This debut novel stands out for its intricate narrative and what is clearly a deep personal connection to the author, delving into complex themes of identity, belonging, and the longing for motherhood. The novel is set against a backdrop that blends elements of folklore with the stark realities of human experience, demonstrating Kirby’s ability to craft a story that engages with its thematic depth and character-driven plot.

The use of multiple timelines and character perspectives is a strategic choice that enriches the novel, connecting characters across different eras through their shared destinies and their relationship with the Hollow Sea. This approach not only adds layers to the narrative but also facilitates a deeper exploration of the characters’ backgrounds and motivations. Kirby's characters are well-developed, each with a distinct journey that resonates on a human level, fostering a connection with readers. The integration of mythological elements with the characters' personal stories adds a unique dimension to the book, positioning the Hollow Sea not just as a setting but as a pivotal force within the story.

Kirby's writing style is detailed and evocative, capable of creating vivid imagery and emotional depth without resorting to overly ornate language. The exploration of themes such as motherhood is handled with care, reflecting a personal stake in the narrative that adds authenticity and emotional weight to the story.

However, the novel encounters some challenges in its final sections. The build-up, rich with carefully constructed narrative and emotional depth, does not fully carry through to the conclusion. The ending feels somewhat hurried and dare I say it, disappointing, with the resolution coming across as wholly against Scottie's characterisation up to this point in the novel.

Despite this, for a debut this is a commendable work, showcasing Kirby’s skill in blending thematic depth with engaging storytelling. The novel’s exploration of deep emotional and existential themes is balanced with a compelling narrative structure. While the ending might not meet the expectations set by the novel's strong beginning and middle, the overall journey offers a valuable and engaging reading experience.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future!

I was sent an advance proof copy of The Hollow Sea by Annie Kirby to read and review by NetGalley. I really enjoyed this novel, especially the mythology and magical aspects of the story. It was well written with a great sense of place and had well rounded characters. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book because it was written from different perspectives and to begin with there was seemingly no connection between them. The further on the narrative went the closer the different dimensions came and often the references were repeated. There was something about the novel that even though I can’t quite put my finger on it made me give a 4 star rating rather than the full 5 stars – more than a 4 but just less than a 5... read and enjoy for yourself and draw your own conclusions!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC to review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Absolutely stunning. Mesmerizing. I will absolutely be finding a copy for myself as soon as I can.

The Hollow Sea is a mystical magical tale like no other I have read.

It has everything to make a great book. Its atmospheric and the writing made me escape to the Hollow Sea and the northern isles of St Hia

The book flicks between Scottie on remote islands she has a strange connection with in the present day and back to the past and a woman known as Thordis. The residents of the isles say she is a witch, murderess and baby thief and she says only one of those is true!

The author done a great job of building in depth characters and by flicking between past and present we can look back though the life before and what has made her this way.

I will be recommending to others and looking out for more books from the author.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This book I’m finding hard to put into words. It is full of magical, dark, mysterious layers of pain, hurt, grief and more. The story focuses on a woman who is struggling to conceive and is also struggling with her past and the question of her history, her parents and PTSD and trauma. The book has very dark and serious topic but set alongside an almost magical mysterious backdrop of sea creatures and the unknown, with small towns full of superstitions and old wives tales that seem to weave throughout the story, as well as being part of the story and a mirror to the story too.

It’s a book that you can read at surface level and enjoy but there are also so many themes and reflections you could have. It has a lot of depth, and that’s not just the depths of the hollow sea. A really unique and intriguing story about women, motherhood, family and … oh yeah sea creatures.

Scottie and her husband are desperate to start a family but the emotional effects of failed IVF attempts have left Scottie exhausted and in need of a new beginning. Leaving her bewildered husband behind, Scottie travels to the remote island of St Hia to take part in the annual seal count and it is in this isolated place where Scottie starts to learn more about herself and the secrets of her past.

Running alongside Scottie's story, we go back in time to meet Thordis, who left her Norwegian home to marry a fisherman and live with him on the remote island of Bride. Thordis also yearns for a child and it is this parallel which pulls all the shapes of this fascinating story together.

Mesmerising, lyrical and utterly enchanting The Hollow Sea pulled me in as tenderly as the tides which crash around these isolated islands. Sensitively described with a wonderfully creative edginess both Scottie and Thordis have their flaws but it is these very differences which binds their stories together and the result is something quite, quite special.

The myths and legends of our islands are passed down the generations and become entrenched in the very fabric of our lives and in the ebb and flo of the tides which dominate our coastline. And in quietly exploring what it means to be as one with this atmospheric landscape, Scottie and Thordis, each have their own deep connection to the wild beauty of the place they need to call home but which, for many reasons, they flounder, and lost and alone with their thoughts.

The Hollow Sea is a special story which will stay with me for a long time. It's a perfect autumnal afternoon sort of read .

I absolutely adored this book, a story that connects three stages of a woman's life across and suffuses it with myth and storytelling and mystery and sadness and love. The Hollow Sea follows Scottie as, traumatised by unsuccessful fertility treatments, she flees her old life and marriage to the St. Hia fishing islands. She's both trying to discover her past, before she was adopted as a young child, and start a new life there.

Woven alongside this is the story of Thordis, taking place 30 years or more before, who married a fisherman on St. Hia and, once he found she was unable to have children, was driven from her home. Desperation, fear and jealously converge in one terrible night that leads to Thordis withdrawing from St. Hian society and raising a young girl on a remote island in the hollow sea.

Kirby's depictions of grief are sharp and beautiful. The way the text sways between unreality and the painfully real are mesmerising, and the quality that the sea has in this book is that of a fabulous beast with its own personality. There's a great tug of wanting vs needing, and the conclusion leaves you wandering how much was literally real - but not in a way that is dissatisfying. It's all real in the way that matters.

Full of atmospheric writing and yearnings, this tells the stories of two women and how they are connected.
Thordis lived on the Island of Bride with her fisherman husband. When she cannot give him a child, he and the islanders accuse her of being a witch, and he abandons her to marry another.
Scottie and her husband Jasminder, are trying for a baby. They are on the IVF cycle of hope and disappointment. Scottie decides that enough is enough, and she makes plans to join a Seal counting group in the North Atlantic waters. Scottie is intrigued by an island she saw on line, St Hia, it reminds her of previous memories, that she doesn’t know much about, due to being adopted at the age of eight.
When Scottie reaches the island, memories begin to be recovered, and a deep and unsettling story is uncovered.
The issue of childlessness and infertility are raised, but very sympathetically. On the islands Myths and Legends are exposed and there are explanations and reconciliations. Missing childhood memories, bravery and deceptions are to be applauded in this story.
A very sensitive piece of writing, all wrapped up in the romance of small Scottish islands. The peace and isolation are indeed wonderful and so central to this novel. Folklore collides with modern day fact and knowledge, but it is beautiful. A gorgeous debut .
My thanks toNetgalley and Michael Joseph UK, for my advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review. A five star read.

This is a stunning novel weaving mythology with real life in a gorgeous meditation on belonging, marriage and motherhood. The setting of these remote islands, surrounded by the Hollow Sea, is both inspired and beautifully drawn and Scottie, the protagonist is vulnerable and strong in equal measure. Highly recommend.

Hollow Sea is an atmospheric journey through our main character’s forgotten past and finding her origins. It’s told from the perspective of different women, in a nonlinear way and at first it can be somewhat overwhelming, but you quickly overcome this and it gets you hooked on the story and how the lives and memories of these women are connected. An incredibly mysterious tale of love, motherhood, grief and most of all, self-discovery. There is a mystical tone throughout the book, intertwining fantasy, folklore and real life elements, complemented with a lyrical writing which perfectly adds up to the overall mysterious quality of this novel. I highly recommend this debut novel by Annie Kirby and will keep an eye out for her works in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley & Michael Joseph UK for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I’m going to start off with a content warning (which are potential spoilers). There’s some topics in here that some readers might want to know about - check out at the end for more information.

I loved the look of this one - it’s bit of a grown up fairy tale with mystery thrown in. I will admit the first half took me a while to get into it. The story takes you to different timelines and you follow our two characters - Scottie (Charlotte) as she’s struggling with her own fertility problems whilst trying find out her past and Thora/Thordis as her life slowly unfolds following her now ex-husband starting the family she always wanted. With these characters there’s also multiple timelines, so your perspective is always unclear.

I found these early flashes to the past disjointed and confusing (they’re also not linear). But once I started to understand it, and Scottie’s and Thordis’ stories, it did pull me in. I was desperate to know how they were connected - one of their main connections is their grief and heartbreak over their struggles to bear children.

When the fairytale part of the story kicked in and revealed itself, I was even more desperate to know how the story ends. But overall, it still felt a bit disjointed. A good debut and Kirby is an author I’ll be looking out for in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Michael Joseph Books and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy.
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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: there’s the main theme of infertility, IVF and miscarriage with detail of the impact on those affected, there’s some detail of domestic abuse (physical and mental) and attempted assault ⚠️

A gorgeous book, written with so much raw emotion, truth and more. I didn't really read the synopsis before going in, it was the cover and title that done it for me, I just knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. It was written so beautifully, the language throughout and the meaning behind the book, truly wonderful.

thank you Annie and Netgalley for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an open, honest review.

I went into this book blind, not really knowing anything about it other than a quick glance at the blurb online, so I had no pre-conceived ideas about what I was about to read.

The format, the writing style is unlike anything I’ve read before. The narrative is so beautiful. I don’t like the sea or open water and at times this book explains why I am scared of it. It’s like an untameable animals, but Anne Kirby also makes it sound like this gorgeous magical creature

I did find the flitting back and forth between characters and time periods a little confusing at first, and I did have to take them as separate stories until I had a good grasp of them, and then I could see how they all fit together, and I ended up loving their link.

It’s not a fantasy novel as such, but there are elements and hints of magic, which was a nice mix with this very accomplished novel (fantasy generally doesn’t get a lot of serious reviews, it’s often seen as a bit frivolous, which I think is undeserved).

It was going forward and backwards in time which I found fascinating. It’s not obvious, and I’m worried that I’ve made that up, but I read it as the present time was telling the story going forward, and the past was telling it backwards.

The weather has such a human quality to it, even when it’s calm, it’s like a coiled spring ready to snap, but when it gets angry, it holds all the power. The way Anne has managed to depict several storms in such different ways is amazing. Surely, once you’ve read one storm scene, you’ve read them all, but this book gives them their own characteristics.

Not everything is black and white. A lot is left up to the reader to decide, which makes the read a bit different to everyone. It leaves some things open, but gives the reader all they could possibly want. You don’t feel short changed that it’s left unfinished.

There is quite a lot of folklore in this and I’m in two minds. I like myths and legends so I would have liked a bit more of that, but you don’t want to stray into complete fantasy territory, as that would have ruined the majesty of the narrative, which is so perfect.

The characters past and present are so well described, it’s like you know them. And you go on this journey together. I love how powerful the female characters were; I would compare the women to the storm, they have this magic and power and inner strength.

This is Anne Kirby’s debut novel and I can already see the promise she has and I’m looking forward to any further stories she writes.

A beautifully evocative tale of Scottie who is grappling with her tormented present due to her fruitless IVF journey alongside her trauma of her past where she has no memories from before the age of 8 when she was adopted. Or has she no memories? A chance online sighting of a remote archipelago of islands in the North Sea stirs up visceral emotions of her childhood. She knows she must go to the islands to find her home and her sanity.

Atmospheric, riveting, complex, magical. I could go on listing adjectives because it's hard to classify this book as it seems that any and all help to define it.
There's sorrow and there's magic. I loved the characters, the setting, and the excellent storytelling.
And loved this story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel for an honest review. It is set to be published in August 2022.

"The Hollow Sea" by Annie Kirby is a very interesting debut novel mixing mystery and psychological drama, with just a touch of fantasy.
I loved the concept of superimposing the "hollow sea" to Scottie's desperate search for motherhood. I also loved the author's sheer imaginativeness, making up a whole new species of shapeshifters, and creating their own unique lore and folk tales from scratch.
The one thing that didn't sit well with me was the structure of the narrative, following 3 different storylines at once: one in the present, moving forward; one in the past, also moving forward; and one more in the past, moving backward for some reason. Thordis' storyline starting from the ending and gradually going back from there was not only boring to read - because I already knew what would happen - but also spoiled the surprise for the big reveal in the ending of Scottie's storyline (the one in the present). I have no idea why the author would choose to spoil her own ending like this!
Furthermore, there are some elements that I found simply too far-fetched. No, I'm not talking about the magical realism parts--I was fine with those. I'm talking about how even the old, experienced fishermen from the South of the archipelago are scared of navigating the hollow sea, with its currents and whirlpools and multitude of sunken shipwrecks, and then suddenly Scottie - a complete beginner to all things seafaring - just does some long-distance course of seamanship over the internet, takes a skipper's qualification and... voilà, just like that, she's ready to be better at this than the people who've been doing it all their life. That was completely unbelievable.
I also struggle to believe anyone would be so mean and uncaring as to break up with their spouse of so many years over the phone, especially after going through all the struggles and heartbreak that Scottie and her husband went through together. That part really made me hate Scottie!
Overall, this novel was an entertaining read and a very promising debut, despite some flaws, and I would definitely read the author's next works, either set in the same universe or not.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A strange novel. I think I enjoyed it but found it quite difficult to follow with the myths intertwined with reality. Perhaps the subject matter was not for me.

Thank you to Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for letting me read this book in exchange for a review.

This beautifully mysterious book is one that’s going to stay with me for a long time to come. The writing was fabulous, I felt like I knew the characters on an intimate level and were connected with them, the dual timeline was executed perfectly, and did I mentioned it has mermaids? One of the things I loved the most is that the author writes this is such a way that she leaves it up to the reader to believe whether or not the merpeople were real, and yes, I did chose to believe they were. PERFECTION.

My only critique? I would have liked to explore the mythology side of it a bit more, but that’s a want not a need. It doesn’t make the book shine any less.

Thank you to @michaeljbooks for sending me a proof in exchange for my honest review.