Review: 2.5 stars. Didn't catch me like I hoped.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 10, 2013
From Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and RomanceAt A GlanceA book about obsession...and that's pretty much it.The GoodMy favorite part of The Lure of Shapinsay was the setting and the paranormal elements. I think it's set around the mid 1800s. I really felt like I was taken back to that time with the accented dialogue and grungy descriptions. I could smell the salt water mist from the sea and feel the smooth but rough skin of a selkie on my finger tips. Though the background on selkies was pretty short, I really had fun learning more about them. Like how they came to be and their magic. I would definitely like to read more about selkies.Each character was interesting in their own way. Kait was a determined character with a hot temper. Eamon was stubborn to a fault and frisky like a teenager. His reckless actions pegged him as young and naive but he always had love and passion in his heart. He often made me smile. And event the side characters had their fun quarks.The writing really was beautiful. The imagery was vivid and the pacing was just right. There was one or two twists and turns that really did surprise me. Not everything was always as it seemed.The BadThe Lure of Shapinsay started out so strong. Kait was a strong character, especially for the times, and Holle made me anxious to learn more about the mysterious selkies. Then that damn selkie lure ruined it all. I could never really feel the authenticity of Eamon and Kait's love because there was none. Kait becomes obsessed with Eamon because of this lure and Eamon becomes obsessed with Kait for reasons I can't mention. They form this sick puppy love that neither wants to give up and often almost kill themselves over. *sighs* What else can I say? I just couldn't get into their relationship like I hoped.I also found some of the plot to be boring because nothing happens besides Kait barely being able to function without Eamon and Eamon being stubborn. The End. I felt like I was always waiting for the pivotal moment where something huge would happen and it never same.The SnugglyThis book has a mature YA feel though it's labeled new adult by the author. We get build up towards sex but no actual sex scenes.Final ThoughtsI did have fun with some of this book. If it wasn't for the "love" story that was really about obsession I would have liked this book a lot more. I am glad I read it but I wouldn't recommend it to many people.  I would only recommend The Lure of Shapinsay to those who are dying to read about selkies.Quotes"I dinnae wish to be your enemy, but you make me wish to hate you."*****"Kait would soon learn that there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. I had chosen a new loyalty and would mourn the sea."*****"Your cheeks are flushed," Eamon observed with a relaxed smile that lit up his face like the sun. He awkwardly pushed a blonde straggler behind my ear. His fingers lingered behind my neck as if they were always meant to be there. "Aren't ye well?""It means I'm happy," I said with a broad grin, "Your cheeks are splotched pink too."Eamon touched his cheek like it couldn't be true then gave me a bewildered look. "Then I must be happy too."