Title: A Sweet Sting of Salt
Author: Rose Sutherland
Series: Standalone
Genre: Retelling/Folktale/Sapphic/Historical Fiction
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Dell
Publication Date: April 9, 2024
Edition: Ebook
Source: NetGalley
Pre-Order: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble |
Synopsis:
When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English.
Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?
Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?
Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer re-imagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife.
Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?
Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?
Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer re-imagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife.
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Going into this I didn't know the original folktale, but I sometimes
prefer that so I can have my own expectations. Unfortunately, I think
knowing the original story would've parts of this more enjoyable.
While I liked the characters, where they ended up, and how they got there. The pacing kind of killed this book for me. It felt very slow going for much of the book. Some of what was happening felt a little meandering for me.
While I liked the characters, where they ended up, and how they got there. The pacing kind of killed this book for me. It felt very slow going for much of the book. Some of what was happening felt a little meandering for me.
I did like Jean as a character. She was sure of herself when it came to her profession of being a Midwife. But when it comes to people in town she is very unsure of what they think of her because of something that happened when she was younger. She feared the rumor mill and kept to herself for safety. She is stubborn and I like that she wasn't entirely meek when it comes to others.
Muirin, her character took longer to get to know for several reasons. She didn't talk much for most of the book because of language barriers. The biggest issue for me with her character is I don't know how old she's supposed to be. She could be anywhere from 17 to 25, but I have no idea and I can't remember if it was ever addressed. But not knowing how old she is gives me a little bit of "the ick". Since she only speaks Scottish Gaelic, her husband treats her a little bit like a child.
Things do end kind of abruptly, but on a good note. I would've liked a little more closure with some things, but overall the ending was satisfying. Getting there felt like it took ages.
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