Like Frail Boats on the Sea by Caren J. Werlinger #BookReview for #RBRT #ContemporaryFiction #TuesdayBookBlog #BookTwt
Author: Caren J. Werlinger
Published 28th March 2025
Category: Contemporary Fiction, Literary, LGBTQ+
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Like Frail Boats on the Sea is the fourth instalment of the Little Sister Island series. It was a pleasure to revisit the island and its inhabitants, most of whom are the descendants of the original group of Native Americans and Irish who were shipwrecked off the island centuries ago and formed their own unique lifestyle and culture.
Most of the First Ones had begun to learn English and Irish. While the shipwreck survivors knew some words in the First Ones’ language, it had never been written down, so the Irish who could read were teaching their rescuers how to read and write as well.
Kateri looked to the stars. “You know her’”
Imogen frowned as she tried to interpret. “Know her.”
Kateri knelt, placing one hand on the earth and the other on her chest. “Here. You know.”
When Imogen shook her head, Kateri reached for her hand and pulled her down to squat beside her. Firmly she pressed Imogen’s hand to the ground, keeping her own over the top, and waited.
Imogen dug her fingers into the grass. Despite the frozen soil, Imogen felt a warmth run up her arm.
In this episode we meet Eryn who, although she lives on mainland America, feels a strong connection to the island and has become a conduit through her dreams for one of the original settlers. She feels the pull of the island and can’t understand why her mother, who was born there, had always refused to return.
Molly Cooper, the island’s general handywoman and sheriff is feeling a disconcerting disconnect to the place she loved and where she was born, in part due to her partner’s involvement with the island, but made worse by a shocking occurrence at a house where she’d serviced a boiler, and the self serving actions of one man. A surprise job offer off island gives Molly the opportunity for some time to work through her issues and try to make some sense of her feelings.
There’s a mystery from the past that needs to be solved, trouble is on the horizon and must be dealt with according to island law. The islanders themselves are feeling unsettled, this is a new experience for most of them.
I love the magical aspect in this series, as well as the island traditions and rituals handed down through the ages. Storylines are woven together seamlessly, drawing the reader in, creating an engaging and compelling narrative. The vivid imagery plus the history and way of life all add to the story as do the wonderful characterisations. I hope there’ll be more in this series.
Molly Cooper thought she knew what home was. Little Sister Island—the place she was born and raised. The place her people have lived since the 1760s. The place that was literally tied to her by blood.
Eryn Grant had grown up thinking she knew what home was, but then she found out about Little Sister Island and her mother’s side of the family. A place and people she never knew existed. Being on the island awakens more than just a desire she can’t quite put her finger on.
A series of island tragedies—past and present—shake all of the islanders. Eryn is inexorably drawn by these events, back to the place she needs to be, but for Molly, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. She’s adrift in the world. Even the love of her mate, Kathleen, isn’t enough to hold her steady in this storm.
The island’s magic is powerful, but is it powerful enough to heal rifts this deep?
