A Spell for Drowning

Set along the salt-sprayed coast of Portscatho, A Spell for Drowning blends historical realism with lush fantasy. This debut from Rebecca Ferrier follows Kensa, a young woman who claws her way into power after stealing the credit for discovering a dying sea beast, thereby upending her relationship with her half-sister and the village’s wise woman, Isolde. As Isolde falls ill, Kensa seeks lasting influence—and turns to the Bucka, a terrifying sea god who guards the tides. The story braids sirens, sea gods, and Cornish lore into a sharp meditation on gender, choice, and belonging. A spellbinding standalone, it invites readers who relish myth retold with feminist edge and vivid maritime atmosphere. Comparisons to Circe and Godkiller place it among readers who crave character-driven fantasy grounded in folklore and sea-sprayed myth.

Who might be interested in reading?

• Fans of feminist mythic fantasy and historical coastal settings.
• Readers who enjoy character-driven stories with morally complex protagonists.
• Lovers of folklore-inspired fantasy, especially sea and siren lore, or Cornish myth.
• People who appreciate standalone novels that blend myth with personal growth.