A Spell for Drowning by Rebecca Ferrier
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Pages: 3204
Cover: Paperback
Age rating: 13+
Buy on: Amazon, Kindle
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The people of Portscatho are bound to the sea, neighbors with the spirits, gods, and monsters that inhabit the roaring waves. When Kensa found out that her half sister, Elowen, had come across a sea monster, Kensa stole that achievement for her own and became an apprentice to the wise woman of the village. It seems an appropriate station for Kensa, who has always been the outcast of the village.
To be a wise woman is "to be alone—unmarried, childless, relied upon, and lusted after yet never truly wanted". Kensa’s only real friend is her mentor, the wise woman Isolde.
But things never turn out the way Kensa wanted. As Isolde falls ill, Kensa will do anything to save her and retain her newfound elevation within the community, even if that means having to seek help from the Bucka, a deadly sea god who guards the tides around Portscatho. In doing so, she’ll risk her life, her family, and everything she’s sworn to protect.
Review:
​​​Characters and Plot
Thank you Net Galley for approving my request for this book.
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This book follow Kensa, an outcast in the village of Portcatho because of infamous father. But when she found her half sister Elowen with a sea beast in the sea shore, Kensa claimed that discovery for her own, as it will give her the chance of being A Wise Woman and gain the respect from the village.
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I really enjoy the writing style of this book, it reminds me a lot of Circe by Madeline Miller, a book that I love as well. I was angry of how Kensa was being treated by the village, and I understand all the rash actions she did in this book, as she founds it's the only way to keep the person that genuinely care for her. Seeing Kensa growing from an outcast to a woman that earn mutual respect from the village, to believe in herself of being the wise woman was inspiring. I love how this book didn't rush Kensa's character development, but it makes her fail, getting call out for it and actually grow from those experiences. I was cheering for her so hard at the last moment.
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I thought I would hate Elowen, and it's true I didn't really like her at first, but it wasn't her fault that she was getting all the attention and Kensa was being shunned, but after more reading, I found it's no one but the mother to blame. While there might be some moments that Kensa's mom do care for her, her mom should have defend Kensa from the harsh look from the village, and the harsh remarks behind her back, but her mom just didn't do any of that. The sister bonding throughout the story was sweet to watch, they radiate that I hate you but also love you energy that real life siblings had. There's a romance subplot in this book and I LOVE it. It was sweet, tender, and add on to the story so well.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Conclusion
Overall, this book was amazing, I love the the beautiful and somehow whimsical world building. The character's arc was great, and the writing was mesmerizing.
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