Thursday, February 26, 2015

Review: Salt & Stone

SALT & STONE
Fire & Flood #2
Victoria Scott
Young Adult/Sci-Fi/Adventure
320 pages
Scholastic
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
What would you do to save someone you love?

In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't quit--she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.

But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left--and only one can win.


MY THOUGHTS
Salt & Stone is an action-packed follow up to last year's Fire & Flood, reintroducing us to the world and characters as they take a breather before beginning the third leg of the Brimstone Bleed, and then plunging us into the most perilous survival situations the contenders have faced yet. Ms. Scott does a fantastic job of seamlessly threading reminders as to the events of Fire & Flood–particularly the all-important “why” of the Brimstone Bleed itself–through this second installment, ensuring we’re up to speed without slowing things down with a full recap.

While the focus remains predominantly on the physical and mental challenges of the Bleed on the contenders, Salt & Stone also sees a significant shift in the relationship between Tella and Guy. For much of the first half the two are at odds, an offhand comment made by Guy causing Tella to question the way she’s run her race thus far and her ability to see it all the way through. The hot and cold nature of their interactions is frustrating at times, but just as we reach the point where one more change in mood from either of them is going to tip us over the edge, Tella decides to finally step up and use her words, cluing Guy in as to why things between them have changed. While Tella’s honesty doesn’t mend all their fences, it certainly removes a weight from our shoulders, freeing us from the tension of words unspoken.

The concluding chapters of Salt & Stone are one punch to the gut after another, and any animal lovers like myself should be aware that a number of scenes are brutal to witness, ratcheting up our hatred of those running the Brimstone Bleed to an entirely new level. We’re left on the final page as emotionally beaten and bruised as the contenders are, but Ms. Scott is considerate enough to leave us with a quiet moment that makes a smile break out even as we blink away tears.

Rating: 4/5


Find Victoria:

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

26 comments:

  1. Oh many feelings about this one. I remember Fire & Flood (well the reviews about it) but I didn't know that we had a book 2 out. I should try the series one day. thanks for the review.

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    1. I hope you get a chance to pick these books up Melliane!

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  2. Glad this was a pretty solid follow up to the first (which I remember really liking). I will have to remember to pick this one up.
    Wonderful review as always Jenny! :D

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    1. I got sucked right back into this one Ali! You'll definitely want to give any and all animals living with you a hug when it's over though:)

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  3. I wasn't a fan of the first book, but I'm happy to hear this series is going strong for you. I would be a teensy bit annoyed by the relationship drama though. I need my couple to work together as a team, dammit!
    Lovely review, Jenny!

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    1. It did have a little bit of second book syndrome with the relationship Nick, but it wasn't bad at all. Nothing over the top, and the focus stayed primarily on surviving the race:)

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  4. While not my type of book, I think my students would enjoy this series. I'll have to check them out.

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  5. I haven't read this series and am not entirely sure it's for me, necessarily, but I'm glad to see you really enjoyed this one! It's so rare for me to come by middle books that continue the standard set by the first installment so I'm hopeful this trilogy pans out well. Lovely review, Jenny! :)

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    1. I was really pleased with this one overall Keertana! The relationship was a bit rocky as seems to be pretty standard for a sequel, but I so enjoyed the adventure element. I had stress while reading ;-)

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  6. I actually seriously loved the first book and I've been dying to get my hands on this sequel since I need to know what happens next! Glad this one was a solid sequel for you Jenny!

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    1. YAY! Can't wait to see what you think Lily:)

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  7. I can't remember book 1 at the moment, I must check

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  8. I've been wanting to grab the first book for quite awhile. I got this second one for review so I should probably try to get the first really soon. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!

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    1. Definitely not a series to read out of order, that's for sure:) Hope you give them a try soon Candace!

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  9. I still haven't grabbed this one yet, but I hope to do so soon! After I get my apartment and I don't need any extra big expenses!
    So happy to hear that after some annoyaning interactions, finally Tella decides to go head and communicate!
    Great review Jenny!

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    1. I really like Tella Pili! I don't know that I would handle her situation even half as well as she does:)

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  10. I didn't read the first book because I am not entirely sure it's the book for me but I am glad that you enjoyed the follow up, Jenny!! :)

    It sucks that their was so much relationship drama (eww) but hey, at least Tella decided to step up! :D

    Also, NOT THE ANIMALSSSSSS *hides*

    Lovely review, Jenny! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. RIGHT? Anything happening to animals in books is enough to have me running out and buying pounds of chocolate to help console me. I ate a lot of chocolate with this book :(

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  11. glad to know that this second installment is more action-packed. I remember reading Fire & Flood and also get frustrated with Tella and Guy, especially Tella! and the animals, omg! I'm not sure if I can handle the brutal scenes. But still, I'm bumping this one on top of my TBR! Thanks for your thoughts Jenny.

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    1. The brutal scenes were brutal!!!! I snuggled with my dog for a good long time afterward. I don't think he found it as comforting as I did:)

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  12. Wow Jenny it looks like I need to pick this up..reviews are so strong and that knock out ending has me curious!

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  13. LOVE her writing!

    She knows how to write action packed stories with wonderfully developed characters.

    And her concepts are always unique!!

    I do want the romance to work out :)

    Lovely review :)

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  14. I haven't read a book in this series but I was approved for this review copy, which I find is the perfect excuse to go out and buy the first one! It seems like this is an action packed sequel and the ending leaves you an emotional wreck. So glad you loved it!

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  15. I didn't love the first book in this series, but I ended up liking it - it definitely got better near the end when there were some answers. I was hoping this book would bring the series up for me, but I'm nervous about the back and forth between Tella and Guy. I'm glad she does finally open up, but I'm not sure that stress is going to help me. I think I'm going to hold off reading this until the final installment comes out. Thanks for the review, gave me a better perspective on the story!

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