Book Type: Novel Author: Margo Lanagan Pages: 305 Summary(goodreads.com): On remote Rollrock Island, men make their living--and fetch their wives--from the sea. The Witch Misskaella knows how to find the girl at the heart of a seal. She'll coax a beauty from the beast for any man, for a price. And what man wouldn't want a sea-wife, to and to hold, and to keep by his side forever? But though he may tell himself that he is the master, one look in his new bride's eyes will transform him just as much as it changes her. Both will be ensnared--and the witch will look on, laughing. In this magical, seaswept novel, Margo Lanagan tells an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also of unspoken love. My Review: When I first started this book, I became really curious. Who is this nasty woman Misskaella? Why is she so bitter? Well, the reader learns of her entire life. Odd Language and Difficult to Understand: This book is written a bit strangely, and some things and events are not blatantly stated, and I felt the reader has to assume much of what was happening. I was also lost many times throughout the book, mainly because the plot jumps around to different time periods, and the reader has to put the pieces of the story together. It felt disjointed. Very Long Plot: I didn't really become interested in the book until about 60 pages in. This is when the witch Misskaella discovers she has magical powers, and this is when the story really picks up! That being said, I felt that some of the plot was not necessary, and the book was very slow at some points. In addition, I wasn't satisfied with the ending, and I was left wanting more. Not to mention, the book ends with quite a depressing tone. I felt that the whole book was about how Misskaella wanted to make people miserable because she was teased for being a plus-sized woman. Overall, this book was okay, but it wasn't really a page-turner. I give this book (***) 3 stars. -Sirenita The Selkie