Selkies & Skeptics
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Pub Date Nov 17 2026 | Archive Date Not set
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Description
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THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN A LIE?
THE TRUTH WITH TEETH.
Sixteen-year-old Luella is trapped in an isolated lighthouse with only her cruel father for company—he turns off the beacon for every twenty-fifth ship that passes, then makes her dive for riches in the resulting wreckage.
Luella desperately longs for friends and freedom, so when she spots a newspaper ad for The Society for the Protection of Faeries, she grasps for the opportunity to escape. She writes in, claiming selkies live on the island to entice the group to come . . . and to her surprise, they do.
To back the lie, Luella fakes faerie magic, convincing the Society that the seals on her island are actually selkies, and they induct her as a member. She takes quickly to a world of traveling in carriages, garden parties, and friends her own age, but Luella can never come clean about her deception if she wants to keep her new life. Soon she realizes she is not the only liar. There’s an imposter among them, someone who possesses real magic and sabotages her friends’ discoveries—and without evidence, they will soon run out of funding. The imposter knows Luella’s lying too, and if she dares to unmask them, they’ll ruin her new life with the Society for good.
Advance Praise
“A world brimming with selkies, kelpies, and other devious fae, but the true magic is in the tender, transformative friendships. Whimsical and healing.”
—S. Hati, author of Morbid Curiosities
“A perfect mix of fae whimsy and sharp teeth that will keep you hooked until the last page. One of my favorite reads of the year!”
—Maria Z. Medina, author of the Mistress of Bones duology
“Cold has masterfully crafted a rich world full of magical creatures and mystery. A must-read fantasy.”
—Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, author of Such Lovely Skin and What Feeds Below
“Selkies & Skeptics will sweep you away to a world of faerie treasure, grand adventures, and sinister secrets. A stunning, folklore-laced tale about finding your voice and your magic.”
—Emma Clancey, author of This Dream Will Devour Us
“A warm, charming fantasy book with a unique cast of characters.”
—Anna Fiteni, author of The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire
“Elias Cold expertly injects a lush, atmospheric setting into this charming story of self-discovery and growth. This book truly has something for every reader.”
—Blair Hanson, author of America's Not-So Sweetheart
“Selkies & Skeptics pulled me straight into its gorgeous depths. With signature wit, lush prose, and aching chemistry, Elias Cold again affirms they are the master of crafting queer found family.”
—Cass Biehn, author of Vesuvius
“Luella's quest to escape a life of monotony and neglect is deeply heartwarming. Watching her fight her way through self-doubt and regret to build the life she deserves with a found family that truly understands her is the most magical aspect of a story already brimming with charm and folklore-inspired adventure.”
—Adrienne Rivera, author of My Fair Monster
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9798890034960 |
| PRICE | $22.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 320 |
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Average rating from 4 members
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1158793
I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I really loved this! I thought the magic system was great and how Cold uses the fae was a breath of fresh air! If you loved The Rose Bargain and Call Forth A Fox, you will definitely love this book!
Sarah M, Reviewer
Give me selkies, faeries, magic and a gorgeous coastal setting and apparently I will simply forget I have a life because I could NOT put this down.
The world was so whimsical and atmospheric, but I loved that the faeries had that darker, dangerous side too. Cute magical creatures? Yes. Potentially terrifying? EVEN BETTER.
The characters completely stole my heart and I was so invested in everything they were getting themselves into. Elias Cold’s writing made it ridiculously easy to disappear into this world and honestly, I wasn’t ready to leave.
If you love folklore, magical creatures and stories that make you want to pack a bag and disappear into another world, add this to your TBR immediately.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I absolutely loved this one and I NEED MORE.
Harriet A, Reviewer
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley. Publication date: 17th November 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sixteen-year-old Luella lives an isolated life on a remote island with her father, the lighthouse keeper. Taking advantage of his position, he deliberately extinguishes the light for every twenty-eighth ship that passes so he can plunder the wreckage forcing Luella to dive for the treasures below. Desperate for connection beyond the lonely island, Luella responds to a newspaper advertisement from The Society for the Protection of Faeries, claiming selkies live in the surrounding waters. When the Society arrives to investigate, Luella is offered the opportunity to join the Society, leave the island and conduct further research on the Fae. Thrown into an unfamiliar world, Luella must adjust to her new life while desperately trying to fit in, and maintain her lie about the selkies. Luella embarks on a whimsical journey where hidden secrets and unexpected friendships await her.
What to expect:
- Georgian England
- Teenage main characters
- Young adult fantasy & horror
- One eyed cat companion, Furcas 🐱
- Escaping a toxic father
- Coming of age
- Fishing out of water
- Seeking connection and friendship
- Love of swimming, water, and a few seal friends 🦭
- Researching fae
- Whimsical coastal town 🌊
- Found family
- LGBTQIA+ representation
- Self discovery and growth
This would have been an absolute favourite if I had read it as a teenager. I really enjoyed the classic whimsical aesthetics, focus on faeries, and the friendship group with their adventures ✨🧚♂️
I would recommend this to lovers of the Emily Wilde series, or readers who wish to run away from home and research the fae with their best friends 🤍
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