What do you think?
Rate this book
A Stirring from the Depths
Iona
, a Selkie, was brought forth from the ocean to protect seals from the evils of men. It's a compulsion she cannot deny, and she's lived a solitary life defined by her duty.
Cian is a Kelpie, a creature that can shift between a man and a horse. Born of the river, he must seduce and drown the women he loves in order to survive as he is- an immortal master of enchanted disguise. The two are trapped in a cycle of instinct and death, villains to the outside world and strangers to themselves.
Their fates become intertwined when Cian saves Iona's life after she's been shot by seal hunters. Cian vows to help find Iona's lost coat and claim vengeance upon the men who murdered her kin and gravely wounded her. The two creatures couldn't be more different from one another, but while journeying together they glimpse a different kind of life neither dared hope for themselves.
When Cian falls for Iona, the river demands he sacrifice her or else go mad and lose his magic. He refuses, and Iona finds him on the brink of insanity. She must navigate the human world to save him, even if it means losing everything she loves, including a new life with Cian.
Cian is a Kelpie, a creature that can shift between a man and a horse. Born of the river, he must seduce and drown the women he loves in order to survive as he is- an immortal master of enchanted disguise. The two are trapped in a cycle of instinct and death, villains to the outside world and strangers to themselves.
Their fates become intertwined when Cian saves Iona's life after she's been shot by seal hunters. Cian vows to help find Iona's lost coat and claim vengeance upon the men who murdered her kin and gravely wounded her. The two creatures couldn't be more different from one another, but while journeying together they glimpse a different kind of life neither dared hope for themselves.
When Cian falls for Iona, the river demands he sacrifice her or else go mad and lose his magic. He refuses, and Iona finds him on the brink of insanity. She must navigate the human world to save him, even if it means losing everything she loves, including a new life with Cian.
- GenresFantasyFantasy Romance
318 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2024
8 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Kait Waterhouse
2 books39 followersKait Waterhouse is a fantasy and speculative fiction author. You can usually find her reading or obsessively drafting another novel, unless she’s busy making a mess of herself painting or gardening.
Kait writes stories for people who are curious about the darkness inside all of us, and for those who know there is good to be found in every corner of the world. She lives in the desert with her writing assistant/cat, Germain, where she is pursuing her PhD.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 12, 2024
"Time had taught me, and lessons learned over lifetimes made me what I was."
A STIRRING FROM THE DEPTHS is a story conjured from deep within an unquiet sea. Amongst the pages, I feel myself there with Iona, tasting brine and copper in my mouth. I'm in Cian's mind, feeling the way his heart aches, sitting alongside his bubbling resentment for the curse he's forced to bare. Waterhouse crafts such beautiful, heart-achingly intimate characterisations, and the split POV between both Iona and Cian really allow for the reader to immerse themselves into their world, as ever complex and unforgiving as it is.
"Very well. She could be the demanding and unyielding queen of the deep, and I could be Each-Uisce; a beast."
Whilst I'm not usually drawn to stories such as this, I found that as soon as I delved into the world that Waterhouse conjured from salt and sand and something a little magical, I couldn't stop! The chaotic-good dynamic between Iona and Cian, which is equal parts angsty and gratifying, is hard not to love and the worldbuilding is so enchanting.
"Time didn’t move the same way for Cian and me as it did the mortals below. It didn’t suck from us our life forces, nor did it wreak havoc on any other part of our being. It was an endless march with endless possibilities."
Please do grab yourself a copy of this book upon release—or pre-order it—as it's not one to miss!
A STIRRING FROM THE DEPTHS is a story conjured from deep within an unquiet sea. Amongst the pages, I feel myself there with Iona, tasting brine and copper in my mouth. I'm in Cian's mind, feeling the way his heart aches, sitting alongside his bubbling resentment for the curse he's forced to bare. Waterhouse crafts such beautiful, heart-achingly intimate characterisations, and the split POV between both Iona and Cian really allow for the reader to immerse themselves into their world, as ever complex and unforgiving as it is.
"Very well. She could be the demanding and unyielding queen of the deep, and I could be Each-Uisce; a beast."
Whilst I'm not usually drawn to stories such as this, I found that as soon as I delved into the world that Waterhouse conjured from salt and sand and something a little magical, I couldn't stop! The chaotic-good dynamic between Iona and Cian, which is equal parts angsty and gratifying, is hard not to love and the worldbuilding is so enchanting.
"Time didn’t move the same way for Cian and me as it did the mortals below. It didn’t suck from us our life forces, nor did it wreak havoc on any other part of our being. It was an endless march with endless possibilities."
Please do grab yourself a copy of this book upon release—or pre-order it—as it's not one to miss!
December 28, 2024
What happens when a Selkie that quite literally kills for her cause and a Kelpie that has to kill to maintain his own sanity meet? A lot more death, betrayal, and a star-crossed romance. Waterhouse has mastered the worldbuilding of these Irish folklore creatures and weaved them into this mythical tale.
Both characters are morally gray, immortal and deeply flawed. But it only adds to the narrative and to the relationship between Cian and Iona. If you love violent folklore, a beautifully crafted world and a romance that hurts and heals, youll love this debut novel.
Both characters are morally gray, immortal and deeply flawed. But it only adds to the narrative and to the relationship between Cian and Iona. If you love violent folklore, a beautifully crafted world and a romance that hurts and heals, youll love this debut novel.
December 31, 2024
The premise here is amazing, but I found the execution to be a bit lacking. The prose could use some tightening up and there were several errors I found distracting ("taught" instead of "taut" and one chapter mislabeled with the wrong character). That said, I finished this is in one go and found the romance of a kelpie and selkie and all the rage, frustration, and heartbreak that goes along with it fascinating. Waterhouse shows promise and I'll be keeping an eye out for future works.
June 10, 2025
This needed to be at least 100 pages longer. And yet, it felt like it was 400 pages longer than it actually was.
I wanted to like this book, but there was so much crammed in here, and nothing felt like it was of any consequence. Iona and Cian were both flat characters with no defining traits or motivations. I like stories about selkies usually but this one didn't have anything that made it special. There were too many things going on in the book and it felt very helter skelter in its delivery, especially the final conflict with the villagers.
I understand what the story the author was trying to tell was. And they make a very commendable effort, but if there was a longer page count and more time to flesh everything out it would have been a lot more enjoyable to me.
I wanted to like this book, but there was so much crammed in here, and nothing felt like it was of any consequence. Iona and Cian were both flat characters with no defining traits or motivations. I like stories about selkies usually but this one didn't have anything that made it special. There were too many things going on in the book and it felt very helter skelter in its delivery, especially the final conflict with the villagers.
I understand what the story the author was trying to tell was. And they make a very commendable effort, but if there was a longer page count and more time to flesh everything out it would have been a lot more enjoyable to me.
September 17, 2024
Lush and indulgent, A STIRRING FROM THE DEPTHS is much like dark chocolate. All at once, the story is rich and deep—at some points bitter—but finishes with a welcome and surprising sweetness.
The prose itself is dreamy in the way all good folktales are: a well-developed world, chock full of luscious descriptions. I was immersed from the very beginning: by the ferocity of the river, and the moods of the ocean. And the story doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts. Iona’s fear and rage and hope. Cian’s longing and despair. Even human nature, in all its ugliness, gets center stage in some parts.
I really enjoyed the poems between chapters, too. Not only were they beautifully illustrated, but they set the tone for the upcoming chapter.
Iona and Cian are genuine and stay true to their personalities the whole way through. Iona was very much my favorite character. I related to her feisty side, a woman who answers to no one, a woman made “of salt and sorrow, fierce as the edge of a blade.”
Cian’s charm leapt off the page. There’s no doubt why Iona both sparred with, and eventually came to adore, him. Though he made some questionable decisions (vague for spoilers, but I WAS SO UPSET WITH HIM about halfway through! How COULD he?!), Cian was always, always motivated by love. For better or for worse.
So if you love stories that feel like folktales of old, with romance and spice and some wound-tending, A STIRRING FROM THE DEPTHS will call to you, and gently pull you under. And you’ll love every minute of it.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book from Lake Country Press. My opinions are honest and given freely.
The prose itself is dreamy in the way all good folktales are: a well-developed world, chock full of luscious descriptions. I was immersed from the very beginning: by the ferocity of the river, and the moods of the ocean. And the story doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts. Iona’s fear and rage and hope. Cian’s longing and despair. Even human nature, in all its ugliness, gets center stage in some parts.
I really enjoyed the poems between chapters, too. Not only were they beautifully illustrated, but they set the tone for the upcoming chapter.
Iona and Cian are genuine and stay true to their personalities the whole way through. Iona was very much my favorite character. I related to her feisty side, a woman who answers to no one, a woman made “of salt and sorrow, fierce as the edge of a blade.”
Cian’s charm leapt off the page. There’s no doubt why Iona both sparred with, and eventually came to adore, him. Though he made some questionable decisions (vague for spoilers, but I WAS SO UPSET WITH HIM about halfway through! How COULD he?!), Cian was always, always motivated by love. For better or for worse.
So if you love stories that feel like folktales of old, with romance and spice and some wound-tending, A STIRRING FROM THE DEPTHS will call to you, and gently pull you under. And you’ll love every minute of it.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book from Lake Country Press. My opinions are honest and given freely.
May 18, 2025
I wanted to love this.. but was left unsatisfied. For as short as this book was it honestly felt like it dragged on. I like the concept of a sea romantasy which seemed like a fresher take for a fantasy book. But I just did get that “UMPH” to really capture me interest & pull me in🫠. I could tell the author was trying to set up the scenes by describing all this imagery, but it felt too “wordsy” like we get it Iona is in the sea, Cian lives beneath the river. The introduction of Cian also felt kinda random, with the beach scene & Iona finding this mirror thing & just started at herself for hours?? (Giving little mermaid vibes??🤔🧜♀️) Or did Cian create the “mirror” to catch Iona’s attention to trap her? I have so many questions… parts of this story just didn’t flow for me. And then it’s like they take this quest and Cian immediately falls in love with her? Also the irish, Celtic, old ye English just felt forced & unnecessary & found myself actually having to go back to look at the glossary to remember what some of the words meant- but then it’s also described in sone of the sentences which just felt redundant.
I commend the efforts on what the author was TRYING to tell, however the story felt undone & piece-y. And then you add the village ending bit which felt like a “welp better end with a bang!”
I commend the efforts on what the author was TRYING to tell, however the story felt undone & piece-y. And then you add the village ending bit which felt like a “welp better end with a bang!”
September 16, 2024
🌊𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫-𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰🐚
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭.
𝑨 𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉𝒔, 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
•
So much of this book took me by COMPLETE surprise from start to finish. The synopsis barely scratches the surface in preparing the reader for the raw, rich characters we follow throughout the fast-turning pages.
The opening act definitely did its job to suck me in, leading me to the midpoint like a lamb to slaughter because I was NOT prepared to have my heart and soul crushed like that! 😭 There was a dynamic push and pull between the point of view characters that kept their banter fresh and the romance swoony for the entirety of this beautifully woven, contemporary romantasy tale.
Another pleasant surprise was Iona's viciousness, really embodying "female rage" to the umpteenth degree. 🤣 Especially in contrast to Cian's more gentle, cavalier approach to life despite his role in this world being significantly more depraved. 👀
Next time someone asks me "what's romantasy?" I'm recommending this book immediately. 👏 From the classical-style prose to the ethereal, eerie settings and unsettling side characters, it hits all the right vibes for a cozy, satisfying read! 🙌
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭.
𝑨 𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉𝒔, 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
•
So much of this book took me by COMPLETE surprise from start to finish. The synopsis barely scratches the surface in preparing the reader for the raw, rich characters we follow throughout the fast-turning pages.
The opening act definitely did its job to suck me in, leading me to the midpoint like a lamb to slaughter because I was NOT prepared to have my heart and soul crushed like that! 😭 There was a dynamic push and pull between the point of view characters that kept their banter fresh and the romance swoony for the entirety of this beautifully woven, contemporary romantasy tale.
Another pleasant surprise was Iona's viciousness, really embodying "female rage" to the umpteenth degree. 🤣 Especially in contrast to Cian's more gentle, cavalier approach to life despite his role in this world being significantly more depraved. 👀
Next time someone asks me "what's romantasy?" I'm recommending this book immediately. 👏 From the classical-style prose to the ethereal, eerie settings and unsettling side characters, it hits all the right vibes for a cozy, satisfying read! 🙌
December 13, 2024
In a world full of books with fae, fairies, vampires, and dragons, A Stirring from the Depths is a breath of fresh air. Iona, a selkie, is a protector to the core (mostly of her seal family), and Cian, a kelpie, with a dangerous compulsion, sizzle from the the minute they meet. If you're into reluctant allies to lovers, with all that *tension* and *heat* in between, this book is for you. The story is deceptively easy to get into. I didn't even realize how invested I had become until I had to put the book down to go to sleep...lol!
I wasn't super familiar with these mythological creatures before I read this book, but I'm pleasantly surprised to learn about them. I also really appreciated that the book had a pronunciation guide at the beginning. And I *absolutely* have to mention the art in the book! Each chapter, on the digital copy, had a beautiful page before it with an underwater scene and a quote. And each chapter title had a nice little matching heading for it. It was soo pretty!! I'm such a sucker for stuff like that. Anyways, it's a great book and I definitely recommend it :)
I wasn't super familiar with these mythological creatures before I read this book, but I'm pleasantly surprised to learn about them. I also really appreciated that the book had a pronunciation guide at the beginning. And I *absolutely* have to mention the art in the book! Each chapter, on the digital copy, had a beautiful page before it with an underwater scene and a quote. And each chapter title had a nice little matching heading for it. It was soo pretty!! I'm such a sucker for stuff like that. Anyways, it's a great book and I definitely recommend it :)
May 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book sucked me in immediately. I was only gonna read 2 chapters and go to sleep and I ended up reading like 8 chapters. 😂 I also started another book (by a famous author) the same day as this one (as one does 💁♀️) and I found myself really wanting to read only this one. It’s so good!
If you like a romance book where the tension is tension-ing… this one is perfect. The tension was DELICIOUS.
“Love was foolish, and I was the queen of all fools.”
This book also made me LOL a few times.
“The audacity of this lunatic.” 🤣🤣🤣
“Now you’ve seen reason. I shall remember the expression upon your face for as long as I shall live. It will linger in the halls of my memory titled as: The Moment I Was Right.” 🤣🤣🤣
Omg the last 15%. Oh. My. God. My jaw literally dropped and I gasped out loud. 😲
TW: I was warned that the MMC drowns women and that is described in the nicest and loveliest way possible. You wouldn’t think it could be nice or lovely but somehow it is…?
🌶️🌶️/5
1-2 sex scenes that are brief and not very descriptive
This book sucked me in immediately. I was only gonna read 2 chapters and go to sleep and I ended up reading like 8 chapters. 😂 I also started another book (by a famous author) the same day as this one (as one does 💁♀️) and I found myself really wanting to read only this one. It’s so good!
If you like a romance book where the tension is tension-ing… this one is perfect. The tension was DELICIOUS.
“Love was foolish, and I was the queen of all fools.”
This book also made me LOL a few times.
“The audacity of this lunatic.” 🤣🤣🤣
“Now you’ve seen reason. I shall remember the expression upon your face for as long as I shall live. It will linger in the halls of my memory titled as: The Moment I Was Right.” 🤣🤣🤣
Omg the last 15%. Oh. My. God. My jaw literally dropped and I gasped out loud. 😲
TW: I was warned that the MMC drowns women and that is described in the nicest and loveliest way possible. You wouldn’t think it could be nice or lovely but somehow it is…?
🌶️🌶️/5
1-2 sex scenes that are brief and not very descriptive
January 20, 2025
The first 2/3 of this book were so good. I flew through them. But then, the last 60-80 pages just made me so mad. The same plot kept happening. Main characters are on a quest to save Cian from insanity, but keep getting stopped by the most random things. Random fight with a random group of men. Random tripping and breaking an arm (a badass Selkie woman by the way). Randomly getting kidnapped. This book should only be 200 pgs in my opinion, but it kept going. The ending was so boring I skimmed the last 60 pages. If this book cut out the last 1/3rd and had the same ending, it would be just fine. Also the romance is just so luke-warm. It started to be very cute with banter and everything, but then they very suddenly are fully in love. I don’t usually write reviews, but the last 60 pages just made me so angry. A literal line in this after the Selkie dies and is brought back to life immediately after said death: “but how?” “Magic”. Ugh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
One of the things I really enjoyed about A Stirring from the Depths is that it’s a complete, standalone story. In a world full of endless series, it was refreshing to read something that delivered a full, satisfying arc in one book. It was also refreshing to read a romance that didn’t throw in spicy scenes just for the sake of having them.
Kait Waterhouse did a wonderful job crafting a compelling plot. The story pulled me in right from the start with the relationship between Iona and Cian. Both of them are seriously flawed, and they’ve done some awful things, but both had good intentions. I also liked Iona’s growth and how her choices shaped who she became.
If you enjoy folklore inspired stories, romance, violence, and characters who make you question if anyone is truly good or bad, this one’s worth picking up.
**The ending felt a little drawn out and disconnected in spots, but overall, I really enjoyed it and finished it in one day.
Kait Waterhouse did a wonderful job crafting a compelling plot. The story pulled me in right from the start with the relationship between Iona and Cian. Both of them are seriously flawed, and they’ve done some awful things, but both had good intentions. I also liked Iona’s growth and how her choices shaped who she became.
If you enjoy folklore inspired stories, romance, violence, and characters who make you question if anyone is truly good or bad, this one’s worth picking up.
**The ending felt a little drawn out and disconnected in spots, but overall, I really enjoyed it and finished it in one day.
May 27, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Stirring from the Depths! The writing itself is lyrical and evocative on every page, perfectly capturing the otherworldly atmosphere of the setting. You can taste, smell and feel the salt of the sea.
Iona and Cian have a great love story. Iona is feisty, fierce, and full of grit, making her the perfect foil for the charming Cian, living out his heart-wrenchingly brutal life. Written in dual POV, it really allowed me to get into both their heads. They’re both layered and complex characters and I was rooting for them from the outset. Their romance is wholly satisfying and evolved beautifully. The magical touches are enchanting and perfectly contrast with the brutality of the story’s folklore world.
This story is such a fresh twist on romantasy and I loved it!
Iona and Cian have a great love story. Iona is feisty, fierce, and full of grit, making her the perfect foil for the charming Cian, living out his heart-wrenchingly brutal life. Written in dual POV, it really allowed me to get into both their heads. They’re both layered and complex characters and I was rooting for them from the outset. Their romance is wholly satisfying and evolved beautifully. The magical touches are enchanting and perfectly contrast with the brutality of the story’s folklore world.
This story is such a fresh twist on romantasy and I loved it!
January 23, 2025
A beautiful and fierce-hearted romance with an uplifting happily-ever-after. Iona the kelpie is one of the best female protagonists I've ever read. I did find myself wanting more from Cian at first, thinking him a little shallow and pitiful, but when Iona found him pitiful, too, I was actually more able to resonate with her growing affection for him. This story is fully Iona's story - a celebration of her strength, her sense of duty, her selflessness, and her fiery will. This story is not for readers who prefer growly alpha males etc. This is about the sea, about family, about duty and magic, and about the rescuing power of selfless companionship ♥️
December 21, 2024
A unique and achingly beautiful tale that is at once full of sorrow and hope, longing and love, and the struggle to discover what it takes to break free from the constraints of one's past.
Cian and Iona's story is a slower paced fantasy romance that breaks away from the typical fae and epic battle stories often offered in this genre. There is no chosen one, super powered main characters, or perfect hero/heroine; just flawed and beautiful beings who deserve someone who understands and accepts them.
Cian and Iona's story is a slower paced fantasy romance that breaks away from the typical fae and epic battle stories often offered in this genre. There is no chosen one, super powered main characters, or perfect hero/heroine; just flawed and beautiful beings who deserve someone who understands and accepts them.
April 9, 2025
I saw this author was going to be at the Tucson Festival of Books and I looked at her website and knew I wanted to read her book. I loved the way she presented her book at the signing, and it was nice to meet her. I am so glad I discovered Kait Waterhouse because I really enjoyed the book. I am looking forward to more books by her.
It was a book that drew me in right from the beginning. I was fascinated by the story of a Selkie and a Water Horse. There is fantasy, magic, violence, humor, and romance in this book. Iona and Cian are very interesting characters.
It was a book that drew me in right from the beginning. I was fascinated by the story of a Selkie and a Water Horse. There is fantasy, magic, violence, humor, and romance in this book. Iona and Cian are very interesting characters.
August 19, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this romantasy, and it more than lived up to my expectations. Iona's seal-tooth sharpness and Cian's fatal charisma hooked me from the start. They're both complex yet sympathetic characters, and it made rooting for their love story even easier. Waterhouse's attention to details and love of folklore shows in her writing, highly recommend.
September 5, 2024
I adored this book!!
Normally out of my reading remit but the premise was too alluring to miss!
As always, I don’t like to have spoilers in my reviews. But I implore you to read this captivating debut novel by Kait!
Normally out of my reading remit but the premise was too alluring to miss!
As always, I don’t like to have spoilers in my reviews. But I implore you to read this captivating debut novel by Kait!
December 31, 2024
Well that was just a delightful read!! I don’t particularly like blonde men most of the time but I guess Cian will be spared. (Thank you so much for sharing this work Kait, part of me is selfishly hoping you’ll release another 🫣)
June 13, 2025
I devoured this book in one sitting. Every time you think that they resolved everything too soon, something unexpected happens and you get sucked back in. Highly recommend, as long as you don’t mind, or especially if you like a decent amount of killing and morally grey characters.
July 21, 2025
I really loved this book! Iona and Cian's dialog was entertaining. Kait did an amazing job of showing the multiple facets of their personalities, their struggles, and how they dealt with loss. This book is a great read for lovers of fantasy, romance, enemies to lovers, and Irish lore.
January 5, 2025
I could not put this book down. Amazing character development and unexpected plot twists. I laughed, I cried, and fell in love with the characters. 100% recommend reading this book!
January 6, 2025
A page turner, creative magic, and a fun read!
April 1, 2025
⭐2.5
Predictable in every way, but scratched the itch for a simple story.
Predictable in every way, but scratched the itch for a simple story.
April 8, 2025
Cleverly conceived, painstakingly researched, beautifully written. A fabulous first novel. I look forward to more from Kait Waterhouse.
Read
May 21, 2025Reading List 2025 #48
Read
December 8, 2025DNF at 40%
January 19, 2025
Holy shirtballs, this book! It is beautiful and terrible, full of rage and hate and love. I whizzed through it, breathless.
I’m not even sure where to start. Both Iona and Cian are deeply layered characters, with strengths and flaws, both incredibly drawn.
The story starts with Iona. Well, with her “birth” – the sea bringing forth a defender of the defenceless. She is single-minded in her protection of her seal clan, and there are some lovely moments with the pups. Some terrible ones as she exacts the sea’s revenge on the men who slaughter the seals.
Then there is Cian. He is much harder to love, both at first and after he saves Iona. He’s extremely self-centred and (seemingly) careless about the lives he takes. He does redeem himself, but it takes a good while. But would it be good character growth if it didn’t take time? Heck, no.
A Stirring from the Depths goes at great lengths to show how disparate Iona and Cian’s worlds are. They are truly star-crossed lovers. Theirs is a love story that shouldn’t work. Might not, had a witch not got involved. Then there is the stark contrast of their lives and the human ones.
And, oh, the mythology! This is a fully-realised world that makes you want to go to the shore and check for selkies. Readers are immersed and soaked (pun intended) in Iona and Cian’s lives, in their fight for survival in a world that fears them, and how two very different creatures find enough commonality to fall in love.
Exactly like I did this book.
I’m not even sure where to start. Both Iona and Cian are deeply layered characters, with strengths and flaws, both incredibly drawn.
The story starts with Iona. Well, with her “birth” – the sea bringing forth a defender of the defenceless. She is single-minded in her protection of her seal clan, and there are some lovely moments with the pups. Some terrible ones as she exacts the sea’s revenge on the men who slaughter the seals.
Then there is Cian. He is much harder to love, both at first and after he saves Iona. He’s extremely self-centred and (seemingly) careless about the lives he takes. He does redeem himself, but it takes a good while. But would it be good character growth if it didn’t take time? Heck, no.
A Stirring from the Depths goes at great lengths to show how disparate Iona and Cian’s worlds are. They are truly star-crossed lovers. Theirs is a love story that shouldn’t work. Might not, had a witch not got involved. Then there is the stark contrast of their lives and the human ones.
And, oh, the mythology! This is a fully-realised world that makes you want to go to the shore and check for selkies. Readers are immersed and soaked (pun intended) in Iona and Cian’s lives, in their fight for survival in a world that fears them, and how two very different creatures find enough commonality to fall in love.
Exactly like I did this book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews