Selkie Spell is a fine read and TERRIFIC listen!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I've read the trilogy, and couldn't wait to hear it read aloud. Hopefully the next book will come out soon.

What other book might you compare The Selkie Spell to and why?

DuMaurier's REBECCA; Mary Stewart's romantic thrillers; more recently, Susanna Kearsley's THE ROSE GARDEN. They are romantic, but also tightly written, and extremely suspenseful.

What about Hollis McCarthy’s performance did you like?

Her voices made the different characters come alive. It's amazing to hear one person shift back and forth -- you feel that you are listening to real people, real lives.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was! An excellent outing. I urge listeners to make time to hear the whole thing at one go. If they do, they, like I, will be anxious for the next audio book.

Any additional comments?

I was surprised at the clarity of the recording. My hearing is not good, but there was none of the mechanical noise I often find in recorded books.

10 people found this helpful

Comforting and Engaging Voice, Exciting Story

If you could sum up The Selkie Spell in three words, what would they be?

Enchanting, Engaging, Exciting

What did you like best about this story?

The character interactions are amazing, and the author's descriptions pull you right in.

What does Hollis McCarthy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice is comforting and easy to listen to, so you aren't distracted from the story because of vocal issues. She changes tone for the different characters, so you know exactly what's going on line by line.

10 people found this helpful

Absolutely mesmerizing, beautifully read

What did you love best about The Selkie Spell?

The story was powerful, the characters were strong and the setting made me want to move there.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tara-strong female who had suffered a lot but was willing to take charge of her life and make it better.

What does Hollis McCarthy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She reads so well. She's very articulate but at the same time, pulls you into the story with her inflections and enthusiasm for the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

Hope the author puts more books out for Audible-I'd like to have the rest of the triology on it.

10 people found this helpful

A delightful surprise!

Coming into this I was not sure what to expect. The selkie myth is huge yet there are not a lot of books that focus it it, so this was a delightful change from my usual shifters. I was also thrilled with the idea of delving into some Celtic myth.

The story here is beautifully crafted. From the very start I was enchanted and did not want to stop reading. The whole book is very much like a Selkie Siren singing her song that puts you under a charming spell. I did not want it to end and was beyond thrilled to find it is actually a series!

The story comes from a mixed narrative, mostly from the two leads POV, but also from many supporting characters. This gives you a more rounded tale and gain huge insights into the whole world. The transitions were smooth and flowed beautifully from one character to the next.

I love Tara, she has such strength and determination. She meets her match in Dominic, they are both so stubborn. You can feel the chemistry from the start and there is no surprise that these two will get together. I love it when the sparks fly! The romance here is lovely and melts your heart at times!

The story has so much more than just a romance. Everything about this sleep island town is engaging and the characters easily draw you in further. There are some great layers with the Selkie's curse and the danger following Tara. Everything combined to make an enchanting read.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Hollis McCarthy, who does a brilliant job! She takes on many distinct voices and delivers a delicious Irish accent in the hero! She has a fantastic pace in her read that lends itself to the movement of the story. This was a perfect marriage of narrator and book! I hope she stays with the whole series if it comes to audio.

Overall, this is a dynamic read that delights the reader with beautiful prose and engaging characters. So much going on in this story but it never feels too busy. Ms Moss is also clever enough to weave in threads of the other two books characters. I am eager to see Caitlin and Glenna discover their HEA! When I accept a book to review I am always worried about how I will react. I am happy to admit I am ecstatic with this find and can not wait to read more of this charming author!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

9 people found this helpful

Engaging and atmospheric romance

Would you consider the audio edition of The Selkie Spell to be better than the print version?

I think that hearing the language in this particular case really enhances the feeling of being in the world of the book.

What about Hollis McCarthy’s performance did you like?

Hollis McCarthy was the perfect reader for the novel. She has a rich voice which combined with her handling of the narrative helped to paint a rich picture of the island and its inhabitants. She really excelled with the lilting Irish accents in all of their variety. She is adroit in creating different characters. I hope that she will continue reading the rest of the series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I was drawn into the story immediately and although I knew the outcome would be a positive one, I remained engaged with the characters and action until the end.

Any additional comments?

Beyond the romance and mystery at the center of the plot I was drawn into the life and world of the island and the people who lived there. I really think that listening to The Selkie Spell read aloud is the best way to enjoy the richness of the world created by Sophie Moss and Hollis McCarthy. Good job all around!

7 people found this helpful

Irish Folk Legend Mixed with Modern Island Romance

STORY (romance/fantasy) - The Selkie Spell is a beautifully written story about a young American woman (Tara) who is fleeing from her abusive husband. With a new identity and trusting no one, she drifts from place to place, finally landing on a tiny Irish island which has an ancient secret of its own. It is here on this island that Tara hopes to find temporary safety and peace, but she finds much, much more.

There is a lot to this story. The legend of the Selkies is interesting (and you can read more about it online). I enjoyed the description of the island, its quaint village and its beauty. It is interesting as Tara's story unfolds and you learn who she really is and why she is on the run. The romance is sweet and sexy, and I loved the way the story ended.

PERFORMANCE - I've never listened to this narrator before, but she has a warm, velvety voice. She does a good job differentiating between the various characters and expressing their emotions. I appreciated her attempt at Texas accents for a few of the characters but, as a Texan myself, I can gladly say that very few of us talk that way! Her Irish accents seemed authentic enough and fit well with the story.

OVERALL - I'd recommend this for women looking for a romantic escape. There's a small amount of profanity and violence. There is some sex, but in my opinion it's not particularly graphic or overdone. This is the first book in a series, but it stands alone.

6 people found this helpful

One of the Best books I have listened too.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story captured my attention from the very first chapter. I finished in one day, The author was excellent and made the story so much more interesting to listen too. If you like a story with an Irish theme and Irish Myths you will enjoy listening to this captivating story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters are great especially, Kelsey who is always one step ahead of the grown-ups

What does Hollis McCarthy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The author's narration of the story brings the characters and land to life as if you are their with them in Ireland.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait audible to add book 2 and 3 to their list of audible books to purchase,

6 people found this helpful

Three Sisters Island

This story has already been done, and done well by Nora Roberts in the trilogy Three Sisters Island. The book is Dance Upon the Air. With very minor differences it's the same story and follows the same lines and logic. I liked the Nora Roberts version better.

The Narration in this version of the story was less than stellar and the Irish accent was poorly done.

6 people found this helpful

Can't wait for the other two volumes

This is a new author for us and we will be glad to keep track. Hope Audible gets the other two in soon

5 people found this helpful

All I can say is FANTASTIC!!!

As a woman who was also physically abused during a short-lived marriage, I was not forewarned well enough before reading this book. The story hit too close to home for me but I only found myself in short spurts of tension before I was relieved.

This was my first book with magical creatures and ghosts and yet I found myself enjoying those parts greatly. I was glad to see that the heroine was not depicted as a strong, self sufficient, self-reliant blah, blah, blah, after she left her abusive husband. That would have completely ruined it for me. The story was very believable with true fears and weaknesses shown by the heroine. It was a wonderful mixture of love, suspense, and heartfelt emotional ups and downs. What a ride.

2 people found this helpful