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84th out of 169 books
—
149 voters
The Selkie Spell (Seal Island Trilogy #1)
by
Sophie Moss (Goodreads Author)
In this modern-day fairy tale romance, American doctor Tara Moore's life is transformed when she travels to an enchanted Irish island and discovers she has the power to break a 200 year old curse. At first, Tara laughs off the villagers' speculation that she is descended from a selkie--a magical creature who is bewitching the island. But when a ghostly woman appears to her...more
Kindle Edition, 227 pages
Published
November 6th 2011
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Apr 14, 2013
Marissa Ames
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
romance fans
Recommended to Marissa by:
Anna Meade
Sophie Moss takes an obscure Irish fairytale and waves it into a modern romance without sounding silly.
I tore through this book in three days, and really enjoyed it. Since I don't own a Kindle, I downloaded the free desktop app from Amazon and read it while sitting at my computer.
Good points: This novel addresses problems that the romance genre is often criticized over. Sophie uses strong, respectful men as protagonists, crafting characters that are still manly and not weak. The antagonists are...more
I tore through this book in three days, and really enjoyed it. Since I don't own a Kindle, I downloaded the free desktop app from Amazon and read it while sitting at my computer.
Good points: This novel addresses problems that the romance genre is often criticized over. Sophie uses strong, respectful men as protagonists, crafting characters that are still manly and not weak. The antagonists are...more
(This review may contain spoilers).
Reading this book has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I liked the ideas behind it. I also liked the fact that Dominic didn't trust Tara at first. But I do think there were a lot of time jumps. Their forming relationship was just skipped over and even when it said two weeks (and then two months) had passed, it only felt like a couple of days.
This book was also very similar to one by Nora Roberts. When I was reading it, it did feel like I was readin...more
Reading this book has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I liked the ideas behind it. I also liked the fact that Dominic didn't trust Tara at first. But I do think there were a lot of time jumps. Their forming relationship was just skipped over and even when it said two weeks (and then two months) had passed, it only felt like a couple of days.
This book was also very similar to one by Nora Roberts. When I was reading it, it did feel like I was readin...more
The Selkie Spell was different from what I expected, but I enjoyed it. Some small things bothered me. The romance was a little rushed between Dominic distrusting Tara completely, then making out with her. There wasn't anything in between--no real pivotal scene where there was a softening, or a friendship. It just went straight into kissing. It kinda bothered me too that Tara promises to keep her distance from Kelsey, then a few hours later they're making a cake together. Not a very good indicati...more
I struggled a bit over what rating to give this book (one of the first I've read on my Kindle Fire) and realized that I wish Goodreads offered the ability to give ratings based on a few different criteria. For example, I would give this book 3 or 3.5 stars for concept, probably 1.5 stars for complexity of writing and language, 3 stars for entertainment level and ability to hold my attention (I did finish it, after all), 2 stars if I were being objective (or as objective as possible), and 3 stars...more
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Sophie Moss’s debut novel The Selkie Spell transports you to Ireland to follow American Tara Moore as she goes to Seal Island to regroup and develop a plan to evade her troubled past. This mystical romance starts slowly, but charms you with the misty island and the tight-knit community that believes Tara is the descendant of a selkie – a legendary creature who lives as a seal but transforms to a human on land. The darker themes found in fairy tales are revisited as you are introduced to Tara’s f...more
I expected to enjoy The Selkie Spell but not to fall in love with it.
I am a big fan of fairytales and mythology, so even though I don't normally read romance, I couldn't resist a story set on a little Irish isle about an unresolved selkie myth. And The Selkie Spell delivered. The setting was beautifully described and the island's history not only fit satisfyingly within selkie lore but pulled from the larger fairy repertoire to make something new and unique. The sequences where the fairytale ble...more
I am a big fan of fairytales and mythology, so even though I don't normally read romance, I couldn't resist a story set on a little Irish isle about an unresolved selkie myth. And The Selkie Spell delivered. The setting was beautifully described and the island's history not only fit satisfyingly within selkie lore but pulled from the larger fairy repertoire to make something new and unique. The sequences where the fairytale ble...more
When it comes to legends & other worldly events that go with these stories, I am not a big believer. So...in order for me to enjoy a book that includes this, it cannot be so far-fetched that it seems impossible in my reality. Sophie Moss did a wonderful job in keeping these tales within the boundaries of my almost non-existent imagination & beliefs. The story was not over-done and did not stray away from the tale being told. My favorite part of the book was being introduced to the charac...more
The Selkie Spell is a lovely and lyrical Irish romance with a haunting ambience that clings to your heart long after you finish the last page, making you feel as though you've just taken a trip to an enchanted island! Ms. Moss' prose is carefully wrought and often stunning in its poetic beauty, and she creates characters who you can't help but feel for. However, it is her ghostly figure from the past, a Selkie woman who haunts the island and seeks to be freed from her dark curse, that most tugge...more
I'd give the first third 4 stars, and overall, 3.5 stars. I don't normally read in this genre, but I was attracted to the Selkie theme as well as its setting on a small Irish island. I enjoyed it, but I'm not certain I'll be reading the others that will be coming out in the trilogy. And this does seem to be a genuine trilogy, rather than one long continued story published in serial volumes, as is so often the case these days. So you can read the first book and feel quite satisfied with its compl...more
Come sink into the depths of The Selkie Spell, a spellbinding contemporary fantasy/romance by Sophie Moss! The beautiful imagery in this novel transported me to the lush landscape of the Irish islands, where I could smell the sea salt and the heady perfume of roses in the air through the power of Sophie Moss's writing. I was drawn down into the magic in the "shipwrecked blackness" of the selkie ghost's eyes. The modern conflict of the protagonist, Tara, confronting her dark past and finding love...more
OMG I absolutely loved this book! I'm in love with Ireland, so I was pretty sure I was going to like this, although I didn't know what to expect, to be honest. It turned out that the book exceeded my expectations, it was totally BRILLIANT! I loved the story, the myth and the setting; and I absolutely loved the characters, the chemistry between them. I tried to drag it on, reading a chapter or two at a day, because I didn't want it to be over too soon, I didn't want to leave Seal Island (and Domi...more
The Selkie Spell by Sophie Moss is a fantasy romance novel about Tara Moore, a woman who fakes her death to escape her abusive husband and finds herself at a secluded island in Ireland called Seal Island. At first, the locals don’t trust her. It's obvious she’s keeping secrets, and the locals have dealt with other newcomers keeping secrets before. The locals tell Tara about a 200-year-old curse, and Tara laughs it off when it is suggested that she might be the descendant of the selkie. But when...more
This was a fine fun read for St. Patrick's Day. It has a lot of tropes which I normally enjoy. Many parts of it are well-written. The reason why I've given it 3.5 stars is that it suffers from some pacing issues. There were several drawn-out scenes of "I want to work in your pub" "well, you can't because I'm not hiring you" "but I want to" followed up with several repetitive scenes of her not being able to cook but still not being fired.
I didn't feel compelled to root for the romance at all. In...more
I didn't feel compelled to root for the romance at all. In...more
This is a very well written book. I won't do a plot summary - I'll talk about the seemingly effortless skill with which Sophie Moss presented this wonderful selkie story. The cover grabbed me but the first few pages tightened that grip and the story held me fast. The mix of mythology in a contemporary setting was presented in a believable and realistic way. It was like the air on Seal Island was thick with magic and the inhabitants didn't notice because they were used to it. The characters were...more
In this modern-day fairy tale romance, American doctor Tara Moore’s life is transformed when she travels to an enchanted Irish island and discovers she has the power to break a 200-year-old curse. At first, Tara laughs off the villagers’ speculation that she is descended from a selkie—a magical creature who is bewitching the island. But when a ghostly woman appears to her with a warning, Tara realizes it was more than chance that brought her to this island. Desperate to escape a dark and dangero...more
I was hooked from the prologue. Mythologies and such have always been of interest to me, and the fact that the book is set in Ireland is a big plus, as I love the country.
I started out liking this book, and the characters. But as I got half way through it started to bore me. Tara wasn't that interesting, things weren't explained very well, they felt glossed over.
The romance between Dominic and Tara seemed a bit sudden, and happened too quickly. Dominic didn't want Tara to work in the pub he owne...more
I started out liking this book, and the characters. But as I got half way through it started to bore me. Tara wasn't that interesting, things weren't explained very well, they felt glossed over.
The romance between Dominic and Tara seemed a bit sudden, and happened too quickly. Dominic didn't want Tara to work in the pub he owne...more
Having stumbled across Sophie Moss on Twitter, I was intrigued to see what her writing was like. It's wonderful - and she's my new writing heroine! Tightly written and perfectly paced, it has the gut lurching compulsion of a thriller and the stomach fluttering excitement of a wonderful romance. The imagery is rich, subtle and multi-layered powerfully evoking the Irish island, its legends and its magic, whilst the realistic characterisation keeps you very involved with the protagonists.
Tara, an A...more
Tara, an A...more
The legend of the selkie is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Add this haunting myth to the dark past of the story’s protagonist and you’ve got yourself a book you can’t put down. The cast is strong and defined, allowing you to get a feel for the characters almost immediately, plus there’s one hell of a prologue that sets the scene
Moss is an exceptional writer and she demonstrates this with a silky smooth plotline that flows effortlessly from page to page – additionally, her descriptive prose...more
Moss is an exceptional writer and she demonstrates this with a silky smooth plotline that flows effortlessly from page to page – additionally, her descriptive prose...more
I was quite certain THE SELKIE SPELL would be spellbinding... but it totally exceeded my expectations.
Have you ever read a passage in a book that was so vivid it immediately became real to you? I could feel the rocking of the ferry, the mist on my face and see the picturesque village and harbor as they came into view. I could also sense the fear chasing me there... and shudder as I was driven by other forces not yet determined.
Behold the magic... smell the roses and believe. Let THE SELKIE SPELL...more
Have you ever read a passage in a book that was so vivid it immediately became real to you? I could feel the rocking of the ferry, the mist on my face and see the picturesque village and harbor as they came into view. I could also sense the fear chasing me there... and shudder as I was driven by other forces not yet determined.
Behold the magic... smell the roses and believe. Let THE SELKIE SPELL...more
I've been in a serious reading drought lately. Nothing I've picked up has held my interest. Not because the books were bad, it's just that nothing 'clicked' with me that made me want to stay up all night reading, instead of painting, to finish it. But, the drought is over, this is that book!
I really, really enjoyed this book. The characters felt very real to me, I loved the chemistry between Tara and Dominic, I LOVED the setting (I've always wanted to go to Ireland), and the selkie legend is on...more
I really, really enjoyed this book. The characters felt very real to me, I loved the chemistry between Tara and Dominic, I LOVED the setting (I've always wanted to go to Ireland), and the selkie legend is on...more
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The Selkie Spell is one of those rare books that manages to be so many things; it's charming and thrilling with so many elements thrown together in such a way as to make perfection. The book is perfectly tensioned right the way through and there was never a moment where it felt right to put it down so I stayed up till midnight reading so I could hear the end. The characters created are bright and vibrant, seeming to jump off the page and the relationships are believable and accurate. There is so...more
I was pleasantly surprised by this randomly chosen ebook—I was enchanted by both the cover and price, and so, downloaded it. Sophie Moss wove an interesting tale based on the selkie myths. This novel is part mystery, part fantasy, with a lovely splash of romance. I enjoyed Moss’s take on the selkie myth, giving it a modern retelling through the main character, who journeys to an Irish Island steeped in folklore. It is an entertaining read. My one complaint is the following: the climax to the sto...more
I was a bit skeptical that I would like a romantic fairy tale, but I was wrong. I was captivated from the first pages and was excited to keep reading. Moss does a wonderful job of making you feel like you're part of the small town in Ireland. Her characters feel real, and you fall in love with each of them. Dom has all the qualities you want in a hero, and Tara's story is very moving (Don't want to give too much away). The pacing was perfect, and I loved it so much I finished the book in a few d...more
I wanted to like this book when I downloaded it--I am a sucker for modern day fairy tales and similar genres. I would have liked this book a lot more if I hadn't spent the first two thirds of it feeling like I had read it before. The setting, the characters, the plot...they were all like flat clones of three or four Nora Roberts trilogies all chopped up and blended into one story. The climax was different, but (at least for me) ultimately predictable and unsatisfying. The writing was fine and th...more
I just spent the afternoon curled up with The Selkie Spell and could not put it down! The Selkie Spell is a beautifully written novel about a young doctor who moves to a remote Irish island to escape her scary and dangerous past. She doesn't expect to fall in love with the island, or its captivating and sexy pub owner, Dominic O'Sullivan, but she soon finds out that this enchanting island escape holds even more surprises for her than unexpected love. With sweet (and steamy!)romance, a pinch of f...more
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The Selkie Spell is a wonderful twist on an Irish myth, complete with a handsome hero and a bone-chilling ghost story. And Sophie Moss is an absolutely beautiful writer -- The Selkie Spell contained some of the most vivid descriptive passages I've read in a long time. From the minute Tara spotted Seal Island, Ms. Moss created a reality so detailed, I felt like I was on that ferry with Tara. I confess to occasionally skimming over descriptions in books; but the writing in Selkie was so beautiful...more
I've been trying to describe this experience all morning, it is so much more than a "book." Moss weaves this tale combining Irish folklore and modern mystery so seamlessly, it is as if one cannot possibly exist without the other. The characters are believable, well-developed, and so perfectly real, it is as if you are watching from the corner of the pub. The pacing may be slow at times, and perhaps even seem redundant; however, it is necessary to follow Tara's thoughts as the story does not mere...more
Both the description and the lovely cover of this novel drew me in but it was the beautiful writing that kept me reading. The very first page immersed me into a watery world of tragedy that I didn't want to leave, and it deepened from there. My heart ached for Tara and the ghosts of her past. And the descriptions, ah the descriptions! The author made me feel as though I were in Ireland, breathing the salty air, feeling the sand between my toes. You won't want to put this one down until you've re...more
Hmmm. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize it would be such a romance novel wrapped around mythology, rather than mythology with some romance added in.
The electronic copy I have I got for free - hooray! But it's somehow missing "pages" and there were several places where the story skipped paragraphs or something. I might look for it on hard copy just to figure out some of the discussions which stopped making sense.
Things wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly at the end. And...more
The electronic copy I have I got for free - hooray! But it's somehow missing "pages" and there were several places where the story skipped paragraphs or something. I might look for it on hard copy just to figure out some of the discussions which stopped making sense.
Things wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly at the end. And...more
This book has a ton of story to it, which is great. You get to delve a little bit into all the characters, making them more real and the story even more complete. The plot is quite believable, and hit very close to home for me.
The author did a great job weaving the myth and history of Seal Island with a modern day abuse story. There was a great balance the history and how the myth came about and how it shapes the current story. The island is a rather close knit community, with everyone knowing e...more
The author did a great job weaving the myth and history of Seal Island with a modern day abuse story. There was a great balance the history and how the myth came about and how it shapes the current story. The island is a rather close knit community, with everyone knowing e...more
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Thanks so much for stopping by! I write Irish fairy tales. My stories are full of romance, magic and mystery. When I'm not writing, I'm fiddling in my garden, hunting for four-leaf clovers or trying to convince a friend to have a Guinness with me at lunch.
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updated Dec 31, 2012 07:35am