Home From the Sea

June 15, 2012

Living with her father Daffyd in a cottage on the coast of Wales, Mari Prothero knows of the magic that protects her father as he goes to sea in all sorts of weather. When she grows older, she learns of the family pact with the selkies--or "Selchs"--that requires her to marry one of the sea creatures and give at least one of her children back to the sea. Mari insists on choosing her mate, and so three young males and a teacher to school her in her own magic come to stay long enough for her to make up her mind. The latest entry (after Unnatural Issue) in Lackey's popular series explores the nature of water and its inherent power as well as the Celtic legend of the selkie, while adding a meddlesome constable from London and a pair of young English women sent from London's White Lodge, home to those who use magic in the service of good. VERDICT Lighter in tone with more emphasis on romance than some of the previous titles, this fairy-tale homage offers a variant view on the usually tragic love between humans and selkies, and should attract both series fans and Lackey's sizable following.

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