Summer of Salt

by Katrina Leno

[nitzan_schwarz]

This book... How do I feel about this books? Because I'm fairly certain I didn't really like it, but I didn't really dislike it, either. Man, so complicated. I'll try to make a list, okay?

What I Liked

Well, the atmosphere for sure. I love atmospheric, moody reads, and this book is definitely that. The setting, too, is a huge plus. Island communities are pretty fun to read of, and one speckled with magical girls, frequented by a 300 years old bird, and struck by murderish is a wonderful setting.

The main characters and their family dynamics were great, too. Georgina and Mary contrasted each other wonderfully, and that just served to emphasize their sisterly connection and how they were always there for one another. Their mother was a gift, and so was Georgina's best friend Vira. That girl rocks, and I wouldn't mind reading a book from her pov.

Mary's response to being sexually assaulted was very poignant, and while I hated what happened to her, there is no doubt that this honest reaction and depiction of what it does to the victim is very heartfelt and moving.

What I Didn't Like

Number one, the romance. I was super excited to read about a cute queer romance and was sorely disappointed. There was nothing there. It was cute as a crush but very lacking as a relationship. We got to learn far more about Prue's brother, Harrison, than we ever did of this girl who Georgina falls in love with. It was just so sudden and lacked any basis. I wanted to see them talk! I wanted to see them do things together! I wanted to see them be together, outside of Georgina telling me they were. Where were all those scenes??? Once the Story kicked into gears, this romance was kicked to the curb and left there to fizzle.

I really didn't like the way sexual assault was handled. While as I said I loved the way Mary's written and the way the author dealt with her reaction, I also felt that everything around it was shaky at best. Because, at the end of the day, the discussion of this awful subject barely even took place. Instead, Mary turns into a bird, and there it kind of ends. Like in a fairytale, where no one accuses the victim, and it all happens quickly and effortlessly. But the novel acknowledging that this is fairytale-like does not change the fact that it is, and I didn't want this novel to take the easy, off-hand remark route.

Honestly, though, NO ONE figured Georgina's powers before she blasted the asshole to next Tuesday? No one? Not once when people told the story of her birth did her family wonder? Not once through all those times everyone remarked on how SHE CRIES EVERY TIME IT RAINS did it click for anyone?? NO ONE? *face palms*