦭 Half Selkie FMC
🦭 Friendship an Found Family
🦭 Humans and Mythical Beings
🦭 Undersea War
🦭 Solving
🦭 YA Fantasy

No Romance
No Language

[Alexandra Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great debut novel by Darbie Hamilton. This book was such a great fantasy and myth read for me. I really liked Shannon — even without a voice, she’s such a strong, relatable character, and her journey kept me hooked. The story builds slowly but in a way that makes you need to know what’s really going on. Tristan adds just the right amount of tension, and the whole book has this moody, haunting feel I couldn’t get enough of. I can't wait to see what she has in store for this series next!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

It’s been years since I picked up a book, and The Cost of the Coat reminded me why I ever loved reading in the first place.

Darbie Hamilton weaves a magical, immersive tale rooted in Irish folklore — complete with selkies and mysterious cities. The writing is so vivid and well-crafted that it genuinely felt like I was there, walking beside the characters and exploring every enchanted corner of the world she built. — I felt completely transported.

The story flows effortlessly, blending myth, emotion, and adventure in a way that never felt rushed or too slow — just the kind of story you can fall into and get lost in.

This book didn’t just entertain me — it rekindled a love for reading I hadn’t felt in years, and I’m absolutely looking forward to more from this author.

If you enjoy folklore-inspired fantasy with rich settings and heartfelt storytelling, this one is absolutely worth your time.

[Rachel Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, clean adventure focused on one of my favorite sea myths: selkies! Shannon and Tristan are everything, and this story’s biggest strength is its creativity. The third-person omniscient mode of storytelling really helps endear the entire world and cast to the reader, not just one character. The pacing is also incredible; I wasn’t bored for a single second and I thought about how much I wanted to keep reading whenever I wasn’t reading!! Eagerly awaiting the next installment!!!
P.S. I want to live in Shelter Bay. Can I move there now please??