Salt & Storm
Author: Kendall Kulper
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary:
I will be killed. I will be murdered.
And I’ve never been wrong before.
Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to claim her birthright as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that have kept the island’s sailors safe at sea for generations, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and Victorian respectability. When Avery dreams she’s to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.
Avery finds a surprising ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane – a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Avery is desperate to keep her island from ruin and change her future. But as the clock ticks down the days to her death, she discovers that becoming a witch will require an unimaginable sacrifice.
This high-stakes epic is Kendall Kulper’s sweeping debut about one girl’s fight to survive the rising storm of first love and family secrets.
First Sentence: Despite my mother’s best efforts, I never forgot the day my grandmother taught me how to tie the winds.
My Review:
As soon as the bad reviews came in for Salt & Storm right after BEA, I wasn’t planning on reading it. I just had too many books to read in my TBR pile that I just don’t have time to waste on other books I won’t enjoy. However, I somehow found myself reading Salt & Storm (I blame it on the gorgeous cover) and I am so glad I did – for the first time since ever, I found myself being the black sheep for a book everyone else didn’t like. I was expecting to not enjoy Salt & Storm like other people did, but instead, I found myself really enjoying it and wanting to hug it to my chest.
“A gift,” he said, his expression smooth. “With my apologies.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Realized it’s no good to make a witch angry? Scared I’ll curse you to bits?” (ARC 59)
I have a big weakness for historical fiction books and Salt & Storm happens to be a historical fiction, set in the time where people caught and used whales for oil. (Sorry that I can’t tell you the exact time period Salt & Storm is set in – I’m not that good in history class.) I love reading about how superstitious people was back then and their attitudes towards witches. Reading Salt & Storm made me feel like I was in that time period, seeing everything Avery saw.
Unlike other people, I could really connect with Avery, the main character of Salt & Storm. I felt her anger towards her mother’s betrayal, her pure despair and desperation to become a witch, and her distrust of everyone around her – her feelings was just so strong – that I understood every single thing she did. In fact, I might have done the same things that Avery had done if I was put in her position – pure, panicked desperation changes us and makes us the worse self we could be, which was exactly what happened to Avery.
“See what kind of life you could have?” she offered. “See what could be yours if you only gave up chasing magic?”
…
I was no lady, no matter how my mom dressed me, no matter where I slept or what I ate or whom I socialized with. I was a witch, I was a whale, and I did not belong in an octopus’s nest. (ARC 49)
As for the romance, I was worried that it would be an insta-love romance since the summary unconsciously made it sound that way. However, to my relief, Avery and Tane’s romance didn’t have a speck of insta-love in it at all. Even though their romance wasn’t filled with insta-love, I didn’t find myself rooting for Avery and Tane’s relationship at all – I just didn’t find myself shipping their ship. They lacked that certain spark for me and they never had any memorable conversations that told me that they just got each other.
The ending of Salt & Storm nearly destroyed me. It made me sad and mad and just…why did I not see that coming?! That’s all I can say about it because I don’t want to spoil anything for you guys.
Overall, I did enjoy reading Salt & Storm despite its minor faults. I definitely recommend it, especially if you enjoy reading historical fiction as much as I do. Who knows, maybe you can be the black sheep for this book too.
You have definitely renewed my interest in this book! I’m a big fan of historical fiction too so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy this as much as you did. Thanks for the review :)
Eileen recently posted…WoW #21: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
I liked this book! It wasn’t quite as good as I was hoping it would be, but I definitely didn’t hate it or anything. I agree with you, though, that Avery and Tane wasn’t the best ship of my life or anything, but the ending is pretty intense! Glad you liked it!
Ok, now I really want to read this book! For 1) I LOVE HISTORICAL FICTION!! ///< 3) It's about witches, I'm all about the magic and the spells! What's there not to like about this book? Even though a lot of people didn't like this book, I'll probably give it a try too, I tend to be the black sheep for a lot of things that I like (Kdramas) LOL Thanks for the review! And this book is out already, perfect!
Oh man, it’s so good to see a positive review for this book! I’ve been wanting to read it for so long, the negative reviews were really discouraging. I’m so glad you really enjoyed it! You’ve restored my excitement :D
Bec @ Readers in Wonderland recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday [47]
Wow, absolutely wonderful review, Kelly – thank you so much! :) I didn’t realise this book received negative reviews after BEA, but I’ve been looking forward to reading it ever since its publications. I’m so glad you enjoyed this book – it sounds right up my alley. I’m looking forward to reading this book even more now.
Ebony @ Daring Damsels recently posted…Daring Damsels’ Travelling Book (2)
I was pretty hesitant myself after seeing all of the not so great reviews, but I was signed up for a blog tour and I had no choice. I am glad that I had no choice, because I ended up enjoying it a lot myself. It was not a happy story with a happy ending but it was a REAL story and sometimes that is what makes a book so good. HEA’s are awesome, but sometimes they can ruin an otherwise wonderful story!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Happy, Happy Thanksgiving From Jaime!
I think I was also the black sheep for this one too! I really liked Salt and Storm, BUT MAN was that ending bleak! Awesome review Kelly!
Valerie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #32
I look at the genre and this one is really up to my alley…historical fiction & fantasy :) so let’s hope this one will end up a winner for me. Sometimes, all we need is to be able to connect with a character and we will be in for the journey…no matter where it leads us happy or sad or just hanging. I think i saw this in our local bookstore already so i will be sure to look this up next time i go.
and Happy Thanksgiving!
I am so surprised that you actually enjoyed a book everyone seemed to dislike. And I definitely remember seeing all those three and below ratings that made me decide not to read the book either. But now I’m truly reconsidering since you made it sound so interesting…and I definitely need to read more Historical fiction since the only one I seem to recall is The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd which is kinda bad. If I do get to read Salt & Storm, I hope I love it as well. I want to be a black sheep with you! :D
Hillary R. recently posted…Review by Hillary: Rush by Eve Silver
I loved this book and you’re right the romance was perfect since it was built up over time. I thought the concept of the witches in the harbor were amazing. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending but hopefully there will be more to the story. Great review…again! (you always knock them outta the park)
~Britt T
Brittany T recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday
Great review! I think it is going to be my next read!
well sometimes we find diamonds in the rough don’t you think? I thought I would hate Cold Mountain when I picked it up years ago, but then it left me absolutely heartbroken when I finished it…
meyan rose recently posted…Re-reading: Yay or Nay?
I complete agree with everything you said. I felt I could deeply connect with Avery. I felt everything she was feeling. I didn’t really ship Tane and Avery. I couldn’t sense a spark either. The ending totally pulled the rug out from under me. I thought it was another scary nightmare but alas… Lovely review!!
Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books recently posted…Series Sequels I’m (Im)patiently Waiting For
I really like historical fiction and it’s truly a surprise that I haven’t read this yet. I ordered the UK version and received an ARC a few months ago so I’m really just being a slacker — absolutely zero excuse to not start it ASAP.
Btw, loving the new layout =)
Sajda recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: The Wrath and the Dawn
I love historical fiction, so I was so disappointed when I saw all the bad reviews for this. I had given up on it, thinking, like you, I wouldn’t enjoy it. I’m SO GLAD I saw this review, because it sounds really interesting and I love the cover! Also, I tend to not have as big of an issue with “unlikeable” characters in books as others. They have to be pretty unbearable for me to give up.
Thank you so much!
I really need to get my hands on a copy of this book! It seems like my kind of book, great review! I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!
Betsy P. recently posted…Meritropolis Sale Event & Giveaway!
Hmm..I may have to check this book out! My co-blogger wasn’t crazy about it so I assumed I wouldn’t be either, but your review sparked a bit of curiosity in me, so thank you! :)
Jessica @ The Book Bratz recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #7: More ARCs!
Great review! sounds like a great book :)
I enjoyed this book as well. It was so well written. The historical setting was what I liked about it. Also love how the three women in the family are all so different and each have determined what they want. I also really liked Avery’s courage. Great review, I’m glad that you liked this book.
Grace
Grace Fonseca recently posted…Stacking The Shelves and Bought, Borrowed, and Bagged
I am glad you enjoyed this one, I thought it was pretty good as well. I am not a huge historical fiction fan but I really appreciated the setting and the superstitions of the town. The romance was a bonus, I loved that there was no insta-love it was earned love over a bit of time. The ending was so rough in the feelings department, I was hoping it was going to turn out differently but it didn’t and that was upsetting (in a sad kinda way not a bad writing way).
Ashley @The Quiet Concert recently posted…For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
That’s something the good thing when everyone seems to dislike a book: you set your expectations really low and suddenly the book surprises you :D I remember that a lot of people were confused in what time period this book takes place (if I’m correct), but I also like historical settings.
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Review 304. Marie Rutkoski – The winner’s curse.
I never let reviews decide if I’m reading a book. I’ll start and if I like it will continue. :)
I love reading your Reviews, They’re worth of my time to read and you know what when i read your reviews. It feels like half of the soul you’ve read from the books is being transfer to us. I love it. Keep writing
Arcel Vocales recently posted…The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Book Review
Good review. I like this historical fiction. :)
I’ve been planning on reading this book, but like you I’m having second thoughts because of the bad reviews I read about it. It’s good I stumbled upon your review because right now I wanna read it. Thanks for having positive review :D
Thanks for the review, I haven’t heard of this book! :)
What a great review! I haven’t heard of this book before, but now that I did I really want to read it :)