Book review: SALT by Danielle Ellison

NOTE: I received an ARC from Entangled Teen. Thanks guys!

Witches have always fascinated me - I mean, the fictional ones. The magic, the special abilities. You know, being able to do things with your mind, rather than your body. I guess Harry Potter enchanted me in a way.

Which is why even though I've got a huge review list, I still wanted to read Salt. By the way, I'm still trying to figure out why it's called SALT. Sure, demons get banished by it, but still, it's not like it's mentioned on every page. Or in every chapter either. But hey, it's a good book, so it doesn't matter.

Writing style:
It was very good. I had no hard time following the events, understanding what was happening or why. I liked the internal thoughts, the dialogues, the realistic 'underworld' that Penelope and her kind lived in.

Themes:
Fear of the law
Revenge
Accomplishing your dreams
Lying and its consequences

Storyline:
It wasn't completely original, since I've read other books about witches with no powers who had to hide from the community. But the demon twist was new and I think it kind of brought 'salt' to the story. There was also the romance, which was pretty cute. I liked the deception thing that Carter had going on too.

Characters:
Penelope was a tough girl. She had to be, since she had no magic of her own to protect her. She didn't want to depend on anyone to use magic, and she didn't want to be found out that she had no powers. She was strong in spirit, she took risks and was brave in situations where most others would just turn their backs and run. And I'm sure that the desire for revenge was just a part of what motivated her. In truth, I think Penelope just wanted somehow to better the world.

Carter, who was actually someone else, whom I won't name because it would be a spoiler, was that guy. Which one? Well the one who pops up out of nowhere to shake the girl's world. He's the guy who gives Penelope strength while leeching piece from her. He's nobody she's even heard of, but she's nice to her (in a weird kind of way), and he's where she needs him to be. Oh, and also he hunts demons. Wicked cool, no? In a world where witches just maintain the balance, Carter's hunting habits are something new and exciting and utterly stupid.

In conclusion, I can say that Salt isn't a super original novel, if that's what you're looking for. It is however, entertaining, cute and suitable for adrenaline junkies.

My rating is