I became bewitched by this book. Mara's life is a modern fairy tale and I loved how every page of this book weaved a story that felt so real and so relatable yet so distant at the same time. This is not the average happy fairy tale that we are so commonly told today and fall in love with when we are children. Through it shines the old myths and legends of mermaids and selkies, and like those tales I was drawn in to the characters so much so that I laughed and cried with them.

When I started the book I was constantly playing the game of is this real or is this all in Mara's mind but I quickly became absorbed into her world. There is so much mystery in the book but it does something that the old stories don't, it tells the story in such a way that though the magic is there it is Mara and the way it affects her, her sister and Pearl that are the real elements that pull you in.

It is a truly wonderful read and a beautiful tale about Mara and her family as they grow up, grow together and grow apart. I will definitely revisit this book in the future and I can't recommend it enough.

I thought this was a really beutiful, tender story, about the growth one girl goes through on her odd island (I loved the island by the way!!) It felt rich and lyrical, and it was really amazing to watch the growth of the relationship between Pearl and Mara. The storylines were haunting, and I thought the way Logan highlighted love, grief and loss were beautiful.

This is a story which weaves the fantastical and the real together so well. It's set on a small, remote Scottish island, where the people there believe selkies and turn to stone on a cliff top, looking out to the ocean, when they die.
Mara Ross and her family live in a run down castle, which they never quite manage to repair. After her little brothers death, Mara leaves the island with Pearl, who she often refers to as a mermaid or a selkie (it's her job, actually).
This is a story of love, loss, hope, return and growing up. Fairy tales are used as a way of illustrating gender roles and how they have changed. This all sounds far too 'dry' though. This story is written in such lyrical, wistful language. It's beautiful. I could carry on reading it for another 200 pages. You're never quite sure what's real and what's fairy tale - and that's O.K.
And for the record, I like that there's no definite ending. I think that works really well with the rest of the novel.

Hauntingly written The Gloaming by Kirsty Logan follows the life of the Ross family in their tatterdemalion guest house, practically falling in to the sea, on an unnamed island somewhere in the Scottish Hebrides. It’s an island where no one really leaves, figuratively or literally, with some strange magic drawing every wanderer back and every death is not a death but a slowing down, slowing until the islander turns to stone on a cliff facing the sea.

The Gloaming is an awkward book to review as so much, whether thematically or structurally, that giving away a little can give away a lot. There is some magic though you’ll be hard pressed, apart from the petrified islanders on the cliff, to spot it for certain. That is part of the book, and magic’s, charm but towards the end the charm began to rub off. Where I thought there would be a climax the story circled back and left my emotions feeling deflated. I recognise that this was the point, to deny the reader a resolution since a key theme (at least that I identified) is how, like the gloaming, nothing lasts forever and we are all stories that are continuing to unfold and change; however, such endings work only when there has been a sign of growth, we go on but not exactly as before, otherwise what’s the point?

I think some of my frustration comes from a sense that Logan didn’t ‘lean in’ on the magic or folklore elements. The narrative dips its toe but shies away just as it gets interesting, and then repeats the process a few chapters later. It ended up leaving a lot more questions than answers, though yes, I know, we don’t always want to know how the magician does the trick. For me it would have helped if the story settled in to Folklore adaptation (I did get some flashbacks to the film Song of the Sea/Amhrán na Mara) or Magic Realism. I have read other reviews that suggest The Gloaming takes place in the same universe as The Gracekeepers so perhaps it’s my own fault for not reading that first.

I also found it difficult to engage with the characters. There are six key characters, Signe and Peter Ross, former ballerina and boxer, raising Islay (pronounced Eye-la), Mara and Barra (Bee), then later Pearl, Mara’s girlfriend. Oh, yes, this is an LGBT+ friendly book, and no, Mara’s story does not revolve around pain or tragedy caused by being gay! To be honest, I would read it for that alone. Anyway! Something tragic happens which I won’t mention upfront for fear of spoilers but lordy lord I wanted to shake these characters something fierce. It could be taken that the family’s arc is them coping with grief, in which case as someone who has climbed that hill already, I can confidently say none of them have healthy coping strategies. This made reading hardest for me because I couldn’t empathise with them, when they were wilful (e.g. Islay leaving the island) I wanted to smack them with the arm of one of the petrified islanders, and when they were human their idiosyncrasies were so watered down each character melted in to the other. There were a few scenes, especially if all four women were together, where I could lose track of who was speaking or doing what. Once again, what I felt like enough questions weren’t answered about the characters for me to really dig in.

However, the language is beautiful. Logan is at her best when describing a physical or emotional experience, or giving personality to the sea shore or inside of a run-down old mansion. There were a few points where she would code switch but it didn’t detract from the pace or sense of the scene or chapter. It reads especially well for fans of Jen Campbell, it was no surprise to see her name in the acknowledgements.

All that said, I did like the book. And lesbian selkies is definitely a sub-genre I want to see more of.

*full disclosure: I received an uncorrected proof ebook through NetGalley for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

"Pearl did all her storytelling at night, when they were supposed to be sleeping. Stolen hours, half-dream time."

For me, this perfectly sums up the strangely somnambulant nature of the book. Did I dream it, or did I read it? Does it matter? Not at all, because the magic of this book meant that the parts I found significant or most interesting would not be the same if I were to read it at a different stage in life. It is a perfect exploration of what it means to be female with little insightful gems hidden in lush descriptions of the magical and the mundane. It is also a story of love and loss, when to fight for someone you love and when to let go.

A beautiful book, and thanks go to the publishers and net galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

The gloaming by Kristi Logan is a book that transports you to an island which is both mystical and dark. A place where people don’t die naturally but are turned into stones on a cliff overlooking the sea. The sea which is untamable and has its own secrets.

The prose is beautifully written. Its a calculative mix of fairytale, magic, and folklore, with a lot of dark mysteries. Peter and Signe, a boxer and ballet dancer respectively, live in a house that refuses to be taken care of. They have three kids- Mara, Islay, and Bee. And then a crazy accident happens, that throws Mara off balance. She has lost all interest in life and then she meets Pearl- a mermaid dancer. Love blossoms, but their fate might not be all about happy endings.

Look Forward to:
-A rich prose, that carries you flawlessly through the plot
-Intricate and detailed characterization
-A mysterious, secretive and unpredictable storyline

Reading this book is like watching the world from within a glass box. The characters aroused my curiosity, and I craved for a connection. But it was missing on a massive level. The plot made me feel trapped because there was so much more I wanted to know, especially Pearl’s side of the story.

The Gloaming is the product of a brilliant imagination and talks about loss, grief, and love in an observational sort of way. I just wish I could connect myself to the characters.

The Gloaming is a story about hope, growing up, love and grief and it was a good reading. What I liked most was the writing style, very enchanting, but the story didn't fully work for me. When I requested it I didn't know it was the prequel to The Gracekeepers, which I haven't read, so I think this aspect influenced the enjoyment of the story.

The Gloaming is described as a spiritual prequel to Logan’s previous novel, The Gracekeepers, and it retains all of the magic and elegant storytelling of her earlier work.

Logan’s writing is preoccupied with water and islands, and the loneliness and self-definition that isolation inspires. Her work is infused with fairy tales and storytelling as the islanders attempt to define their history, beliefs and place in the world through tales handed down through generations. There’s a comfort and familiarity in those tales but Logan twists them, exploring their darkness with a watery sub-text, to create a magical, engaging narrative.

The Gloaming explores ideas of identity and loneliness. The characters try to define themselves as parents after successful careers, or as adults as they navigate through teenage struggles. The island and familial bonds pull the Ross family back and the chronological movement of the narrative structure brings those concerns to the fore beautifully. Tragedy pervades this book but it’s overwhelmingly positive and inspiring, uplifted by mermaids, love, relationships and self-discovery.

I have adored Logan’s work since picking up a copy of her short story collection, The Rental Heart, at the Edinburgh Book Festival a few years ago. Her vivid, descriptive prose transports me to mystical worlds and I always pick up her books when I need some literary escapism. I could smell the salt and seaweed as I read The Gloaming, felt the spray of the waves against my face. Reading Logan’s work is a full sensory experience for me and I loved this book from start to finish.

Peter, a boxer, falls in love with Signe, a ballet dancer. This unusual match somehow triggers nature and becomes something very special. Signe soon falls pregnant, but of the three babies, only one, Islay, survives. After they had their second daughter, Mara, they move to a remote Scottish island into a huge house. This is where their third kid, the long awaited boy, Bee, arrives. Yet, the forces of nature demand donations and soon the rough sea catches young Bee and leaves the family devastated. Islay flees the haunted island as soon as she can. Mara remains there with the parents not only grieving but also deteriorating more form day to day. With the arrival of Pearl, the chance for Mara to have a more positive look on life suddenly opens up. But Pearl is mysterious and she, too, has a close connection to the earthly forces.

“The Gloaming” is an outstanding novel. It is not exactly fantasy, nor can it completely be classified as a kind of fairy tale. It is somewhere in between the reality as we know it and hardly palpable forces that come from the earth. They are not supernatural, quite the opposite, they are natural and thus guide the characters and decide on what happens. It is somehow close to very old cultures, old folkloristic sagas and beliefs that revive and are called back to the people’s memory.

What I liked best about the novel was the way Kirsty Logan created the atmosphere. Throughout the novel, you have the feeling that there is something about the island or the house, something beyond the characters’ control. It is spooky somehow and gives you the creeps at times. On the other hand, there is a sadness and melancholy which weighs especially on Mara and with is often hard to support.

There is something magical in the novel, yet, it wasn’t exactly the kind of book I love to read.

The Gloaming is wonderfully written but sadly I just didn't enjoy it overall.
When I requested it I didn't realise that it was a prequel and I think that has contributed to my feelings about it.
I plan to read the other book in the series before attempting to read this again.

This book has a lovely ethereal quality to it but ultimately it didn't work for me - I wasn't aware when I requested it that it was a prequel to a previous novel and I think it does affect your enjoyment of the story. Just one of those times where the reader and the book are not a good fit.

"The Gloaming" is a loose prequel to Kirsty Logan's previous novel, "The Gracekeepers". An absolute must read for fans, but also a good start into Logan's writing if you haven't read any of her works yet. Personally, I couldn't spot any specific connections between the novels, though it's been a while since I read the first one. What I did notice: small connections linking this world to her short stories, and I liked that a lot – to think that all those little, magical elements are part of the same world. But you don't have to have read any of those stories and can jump right in with "The Gloaming". (Though, in retrospect, there are some connections even I noticed: queer, loving women, the beautiful, unrelenting sea as a big part of the story, the calm narration, the lyrical writing.)

I don't know yet if I'm generally a fan of magical realism, but I'm certainly a big fan of Kirsty Logan's. The little elements that make her world not quite like ours after all, but close enough that it could be ours. So much really, that sometimes you can't be sure what really is magical or not. Are there really selkies? What happens to the dead? Is the sea willing to bargain with us? There's a beauty, another magic in not quite knowing that makes the book all the more enjoyable.

It's necessary, too, since this a rather quiet story – in a way. Much is happening, the plot spans over years, and for some: lifetimes. But it's a creeping narration, slowly edging closer to the end, engaging nonetheless. We see life and death, happiness and regrets, the isolation being stuck brings with it, how sadness can infect the mind. Those almost-or-fully-magical elements bring a light with them that are much needed for both the characters and the reader.

In the centre of it all is Mara, though she's not the sole focus. The story keeps jumping – between characters, between times. Like the sea does to the land, the narration chips away layer after layer, revealing new depths, secrets, sometimes just the past, sometimes horrible yet human thoughts. It was fascinating to see how Logan managed to create a harmonious, organic whole without ever making the story too jumpy. How she connected such different characters such as Mara's parents, a boxer and a ballerina; Mara and her sister Islay, one stocky and scarred, hiding, the other conventionally beautiful, demanding and almost cruel at times; the sisters and their little brother Bee, two loved and one adored; Mara and her lover Pearl, one drawn to this island and one drawn to the sea, to freedom.

Speaking of lovers, I also have to give props to Logan for the sex scenes in this book. They're graceful without ever getting flowery or wishy-washy. And can I just say how nice it was to see two queer women exploring and loving each other? Fair warning, their relationship is not without its issues. But especially in the beginning, there was a playfulness there that was very satisfying to read.

Whether you're already a fan of Kirsty Logan or not, as long as you like a little magic and love the sea in all it's cruelty and beauty, as long as you're happy to be whisked away to a stormy island, then you should absolutely pick up "The Gloaming".

I had previously read The Grace Keepers by Kirsty Logan and was thrilled to get accepted for an arc of her new one. I found this to be very much like her first one, with intricate locations and beautifully written narrative. I really enjoyed the unknown aspect that seemed to lurk under the text.

This is a beautiful, bittersweet fairy tale of a book. A story about love and family, full of magic and myths and folklore. The author has a gorgeous, whimsical writing style and I can't wait to read The Gracekeepers now.

'But then, she soothed herself: we cannot be held responsible for every pretty lie we tell to our children.'

Although The Gloaming has chapters from other points of the view, the primary focus of this novel is on Mara, a middle child, and her life upon the island she was raised on for the latter half of her life. Then tragedy strikes. Magic returns to her life upon meeting Pearl, another woman living on the island, bringing even more change along with her arrival into Mara's life.

There is something beautiful about The Gloaming. But there is also something incredibly solitary about the characters that echoed in my reading experience, making the journey even more personal. Although this book has multiple points of view, it focuses mainly on Mara, and her life upon the island she grew up on. It is about loss and, like I mentioned, loneliness; about finding someone who understands you, and the magic of home, as well as the suffering it will cause you.

Despite the magical undertones (and overtones) of this novel, through the actions of characters and the stories they tell themselves and others, there is something incredibly normal about the characters. They have aspirations and anxieties that I could relate to, and I found that very grounding as I read this, such as the fears Mara had in her relationship with Pearl, or the anger Islay has for her home. Kirsty Logan manages to retain the magic of the island without making the characters into untouchable beings. Pearl became more human the longer Mara spent with her, but it was because of this I grew to love her and Mara's relationship, as well as the parts of Pearl that seemed just a touch unreal, although it never really becomes clear if Pearl really is human or not.

Unfortunately, the further I got into this novel, the more annoyed I got at the changing points of view. I loved whenever Pearl and Mara were the main voices of the chapter. However, when Islay, or Mara's parents, took over, I tended to lose interest and skim read. It was interesting reading about them at first, but the chapters began to feel repetitive. Generally all her parents did was praise Bee, which, while I understood it at first, began to just annoy me as that seemed to be all they did in a majority of their chapters, and became even more annoying after some revelations towards the last 60 pages of the novel. Islay mostly grated on me as she was a very selfish character. There didn't seem to be any love there at all for her family, which didn't seem justified, as they never really did anything to directly harm her, and her character really only grew on me in the last 60 pages as well.

"Fuck them. Let them stare at the angry scarred girl. She smiled so wide that her face twisted into a mask."

I think what I really loved about this novel was Pearl and Mara's relationship. It was refreshing, and heartwarming; however, it was also realistic, and seeing the conflicts within their relationship, while difficult to read as I loved them so much, was also enjoyable. And I mean that because I think it's rare to see conflicts that are actually realistic, as they are less about miscommunication- which I'm used to reading in so, so many novels- and more about their life and desires, difficult to solve. The two are also very fleshed out- Mara becomes harder after tragedy, but around the more hesitant and careful Pearl, lets herself soften and also discuss her own worries with her. Their relationship was healthy, and I loved that.

"The book ended with these lines: 'They didn't live happily ever after, like a couple in a story. But they were happy for a while, and perhaps that's all we can ask.'"

The Gloaming is very easy to read. Kirsty Logan writes beautifully, and having the focus of the story so much on Mara made the chapters I didn't like slightly more bearable as I knew what I had to look forward to. Although the characters experience upsetting losses and have to learn to cope over time, they also learn to love and move on in their own ways (although some don't). I really recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to reading The Gracekeepers and any future novels Kirsty Logan releases!

This story is a fantastical meld of folk/fairy tales and magical realism. I have read very little magical realism before so found it a little hard going to begin with but the story itself was captivating and I became so invested in the characters that I couldn't put the book (Kindle) away and had to stay up late to finish it off (within 24 hours).

We follow the Ross family through a tragic accident which affects each family member in a completely different way. We go back in time to the meeting of the boxer and the ballerina, then up to present day, with an 18 year old girl, just discovering who she wants to be, and her meeting with a part-time mermaid!

Kirsty Logan has created a completely believable world with stunning prose - this is a beautiful literary fiction novel. Yes, it's true that some of the characters could be a little more developed or 'fleshed out' - this could easily have been a much longer book and would still have been as captivating but, for me, I loved this read and would recommend it wholeheartedly.

The story of Mara, Pearl and the island her family live on, The Gloaming makes for an unforgettable read. A book that blends magic, fairy tales and incredible scenery written with such elegance, The Gloaming highlights for me the quality of Logan’s world building and her incredible way of writing it so ambigously.

The writing in this book is as enchanting as the story and the characters are so human that it makes this book feel so real that the writing and the characters can contradict in parts. But that’s why I think it works, it feels like it could be happening right now, the magical realism in The Gloaming, is very right now.

A book that covers so much, love, identity and family in a way that is beautifully written, The Gloaming is a story that makes for such an enchanting read, the story growing as the book keeps going.

I've had to give up on this book, over half way through. This is unusual for me, but (for personal reasons) it was making me feel depressed, and I cannot afford to feel that way right now.

In between reality, story-telling and fantasy

An absolutely delightful book packed with stories, otherworldliness, fantasy and a mix of sad and happy reality.

The story of a family unfolds on a mysterious, beautiful island. Signe, a ballerina, and Peter, a boxer, bring their children, Islay, Mara and Bee, to the island away from the busy unrelenting life in town.

However, the island and the sea are unrelenting, mysterious and belong in another world which is part of a real world, or is it? When people’s lives come to an end they walk up a hill on the edge of a cliff followed by their loved ones who watch them slowly turn to stone. Somehow this process of moving on from the world does not feel sad.

The grief and sadness come into the lives of the family from the island and the sea itself. Pearl comes into their lives, is she real or is she from the sea? Pearl also brings mystery, love and grief.

A beautifully written story that includes disappearances, mystery, immense love and the deepest grief.

BonnieK

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Kirsty Logan writes a beautifully imagined tale of magic, folklore and fairytales with a strong undertow of darker forces juxtaposed with a gritty realism. Logan achieves the feat with her world building that is sufficiently nebulous and ambiguous in giving the reader the path of seeing and interpreting the novel as they wish. The narrative focuses on the issues of identity, what it is to be a woman, loss, grief and love with Logan drawing us in with her sublime atmospheric prose and descriptions. On a remote Scottish island, the Ross family reside in a ruined home that resists efforts to improve it. The parents, Signe and Peter, have backgrounds respectively in ballet dancing and boxing, both physically demanding and brutal occupations that have left indelible scars on their bodies.

Signe and Peter have three children, Barra (Bee), Mara and Islay, who have grown up on the island where no-one dies, but a person becomes petrified, turned to stone on the cliffs looking out towards the unforgiving sea. The forces of nature are indomitable, uncompromising, making its presence felt on all islanders. Tragedy beckons and in its wake comes a new arrival on the scene. Pearl is a mermaid, both mysterious and alluring to Mara. A love story blossoms, and the two of them leave the island, only to return as Peter and Signe begin to turn into stone. A strong element of dripping sadness pervades the text of this coming of age novel. Providing you take the time to become immersed in the twin of elements of magic and reality, this is a wonderfully imaginative book on the difficulties and challenges of life, folklore, selkies, and being a woman. A powerfully woven spellbinding story from Kirsty Logan. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.