Reviewed: September 7th, 2022
Released: October 18th, 2021
Genre: Futuristic Fantasy
‘You cannot fix this world alone, Selkie.’
‘I know. But, when we die, all that is left are shadows of our lives preserved in the memories of those who remain. I plan on leaving an exceptionally long shadow, filled with ripples of moonlight for those I helped, and darker than the worst of nightmares for those who wronged us.’
How far would you go to save your skin?
I’m a selkie, trapped above the waves until I can recover my skin. Humans used to call us seal-wives many years ago – before they broke the planet. I thought that less humans, after the warming, would mean less danger. My kind believed our world was finally recovering.
We were wrong.
Up here, the magic is fading and Old Ones like me are being traded as trophies for rich and powerful humans to display in collections.
Without the Old Ones, the magic fades, without magic, the planet dies.
Humankind has gone too far and someone has to put a stop to it. I just wasn’t expecting it to be me.
Far to the south on his enormous pleasure ship, Barge, Lord Sal hunts for missing Old Ones – with a grand plan to leave his own mark on the world. But, Icidro and Prince Ulises are searching for them too, and this is a world where money talks louder than morals.
Helen’s thoughts: 5/5
What a delightful book. So beautifully written with the authors love of the sea and surrounding nature obvious in every word.
A selkie is captured when her pelt is stolen setting her on path she least expected. She meets some amazing characters all of whom Hannaford describes in beautiful detail, each of which stands on their own. From Sal, who is larger than life, Eden who you just want to hug, Zora, Ria and Seren, they are all wonderful characyres who add depth and richness to an already absorbing story.
Woven into a tale of piracy, adventure, assassins and mythical beasts is a tragic story about how how humans have almost destroyed the world they live in and only by saving those of the old blood can it be saved.
An entertaining blend of a futuristic world teetering on the edge of ruin and the story of how one selkie sets out to save the old ones and change their future. A story of deep emotions and beautiful descriptions. This book was an unexpected delight and I look forward to reading The Pact, book 2 in the Black Hind series.
About the author:
J.E. Hannaford is powered by coffee, dragons and whisky. She teaches Biology in the real world and invents fantasy beasts to populate her own.
She lives in Suffolk, UK, and pines for the coast and mountains of Wales.
A love of nature and the ocean washes through the pages of J E Hannaford’s stories and pours out of the characters who live in it.
Purchase The Skin via Amazon
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 