Salt and Storm by Kendall Kulper [Joint Review]

2.5 out of 5 Robots!

  

Salt and Storm by Kendall Kulper
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy/Paranormal
Release: September 23, 2014
Hardcover:  398 Pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Julia and Shannon

Book Summary:

You don't know what you must give up to become a witch.

Avery Roe wants only to claim her birthright as the witch of Prince Island and to make the charms that have kept the island's sailors safe at sea for generations, but instead she is held prisoner by her mother in a magic-free life of proper manners and respectability.

Avery thinks escape is just a matter of time, but when she has a harrowing nightmare, she can see what it means: She will be killed. She will be murdered. And she's never been wrong before.

Desperate to change her future, Avery finds a surprising ally in Tane—a tattooed harpoon boy with magic of his own, who moves her in ways she never expected. But as time runs out to unlock her magic and save herself, Avery discovers that becoming a witch requires unimaginable sacrifice.

Avery walks the knife's edge between choice and destiny in Kendall Kulper's sweeping debut: the story of one girl's fight to survive the rising storm of first love and family secrets.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

1. Sum up your thoughts in a sentence or two?
Julia: Salt and Storm is about an arrogant, spoiled little witch. And while I could have maybe put up with that, it is incredibly boring without the "magical" feel I was hoping for. 
Shannon: I had high hopes for Salt and Storm based on the description, but unfortunately it fell a little flat for me.  I loved the setting, but didn't really enjoy the characters.  


2. What did you like?  What did you dislike?  Was there anything that stood out to you?
Julia: I loved the response her grandmother gives her. It shocked me. I disliked her attitude, she's not likable. Nothing stood out to me, per say.
Shannon: I liked the setting a lot.  I thought Kulper did a good job of describing a 19th century small whaling community.  I liked the magic/witchery.  I did not like how long it took to get anywhere with the plot though.  It never really felt like it had any forward movement and it felt long.  The history of the Roe family stood out and I loved learning about the different witches.


3. How did you feel about the characters? 
Julia: The problem is that I didn't feel anything for the characters. Tragedy happens and I'm like... merp. I cant really put my finger on my big issue with this one.
Shannon: Yes.  What Julia said.  This is perhaps my biggest problem with the book.  I did not particularly like Avery, which made it hard for me to care for her and her problems.  I also did not feel any chemistry between Avery and Tane.  I wanted to feel more for the characters but they all felt pretty one dimensional.


4. Did you like the way magic was presented in this book?
Julia: No! There wasn't enough! I mean, I would've liked it if there was more than curses for the entirety.
Shannon: I did like the magic as it was presented.  I liked that it was "small magic" - curses, blessings, etc.  I liked how each Roe witch had their own "specialty".  I liked how intertwined magic was with the islanders' lives.  How much they hated and desired it.  I was a little disappointed that "bigger" magic was hinted at, but not really revealed.  



5. How many stars would you give it? Would you recommend this book?
Julia: Two stars out of five. I couldn't connect with the characters and there isn't enough action or adventure to keep me from just skimming the book. To be fair, the ending does get a little interesting. Not recommending this book...unless you read the summary and think it sounds awesome. Just don't go into it with big expectations.
Shannon: I would give it 3 out 5.  I wish I had connected more with the characters and the story.  I am on the fence on whether to recommend it.  I can certainly see some people liking it, but I wouldn't tell people to read it.  But, YMMV.

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.