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The Turning
Does he belong to the land or to the sea?
Readers who loved Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Pam Muñoz Ryan's Echo will be transported to the place where the water and land meet in this exquisitely crafted coming-of-age tale about a selkie boy.
Aran has never truly fit in with his selkie clan. He was born in his human form, without a pelt to transform him into a sleek, strong seal. Each day he waits, left behind while his selkie family explores the deep ocean. What if his pelt never comes? Does the Moon even see him? Is he putting his clan at risk?
When his mother undertakes a journey to the far north to seek help, Aran is left in the care of a reclusive human woman on remote Spindle Island. Life on land is full of more wonders—and more dangers—than Aran could have ever imagined. Soon Aran will be forced to decide: will he fight for his place on land, or return to his home in the sea?
Readers who loved Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Pam Muñoz Ryan's Echo will be transported to the place where the water and land meet in this exquisitely crafted coming-of-age tale about a selkie boy.
Aran has never truly fit in with his selkie clan. He was born in his human form, without a pelt to transform him into a sleek, strong seal. Each day he waits, left behind while his selkie family explores the deep ocean. What if his pelt never comes? Does the Moon even see him? Is he putting his clan at risk?
When his mother undertakes a journey to the far north to seek help, Aran is left in the care of a reclusive human woman on remote Spindle Island. Life on land is full of more wonders—and more dangers—than Aran could have ever imagined. Soon Aran will be forced to decide: will he fight for his place on land, or return to his home in the sea?
ebook
First published July 24, 2018
11 people are currently reading
1702 people want to read
About the author
Emily Whitman
6 books121 followersIn Emily Whitman’s novels for kids and teens, myth and magic are part of everyday life. The Turning, based on Celtic folklore, is a Junior Library Guild selection. Radiant Darkness was number one on the IndieBound Kid’s Next List. Wildwing won the Oregon Book Award and was a Bankstreet College Best Children’s Book. Emily grew up in Colorado and studied history at Harvard and UC Berkeley. She's worked in bookstores and behind library reference desks. Emily loves researching her books, whether by mining library treasures or learning to fly falcons. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon. Come visit her at emilywhitman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 20, 2018
I was delighted by this coming of age tale about a half-human/half-selkie boy. The descriptions of life at sea and on land are rich and the selkie mythology is fun to learn about.
It's one of those fantasy books that's really about family, friendship, and loving yourself.
(I was provided an ARC. This is my honest review)
It's one of those fantasy books that's really about family, friendship, and loving yourself.
(I was provided an ARC. This is my honest review)
August 8, 2018
I've read this book more than once. I read it on its release date and then again last night after seeing Bo Burnham's film "Eighth Grade" with my teen daughter, because both address the discomfort, that squash and stretch betweeen being and becoming- that crucial time where we go from others defining us to deciding how we define ourselves.
Emily Whitman has conjured a magical boy, Aran, who is yearning to not only fit into his own skin, but to actually find it. He's part-human, part-selkie, and 100% in the stage between childhood and youth.
For those of us who have attended middle school, we know on a visceral level just how uncomfortable this growth phase can be. It's at once magical, frustrating, terrifying, alienating. Aran's journey to find his own skin and determine where he belongs touches me to the core. His quest and discoveries along the way, are palpable and the truth in Whitman's story makes my palms sweat.
Aran's journey
Emily Whitman has conjured a magical boy, Aran, who is yearning to not only fit into his own skin, but to actually find it. He's part-human, part-selkie, and 100% in the stage between childhood and youth.
For those of us who have attended middle school, we know on a visceral level just how uncomfortable this growth phase can be. It's at once magical, frustrating, terrifying, alienating. Aran's journey to find his own skin and determine where he belongs touches me to the core. His quest and discoveries along the way, are palpable and the truth in Whitman's story makes my palms sweat.
Aran's journey
September 22, 2018
Emily Whitman is a beautiful writer and this book is wonderful. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to Aran. Would he stay a boy or would he figure out how to get his pelt and become the seal he dreamed of becoming? You'll have to read to find out!
January 30, 2018
A beautifully, written middle reader fantasy that utilizes the selkie myth but with a male protagonist. Half human/half selkie Aran is the outsider of his clan. Born without a seal pelt, his mother and clean venture deep into the sea to find him one, leaving him among humans. As Aran adjusts to life on land, he quickly learns what it means to be an ordinary person.
Sweet and touching, this has similar qualities to The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Echo. Aran is the perfect hero. Naive, compassionate and kind, The Turning is the perfect blend of adventure and wonderment.
Sweet and touching, this has similar qualities to The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Echo. Aran is the perfect hero. Naive, compassionate and kind, The Turning is the perfect blend of adventure and wonderment.
October 10, 2020
Gahhhh! Cramp it! Cramp it!
Oh, I am sorry. Your probably confused as to why I am wailing like a freak. I am sorry, but in a tangle of messy incoherent thoughts, all I can say to you, is that the reason why I am wailing is because of this book.
Stories were places where the two worlds met, swirling around each other like ribbons of foam.
The Turning follows our main protagonist, Aran. He’s a half human, half selkie. Meanwhile, he’s struggling to find his pelt so he can turn into a seal. But his hopes are dashed when he goes to the Moon Ceremony and the magic doesn’t turn him.
His mom decides to set out to find it, so he stays on Spindle Island where he can live with a woman his mother found while she goes out on the search to the Wise Ones, where they will give her Aran’s pelt so he can turn.
And the characters each had their own depth and personality. The clan and Aran’s mom were all supportive. Maggie, the woman tasked with looking after Aran was so gentle and understanding. She also has a tragic past and her husband isn’t so kind. Nellie, lives with her Grandpa and is the best friend Aran always wanted.
And Nellie. Nellie with her clear, gray eyes. Nellie who knew me better then anyone in the world. Who’d always had faith in me, and stood by me, and never cared if I was human or selkie.
The best parts of the book to me though were the beautiful lush descriptions of sea life. We get countless moments where we get to spend the time with Aran in his own little world. The waves and the foam. The beautiful moon.
I liked the moment where Aran stands at the rocks and thinks to himself about where he belongs. It was written with fierce honesty and wit. I found myself tearing up at times and even almost crying.
Half human. Half selkie. Not a whole anything. Where did I belong?
And I felt Aran’s pain and denial. He wished to find his own place to belong. He wanted to be like his clan. He wondered if being human meant being angry all the time. He was scared of that part to him. And yet his character growth is amazing and written with lyrical grace and strength.
Not all selkie were the same, any more then all people. And the rage I’d felt on Spindle Island wasn’t a human rage. It was blind fury, pure and simple. Anyone could feel it, selkie or human. I’d have to make the same choices about who I wanted to be, what feelings I’d let rule me, whatever form I was in.
It was the question I’d spent my whole life asking. A lifetime of being different, of feeling I wasn’t enough. But now I knew. In my deep heart, in my bones, I knew the answer.
What a nice and beautiful book. Ahh....
Oh, I am sorry. Your probably confused as to why I am wailing like a freak. I am sorry, but in a tangle of messy incoherent thoughts, all I can say to you, is that the reason why I am wailing is because of this book.
Stories were places where the two worlds met, swirling around each other like ribbons of foam.
The Turning follows our main protagonist, Aran. He’s a half human, half selkie. Meanwhile, he’s struggling to find his pelt so he can turn into a seal. But his hopes are dashed when he goes to the Moon Ceremony and the magic doesn’t turn him.
His mom decides to set out to find it, so he stays on Spindle Island where he can live with a woman his mother found while she goes out on the search to the Wise Ones, where they will give her Aran’s pelt so he can turn.
And the characters each had their own depth and personality. The clan and Aran’s mom were all supportive. Maggie, the woman tasked with looking after Aran was so gentle and understanding. She also has a tragic past and her husband isn’t so kind. Nellie, lives with her Grandpa and is the best friend Aran always wanted.
And Nellie. Nellie with her clear, gray eyes. Nellie who knew me better then anyone in the world. Who’d always had faith in me, and stood by me, and never cared if I was human or selkie.
The best parts of the book to me though were the beautiful lush descriptions of sea life. We get countless moments where we get to spend the time with Aran in his own little world. The waves and the foam. The beautiful moon.
I liked the moment where Aran stands at the rocks and thinks to himself about where he belongs. It was written with fierce honesty and wit. I found myself tearing up at times and even almost crying.
Half human. Half selkie. Not a whole anything. Where did I belong?
And I felt Aran’s pain and denial. He wished to find his own place to belong. He wanted to be like his clan. He wondered if being human meant being angry all the time. He was scared of that part to him. And yet his character growth is amazing and written with lyrical grace and strength.
Not all selkie were the same, any more then all people. And the rage I’d felt on Spindle Island wasn’t a human rage. It was blind fury, pure and simple. Anyone could feel it, selkie or human. I’d have to make the same choices about who I wanted to be, what feelings I’d let rule me, whatever form I was in.
It was the question I’d spent my whole life asking. A lifetime of being different, of feeling I wasn’t enough. But now I knew. In my deep heart, in my bones, I knew the answer.
What a nice and beautiful book. Ahh....
March 19, 2023
I read this because a 10 year old "HIGHLY" recommended it to me and to be honest it was about as good as it could be. For some reason it gave me Island of the Blue Dolphins vibes.
November 24, 2018
A wonderful coming of age story about a young half-human, half-selkie boy. It’s hard to call this a fantasy because every character in it is so believable; Aran and his selkie clan seem as real as the humans he meets on Spindle Island and who help him learn about his human side. This is the kind of children's book I enjoy, one that conveys a valuable life lesson in a way that’s imaginative and direct. Reading The Cafe by the Sea piqued my curiosity about selkies, the mythical sea folk of Scottish lore, and I was lucky enough to come across this title while googling them.
March 15, 2019
This book surprised me. It's not my preferred genre, and I didn't know anything about selkies in mythology prior to reading it, but I sure do now.
The story was interesting and it had lots of adventure, with some good surprises along the way. It's marketed for grades 3 - 7, but I think certainly 8th-graders would like it, and maybe even high school kids. (It's not the genre for everyone though, and I think it's a little mature for 3rd and 4th-graders.
There are coming-of-age elements, struggles with anger, longing, hopelessness, family, friends, loyalty, and tenacity. Even so, it's never heavy-handed, or too much (some authors I swear put it a little of everything trying to write the great American novel). It's just right in so many ways.
The story was interesting and it had lots of adventure, with some good surprises along the way. It's marketed for grades 3 - 7, but I think certainly 8th-graders would like it, and maybe even high school kids. (It's not the genre for everyone though, and I think it's a little mature for 3rd and 4th-graders.
There are coming-of-age elements, struggles with anger, longing, hopelessness, family, friends, loyalty, and tenacity. Even so, it's never heavy-handed, or too much (some authors I swear put it a little of everything trying to write the great American novel). It's just right in so many ways.
Read
February 21, 2021It's rare that I'm able to sit down and read a book in one day, but I couldn't put this one down because it was so good. I seriously loved every second of this.
This book follows our main protagonist Aran, a young Selkie boy, who is an outsider in his clan because he doesn't have his pelt. It comes out that while his mother is a Selkie and raised Aran in their customs and ways, that his father is a human. In a desperate effort to help Aran get his pelt, his mother and their clan go up north to find some elders who might be able to help. Aran gets left behind with a human woman named Maggie, who has no idea about Aran's true nature. And what follows is a beautiful journey of self-discovery and belonging.
The writing of this is absolutely beautiful. It's lyrical and poetic and incredibly immersive. The pacing was excellent and while the story is split into three sections, and they have a slightly different feel to them, they all connected well.
The plot was also really interesting. It mostly follows what I mentioned above. Aran's self journey both on land and at sea and ultimately finding a balance was all just excellently written. The plot moved well and kept me wanting to read more and know what was going to happen next. I loved the folklore elements that were woven in as well and it just added an extra layer to the story. Just brilliant.
The setting was also perfect. The atmosphere was perfect, from the portions in the sea, to those on land. I loved seeing the contrast and comparisons and watching Aran figure out where he belonged.
Finally, the characters. While all of the other elements of the story were well-done, this story is truly a character driven story. It's very reflective and introspective, as we spend all of our time with Aran and his feelings and reactions to everything around him and not feeling like he fits in anywhere, constantly caught between two worlds - land and sea. I really enjoyed the dynamic he had with his clan, and I loved the interactions between Aran and Nellie and her grandfather. And Maggie was lovely. Overall the characters were excellently written and I loved all of them.
All in all, an absolutely gorgeous read and one I will definitely reread in the future. And aside of the books I reread this year, this is easily my favorite so far.
TW/CW: grief, animal death, blood, mention of child death, chronic illness, domestic abuse, violence, alcoholism, brief medical content
This book follows our main protagonist Aran, a young Selkie boy, who is an outsider in his clan because he doesn't have his pelt. It comes out that while his mother is a Selkie and raised Aran in their customs and ways, that his father is a human. In a desperate effort to help Aran get his pelt, his mother and their clan go up north to find some elders who might be able to help. Aran gets left behind with a human woman named Maggie, who has no idea about Aran's true nature. And what follows is a beautiful journey of self-discovery and belonging.
The writing of this is absolutely beautiful. It's lyrical and poetic and incredibly immersive. The pacing was excellent and while the story is split into three sections, and they have a slightly different feel to them, they all connected well.
The plot was also really interesting. It mostly follows what I mentioned above. Aran's self journey both on land and at sea and ultimately finding a balance was all just excellently written. The plot moved well and kept me wanting to read more and know what was going to happen next. I loved the folklore elements that were woven in as well and it just added an extra layer to the story. Just brilliant.
The setting was also perfect. The atmosphere was perfect, from the portions in the sea, to those on land. I loved seeing the contrast and comparisons and watching Aran figure out where he belonged.
Finally, the characters. While all of the other elements of the story were well-done, this story is truly a character driven story. It's very reflective and introspective, as we spend all of our time with Aran and his feelings and reactions to everything around him and not feeling like he fits in anywhere, constantly caught between two worlds - land and sea. I really enjoyed the dynamic he had with his clan, and I loved the interactions between Aran and Nellie and her grandfather. And Maggie was lovely. Overall the characters were excellently written and I loved all of them.
All in all, an absolutely gorgeous read and one I will definitely reread in the future. And aside of the books I reread this year, this is easily my favorite so far.
TW/CW: grief, animal death, blood, mention of child death, chronic illness, domestic abuse, violence, alcoholism, brief medical content
March 6, 2021
This is one of favourite junior/middle-grade fantasy books, largely because of the subject: selkies! I haven't seen or read a good selkie story in forever, and the lore that the author weaves into the background of her story makes this more rich and authentic!
I think the author does an excellent job of world-building through her vivid descriptions of life in and out of the water as seals would experience it, and through the seamless inclusion of selkie folklore to further set the scene. One of the book's main strengths is Aran's character, particularly his inner struggle with his identity (no spoilers here :) ), which I think the author portrays very naturally and in a way that will resonate in some way with many readers. The ending is a bit neat (i.e. tidy), but I'm glad for it and I think it perfectly suits the intended audience.
Highly recommend to any readers looking for a cozy yet just-on-the-edge-of-thrilling magical realism/folk-talesy next read!
I think the author does an excellent job of world-building through her vivid descriptions of life in and out of the water as seals would experience it, and through the seamless inclusion of selkie folklore to further set the scene. One of the book's main strengths is Aran's character, particularly his inner struggle with his identity (no spoilers here :) ), which I think the author portrays very naturally and in a way that will resonate in some way with many readers. The ending is a bit neat (i.e. tidy), but I'm glad for it and I think it perfectly suits the intended audience.
Highly recommend to any readers looking for a cozy yet just-on-the-edge-of-thrilling magical realism/folk-talesy next read!
December 6, 2019
3.75/5 stars
This book was an interesting book. It had adventure and action, but also a little bit of fantasy and magic. I loved how the Moon played a role in this book.
The ending was absolutely fantastic. It was heartwarming and I felt so many emotions. It was so cute.
The relationships between the characters were so amazingly developed I could see what each character thought about the other very well.
I also thought that Aran's thoughts were well written. This book was believable because the author put thought into what Aran said. The author made it so Aran didn't know much about the human world.
This book was an interesting book. It had adventure and action, but also a little bit of fantasy and magic. I loved how the Moon played a role in this book.
The ending was absolutely fantastic. It was heartwarming and I felt so many emotions. It was so cute.
The relationships between the characters were so amazingly developed I could see what each character thought about the other very well.
I also thought that Aran's thoughts were well written. This book was believable because the author put thought into what Aran said. The author made it so Aran didn't know much about the human world.
October 22, 2018
Interesting book about a boy and his hope to get his selkie skin. Not knowing much about selkies, I found this story informative, interesting and heart-warming. Now I want to know everything I can about them! And yes, I have since watched The Song of the Sea.
April 30, 2025
AMAZING!!!
August 2, 2018
Emily Whitman weaves a beautiful tale that ebbs and flows like the ocean itself. With the graceful mix of lore and the struggle of maturing from childhood, this book harkens back to the kind books that kids and adults learned remember when they fell in love with reading.
September 30, 2018
The stringing together of these particular words forms one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever read. It is because of this book that I even began to consider a question: what’s your favorite chapter in a book? I love this entire work of art, but “Lost”, chapter 53 on page 319, is one of the loveliest anythings I’ve ever read. Anyone who has struggled and endured can read this chapter as a stand-alone piece and relate to it. Feel it down to the bone.
I am amazed by the books I’ve been reading for tweens for RA. The depth of this book, the unbelievable journey it encompasses, and it’s for tweens. We are so lucky to have these masterpieces for ourselves and for our children. Thank you, Emily. I will never forget to appreciate what you’ve given us, here. “I swear to the Moon.”
I am amazed by the books I’ve been reading for tweens for RA. The depth of this book, the unbelievable journey it encompasses, and it’s for tweens. We are so lucky to have these masterpieces for ourselves and for our children. Thank you, Emily. I will never forget to appreciate what you’ve given us, here. “I swear to the Moon.”
August 2, 2019
This is exactly the type of book I wished I could have read when I was younger
September 11, 2020
This was a really good book! I didn't expect the ending though, but I still like it.
August 7, 2019
I often get asked how I choose books to read. One of the first places I turn is the Maine Student Book Award List for the upcoming school year. The schools I have worked at often do a lot with the lists, and I want to be able to join my students on that journey. THE TURNING is the first book I’ve read from the 2019-2020 list.
THE TURNING by Emily Whitman
Aren is a selkie (a seal in water that can become human on land) who was born in “longlimbs” (human form). It’s been eleven years of waiting and praying to the Moon for his pelt to come. When the Moon Festival approaches, Aren believes this is his chance. He will finally get his pelt!
When disappointment strikes yet again, Aren’s mother comes up with a plan to keep him safe while she goes to the far north to find answers. Aren is left on land-and has to learn to survive here as well.
This perfectly written fantasy story about Aren, part boy, part seal captured my imagination. It had just the right amount of fantasy and realistic features, and you can tell that author Emily Whitman did a lot of research to make it just so.
Themes: belonging, friendship, trust, perseverance and family.
I’ll definitely be adding this one to my classroom library and encourage 4th grade classrooms on up to do so as well. 🌊🌕🐚 #theturning #emilywhitman #msba1920 #mainestudentbookawardlist #whatimreading #childrensfiction #middlegradenovel
THE TURNING by Emily Whitman
Aren is a selkie (a seal in water that can become human on land) who was born in “longlimbs” (human form). It’s been eleven years of waiting and praying to the Moon for his pelt to come. When the Moon Festival approaches, Aren believes this is his chance. He will finally get his pelt!
When disappointment strikes yet again, Aren’s mother comes up with a plan to keep him safe while she goes to the far north to find answers. Aren is left on land-and has to learn to survive here as well.
This perfectly written fantasy story about Aren, part boy, part seal captured my imagination. It had just the right amount of fantasy and realistic features, and you can tell that author Emily Whitman did a lot of research to make it just so.
Themes: belonging, friendship, trust, perseverance and family.
I’ll definitely be adding this one to my classroom library and encourage 4th grade classrooms on up to do so as well. 🌊🌕🐚 #theturning #emilywhitman #msba1920 #mainestudentbookawardlist #whatimreading #childrensfiction #middlegradenovel
April 9, 2022
I can’t believe I’d never heard of this book before! I’m in high school so I’m just *a little* outside the target audience, but I still throughly enjoyed it. I really couldn’t put this down and I finished it in less than two days!
This book had really strong imagery and I loved the fantasy elements. It was really fun and magical to be immersed in the book, and I lost track of time reading. The lore was very unique too and fit together quite well. There aren’t a whole lot of fantasy books about selkies so this definitely stood out.
I do have a few critiques but I’ll just list them out:
- The dialogue felt a little awkward or rough sometimes, as if it was just information the author needed to give the reader instead of something that the character would actually say
- There were a lot of different tiny side plots to the story (SPOILERS AHEAD!) like Maggie’s illness, Jack’s drinking problem, the death of their son, Nellie’s parents being away, etc. None of these were specifically bad, but I think it would have been better if the author just picked one or two to focus more deeply on instead of just lightly touching on all of them.
- (SPOILERS AGAIN) The time skip felt kind of weird, and hard to believe that Aran was just chilling out in the middle of nowhere for a year. Although I think Whitman did a great job making it feel like a long time in writing, it was the fact of a year itself that was the problem and not just the pacing.
This book had really strong imagery and I loved the fantasy elements. It was really fun and magical to be immersed in the book, and I lost track of time reading. The lore was very unique too and fit together quite well. There aren’t a whole lot of fantasy books about selkies so this definitely stood out.
I do have a few critiques but I’ll just list them out:
- The dialogue felt a little awkward or rough sometimes, as if it was just information the author needed to give the reader instead of something that the character would actually say
- There were a lot of different tiny side plots to the story (SPOILERS AHEAD!) like Maggie’s illness, Jack’s drinking problem, the death of their son, Nellie’s parents being away, etc. None of these were specifically bad, but I think it would have been better if the author just picked one or two to focus more deeply on instead of just lightly touching on all of them.
- (SPOILERS AGAIN) The time skip felt kind of weird, and hard to believe that Aran was just chilling out in the middle of nowhere for a year. Although I think Whitman did a great job making it feel like a long time in writing, it was the fact of a year itself that was the problem and not just the pacing.
February 14, 2019
This is a sweet middle grade tale about a boy torn between two identities.
It had a slow beginning for me, but I felt that it found a nice pace towards the middle and stuck with it to the end.
It had a slow beginning for me, but I felt that it found a nice pace towards the middle and stuck with it to the end.
August 11, 2019
Have you heard about selkies? (A creature that is both seal and human) Aran was born to a selkie mother and human father and has yet to "turn". As he grows older the question of whether he will ever turn becomes more possible. His mother decides to leave him in the care of a human woman while she and the clan undertake a journey north to seek help in his transformation. Life on land is hard for Aran, but he comes to care for the ailing woman, Maggie, and a neighbor girl, Nellie who lives with her gruff and artistic grandfather, "The Walrus". While he awaits the return of his mother, he knows he must decide what life is best for one who does not fit in completely to either world. The audio was well performed and brought the story to life quite vividly. An MSBA Nominee for 2019-20 that fans of mythology and legend will love.
January 2, 2025
Emily Whitman’s The Turning is a beautifully crafted story that deeply resonated with me as a military veteran who grew up in the late 1980s. The protagonist, Aran, is caught between two worlds—land and sea—just as I often felt caught between my childhood dreams and the responsibilities of adulthood, and later, between military and civilian life. Growing up in the 80s, a time shaped by both optimism and harsh realities, I found Aran’s struggles and resilience incredibly relatable.
The book’s themes of transformation, belonging, and identity mirrored my own journey of finding my place in a world that often felt divided. Whitman’s vivid prose brought back memories of my own turning points, reminding me of the strength it takes to embrace change and stay true to oneself. For anyone who has ever felt torn between two paths, The Turning is a powerful, reflective read.
The book’s themes of transformation, belonging, and identity mirrored my own journey of finding my place in a world that often felt divided. Whitman’s vivid prose brought back memories of my own turning points, reminding me of the strength it takes to embrace change and stay true to oneself. For anyone who has ever felt torn between two paths, The Turning is a powerful, reflective read.
August 30, 2019
This middle grade story about a selkie boy longing for his pelt was so lovely and wrapped me up like a warm hug. Aran was seeking so many answers and learned so much as he grew during his time on Spindle Island.
The other characters played great supporting roles in Aran's story. Maggie and Nellie were both splendid, especially Nellie with her complete acceptance and support of Aran. They both helped him see a different side of love and being who you truly are.
The writing throughout the whole book was so beautiful and made this story feel very magical. The mythology of the selkies was really interesting, and was worked in seamlessly through afternoon fireside stories and selkie journeys. This definitely wasn't a typical "finding yourself" story - it was so unique and genuine and lovely.
The other characters played great supporting roles in Aran's story. Maggie and Nellie were both splendid, especially Nellie with her complete acceptance and support of Aran. They both helped him see a different side of love and being who you truly are.
The writing throughout the whole book was so beautiful and made this story feel very magical. The mythology of the selkies was really interesting, and was worked in seamlessly through afternoon fireside stories and selkie journeys. This definitely wasn't a typical "finding yourself" story - it was so unique and genuine and lovely.
September 18, 2021
4.5 stars
Read as part of this TBR swap vlog!
This had lovely writing, and there need to be more selkie books! I felt for Aran so much and really enjoyed the supporting characters - including an unnamed puffin who is an absolute TREASURE.
I loved the selkie lore, and little details like the descriptions Aran uses for things in the human world since he obviously wouldn't know what to call them.
And the loneliness Aran feels at being caught between two worlds was so poignantly described.
I do think some parts weren't quite as engaging as others (like the section where Aran is by himself and just hunting fish) but those were pretty few and far between.
Definitely recommend!
CW: Grief, loss of child, alcoholism
Read as part of this TBR swap vlog!
This had lovely writing, and there need to be more selkie books! I felt for Aran so much and really enjoyed the supporting characters - including an unnamed puffin who is an absolute TREASURE.
I loved the selkie lore, and little details like the descriptions Aran uses for things in the human world since he obviously wouldn't know what to call them.
And the loneliness Aran feels at being caught between two worlds was so poignantly described.
I do think some parts weren't quite as engaging as others (like the section where Aran is by himself and just hunting fish) but those were pretty few and far between.
Definitely recommend!
CW: Grief, loss of child, alcoholism
April 25, 2020
This is a uniquely different tale of Irish folklore and intrigue that was amazing and unexpected. Aran is part human and part selkie (an animal like a seal). He is supposed to possess the power to change between both worlds, but seems to be stuck in his human form. Trying to find a solution for her beloved son, Aran's mother goes on a quest to find the magic necessary for his metamorphosis. Meanwhile, Aran remains in the human world and embarks on a heart breaking journey to find that he may not fit in either world. Embodied in legendary magic,, while exploring the human conditions of love and loss, it is impossible to put this mystical masterpiece down.
August 24, 2019
What would you do if you had a choice between living as a selkie or a human?
Would you, like Aran, do the right thing, even if it wasn’t what you thought you wanted and be able to say, “I guess I’ll live as myself.” ?
After the first few chapters when I figured out the basic story line, I thought it would be a long, slow, boring read. Was I wrong! It did drag a bit during the middle, but there were important details that are wrapped up with some unexpected surprises in the end.
Very satisfying read with original tweaks on an old story of interactions between humans and selfies!
Would you, like Aran, do the right thing, even if it wasn’t what you thought you wanted and be able to say, “I guess I’ll live as myself.” ?
After the first few chapters when I figured out the basic story line, I thought it would be a long, slow, boring read. Was I wrong! It did drag a bit during the middle, but there were important details that are wrapped up with some unexpected surprises in the end.
Very satisfying read with original tweaks on an old story of interactions between humans and selfies!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2018
I really loved this book. It was written for Tweens, but I thought it was so beautiful and thoughtful and maybe a little too sad for kids. The writing style was very poetic to me and lyrical. I could feel the boy's longing and fear. It also wasn't always action packed, so I'm not so sure all Tweens will love it, but the imagery and beauty of the writing made me want to read more and more. I wsa sad when I finished it because I wanted more.
August 29, 2018
This was a lovely book. Aran is half human and half selkie. He was born in human form, and cannot change into a seal the way the rest of his clan can. In this beautifully written book Aran learns to embrace both sides of his nature. The writing is clear and at times poetic. Aran is a vivid character trying to make his way in a confusing human world. The mythic world of the book combined with selkie folklore felt real and believable.
October 3, 2018
A strange book -- the voice didn't quite land for me, but the tone did. Aran's situation came through very powerfully, and his attempts to understand human life worked well, but I never got a good sense of what he looked like or how old he was. Nelly seemed a bit too good to be true. The ending didn't quite work, but the solo days on the sea were beautiful -- like the ocean in a storm this had a lot of highs and lows. I will have to sleep on it.
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