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Selkie Summer
Siobhan Ross has several reasons for taking a holiday job on the Isle of Skye – her keen interest in marine biology for one – but she’s also determined to escape Glasgow and put distance between herself and a failed relationship with fellow student Kieran.
The last thing Siobhan’s looking for is romance, let alone with a Selkie, but…
In Selkie Summer, Ken MacLeod delivers a rich contemporary fantasy that is steeped in Celtic lore, nuclear submarines and secrets, as Siobhan finds herself the focus of attention she never sought, unwittingly embroiled in political intrigue and the shifting landscape of international alliances. At its heart, Selkie Summer is a love story: as passionate and unconventional as you could wish for.
The last thing Siobhan’s looking for is romance, let alone with a Selkie, but…
In Selkie Summer, Ken MacLeod delivers a rich contemporary fantasy that is steeped in Celtic lore, nuclear submarines and secrets, as Siobhan finds herself the focus of attention she never sought, unwittingly embroiled in political intrigue and the shifting landscape of international alliances. At its heart, Selkie Summer is a love story: as passionate and unconventional as you could wish for.
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First published May 19, 2020
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About the author
Ken MacLeod
115 books773 followersKen MacLeod is an award-winning Scottish science fiction writer.
His novels have won the Prometheus Award and the BSFA award, and been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards. He lives near Edinburgh, Scotland.
MacLeod graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in zoology and has worked as a computer programmer and written a masters thesis on biomechanics.
His novels often explore socialist, communist and anarchist political ideas, most particularly the variants of Trotskyism and anarcho-capitalism or extreme economic libertarianism.
Technical themes encompass singularities, divergent human cultural evolution and post-human cyborg-resurrection.
His novels have won the Prometheus Award and the BSFA award, and been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards. He lives near Edinburgh, Scotland.
MacLeod graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in zoology and has worked as a computer programmer and written a masters thesis on biomechanics.
His novels often explore socialist, communist and anarchist political ideas, most particularly the variants of Trotskyism and anarcho-capitalism or extreme economic libertarianism.
Technical themes encompass singularities, divergent human cultural evolution and post-human cyborg-resurrection.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 6, 2020
I have always bought Ken MacLeod's books as soon as they have been published. “Selkie Summer” is no exception, and like his previous books it has not disappointed me.
Once again MacLeod has demonstrated the breadth of his talent. His earliest books were space opera; he then moved into near-future; his most recent trilogy was far future revolution amongst robots; “Selkie Summer” is a contemporary story steeped in Scottish mythology and set in The Isle of Skye, albeit without the bridge that exists today. The story explains why.
MacLeod’s stories are always entertaining, intriguing, and come with a purpose. In “Selkie Summer” we have a young student from London getting mixed up in a diplomatic incident between the British navy and a race of Selkies. She also gets emotionally involved and MacLeod skilfully brings the reader through a range of emotions. As to the purpose, I suggest you read the book and find out for yourself.
At several different points in the story the reader is presented with situations that have several possible outcomes. In each of these situations MacLeod surprised me with the way he took the story. I also found the end of the book was not predictable. MacLeod keeps one guessing right to the last page.
Much of the humour in the book comes with the characters of those involved. Look at the situation; a city girl from London going to The Isle of Skye for the summer; how could you not find opportunity for humour in that?
If you like wild land- and sea-scapes, enjoy a mystery, and appreciate realistic relationships and a sprinkling of humour, “Selkie Summer” is a book you will enjoy.
Once again MacLeod has demonstrated the breadth of his talent. His earliest books were space opera; he then moved into near-future; his most recent trilogy was far future revolution amongst robots; “Selkie Summer” is a contemporary story steeped in Scottish mythology and set in The Isle of Skye, albeit without the bridge that exists today. The story explains why.
MacLeod’s stories are always entertaining, intriguing, and come with a purpose. In “Selkie Summer” we have a young student from London getting mixed up in a diplomatic incident between the British navy and a race of Selkies. She also gets emotionally involved and MacLeod skilfully brings the reader through a range of emotions. As to the purpose, I suggest you read the book and find out for yourself.
At several different points in the story the reader is presented with situations that have several possible outcomes. In each of these situations MacLeod surprised me with the way he took the story. I also found the end of the book was not predictable. MacLeod keeps one guessing right to the last page.
Much of the humour in the book comes with the characters of those involved. Look at the situation; a city girl from London going to The Isle of Skye for the summer; how could you not find opportunity for humour in that?
If you like wild land- and sea-scapes, enjoy a mystery, and appreciate realistic relationships and a sprinkling of humour, “Selkie Summer” is a book you will enjoy.
May 31, 2020
A very charming tale of an only slightly alternate Britain with no bridge to Skye. An excellently realized young woman, Siobhan Ross, on a summer job in the Hebrides becomes mixed in a dispute between selkies, here some sort of water fey, and the Royal Navy. Reading partly like a travel tale and partly like a modern fantasy it is perfectly realized and of perfect length.
June 7, 2020
I've never read a book (novella?) like this before, but I'm not sure what exactly makes it unique.
The book is set in a world where kelpies and selkies (and more) are not only real, but commonly seen. There are rules and laws geared toward fostering a good relationship between these mystical creatures and humans. The book itself is about a rather ordinary character that finds herself in an extraordinary position.
The book was fun to read and overall I enjoyed it, but it wasn't life changing for me.
My biggest complaint is that there needs to be more world developing. It may be that this book is set in a world that the author has previously created, and if so, my apologies, but as a stand alone book, it felt a little hollow. The main character takes a picture or a kelpie and posts on social media in the same chapter. While the opportunity to blend some fairy tale aspects into every day was definitely there, the end result was a little clunky, because I didn't really believe in it.
I also don't feel like I connected with any of the characters, which made it harder to care about what happened to them.
Still, the question about what our world would be like with some creatures we've termed mythical, is fun to explore.
The book is set in a world where kelpies and selkies (and more) are not only real, but commonly seen. There are rules and laws geared toward fostering a good relationship between these mystical creatures and humans. The book itself is about a rather ordinary character that finds herself in an extraordinary position.
The book was fun to read and overall I enjoyed it, but it wasn't life changing for me.
My biggest complaint is that there needs to be more world developing. It may be that this book is set in a world that the author has previously created, and if so, my apologies, but as a stand alone book, it felt a little hollow. The main character takes a picture or a kelpie and posts on social media in the same chapter. While the opportunity to blend some fairy tale aspects into every day was definitely there, the end result was a little clunky, because I didn't really believe in it.
I also don't feel like I connected with any of the characters, which made it harder to care about what happened to them.
Still, the question about what our world would be like with some creatures we've termed mythical, is fun to explore.
October 13, 2024
Imagine this: a paranormal rom-com, by
Ken MacLeod
!
OK, so it does feature nuclear submarines (although not moonlighting as spaceships, as they do in his Lightspeed trilogy), and also Scotland very near where he lives (West coast, near Skye). The mythology he exploits is mostly Scottish, but all-present mythological creatures such as vampires and all sorts of spirits, sprites, wraights, fays and specters are also mentioned.
Eponymous selkies are a subject of study by marine biologists in this novella, and nobody is surprised by "kelpie", or "water-horse" (those are, BTW, strongly opposed to hydroelectric dams, so most of Scottish power supply is nuclear; selkies are not so keen on off-shore wind, either.)
This is essentially a love story with some village life (good and bad of it) thrown in, a bit of intrigue and action, and overall good humour, but not belly laugh. All in all, an enjoyable quick read with author's style readily recognizable, but the theme - not so much.
OK, so it does feature nuclear submarines (although not moonlighting as spaceships, as they do in his Lightspeed trilogy), and also Scotland very near where he lives (West coast, near Skye). The mythology he exploits is mostly Scottish, but all-present mythological creatures such as vampires and all sorts of spirits, sprites, wraights, fays and specters are also mentioned.
Eponymous selkies are a subject of study by marine biologists in this novella, and nobody is surprised by "kelpie", or "water-horse" (those are, BTW, strongly opposed to hydroelectric dams, so most of Scottish power supply is nuclear; selkies are not so keen on off-shore wind, either.)
This is essentially a love story with some village life (good and bad of it) thrown in, a bit of intrigue and action, and overall good humour, but not belly laugh. All in all, an enjoyable quick read with author's style readily recognizable, but the theme - not so much.
December 22, 2020
In Scottish mythology, selkies, meaning seal-folk, are creatures capable of turning from seal to human form by shedding their skin. They are found in the folklore of the northern isles. ‘Selkie Summer’ is set in our world except that selkies and some other mythical creatures, vampires for one, are real. I hasten to add that no vampires feature here, they’re just mentioned. The various non-human species are classed as Metamorpha and they were often hunted.
However, once killing them was banned, the selkies aided the Royal Navy in certain battles. Later, there was some scientific study of them ‘from Cousteau’s pioneering work to Attenborough’s characteristic tour de force of a close up’.
Our heroine and first-person narrator is Siobhan Ross, a student at Glasgow University and we join her on the bus to Kyle of Lochalsh, whence she will get the ferry to Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. She has a summer job working in a small hotel, eschewing the many summer jobs in Glasgow to escape her ex-boyfriend. One of the ferry crew is an incredibly handsome chap named Cal. Siobhan falls for him instantly and he seems to like her. Later, the locals tell her that he is a selkie. Woe is Siobhan! When selkies take the human form, they have a glamour that many find irresistible but are best avoided romantically for they are not really human.
Fat chance. Siobhan continues her pursuit and Cal reciprocates. The love story is fine and nicely handled in a low-key way. Happily, there’s more to it than that. We learn a lot about selkies, their history and a current crisis involving British submarines. The plot develops nicely to a logical conclusion.
It’s a very easy read. First-person narration can be annoying in unskilled hands but Ken MacLeod is a smooth professional and the words flow beautifully. Siobhan recounts the events and her thoughts about them but there are no long passages of dull introspection. Furthermore, 140 pages is a sensible length for the story. This is how novels used to be! You could pick them up without weight training first and drop them without breaking your foot.
Another small triumph from Newcon Press. It’s also available as a signed hardback and an eBook but my review copy was the paperback edition.
However, once killing them was banned, the selkies aided the Royal Navy in certain battles. Later, there was some scientific study of them ‘from Cousteau’s pioneering work to Attenborough’s characteristic tour de force of a close up’.
Our heroine and first-person narrator is Siobhan Ross, a student at Glasgow University and we join her on the bus to Kyle of Lochalsh, whence she will get the ferry to Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. She has a summer job working in a small hotel, eschewing the many summer jobs in Glasgow to escape her ex-boyfriend. One of the ferry crew is an incredibly handsome chap named Cal. Siobhan falls for him instantly and he seems to like her. Later, the locals tell her that he is a selkie. Woe is Siobhan! When selkies take the human form, they have a glamour that many find irresistible but are best avoided romantically for they are not really human.
Fat chance. Siobhan continues her pursuit and Cal reciprocates. The love story is fine and nicely handled in a low-key way. Happily, there’s more to it than that. We learn a lot about selkies, their history and a current crisis involving British submarines. The plot develops nicely to a logical conclusion.
It’s a very easy read. First-person narration can be annoying in unskilled hands but Ken MacLeod is a smooth professional and the words flow beautifully. Siobhan recounts the events and her thoughts about them but there are no long passages of dull introspection. Furthermore, 140 pages is a sensible length for the story. This is how novels used to be! You could pick them up without weight training first and drop them without breaking your foot.
Another small triumph from Newcon Press. It’s also available as a signed hardback and an eBook but my review copy was the paperback edition.
July 30, 2024
This was my first book by the author, and based on what I knew about him, it was not what I would have expected. It’s a unique combination of love story and military politics, set in a slightly different version of contemporary Britain, where there is no bridge between the mainland and the Isle of Skye. Oh, and there are selkies and other creatures of myth and folk tales. The superbly characterised main character starts a summer student job on Skye and gets involved with a selkie, but things get political when there is an incident with a submarine. If you are familiar with the Hebrides and a wee bit in love with the Isle of Skye, you must read this book. If not, it’s still a very well crafted genre bending novella.
August 27, 2020
Nicely written novella, girl meets boy with a twang.
What I liked most, was the fact that real life and myth are interwoven. The treaty of Kildare, a treaty between the Navy and the Selkies. Just the fact that you can think this up!
I did not see the end coming, I suspect a lot of other readers will.
What I liked most, was the fact that real life and myth are interwoven. The treaty of Kildare, a treaty between the Navy and the Selkies. Just the fact that you can think this up!
I did not see the end coming, I suspect a lot of other readers will.
June 6, 2021
A light summer read. More of a novella than a novel. I have a fondness for selkie lore so that was the main appeal for me. I also appreciated the Scottish perspective. The story was very grounded in place.
Book Pairings:
Margo Lanagan's Brides of Rollrock Island for a more complex story that delves into selkie lore.
Book Pairings:
Margo Lanagan's Brides of Rollrock Island for a more complex story that delves into selkie lore.
November 4, 2021
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book. It wasn't bad, but something about it just didn't keep me enthralled. It was however a fairly quick read even if it didn't have my full interest. This book would appeal to anyone who enjoys Gaelic folklore in a modern time.
I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
June 3, 2020
KM does something different from his usual thing here but it is very effective and engrossing. We get to love the characters and there is a lot of Scottish lore as a bonus. I read everything KM writes and am delighted with the narrative and post-read afterglow of Selkie Summer
July 30, 2023
A short but fun read. Definitely a good one to read on holiday in Scotland.
Ken MacLeod leaves his normal hard SF behind to dip into the waters of a rural contemporary fantasy / science fantasy tale of non human intelligence and a touch of romance.
Ken MacLeod leaves his normal hard SF behind to dip into the waters of a rural contemporary fantasy / science fantasy tale of non human intelligence and a touch of romance.
January 28, 2024
An interesting novella set in a slightly alternate UK where magical creatures like selkies, kelpies, and vampires exist. It was definitely unique and completely unpredictable, and I rather liked our main character Siobhan.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews