Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on September 22nd 2015
Genres: Action & Adventure, Ancient Civilizations, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology, Family, Fantasy & Magic, Friendship, Horror & Ghost Stories, Love & Romance, Siblings, Thrillers & Suspense, Violence, Young Adult
Source: ARC from Friend
Goodreads
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”
These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.
Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.
As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.
I rarely like when books are compared to other books/shows/movies but the comparisons of Romeo and Juliet and Children of the Corn are definitely spot on for this one!!
The entire book was the perfect mix of creepiness, Quivira’s culture, Katia and Cornado’s history, romance and how everything ties together. Also, it was SOOOOOOOOOO ADDICTIVE!!!!!
I specifically love the way Katie, Cornado, and Alsono’s story was told through Ash’s “gift”. It really jacked up the creep factor level and made me really able to feel the story more. The creepiness, to me, also wasn’t really a “AHH RUN FOR YOUR LIVES” type creepy, it was more a ‘I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE’S WATCHING ME THROUGH MY WINDOW” kind of creepy. O.O
The only thing I wasn’t crazy about in this book was the relationship between Dane and Ash, though it did not effect my feelings or rating for the story. While I think the next book it may grow on me more, it just felt rushed to me in this one. Although, this is a book filled with very unusual elements, so I can see why it moves so quickly. they just didn’t make me go ” I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP” quite yet, know what I mean?
All in all, I would definitely recommend this one! I can’t wait for the sequel!!
Five creeped out emojis!
About Kim Liggett
At sixteen, Kim Liggett left her rural midwestern town for New York City to pursue a career in both music and acting. While attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Kim sang backup for some of the biggest rock bands in the 80′s.
After settling down to have a family, she became an entrepreneur, creating a children’s art education program and a travel company specializing in tours for musicians.
She’s married to jazz musician Ken Peplowski, has two beautiful teens, and a very neurotic dog that drags her through Riverside Park everyday on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
How excited are you for this one? Has anyone else read it yet?
It’s lovely to see that you enjoyed this book! I fell in love when I read it and I absolutely agree about the “someone is watching me through my window” creep factor.
I don’t know why, but I was just kind of so-so about whether I wanted to read it, but I am seeing a lot of good reviews!
I really loved this one too!
I agree about the romance, but I *gasped* at that twist at the end! Still the atmosphere of the story totally won me over and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
I am such a horror fanatic, and I’m so freaking happy that she did one of my favorite childhood movies (Children Of The Corn) some justice! I was told this book was creepy, but I’m glad you actually clarified the ” creep level ” otherwise I would’ve went in pretty disappointed! & I had NO clue there would be a second book!
Gorgeous review Crystal 😀 So so so thrilled that you loved this book. <3 I cannot wait to read it 😀 You are the reason for why I ordered it, lol. So excited 😀 But aw. I'm sorry you didn't love the romance 🙁 but glad you liked it even so ;p Just hope it ends well, hah 😀
This is great! I really want to read this book! Great review!
I wasn’t really interested in this novel when I initially saw it on the blogosphere. Now I want it so bad. It looks perfect for October!
I just had to add this to my TBR. This books sounds so good. I love your reviews!