Salt God's Daughter

by Ilie Ruby

[Leah]

When I received an email asking if I was interested in reviewing Ilie Ruby’s new novel, The Salt God’s Daughter, I was immediately drawn in to the beautiful cover which shows a girl with bright red hair, presumably under water. I took a look at the synopsis and although it didn’t sound anything like I normally read, I thought it sounded interesting enough for me to give it a go. While I found the book fascinating, and did indeed finish it, I will admit that it certainly isn’t my kind of novel, sadly. There were bits I enjoyed and there wasn’t anything wrong with it at all, it just wasn’t to my particular taste, although I am very glad I read it as it was a very intriguing story.

Whenever I read a story that’s perhaps a bit different to the norm – whether it features magic, witches, or as The Salt God’s Daughter, mysticisim, I am perhaps a bit sceptical. I’m not generally a black or white kind of person, except for when it comes to things like mysticism, fantasy stuff, magic, things that people do believe in but that aren’t possibly true in any way, shape or form. I just do not believe in that stuff, and perhaps that should have been a warning sign that this novel was not for me, but because I am always interested in being proven wrong, and for all I knew, been the best book ever. So I wasn’t really sold on the stranger, more fantastical parts of The Salt God’s Daughter. Instead, I much preferred the more sedate story of Ruth and Dolly trying to find their place in the world. Trying to grow up in a world that was a little bit harder for them than most kids’ lives, as their mother struggled with her own demons and beliefs.

The Salt God’s Daughter just wasn’t for me, sadly. I gave it a try, and there was nothing remotely wrong with it. It was well-written, and Ruby is clearly a talented author, and I very much enjoyed all of the scenes that took place at Twin Palms, that place was very much a character in itself. I also enjoyed the elderly residents of twin palms, particularly Mr Takihashi and Mrs Green. Sometimes, though, a book just doesn’t click with you and this one didn’t with me. Many will love it, and I didn’t dislike it, it just plain and simple wasn’t my type of book, which is fine.