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franciscapcneto's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bemandy's review against another edition
5.0
As another reviewer said, this could be a episode of Black Mirror. It’s original and enjoyable. I especially liked that I could empathized with the discomfort felt by the characters but it didn’t leave me feeling horrible.
jellybean_gene's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
I don't know if this book is intended to be YA, but it absolutely feels like YA due to the shallowness of the concept and plausibility of the entire plot.
It's like a half-baked Black Mirror episode pitched by a milquetoast R.L. Stine.
So *sometime* in the near future, there's now social media police and you can get sent to prison for going viral. Also, somehow, this is a shared prison program between the UK and the USA, two countries with zero overlap of jurisdiction or legal systems. Oh! And it's all run by a private corporation with zero oversight. Super plausible right?
Also, the prison is on a secluded island in Scotland where the natives are somehow uncontacted by modern day society. So realistic.
And the monster is lame as shit. The author wasn't super clear but I think it's supposed to be a horse/spider out of myth. And it is not believable in the slightest. I'm assuming this is a real myth, but the execution on presenting it was so so dumb.
It's like a half-baked Black Mirror episode pitched by a milquetoast R.L. Stine.
So *sometime* in the near future, there's now social media police and you can get sent to prison for going viral. Also, somehow, this is a shared prison program between the UK and the USA, two countries with zero overlap of jurisdiction or legal systems. Oh! And it's all run by a private corporation with zero oversight. Super plausible right?
Also, the prison is on a secluded island in Scotland where the natives are somehow uncontacted by modern day society. So realistic.
And the monster is lame as shit. The author wasn't super clear but I think it's supposed to be a horse/spider out of myth. And it is not believable in the slightest. I'm assuming this is a real myth, but the execution on presenting it was so so dumb.
charley34's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Confinement
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Saltblood is Parker’s intricate love story between folklore and horror motifs. Disquieting and wholly engrossing.
Saltblood by T.C. Parker is another astounding blow to the imagination. Everything comes to life in a wonderous but brutal production of a dystopian and mythological dreamscape. After reading Maiden last year I knew I had to dive into Parker’s affinity for sea horror – she captures the malevolence and the fear of the unknown with a practiced flourish. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next in the genre. She has herself a long-time fan!
The synopsis immediately reeled me in. A dystopian future where outrage is monitored and given a numerical value and that can land you in a prison in the far remoteness of the Scottish Islands. Having lived in the highlands myself for many years I envisioned a little island of the likes of Dunnet Head, the water seems to go on forever, the weather casting an ominous shadow at what could potentially be lying in wait. It led me to ponder how things could be misconstrued with the potential to land you in hot water (or freezing cold water, I’ll let you decide.)
On a boat crossing the sea to a Scottish island – that’s where it all begins for two strangers, Robin and Jack. The descriptions of the weather, the current dragging them along, and the thought of them held in captivity unknown to them before is palpable. No matter what came next, I just knew that Parker’s vivid narrative style would ensure I’d be hooked for the duration of the story. The facility located on Salt Island is located under a mesh enclosure, only one gate allows exit and entry and that’s only once a day. Mobile phone signals are blocked, so if something happens, they’re all doomed. The arrival feels like an echo of things to come.
We meet characters all with interesting backstories, Robin is very keen to keep hers to herself for as long as possible. But others are happy to divulge. So many of their stories are recognisable in the things you read on Twitter and news sites, does that mean they should be locked away…to reflect? Parker doles out the information on a drip feed, it’s slow and teasing and leaves you trying to read between the lines. What’s so special about this island? And what’s with the born and bred islanders and why are they warned about mingling with them?
Saltblood really feels like falling down a cavernous hole. Its darkness threatens to swallow you whole, and descending into hell with no escape plan feels wholly too accurate. Do you have any allies to help you escape the void? My curiosity about the islanders very quickly turned into fear for Robin and her fellow inmates. The problem is that there is something far deadlier out in the water than the islanders and I felt sick for them all.
Saltblood by T.C. Parker is another astounding blow to the imagination. Everything comes to life in a wonderous but brutal production of a dystopian and mythological dreamscape. After reading Maiden last year I knew I had to dive into Parker’s affinity for sea horror – she captures the malevolence and the fear of the unknown with a practiced flourish. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next in the genre. She has herself a long-time fan!
The synopsis immediately reeled me in. A dystopian future where outrage is monitored and given a numerical value and that can land you in a prison in the far remoteness of the Scottish Islands. Having lived in the highlands myself for many years I envisioned a little island of the likes of Dunnet Head, the water seems to go on forever, the weather casting an ominous shadow at what could potentially be lying in wait. It led me to ponder how things could be misconstrued with the potential to land you in hot water (or freezing cold water, I’ll let you decide.)
On a boat crossing the sea to a Scottish island – that’s where it all begins for two strangers, Robin and Jack. The descriptions of the weather, the current dragging them along, and the thought of them held in captivity unknown to them before is palpable. No matter what came next, I just knew that Parker’s vivid narrative style would ensure I’d be hooked for the duration of the story. The facility located on Salt Island is located under a mesh enclosure, only one gate allows exit and entry and that’s only once a day. Mobile phone signals are blocked, so if something happens, they’re all doomed. The arrival feels like an echo of things to come.
We meet characters all with interesting backstories, Robin is very keen to keep hers to herself for as long as possible. But others are happy to divulge. So many of their stories are recognisable in the things you read on Twitter and news sites, does that mean they should be locked away…to reflect? Parker doles out the information on a drip feed, it’s slow and teasing and leaves you trying to read between the lines. What’s so special about this island? And what’s with the born and bred islanders and why are they warned about mingling with them?
Saltblood really feels like falling down a cavernous hole. Its darkness threatens to swallow you whole, and descending into hell with no escape plan feels wholly too accurate. Do you have any allies to help you escape the void? My curiosity about the islanders very quickly turned into fear for Robin and her fellow inmates. The problem is that there is something far deadlier out in the water than the islanders and I felt sick for them all.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
Saltblood is Parker’s intricate love story between folklore and horror motifs. Disquieting and wholly engrossing.
Saltblood by T.C. Parker is another astounding blow to the imagination. Everything comes to life in a wonderous but brutal production of a dystopian and mythological dreamscape. After reading Maiden last year I knew I had to dive into Parker’s affinity for sea horror – she captures the malevolence and the fear of the unknown with a practiced flourish. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next in the genre. She has herself a long-time fan!
The synopsis immediately reeled me in. A dystopian future where outrage is monitored and given a numerical value and that can land you in a prison in the far remoteness of the Scottish Islands. Having lived in the highlands myself for many years I envisioned a little island of the likes of Dunnet Head, the water seems to go on forever, the weather casting an ominous shadow at what could potentially be lying in wait. It led me to ponder how things could be misconstrued with the potential to land you in hot water (or freezing cold water, I’ll let you decide.)
On a boat crossing the sea to a Scottish island – that’s where it all begins for two strangers, Robin and Jack. The descriptions of the weather, the current dragging them along, and the thought of them held in captivity unknown to them before is palpable. No matter what came next, I just knew that Parker’s vivid narrative style would ensure I’d be hooked for the duration of the story. The facility located on Salt Island is located under a mesh enclosure, only one gate allows exit and entry and that’s only once a day. Mobile phone signals are blocked, so if something happens, they’re all doomed. The arrival feels like an echo of things to come.
We meet characters all with interesting backstories, Robin is very keen to keep hers to herself for as long as possible. But others are happy to divulge. So many of their stories are recognisable in the things you read on Twitter and news sites, does that mean they should be locked away…to reflect? Parker doles out the information on a drip feed, it’s slow and teasing and leaves you trying to read between the lines. What’s so special about this island? And what’s with the born and bred islanders and why are they warned about mingling with them?
Saltblood really feels like falling down a cavernous hole. Its darkness threatens to swallow you whole, and descending into hell with no escape plan feels wholly too accurate. Do you have any allies to help you escape the void? My curiosity about the islanders very quickly turned into fear for Robin and her fellow inmates. The problem is that there is something far deadlier out in the water than the islanders and I felt sick for them all.
Saltblood by T.C. Parker is another astounding blow to the imagination. Everything comes to life in a wonderous but brutal production of a dystopian and mythological dreamscape. After reading Maiden last year I knew I had to dive into Parker’s affinity for sea horror – she captures the malevolence and the fear of the unknown with a practiced flourish. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next in the genre. She has herself a long-time fan!
The synopsis immediately reeled me in. A dystopian future where outrage is monitored and given a numerical value and that can land you in a prison in the far remoteness of the Scottish Islands. Having lived in the highlands myself for many years I envisioned a little island of the likes of Dunnet Head, the water seems to go on forever, the weather casting an ominous shadow at what could potentially be lying in wait. It led me to ponder how things could be misconstrued with the potential to land you in hot water (or freezing cold water, I’ll let you decide.)
On a boat crossing the sea to a Scottish island – that’s where it all begins for two strangers, Robin and Jack. The descriptions of the weather, the current dragging them along, and the thought of them held in captivity unknown to them before is palpable. No matter what came next, I just knew that Parker’s vivid narrative style would ensure I’d be hooked for the duration of the story. The facility located on Salt Island is located under a mesh enclosure, only one gate allows exit and entry and that’s only once a day. Mobile phone signals are blocked, so if something happens, they’re all doomed. The arrival feels like an echo of things to come.
We meet characters all with interesting backstories, Robin is very keen to keep hers to herself for as long as possible. But others are happy to divulge. So many of their stories are recognisable in the things you read on Twitter and news sites, does that mean they should be locked away…to reflect? Parker doles out the information on a drip feed, it’s slow and teasing and leaves you trying to read between the lines. What’s so special about this island? And what’s with the born and bred islanders and why are they warned about mingling with them?
Saltblood really feels like falling down a cavernous hole. Its darkness threatens to swallow you whole, and descending into hell with no escape plan feels wholly too accurate. Do you have any allies to help you escape the void? My curiosity about the islanders very quickly turned into fear for Robin and her fellow inmates. The problem is that there is something far deadlier out in the water than the islanders and I felt sick for them all.
zefrien's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jamietherebelliousreader's review
4.0
4 stars. This took a while for me to really get into it and I honestly was kind of meh on it but the second half more than made up for it. I really like Parker’s writing though it can be a lot to take in at first. The plot was kind of all over the place for me but again once I did get into this it was pretty great. I liked the setting of a remote island with creepy things happening and I liked the characters. Not much to say about this one really. I thoroughly enjoyed it though.
inkychaotics's review
medium-paced
3.75
This was fun! I really enjoyed the characters and the overall plot. The headhopping and switches to a more omniscient viewpoint were a little hard to follow at times; I think I would have preferred a more limited point of view to add to the mystery going on as we navigated the terrors of the island. Overall, the descriptions were great (and gross!), I loved the monster and the ideas, and I definitely need to read more by this author.
motaki's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, and Body horror
Minor: Cancer