Magic has a presence all its own in Katrina Leno’s vivid tale of sisters, a three-hundred-year-old bird, and an island you’ll never want to leave. Practical Magic meets [b: Raven Girl|15842705|Raven Girl|Audrey Niffenegger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1350959348s/15842705.jpg|21584972] while proving that nothing is stronger than the bond between siblings.

Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed and confusing feelings about this one.
It was definately not what I was expecting. From the small description in Goodreads and the cover, I was expecting a cute summer story between the girl who has never left the island and the newcomer, with the little twist of magic. And I got the mystery of who killed the 300 years old bird, with a little twist of magic.
I have to give it points for that. When Harrison and Prue arrived I was kinda disappointed because I could forsee what was about to happen, but I was so wrong.
Overall, it was good, something a little different from what I've read, which is always nice.
The characters were enjoyable, even if I feel like i didn't get to know them enough. I would have liked to see more of Mary (her personality was really generic at the start, and when we started to see a little uniqueness she turned into a bird), Prue and Harrison, I felt like they were a little flat.
Also, I would've liked to see more magic. It thought the magic twist was really cute (I loved the fact that Mary could float, it gave a cozy feeling), but it wasn't developed enough.
Also, it's the first time I've read about rape in a book and it's definately something we should be reading more about. Reading about Mary shrinking and being so scared broke me.

I'm giving it a 3,5 because I feel like it need a little more (and the reasons mentioned above).
Also I need to take points out for the Ouija board, that was totally unnecessary and didn't make any sense,it was just so random (and yeah, I understand that if there's magic there could be spirit, but come on, a Ouija board?)

I forgot I read this book till I started it, but I still didn't remember the ending so I reread anyways

9/10
oh, how i love the magical women trope. this book is no exception. the whole book seems magical, from the cover to the sypnosis. the setting is hauntingly beautiful, and the way this was written made me feel like i was really there. the secrets of this book were beautiful, and the ending was stunning yet depressing. this book is everything

keywords: storms, small islander life, maine, birds, mysteries, floods, magic, potions, curses, love

4.25 stars

read on my blog

rep: lesbian protagonist, bisexual love intereset, aromantic asexual side character
cw: rape

I did not expect to love Summer of Salt as much as I did. I mean, I've been hyped for it since it was announced, because. Magic. Sisters. F/F relationship. All of that already had me so excited for this book, but once I actually started it, I feel head over heels in love with it. (TW for this book: rape)

The writing was definitely the aspect of this book that I loved the most. I've read one and a half of Katrina Leno's other books, but this one really blew me away. She really captured the sleepiness of the island and the restlessness of magic so well. If you've read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, I'd say this book has the same vibe, writing-wise.

Also, I love that even though this is a small, secluded island, not everyone is white and straight. Georgina is a lesbian, Prue (the love interest) is bi, and Georgina's best friend, Vira is aroace (like. On the page aroace, not just implied). I don't believe that any of the main crew are poc, but they do reference a few poc on the island.

I will say that I thought there would be more of the romance, but honestly, I wasn't upset by it because this isn't really a romantic story at its core. It's a story of magic, of healing, of self-discovery, of love, and of course, of salt. Georgina and Mary's relationship is so visceral; they aren't the perfect siblings. Rather, they are flawed, they fight, but they still love each other wholeheartedly. I love that this is portrayed this way because I feel like a lot of books focus on the love but forget that you can still love someone and still know their annoying qualities.

Summer of Salt is definitely on my absolute favorites list now; there's just so much to love about it. The writing, the characters, the relationships, all of it is so beautiful and atmospheric. It's a perfect rainy summer day book, or really for any time.

original review:

wow. just. wow.

RTC

Well, this was a very different and interesting book! I loved the Practical Magic vibes, and the story actually kept me guessing throughout. I won’t spoil anything, but there was a surprising and important message towards the end and I really liked the way Leno handled it.

I would recommend this one, and I think I’d like to read more by this author.

3.5 Stars

“One the island of By-the-Sea you could always smell two things: salt and magic.”

I thought that Summer of Salt would be an atmospheric story about a quirky island and the magical sisters who call it home, but it was so much more than that. Summer of Salt explored grief, pain, the deep bonds of family, all in this beautifully fantastical setting.

Things I Liked
This story was so beautifully atmospheric and magical. I loved the quirky and unique setting of By-the-Sea. It really felt alive. And I loved the unique and specific powers that the Fernweh women possessed and the matter-of-fact nature of their magic. And the legacy of Annabella the bird.

So Georgina’s romance with Prue, who’s tagging along with her brother for bird watching, is all kinds of adorable. The are just so pure and cute and make me really smiley.

Summer of Salt is just filled with so much family and sisters and love and support and I couldn’t get enough. The Fernweh women were a great, eclectic group that truly love and support each other beyond anything else.

You always know you’ll get fantastic quotes with magical realism books:

“On By-the-Sea, you and me will go sailing by. On waves of green, softly singing too. On By-the-Sea, you and me will be forever young. And live together on waves of blue.”

“The dead loved promises; the living loved promising.”

Things I Didn’t Like
I loved that is was such an easy book to read, but it went by so quickly! I don’t know if the atmospheric nature of the story kept me from really getting hooked in, but I never felt fully invested. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed it but I wasn’t in it.

This was the perfect rainy day summer book. I absolutely flew threw the pages, but I don’t think I’ll be forgetting the story anytime soon. Summer of Salt is an impactful story of magic and healing.

Trigger warning for rape.

I received a copy of the book from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

3.5 The characters were cool, but the climax hinges on a character being only vaguely mysterious and the pacing of this was wildly tilted towards the very end.

3,5!! i loved this book, from the story and the meaning of it all. as well as the characters and their relationship; especially the bond the sisters had (as well as the family in general).