Seas of Snow

by Kerensa Jennings

In 1950s England, six-year-old Gracie Scott lives with her Mam and next door to her best friend Billy; she has never known her Da. When her Uncle Joe moves in, his physical abuse of Gracie’s mother starts almost immediately. But when his attentions wander to Gracie, an even more sinister pattern of behavior begins. As Gracie grows older she finds solace and liberation in books, poetry, and her enduring friendship with Billy, with whom she escapes into the poetic fantasy worlds they create. But will fantasy be enough to save Gracie? Just how far will Uncle Joe’s psychopathic behavior go? The story weaves between these events and the visits Billy pays many years later to an old friend, confused and dying in a hospice. It is here that he is forced to revisit the events of the past. Seas of Snow is a haunting and psychological domestic drama with an unexpected twist and considerable emotional punch.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2017

About the author

Kerensa Jennings is a storyteller, strategist, writer, producer and professor.

Kerensa's TV work took her all over the world, covering everything from geo-politics to palaeontology, and her time as Programme Editor of Breakfast with Frost coincided with the life-changing events of 9/11.

The knowledge and experience she gained in psychology by qualifying and practicing as an Executive Coach has only deepened her fascination with exploring the interplay between nature and nurture, and with investigating whether evil is born or made - the question at the heart of Seas of Snow.

As a scholar at Oxford, her lifelong passion for poetry took flight. Kerensa lives in West London and over the last few years has developed a career in digital enterprise.

Seas of Snow is her first novel.

Reviews

[Cynthia Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were times when I was reading Seas of Snow that I felt the menace of Joe so tangibly, I almost had to set the book aside. To say he is villain would not do justice to the depth of his depravity. I’m not saying the character is in any lacking in authenticity, merely that I don’t remember encountering such pure evil on the written page. It is a credit to Ms. Jennings’ imagination that she could conceive of someone who has all the appearance of a flesh and blood human being—with stunning good looks, to boot—who is in fact a bloodless sociopath.

Compare Joe with his sister and you see both sides of the human spectrum. She is a kind, gentle woman who has a lovely blond angel for a daughter. They are alone, but they feel blessed to have each other. As we learn, Gracie is the joy of her life, a gift that makes up for the pain and suffering inflicted on her by Joe, who tormented her systematically as she was growing up.

In spite of being the sole support for Gracie, she makes sure Gracie’s home life is loving and nurturing. It is their good fortune to have Billy—two years older than Gracie—next door. As soon as Gracie can walk, she and Billy frolic around their neighborhood, finding mystery and magic at every turn. Billy is constantly creating new games for them to play, spinning dreamscapes to enchant and enthrall the angelic Gracie.

Gracie’s innocence leaves her unprepared for mean-spirited encounters from nature and fellow human beings. She gets glimpses of the dark side, first from a raven, then from her classmates at school. As frightening and puzzling as these episodes are, they do nothing to prepare her for evil personified as her Uncle Joe lays claim to their home, and them.

There are many layers of wonder in this novel. Gracie is a wonder all to herself. She is as we hope every child can be: good-natured, curious, kind and appreciative of nature’s beauty. The closest she gets to an impure thought is to wonder why two girls in her class are so mean to her. Her only flaw is that she’s perhaps to pure and gentle for the real world.

Contrasting sharply to Gracie is Joe’s absolute disdain for humanity. Everyone who walks the earth is there merely to either annoy him or to be a conduit for his insatiable craving to humiliate and defile. I’ll leave it at that; I simply cannot do this force of evil in human form justice the way the author has. All I can say is brace yourself.

What really stands out in Seas of Snow is the author’s ability to weave together a story that flashes back and forth in time, doling out insights into her characters as they pursue their separate paths to destiny. The deeper I got into the book, the more drawn in I became. Ms. Jennings acts the spider to the reader, coaxing them into a web of peril and doubt, beauty and innocence, random and preordained.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is very dark in its subject matter and at times bleak, chilling, disturbing and horrific. But these aspects are offset by the beauty of much of the prose, which is imparts a certain magical quality, and the character of Gracie. The setting for the early strand of the novel is northern England in the 1950s, in which people could not talk as openly about many things as they can today. The plot is cleverly constructed, switching between characters and going back and forth in time, leading to a surprise ending.

We see how Gracie and her single mother try to cope with the intrusion of the psychopathic uncle Joe into their lives. Gracie's Ma (Joe's sister) has the support of neighbours, yet seems to be powerless to defend herself and her child. Gracie's playmate Billy helps her create imaginary worlds where the princess is rescued and good triumphs over evil. She also takes refuge in poetry, especially the words of the great poet Rainer Maria Rilke.

Gracie is enchanting, an angelic child. In contrast, Uncle Joe is depicted as a callous, brutal man without a conscience, intent on finding and devouring his prey (a raven metaphor permeates Seas of Snow). His motivation and backstory are woven into the plot, and suspense builds as we learn more about the darkness at his core. Fortunately, much of the violence is left to the reader's imagination. By the later stages of the story though, I admit that I found the unrelenting physical detail of Uncle Joe's pathology somewhat excessive. This was one of the few negatives I had about the book. (The other was the vagueness of the timeframe, which led to a haziness sometimes about where we were time wise.)

Seas of Snow is a brave, lyrical, powerful novel that mercilessly and brilliantly dissects the evil at the core of one man, and the impact on those who have the misfortune to cross his path. It is certainly not for those squeamish about violence, in particular sexualised violence. Yes, the novel makes us wonder how a person becomes good or bad. More than that though, it asks to what extent any of us may be complicit in the terrible acts of others.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Seas of Snow….

A story of broken trust and shattered dreams..

Of consequences..

Of a life lifted and liberated by poetry…

Of a life haunted by darkness and lived in fear.’

Seas of Snow is the debut novel from Kerensa Jennings. Published on March 7th 2017, this is a novel that is, as described, bleak and at times does make for very uncomfortable reading. Yet with the use of a very strong poetic narrative, the reader is taken on a journey exploring the loss of innocence in a manner that will leave your heart broken and so saddened by the inhumanity of the tale.

I was immediately struck by the starkness yet beauty of the cover. The claws of the raven and the claws of the bath feet immediately invoked an eerie feeling in my bones and I knew this book was going to be very very different indeed.

Seas of Snow is a story of the lost innocence of a little girl called Gracie Scott. Gracie lives with her mum in a small estate in 1950’s Tyneside. Society is recovering from the aftermath of the war as the horrors fade somewhat into the background. Life is for the living and folk are trying to get on with their lives. It’s not uncommon for women to be on their own with children, as many of the menfolk lost their lives, so no one raises an eye when Gracie and her mother move in to their accommodation alone.

Gracie soon makes friends with Billy, the little boy next door. Their’s is a friendship where dragons and princesses are the norm. They both escape into this fantasy world where nothing bad can happen, nobody can hurt them.

For Billy though that’s all it really is…..a game. But for Gracie this escapism is a necessity. Gracie is an introverted character in school preferring books to the company of other kids. As a result she is oft times picked on and bullied. It is at these early stages that Gracie begins to think about herself as being at fault.

‘Dear God, I don’t know why I am here I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. But please let me out of here, please, please, please.’ Gracie age 8.

As Gracie suffers further from the bullies at school she immerses herself in the written word, particularly poetry.

In Seas of Snow, Kerensa Jennings introduces the reader to the familiar, Wordsworth and the not so familiar, Rainer Maria Rilke.

Rilke, widely recognized as one of the most lyrically intense German-language poets (Ref : Poetry Foundation), provides Gracie with a sense of comfort. It’s as though his words are meant for her. For one so young, Gracie has an awareness of the world around her and is sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others, especially her mother.

But Gracie’s world is soon to be tainted in the most abhorrent manner possible. Her Uncle Joe arrives to their home and for Gracie, it is as though the wicked King has arrived into her fairy-tale world. No longer the safe-haven she could lose herself in, Joe carries an evilness within that he spreads before him where ever he goes.

Now for many readers, this is where the book will prove a difficult obstacle to move beyond. Kerensa Jennings takes us into the mind of both Joe and Gracie as scenes are played out with such horrifying detail. Joe idealises his actions and sees no wrong in what he does. Gracie is a child with her innocence about to be destroyed and the pure raw horror in all her thoughts and actions is evident in every word on the page.

Seas of Snow, as a title, symbolises even more than its name suggests. As I was tweeting one day, I suddenly registered the initials of the book S.O.S. Gracie Scott, a character in a book, is calling out for our help. Gracie Scott is a young girl who is exposed to the most demonic character I think I have ever read in a novel. Joe is evil personified. His actions, his mannerisms, his thoughts, all made me sick to the core. I was extremely outside my comfort zone reading the scenes of the psychotic reflections of a maniac yet I persisted. Why? Through her work as editor with the BBC News, Kerensa Jennings was involved in the coverage of the Soham murder case. Her first hand experiences were inspirational in writing this debut. Ian Huntley, an apparently ‘normal’ person, was capable of such unspeakable acts of violence.

This is real.

This is the society we now live in.

Seas of Snow is a novel filled with a wonderfully structured narrative, where beautiful verses of poetry are interspersed with completely repulsive scenes. This is a distressing read but yet I was drawn to the story. I so wanted to be the one to answer Gracie’s S.O.S. and save her from the monster who was out to destroy her.

It’s a book I most certainly recommend but with a warning. Seas of Snow is not for the faint-hearted and this book will affect you.

The story of little Gracie Scott is the story of many in our society.
Can we turn our backs on them or do we look out for their cries for help, their S.O.S.??

[Fictionophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Seas of snow” wins my vote for most pertinent cover ever. Once you read the novel you’ll realize just how perfectly it fits the book. My first impressions after finishing Kerensa Jenning’s debut novel is that it reads almost like an old fashioned fairy tale due to its stunning portrayal of good vs. evil.

“Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

It is the story of Gracie Scott and Billy Harper. Born in poverty, they are neighbours and lifelong friends. Billy is just a few years older than Gracie and he invents their childish games of dragons and princesses. Their early childhood is idyllic in its innocence. Their fertile imaginations take them away from their day-t0-day lives of school bullying and social ostracisation.

“Her greatest comfort had always been books. Escaping to other worlds was the only way she could cope with living in this one.”

Gracie lives with her mother in a working-class Tyneside neighbourhood. She has inherited her mother’s love of books and literature. They are happy together and Gracie delights in her mother reading to her, blowing bubbles, etc. Her childish innocence is gradually destroyed by the advent of her mother’s brother Joe who comes to stay with them after being released from prison.

“… a sneering, stern, stygian presence that exuded threat and darkness.”

We learn through chapters told from Joe’s point of view, that he is an evil, psychopathic man with no redeeming traits. We know that he is “distractingly good-looking” which proves the old saying that even the reddest apple can be rotten at the core. The reader is left to ponder whether evil is inherent in some people… if it might be passed down from generation to generation.

“Was evil born or made?”

Billy’s family become aware that Joe is abusing Gracie’s Ma, and fear that he may also be torturing Gracie… Unlike today, they feel powerless to stop this abuse as there were far fewer support systems set up in the 1950s.

“The wonderful thing about literature is that it helps bring us closer to our own emotions, and helps us process and understand what we are going through ourselves.”

Gracie finds escape in books. She finds succour from poets such as Wordsworth, Byron, and Rilke. One of her favorite poems is Wordsworth’s “Daffodils”

“Where he retained a youthfulness and sunniness, she had become a bird-like shadow of herself. An old woman.”

Skip ahead many years and we meet a much older Billy as he visits a frail, terminally ill woman in a care home. Though her memories are fading, she continues to find solace in her books and in Billy’s visits. Through shared memory – and love – their story is gradually revealed…

“fragile browned wisps of memory”

The author’s love of literature and words is evident in every line of this haunting novel. Interspersed with literary and poetic references, the book shows how literature can comfort in times of great psychic trauma. The loss of innocence and the measure of how we influence and impact the lives of others are predominant themes. The prospective reader should be aware that many of the disturbing scenes are very graphic in nature and the ‘thoughts‘ of the evil Joe make for some uncomfortable and often shocking reading.

“Seas of snow” is a beautifully written novel which portrays disturbing subject matter handled with empathy. A book I will remember for a long, long, time. It was a harrowing, emotionally intense, reading journey. If I had to pigeon-hole the genre, I would call it a ‘literary thriller’, though to do so would be doing it an injustice. Highly recommended!

I received a beautiful hardcover copy of this novel directly from the author via her publicist. It is a welcome addition to my library and now, having read the book, it is one that I will treasure.

[Ashleigh (a frolic through fiction) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I did not know what I was getting myself into.

I knew it was about a psychopath, yes. I knew it would be dark. But how dark? How detailed?

Well, it’s a good job I’m not a sensitive reader.

This is one of those books where I honestly don’t know what made me keep reading. The story was absolutely horrific. I wasn’t exactly enjoying the story. So why? Morbid interest? Did I feel I owe it to the character to hear her story? Did I want to see the ending outcome?

I suppose it was all of those. Because no matter how disturbing this story became – no matter the times I shut this book feeling sick to my stomach – I kept reading.

I did really appreciate the friendship this book encompasses. Gracie and Billy. Everything about them is so pure and comforting. And in my experience, there’s not many boy/girl platonic friendships that last, and are as trusting as this one. It was really lovely to see. Especially since it starts from such a young age and continues on for years.

The simple love for smaller things grabbed my attention too. Of course, there’s the poetry aspect. How Gracie uses poetry as a crux to guide her through all the horrific events. The appreciation for words and that deeper level of understanding. But even just the remembrance of happy memories – popping bubbles in the garden. Or the colour of daffodils. And the giddy excitement when knowing crumble is coming after dinner. The appreciation for simple pleasures not only resonates with me, but it made the story feel real. Which, to be fair, I wish it wasn’t real for anyone.

And while I sped through this, needing to know the outcome, the ending really threw me off. I don't know whether it was done on purpose or if I just missed a major detail somewhere along the lines, but it did jar the story for me. Instead of it acting as a plot twist kind of deal, it just left me thinking "wait, what?" Instead of me appreciating a clever ruse, I actually felt cheated out of the ending I thought it was going to have all along. Which might sound petty and childish, complaining because it didn't end as I thought, but with a story this sad, I'd have been glad for the ending I was hoping for. Unfortunately, that can't always happen - both in real life and fiction.

And so I was left, confused by the ending, reeling after having read this horrific book.

I can’t say I enjoyed it. No one could enjoy a story like this. But somehow…I did? I don’t know what the word for it is. The closest phrases I can get are “morbid interest” and “wishful thinking”. Because while I couldn’t enjoy it, so to speak, something kept me reading. Be it the level of detail and genuine information used. Be it the horrible circumstances leading me to need an outcome. I don’t know. But this was a really weird sort of book for me – definitely not like any I’ve read before.

Note: Trigger Warnings for Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Child Abuse

[Caz C Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

When innocent beauty catches the eye of the darkest evil there is no escaping the horror of what will follow. Gracie is desperate to find solace in poetry, her escape, her Secret Key

| Introduction |

Gracie lives alone with her mother and judging by the photos, at one point she must have been happy: a beautiful little girl with her golden locks framing an angelic face and, most of all, stunning green eyes, like her mother, filled with laughter. The neighbouring boy Billy, a few years older than Gracie, is her best friend. Ever. He is the dragon turning into a friendly Prince, she is his Princess. Or are all nice people dragons at heart and all dragons in want for love? Gracie ponders about the meaning of poems and whether they can touch your heart and lift you up, be a comfort in times of need. She is desperate for a way to escape her reality.

| Storyline |

With a heavy heart, I opened Seas of Snow and started unfolding the pages, anxiously awaiting the horrors before me. I knew this would not be an easy read as the book’s info tells us about the “sinister pattern of behaviour” of uncle Joe, the brother of Gracie’s mother. Until she is five years old, little Gracie is blissfully ignorant of his existence and is a perfectly happy little girl with her mother, her “overall best friend” who wants to love her and be loved. Their house feels like a home and Gracie loves it when her mother lights up their home with her laughter. But when Joe (“calling him uncle would be a lie“) comes into their lives, everything changes. A dark presence enters the house that used to be a home, now only a place to live in fear, the menacing evil never far away. Although she has no idea of the horrors lying before her, Gracie is delicate and perceptive to the atmosphere around her – even if she does not understand its fullest extent.

Somehow, this helps her cope with the bullying, a fact she dares not tell her mother for fear she will not understand. Is it not tragic that Gracie’s mother rather assumes Gracie has done “a bad thing” than offer solace? When the arms that hold you are unable to provide safety, there is nowhere to turn. Except for Billy, Gracie’s boy next door and very best friend. Billy, like Gracie, loves to live in a world of his own creation with dragons and princesses and uplifting stories. He does not understand where Gracie’s panic and total fear of crows sterns from but, caring as he is, he always endeavours to lift Gracie’s spirits. We perceive the little boy and the grown-up man, Billy, in agony over what he never fully grasped but has seen the consequences of. Billy is totally loyal, even if he struggles with what his conscience tells him to do.

Meanwhile, we also are aware of him, the watcher who must be among the darkest evil of men, who takes pleasure in instilling fear and perfecting the scenarios of his sadistic games, the “big, black shadow hovering over her.. watching.” As much as Joe frightens Gracie, she is such a remarkable little creature that she can find ways of coping with his menacing presence in words, in poetry. Her teacher offers her perhaps the greatest gift by showing how to interpret poetry, how to uncover layer after layer of a poem like the petals of a rose unfolding their true beauty and exotic fragrance. The poems offer a way out for Gracie, who learns how to divulge the true meaning of the words that become her lifeline but will it be enough to shield her from harm? Will life not forget nor fail her?
| My Thoughts |

I am at a loss for words to describe this literary work of fiction that shows us the utter darkness of evil against the pure beauty of innocence. When the person you rely on cannot shield you from the horrors you need to develop survival techniques and for Gracie, her escape from the harsh reality lies in words, in poetry. I loved how she almost tasted every word in her mouth and could not stop thinking about it until she had given it a meaning. So touching to read and I have loved it immensely despite the dark force, always in the background shimmering through. The rose and its symbolic meaning – showing Gracie how a poem is multi-layered and has many meanings .. beautiful. I am in awe for how Kerensa Jennings with masterly style shows us the delightfulness of innocent beauty observed by the darkest evil. I totally loved Billy – he is an endearing and wonderful person – he touched my heart. The way Gracie regards poems as a rose, to be divulged one layer at a time, is tragically reflected in Joe’s fear-installing watching of her for which we have no words.

It is not only the contrast between Gracie and Joe but also between Joe and his sister, Gracie’s mother. They are two sides of the coin, both growing up in the same family. If ever you question the influence and effects of nurture and nature, look at those two and you come to realise that nature is the driving force behind Joe’s actions and in my opinion, that means that nature is how you deal with what nurture brings upon you. Again we find the two sides here; those that bestow violence upon others and those that find an outlet to their inner demons in, for instance, art and poetry. The thoughts just kept hurtling through my mind as I read this engrossing psychological novel, an enigma in itself with its exquisitely beautiful descriptions of delicate creatures, crushed as a result of the devastating consequences of evil but also with harrowing insights into the darkness of man’s mind. The narration intersperses these distressing insights with a perception of the world through the eyes of the innocent, showing us that what we see is only one layer, one petal of the rose. Who are we to judge when we cannot comprehend someone else’s horror and their struggle with the demons in their life?

Read the full review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/seas-s...

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seas of Snow is exceptional.

Lyrical. Haunting. Emotive. Devastatingly beautiful.

“She couldn’t bring herself to call him uncle – that would have been as much a lie as calling this house a home.”

Forgive me, I’m about to get all caught up in my feelings. I don’t want to elaborate too much on the book description above as I think it says all you need to know before reading this one. I will briefly say, there are many strands to this story: the friendship of Gracie and Billy, uncle Joe’s reign of terror upon everyone he meets, Gracie’s hope that one day this terror will end, her seeking comfort in poetry and at a young age trying to make sense of evil. Importantly, we also see [an older] Billy attempt to make sense of the unspeakable horrors his best friend endured. Seas of Snow is emotionally intense and will take you through a range of emotions; anger, hatred, sadness, pity, sorrow, happiness, and most strongly – the longing to save a child. And that child is Gracie, an innocence so mercilessly destroyed, you heart aches. Even the title of this book is emotionally charged – ‘seas of snow’ is a haunting metaphor and you need to read this book to find out why.

With descriptive writing of physical and sexual abuse, this brutally honest book lays bare to us the violent acts of one man with evil at his core. There’s also so much unsaid in these encounters and this makes this book even more emotionally charged, almost like it’s too painful to say it. At times, this book was so emotionally charged, I had to pause reading to put the pieces of my heart back together, that’s how powerful Jennings writing is. And the plot twists were shocking and heart-stopping! So cleverly written, so realistic, if it weren’t for Gracie’s happy moments with her mum and Billy, I may just have been a quivering wreck. Seas of Snow grabs not only your full, undivided attention but your heart too, and it never loosens it’s grip.

The contrast of how happy Gracie is when she is with Billy compared to the viciousness of Joe – prose-wise this book reads with the beauty of a fairy tale, but the content is much bleaker. Jennings has crafted a dark tale of what happens when evil is a part of your family, in the 1950’s, families did not speak out and seek help, Seas of Snow is the consequences.

This is a book that when you read the last pages, it’s not the end, you stay thinking about this one – a very special book that I highly recommend everyone reads regardless of your genre preferences. This book crosses genres; it is a literary work of art. I give Seas of Snow the highest praise, the thought-provoking nature, the look at the darker side of humanity, the honesty in the narration, the depth of the plot, the emotional connection to the extremely well-developed characters, the intelligent plot twist, the poetry, the rare beauty in so much sadness.

A book I will forever treasure.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must confess that when I started reading Seas of Snow, I was entirely unsure of what to expect, hoping that this would go far beyond a simple, linear tale of family misery. My fears were very quickly dispelled, and to be honest, this was one of the most emotive, thought-provoking, and beautifully characterised novels I have read for some time…

For the purposes of this review I will studiously avoid the words crime novel, as to my mind what Kerensa Jennings has produced with aplomb is much more akin to literary fiction, in terms of emotional depth and narrative tone. With the use of the dual narrative structure, where the past is seamlessly intertwined with the contemporary timeline, the reader finds themselves gently pivoted back and forth. To avoid any unwitting spoilers, the contemporary aspect of the book involves two characters looking back on childhood events with their knowing adult perspective, but so as not to reveal a hugely surprising twist in the tale I can say no more. Suffice to say this part of this story was incredibly moving, and sees these characters wrestling with the emotional consequences of the events so many years previously. It is emotionally uplifting yet perturbing in equal measure, as Jennings’ explores the themes of redemption and blame in relation to their actions, leading to some exceptionally moving revelations.

Instead, what I will focus on is Jennings’ absolute mastery of the language and thought of both Grace and Billy as children. I do tend to avoid reading books with a child’s narrative, as I am so often disappointed by the lack of realism, and how many authors slip into the attribution of adult reasoning that then undermines the credibility of the young narrator. Jennings’ portrayal of her child protagonists is never less than perfectly realised. Gracie’s dialogue, thoughts and child’s reasoning is absolutely authentic throughout, and as a reader, when the dark events unfold, you are genuinely terrified for her. Jennings’ depiction of the abuse that Gracie suffers is totally unflinching, so much so that at times I had to physically take a breath when reading these scenes. I admired the bravery and realism with which Jennings’ approaches this hugely emotive subject matter, be it the sheer physical fear that Gracie experiences, or in the uncompromising and brutally graphic depiction of the psyche of her abuser. Jennings’ neatly circumvents the clichéd bogeyman images of paedophilia, but instead, presents a much more frightening depiction by the way she explores so fearlessly and thoroughly the mind-set of this deeply disturbed individual who brings fear and havoc to Gracie’s childhood. It takes the reader into the darkest recesses of psychopathy, and Jennings’ intuitive exploration of the conundrum of nature vs nurture is both deeply chilling, and strangely fascinating. The writing is emotionally intense, graphic and unceasingly honest.

As much as the novel focuses on the violence of Gracie’s childhood, Jennings’ harmonises this throughout with the simple pleasures of childhood friendships, and increasing perception that both Gracie and Billy begin to experience of the world around them. There are childhood stories of make-believe, adventure, and Gracie’s flourishing interest in the world of books and poetry, that in tandem with her friendship with Billy, sustains her mental equilibrium, as the dark events of her household play out. It brings a beautifully weighted lightness, and emotional relief to the novel, that keeps the reader balanced and engaged, before the next plunge into the darker aspects of the book, and Jennings’ cleverly uses this part of Gracie’s development to change the nature of her narrative voice, and the images she ascribes to her tormentor’s presence. This is the only point where you can quite clearly hear a resonance of Jennings’ own authorial voice, as Gracie’s increasing appreciation of books and poetry, reflect what I believe is the author’s own joy and emotional succour afforded to us all by literature and verse. I found the scenes reflecting Gracie’s growing appreciation of this world of words and images strangely reminiscent of my own, and I’m sure many other readers too, and it was a delight.

This was without doubt an emotionally intense, but extremely rewarding reading experience, despite the harsh and quite often unpalatable depiction of a childhood destroyed. The language, imagery and controlled nature of Jennings’ writing was at times deeply unsettling in the portrayal of the darkness of Gracie’s experiences, and the psyche of her abuser, but then uplifting in the purity and simplicity she attributes to Gracie’s discovery of the pleasures of storytelling and poetry that becomes her coping strategy. At times, an incredibly discomforting read, with a shockingly powerful denouement, but equally a brave, truthful, and thought-provoking novel. Highly recommended.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Was evil born or made? Was innocence something we all hold in our souls, only to be blackened and turned rotten by experience?’

Seas Of Snow is the debut novel by Kerensa Jennings. After hearing so much about it from a lot of the book bloggers I hold in high esteem and featuring a great guest post on the blog by Jennings, I just had to read it for myself.

Set during the 1950s in North Shields, Seas Of Snow follows five-year-old Gracie as she progresses through her life as the only child of a single mother. As her home changes from a safe haven to place of fear and trepidation when her Uncle Joe moves in, Gracie’s escape comes from books and the games she plays with her best friend, Billy.

Seas Of snow explores the dichotomy between good and evil and, as Gracie explores this and tries to make sense of it, Jennings raises age-old questions that we continue to try and answer. Gracie and Joe each signify what the other isn’t, with Gracie’s absolute innocence being in direct contrast to the wickedness that resides within Joe. In order to explore this, Jennings has chosen the most horrific example of ‘evil’ that is out there. A huge taboo within society and the one act guaranteed to horrify all, to explore good versus evil through paedophilia is a brave choice as it makes Seas Of Snow a difficult and, at times, distressing read.

Largely told via the point of view of Gracie, I adored her and I wanted to whisk her away from her life and make her safe. My heart broke for her every time I picked up Seas Of Snow. I loved the way she tried to make sense of her life and what was happening to her through literature. As her world becomes unsafe and the amount of safe places reduce, she firstly uses games with Billy and then literature and poetry as a means of escape. It is clear that Jennings has a great love for the written word and she manages to make beauty shine through the darkness. Literature had a huge influence on me as a teenager in making sense of the world and human nature and I wonder if this is still the case for teenagers in the 21st century? This aspect of Seas Of Snow is one of my favourite things about the book.

Sadly, Jennings portrayal of Gracie’s mother is an accurate one in her inability to be able to protect Gracie from harm. Fear and powerlessness can render a person into a frozen state and Jennings captures this. While Gracie, quite rightly, can’t understand why her mother does nothing, I understood her behaviour particularly in the context of an era in which domestic abuse viewed as a private issue and support from agencies was few and far between.

Another perspective we view the story from is that of the antagonist, Joe. Jennings’ depiction of him is chilling, uncomfortable and unnerving as she describes his predatory thought patterns and behaviour. As he uses his good looks to dupe people into trusting him, Jennings explores the fact that we are often pulled towards what we deem as attractive in our mistaken belief that attractiveness denotes goodness. Joe is likely to be the most repugnant character I come across this year as Jennings’ is unflinching in her portrayal of him.

The narrative structure of Seas Of Snow is interesting as it flits between past, present and perspective, often within the same chapter. I have to confess that at times I needed to stop and think about where I was in the book. However, I got used to this and it became less of an issue as I read.

Jennings writing style is fluid and unique in that she is not afraid to use words that are often unseen in modern novels. This gives her a style of her own and it is style that I enjoyed reading. Seas Of Snow has a beauty in the midst of the tragedy that unfolds before the reader that makes this book so compelling and difficult to turn away from. There are scenes that are, rightly so, uncomfortable and at times I felt like an utterly helpless voyeur.

A stark warning that is not the stranger you need to fear, but those you think you know and that the bright and beautiful can have the darkest core, Seas Of Snow is a book that has an intense impact which stays with you long after you have read it. Incredibly dark and yet beautiful, Jennings’ debut novel introduces us to a great new talent and I look forward to reading more from her.

[J.B (Debbie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seas of Snow is one of those books that leaves you emotionally exhausted. Written in a beautifully haunting way we are introduced to young Gracie who leads a fairly quiet and unassuming existence with her mother. Her days are spent in a world of Dragons and princesses as she and her best friend Billy, the boy from next door use their imaginations to play games of fairy stories where good always overcomes evil. They are innocent children with a fierce loyalty to one another. However, Gracie's life soon becomes the stuff of nightmares where it seems even Billy can't save her from her evil Uncle Joe.

Uncle Joe comes into Gracie and her mother's life like dark clouds rolling in prior to a storm. Unbelievably cruel to Gracie's mother and frightening to all who encounter him, Uncle Joe has an unhealthy interest in Gracie, staring at her with those dark raven eyes. Plotting and planning. Lusting.

We are given teasing glimpses into Gracie's childhood through the memories of an old and broken woman who is dying and the visits of Billy her old childhood friend. Billy who has remained loyal to Gracie and is still trying to be that young boy who fought Gracie's dragons for her a long time ago.

This book is at times extremely difficult to read because of the content of the story. Domestic violence and the insight offered into the psyche of a sexual predator are difficult to comprehend. Gracie's vulnerability to Joe and her mother's inability to protect her drag the reader kicking and screaming into a world of horror, fear and torment for poor Gracie. For Gracie's mother, she must remain loyal to Joe. He is family after all. A misplaced loyalty brought about by sheer terror of a man she knows is out of control and dangerous. The only escape Gracie finds is through the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke where she can transport herself to a different time, a different place.

This was a beautifully sad book that speaks of horrors too unimaginable but also of the love of two children and their life long friendship. It's a book about survival no matter how broken you are. I love the fact that literature and poetry provide Gracie with an alternative world in which to survive. For many people this is also their own reality. Written in such a way that the reader lives Gracie's journey with her in a way that we are given snapshots of what happened or what is about to happen in a slow but frighteningly teasing way that fills the reader with dread, apprehension and the story with tension just as poor Gracie must have felt waiting for whatever evil Joe had planned for her. This book will stay with me for a long time. A highly recommended read but be warned, some scenes are fairly disturbing.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful hard back copy of this book from the author. The exquisite cover gives a slight indication of what is inside.

This is a heartbreaking, though provoking story which brings many things into question. Are some people just born evil or do circumstances alter their state of mind. Who would you protect? As a mother my instincts are unquestionably to ward off any nastiness away from my children .. like a lioness, there is no doubt in my mind I would put them ahead of me every time. Yet this book explores the opposite characteristics.

It revolves around Gracie, a quiet little girl, who loves the simple things in life. Set initially around the war, life was tough but she drew pleasure from spending time with her Ma, blowing bubbles, reading, eating jam sandwiches. She had no Da and that did make her question whether she deserved one but she was happy with Ma.

Billy lived next door, he was a couple of years older than Gracie and her soul mate, they had such a precious bond. They played together, reliving fairy tales, exploring the woods, whispering secrets .. a perfect friendship.

All was well until ‘Uncle’ Joe arrived at Gracie’s house, he bought with him a sinister air, bad-tempered, violent, creepy. The more he began to beat his sister (Gracie’s Ma) the further Gracie retreated into her books. She was fascinated with poetry, the authors flair for writing becomes obvious at this point with the amount of poetic input and the descriptions of joining the dots, hearing the sound of the words etc.

As time progresses we discover just how evil Joe can be .. will Ma be able to keep Gracie safe?

The book moves between time periods, when the children were young and then featuring an old lady .. by doing this the mystery unravels along with introducing us to other family members and their particular story lines.

So many things about this book I enjoyed, I also love daffodils and they feature quite a lot. I adored Gracie she is a picture of innocence and Billy was her hero. I wasn’t keen on the ‘bird’ incident or the dismembered animals because I’m a softie but it was all relevant to create the tension.

A fabulous story, hauntingly magical, with an almost hypnotic quality. I didn’t see the end coming and it has left me deeply moved. I look forward to any further books by Kerensa, with her ability at writing there must be more to come, I hope!

[Kassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very tough read for me but I ended up really loving how thrilling and intense it was.

TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR:
abuse
Sexual assault/Rape involving both children and adults
Descriptive scenes of murder

[Petra Be · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text is very repetitive, bits of the story but also certain phrases. I am really tired of "joining the dot" and "every nook and cranny". Also it's very disturbing.
The timeline is all weird. Sometimes you have no idea where in time you are or how much time has passed. After the second attack on Gracie that seemed happening just weeks after the first, when she was about 7, you get to know she's actually 13! And on that day there was a playdate organised for her and a 15-year-old neighbour boy??? Seriously? Who organises playdates for teenagers? And apparently in a couple of years, Gracie is 14. I thought that 13 and 2 is 15, not 14.
The topic is really important to talk about but the graphic scenes could have been less graphic and the tedious descriptions of food preparations and decorations etc. could have been skipped. But I suppose many people like the book the way it is so maybe it's just me.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first literal encounter with this amazing author has certainly been a very entertaining and thrilling occasion.
The book has been divided into a various amount of small chapters and so making this book an interesting quick read, while within some of these chapters there's some beautiful poetry inserted, poetry that will certainly capture your heart.
Storytelling is of an absolute superb quality, because the author has the ability in my opinion to move you with her story in a lot of different ways, for it will take you in a happy and sad way, and also in an exuberant and despairing fashion, because the characters involved in this tale are so wonderfully pictured in their heart-rending actions that will enter their lives, and the decisions that they will have to make in the end.
The story itself is set in 1950s England, and our main character is five-year-old Gracie Scott, who lives with her Mam but has no Da, and next door to her best friend Billy Harper.
Only when Uncle Joe moves in things start to deteriorate, meaning his physical abuse of Gracie's mother and soon enough his attentions and behaviour will turn towards Gracie herself.
Can she escape the psychopathic behaviour from Uncle Joe, and so trying to remain sane, or will she be the next victim in his world of pressure, evil mind games and abuse.
When Gracie grows older she tries to find solace and liberation in books, poetry and her friendship with Billy, and so together they try to escape into fairy-tale worlds of their own imagination, and at the same time she's trying to escape these horrible hardships and dreadful depravations by this same Uncle Joe.
As an aside I would like to mention that these same symptoms and behaviour of Uncle Joe as a child by torturing and killing little animals, and as an adult by torturing and finally killing human beings, have a lot in common with a certain Roman Emperor Caligula.
This story tells us in a most incredible compelling and chilling fashion what mental and physical abuse can do to a young child, now in this tale Gracie, and what can finally happen to sweet and kind human beings if we turn a blind eye or ignore the threats from a sick and insane person as this Uncle Joe.
Highly recommended, for this debut novel is really worthy to be told, that's why I like to call this book "An Amazing Heart-Rending Debut Novel"!

[readingismetime · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking, disturbing, beautifully written book. The author has a real talent for descriptions and tugging at the emotions. Joe is quite possibly the most disgusting, evil person I have ever read about. I got the chills every single time reading from his point of view, he was so twisted. My heart broke for Gracie. The whole book had this sense of darkness and I found myself several times with tears running down my face for this little girl. I was angry that all the adults were not doing more. How could they just ignore what was going on? I basically had all the feels while reading this. Yes it is a very hard book to read and touch’s on some really sick and disturbing topics (definitely not for the faint of heart) but the author did an amazing job of telling this story.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleverly written book, and a different style to my previously read books. I did find it slow and a bit boring in the middle with some repetitiveness. However the ending was a surprise, which made me rethink what I had previously read.

A disturbing tale of mother and daughter enduring abuse.

Just wasn’t a page turner and suspenseful enough for me to rate it higher.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was obvious from the blurb that this was going to be a book which tackles some dark subjects and I have to admit to opening the pages with some trepidation. I was hooked within the first few paragraphs however and knew immediately that I wasn't going to be able to put Seas of Snow until I discovered the truth, no matter how awful it might be. Told through a dual narrative, the contemporary story features the fragmented memories of a frail older woman and the often tortured thoughts of the man who knew her back then and visits her as she slowly fades away. The storyline flips back and forth; as they remember events, they - and the reader - are cast back to the post war years when Gracie was a child.
Gracie's early childhood is filled with innocent pleasures, sitting out in the sun and blowing bubbles with her Mam, or playing make believe games with her next door neighbour and best friend, Billy. Uncle Joe's arrival casts a long shadow over house, even at a young age Gracie notices the change in her mother when he is around and she sees the bruises despite her Mam's attempts to cover them with cardigans and high-necked dresses. Her friendship with Billy provides the succour she so desperately needs. Even from a very young age he is protective towards the little girl, their early play times are warm and touching and when Joe's brutality invades their innocence he is steadfast in his support of her. As the year pass and she confides in him, his determination to care for her juxtaposes poignantly with the neglect she suffers at the hands of the adults in her life.
Many will blame her Mam for failing to protect Gracie but as book progresses it becomes clear she too is a victim. Beaten and broken she has become so damaged by her brother that she is little more than a shell. Readers will make their own minds up about how far she is culpable for her daughter's suffering but I was left feeling she should be pitied as another victim of a psychopath rather than vilified. Her brother, Joe is a truly evil character, the chapters that follow him and detail his crimes show him to be wholly bad. Kerensa Jennings examines whether wickedness is innate in some people as we follow Joe's progression from ripping wings off flies, through to mutilating animals and eventually almost unspeakably depraved acts culminating in his perverted obsession with his sister's young daughter.
Though the subject matter may be difficult to read about, Kerensa Jennings writes with a lyrical beauty. There is almost fairy tale like feeling to the story as the terrifying raven of young Gracie's imagination becomes inextricably linked with the darkness she sees in her uncle. Fairy tales of course, were traditionally often dark and violent stories providing readers with the metaphors to cope with the injustices in their own lives, and so the dragons and princesses of her games with Billy reflect her tortured thoughts as she questions whether she has done something to deserve such cruelty. Poetry is woven evocatively throughout the book as the words of Wordsworth and Rainer Maria Rilke allow Gracie some temporary respite and peace from the horrors inflicted on her. I was moved to tears by Rilke's poetry and these scenes will undoubtedly resonate with anybody who has sought solace in literature at difficult times, reminding us of the power of the written word as the balm that allows us to escape reality for a while.
Seas of Snow is necessarily unflinching in its depictions of abuse and graphic violence and there were scenes I almost had to read with my hands covering my eyes, unable to draw breath. I have to admire Kerensa Jenning's bravery in writing such difficult scenes, it is so important not to whitewash these evil acts. Abuse shouldn't be kept a secret, degeneracy should be exposed for the sake of the victims like Gracie whose voices becomes silenced when people don't speak out even when they know something is terribly wrong.
Seas of Snow is achingly sad, there can be no escaping that. What happens is absolutely horrific but it's so staggeringly beautiful that I couldn't tear my eyes from the page. This is a book of light and shade; the little moments of peace and hope that Gracie finds in poetry, the tender friendship she shares with Billy, her appreciation for the simple joy of a daffodil means that what I will most remember about this book won't the darkness of Joe, it will be the courage and fortitude of a brave young girl. To say I loved Seas of Snow seems wrong given the emotive themes that are explored with such uncompromising honesty but it moved me in a way that only the most special books can, and I cannot recommend this exquisite novel highly enough.

[The thriller girls book club LUCIE POOLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seas of Snow is a tragic, compelling and at times utterly heartbreaking read. Written with such intelligent and well observed emotion the descriptive prose was so exquisite it blew my mind. I had to read slowly and keen stopping to let the full beauty of the words wash over me.
Be warned this is a highly emotive and devastating story and one that will stay with you forever. I know I will treasure the gorgeous hardback cover and it's one of those incredible books that everyone should read.
I loved the way that the timeline switched between two periods... We watch Gracie and Billy grow up the omnipresent threat from her violent and dangerous uncle ever present and then we see Gracie and Billy as elderly people. You will not want to stop reading until you have finished and the reveal that Kerensa saves until the last minute is nothing short of jaw dropping. Sea of snow is a measly £1.99 on Amazon Kindle right now and I urge you to forego your Starbucks latte and download this book right now. For less than a couple of pounds this life altering read will be yours to enjoy.
Although the subject matter is harrowing the fact it is so heartbreakingly well written means it is incredibly enjoyable. I really enjoyed the poems that Gracie loves and their inclusion enhanced the book perfectly. The story is packed full of innocence and darkness. Joe, the uncle is genuinely one of the most vile, sick  characters I've ever seen depicted and yet in contrast Kerensa paints the childhood innocence of Gracie and Billy superbly. It poses so many thought provoking questions about the nature of evil, nature versus nurture, born or made. Utterly unique and entirely original this is a very special book that any book lover needs to read.

[Katherine Sunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenning's novel is something rather unique. It is a story of 5 year old Gracie who lives with her mum but then Uncle Joe comes to live with them. Uncle Joe is a sinister and disturbing character and it isn't long before he is abusing both the women. The only thing that saves Gracie from despair is her discovery of poetry.

What makes this book so interesting is that the author combines a storyline dealing with harrowing, emotional and difficult subject matter with that of poetry. Jennings' own writing is very lyrical and poetic and the influence of the poets she quotes in the story on her own work is clear. For Gracie poetry becomes a key - a secret key, that enables her to escape her terrible life and attempt to process what is happening to her. For the readers the inclusion of poetry also prevents the book becoming too oppressive and just as poetry allows Gracie to find ways to cope with her life, it also gives the reader a way of being able to cope with the themes explored. It's an interesting contrast and an interesting way of combining domestic noir and literary fiction.

Jennings shows herself to be an intelligent, thoughtful, clever and exceptionally talented writer through this novel and her use of language. It is very hard to categorise the genre of this novel or to prepare readers expectations but it is a story that is worth reading. It is haunting, poetic, psychologically intriguing and also full of domestic drama and complicated characters.

[Patty Killion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't put into words how my heart hurt while reading "Seas of Snow".

I've been thinking about how I felt while reading and after reading this book.

It was such a deep disturbing dark read written with beautiful prose and poems. My heart hurt so much while reading. The story is based on "secrets" that are kept by adults thus children thinking they must keep the "secrets". We all want to be normal on the ouside...onto the shoulders of innocent children!

I grew up in a family of domestic abuse and an alcoholic father with a mother who loved to drink. Things I saw and heard inside our house should never happen to any child. Because of the sins of our parents and perhaps what they went through as children continued on to myself. I asked every day what did I do that was so bad to be punished this way. I even thought I was their problem and if I went away so would their problems and the fighting would stop. I did run away at 17...I did not want to but I felt I had to. Their problems did not stop!

My life has not been without problems but I strive every day to remember what I do and don't do affect my children. Perhaps if we all faced the fears and stood up for ourselves our children would be able to be children and not ask what have I done so bad to deserve this?

I will say this is a book you will read and always remember the story. I will never be able to look at a yellow daffodil without thinking of little Gracie.

[Louise Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe Kerensa Jennings is a debut author as she has perfected her craft to the highest level. It will be a difficult quest for anyone to beat this title's mark as my top read of 2017 by far.

The cover is gorgeous and makes perfect sense as you read this darkly disturbing portrayal of abuse and the psychological affects it has on Gracie, Billy and her Ma. This title is evocative, absorbing, rich in detail, and has literary merit. The writing is deep and stunningly beautiful. The words Jennings uses are sharp, the dialogue emotive, and the description is literaryesque. The sentences draw you in and captivate you so that you find yourself clinging onto each paragraph wanting to read more. I stayed up late into the night, a feat I've never experienced with a slow-burning chiller before, and especially set in third person narrative. This title has all the very best markings of a psychological thriller with none of the fluff, but covering the unsettling subject of child sexual abuse and domestic violence. I was not expecting any twists, but Seas of Snow was layered with them. This is a poignant, pacy title blotted with psychological revelations, the final being totally unexpected and offered a perfect conclusion.

If you enjoy reading about the psychological after-effects of a crime on an individual you will love this immersive, poetic, and oftentimes lyrical novel.

[Thomas Hetherington · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Seas of Snow' is compelling, heartbreaking and beautiful book that takes an unflinching look at the harsh contrast of evil and good. The juxtaposition of the young protagonist Gracie's innocence and vulnerability with the horrors that surround her are perfectly encapsulated in the writing. Jennings juggles multiple writing styles as the book switches focus between different characters and it works to great effect, making the book upsetting, beautiful and poetically dark at any given time. The characters are crafted with care and placed in environments that feel tangible and alive, recognisable when they can be yet still evoking empathy when they are not. 'Seas of Snows' shows the reader the mind of a killer without ever asking the them to sympathise with him. Undoubtedly the book's biggest sell though is Jenning's prose, which borders on the poetical at times (something more than appropriate given the novel's preoccupation with this form). The writing slips itself under your skin when it needs to but also wraps you in its arms; this is a brilliantly written book. 'Seas Of Snow' makes for a tough read at times, but just as it doesn't shy away from horror it allows love and beauty to shine through, showing the beauty in sadness and light in darkness.

[Kerensa Cracknell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an impulse buy - on sale for £1 in Waterstones and I picked it up because the author has the same first name as me (not many people do!) Anyway, after buying it I read the author’s bio and was encouraged by the fact that she loves the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke - as do I. Another good sign, I thought.

How wrong could I be. On reflection, the fact that it was only £1 should have told me something. This is a really awful book - I managed the first few chapters but after the scene where the psychopath uncle first abuses the little girl in the bath, I had to stop. I found it deeply disturbing that the author felt the need to describe so graphically how the uncle viewed the child.

I honestly can’t think of any redeeming features of this book, other than that it features the poetry of Rilke and Wordsworth, and would give it zero stars if I could. It wasn’t even well-written, and the jumping around between different times was beyond confusing. But the graphic descriptions of scenes of child abuse finished me off. It’s going in the bin - I can’t even bring myself to give it to a charity shop and inflict it on someone else.

[Rachel Bustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not quite sure where to start with this one. It’s a book that is still with me, hard to get out of my head. For a debut novel it really is a head turner. Domestic violence is rife in this book so I’m sorry but it’s not for the faint hearted. I think since a became a mum, books like this make difficult reading for me now.

The way Jennings uses poetry in the book gives it that lightness against the dark evil. The subject of abuse is hard to read about, but Jenning’s writes so well. The chilling and disturbing scenes do make you wonder how can someone be born that evil.

The novel flips back and forth between characters and also back and forth between time. Gracie and Billy are wonderful characters which only adds to the cleverly written storyline. It doesn’t end the way I thought it would, but then this book is highly unusual!

It’s a book that you shouldn’t enjoy reading, but I can’t help to say how good it actually is.

Note: Warnings for Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse and Child Abuse


I have given Seas of Snow by Kerensa Jennings 5 out of 5 stars.

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. The content is hard hitting and left me at times heartbroken for Gracie the young girl who had her innocence taken away so cruelty. As a mother and grandmother I found the subject area difficult reading at times definitely not for the faint hearted ,but the authors writing is excellent so much so that I was compelled to finish this haunting book.

The contrast between good and evil is so well portrayed by Jennings and the exploration of nature vs nurture is chillingly thought provoking.The fact that events in the past can leave emotional consequences for many years is very insightful.

The violence in the novel is contrasted by childhood friendships, make believe and Gracie's escapism through her love of books and poetry. The story was told from the viewpoint of each of the characters which made me wonder at the mindset of a sociopath.

Seas of snow is written with such insight expertly crafted into each page, a novel which I will always remember.

Life has not forgotten you ....it will not let you fall ....

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

My goodness...this book! *I was kindly sent a copy of the book by the author for the purpose of a review*

I have rated this 3 star but it is definitely pushing towards more of a 4 star and perhaps I'll change it once I've properly processed my thoughts and emotions about a book which is so, so dark and yet so beautifully written at the same time.

I had heard this described as a 'psychological-drama' and so those were my expectations going in. We follow the story of Gracie, who lives in the North East of England with her Mam, and whose life is thrown upside down with the arrival of her Uncle Joe, her mam's brother. Joe is a psychopath and begins a torment of both Gracie and her mother which lasts for many years. Gracie finds solace in her friendship with her neighbour Billy and through the discovery of reading and writing poetry.

I hadn't quite expected the violence to be quite so in-depth and graphic and I would certainly say there are trigger warnings for domestic abuse, sexual abuse and child abuse. So there was definitely a dark side to this story yet at the same time the writing was so lyrical and so uplifting (in places) and the friendship between Gracie and her best friend Billy was so charming that it went some ways to combating the darker side of the abuse which takes place prolifically throughout the story.

Pacing was a bit of an issue, you flick between the present day and various points in the past and several times I was left scratching my head because I couldn't place an event in the timeline of the story. I think this is, in part, because you also get a couple of perspectives and you could jump to two or three moments in the past in just one chapter. Or maybe it's just me...

We read mainly from the POV of Gracie, Billy and Joe. It feels wrong to say I appreciated the perspective of Joe, although it certainly created a more rounded story and honestly gave me chills right down my spine whenever it was his POV.

I have to admit I was also not a massive fan of the ending. I felt that it jarred with the rest of the story and was very abrupt with little explanation. Although it seemed like an inevitable ending, I think the author could have spun the story out a little further rather than just throwing the ending down at our feet and ending the book.

That said, there was something about this book which just kept me reading. It was an awful, brutal and horrific story and yet there was a real pull towards Gracie which kept me returning to the book again and again.

[Evab Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

… distorted itself into a comma of coal… wow. So few words but so conjuring up such a powerful image. This is a mere taste of such wonderful lyrical prose, sparse, terse yet engaging like the whole book. As someone who writes about coercive control and emotional abuse, I was looking forward to this book and wasn’t disappointed. At times I had to pause to take breath as the story of abuse unfolded. Anything involving children being hurt, hurts me deeply, having been abused in my own childhood. I won’t elaborate on the plot as many have already done so but if you want to understand how psychopathic behaviour manifests itself in real life, this is a must read.

[Janet Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book. Beautifully written and hard to put down. I loved the characters of Gracie and Billy and the friendship that they formed. I also loved the author's use of poetry throughout the book. It brought serenity and calm to an otherwise graphically haunting tale. It is hard to be believe that this is a first book for Kerensa Jennings and I can't wait to see what she writes next!

[R.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off very poetic and got creepy fast. I didn't like any of the characters. Even the victim had no backbone at all. The bad guy was completely disgusting in every sense of the word. That no one said a word for five years was beyond comprehension. I think this was a vehicle for the author to display the ability to jump around in character's heads and show off an unreliable narrator. Read the entire thing. Didn't like it.