A Spell for Drowning - by Rebecca Ferrier (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A stunning historical fantasy debut steeped in the salt and superstition of the Cornish coast. Perfect for readers of Circe and Godkiller.

Forgotten sirens, mischievous sea gods, and the lore from days long since passed weave an irresistible tale.

The people of Portscatho are bound to traditions and to the sea, living side by side with the spirits, gods, and monsters that inhabit the rollicking waters. When Kensa and her half sister come across a dying sea beast on the Cornish shore, Kensa is quick to claim credit for the discovery and in doing so steals the glory and her sister's position as apprentice to the local wise woman. It seems an appropriate station for Kensa, who has always existed out of step with the others in the village.

Yet to be a wise woman is to be alone--unmarried, childless, relied upon, and lusted after yet never truly wanted. Kensa's only real company is her mentor, the wise woman Isolde.

But Isolde won't live forever, and when she 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 terrifying and unfathomable 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.

Beautifully written, expertly crafted, and full of engaging and compelling Cornish mythology, A Spell for Drowning tackles the expectations and limitations put on women by society, what it means to be feared and needed at the same time, and how the desire for acceptance can either save or destroy us.

With the historical wonder of A Thousand Ships, A Spell for Drowning is in good company with compelling historical fantasies that enchant readers across the board.

Review Quotes

Praise for A Spell for Drowning
"Ferrier crafts a thrilling yarn as dark, rich, and bloody as folk stories that have lasted centuries in the telling . . . A fairy tale with teeth."
--Publishers Weekly

"Ferrier weaves Cornish folklore into a shadowy and hopeful modern gothic tale that holds great appeal for fans of Madeline Miller and Erin Morgenstern."
--Library Journal, starred review

"In the alluring fantasy novel A Spell for Drowning, a girl comes of age, and into her wisdom, in a world where folklore and myths still rule."
--Foreword Reviews

"A truly immersive read steeped in the living landscape of earth and sea. A Spell for Drowning is folkloric fantasy as it should be―pernicious, wild and beholden to no-one. A story of outcast women, defiance and loss, and sisterhood and growth, it lingered long after the final pages."
―Eliza Chan, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Fathomfolk

"This is a tale I crave to hear around a campfire. A Spell for Drowning is an utterly mesmerizing Gothic fairytale and a love letter to all the women who are marked as witches simply for being different. Wild, darkly woven, and overflowing with courage, this novel is an enchantment you cannot miss."
―Lucy Rose, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamb

"Thrilling and bewitching from the very first deliciously crafted paragraph. This story of sisterhood, magic, folklore and tradition sets Rebecca Ferrier up as a first-rate writer of this age."
―Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ, award-winning author of Dazzling

"A fable of family ties and belonging, of outcasts and alchemy. Spellbinding and striking, A Spell for Drowning is a siren song of folklore and mystery, of Cornwall calling you home."
―Victoria Hawthorne, author of The Darkest Night

About the Author

Rebecca Ferrier is an award-winning writer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her speculative fiction reveals her obsessions with class, power, and death. She teaches creative writing and is a PhD student at Northumbria University. A Spell for Drowning is her debut novel. Since writing it, she has been inundated with hagstones, whether they be gifted by loved ones or hurled from the sea.