This book was published on January 22, 2019. I read the advance uncorrected proof version, so there will undoubtedly be some differences between the version I read, and the published edition.
I didn't really know what to expect out of this book, but I was more than happy with what I got.
An amazon summary, "Fionn Boyle comes from a long line of brave seafarers, people with the ocean behind their eyes. But he can’t help but fear the open sea. For years, Fionn's mother has told him stories of Arranmore Island, a strange place that seems to haunt her. Fionn has always wondered about this mysterious island, and from the day he arrives he starts noticing things that can't be explained. He can sense the island all around him, and it feels like the island is watching him, too.
Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. The time has come for his grandfather, a secretive and eccentric old man, to step down. But as Fionn and the other descendants of Arranmore’s most powerful families fight to become the island’s next champion, a more sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling a long-ago war and changing Fionn’s life and the island’s future forever." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
Fionn is off to spend time on the island with his grandfather and sister while his mother stays home to rest. His sister is incredibly annoying and didn't tell him anything about the island. As he makes his way through the oddities of his grandfather's cottage that are still within the realm of normal, his grandfather gives him some change to go down to the store.
On his way there, he starts to notice something odd about the flowers. Fionn starts picking the flowers and they start regrowing right away. By the time he gets to the corner store, he has a bouquet of wilted flowers and he runs into Shelby, a granddaughter in the Beasley family. Shelby tells him about the sea cave, and scatters his flowers on the ground...where they regrow instantly. Fionn is a little bewildered by being exposed to the magic of the island and is slowly starting to wrap his head around it. He starts learning about the history of the island, and he starts to learn of his own heritage.
That's enough summary.
I freaking loved this book. It had some hiccups along the way, but it was still a solid story filled with wonder, magic, and adventure...but also love.
I felt the story progressed with such a great pace, and there was a reveal that took me off guard that I kind of cried a little at. If you read this, you'll know the part.
I also loved the mythology of Morgan le fey brought into it, but also given such a different retelling or different side to the story. I really love the books that took a mythology and make it into their own story. They give enough details to kind of give credit to the original story, but shape it into their own lore. Love it.
...so why am I not listing this as a recommended book?
Mostly because of Fionn. His character development and growth, and overall personality feels very inconsistent throughout the book. There are a few times where it seems like his personality has completely disappeared and he's going through the motions, where other times he's so PRESENT and there, that it makes it more noticeable when he's gone.
However, despite all of that, I had a wonderful time reading it. I just wish the main character of the story had been a bit more consistent. There will be a sequel, so maybe we'll see some more out of Fionn then. Time will tell.
Happy reading!
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