Daughters of the Sea: Hannah by Kathryn Lasky

Hannah has always felt like she doesn’t belong. Others sense it too and sometimes steer clear of her. But Hannah’s difference is not something she can control. She never wanted to become seriously ill when she was away from the ocean, and she has no idea why she seems to leave salt everywhere and has a faint trace of scales on her skin. But while these strange characteristics are intriguing, they’re also dangerous; should anyone else discover Hannah’s true nature, she would become a permanent outcast. So, Hannah tries to hide her differences, blending in as a dedicated and hardworking scullery maid for one of Boston’s most elite families. But not all is well in Hannah’s new home. The eldest daughter of the family and her pompous cat have a death wish for Hannah, and a visiting artist seems onto Hannah’s secret. It might be dangerous, but Hannah is ready to find out who—or what—she has become.

The first installment in what I believe will be a trilogy, Hannah is a surprisingly enthralling and magical read. This novel is not something I’d normally pick up, so I’m glad I did. The story is set at the turn of the twentieth century, and Lasky does a wonderful job of incorporating many of the societal laws of the day such as the rigid social structure as well as the daily duties or occupations of each class. As a fan of historical fiction, I greatly appreciated how believable the background of the story was, even with the addition of Hannah’s mystical secret. It’s so interesting to discover along with Hannah each new ability or characteristic she has. However, the believability of the story failed slightly with the characters. Protagonist Hannah was usually too quick to accept her new condition, and even though she’s always felt out of place, most people would have great difficulty believing they’re not entirely human. The other major characters were just hard to understand. Lasky’s attempt at romance was also unrealistic, as it seemed to appear out of thin air before the reader realizes there’s even the smallest attraction. I really hoped to learn more about Hannah’s new identity, but the story ended too soon; thankfully, there will likely be a sequel or companion for this sweet and mystical tale.

Hannah is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson, and The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from publisher Scholastic