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spookynerd13's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Emel is the daughter of the salt king, and to bring honor to him, she must wed a man of good position, but first she must show him what a good wife she would be. As a royal harem, the daughters of the salt king “up for rent” until a man decides he would like to take her home as his bride. Emel, being the most beautiful of the daughters, still was unwed and nearing the age in which she would be banished for being “un-useful” to the king by not securing an alliance through marriage. She dreams of leaving the palace and harem and living a life of peace. And that just may very well be true when she finds the source of the king’s fortune, a genie. Will she be able to craft her wishes well enough to fulfill her dreams? Or will she find a different dream within the glass container?
I really really really enjoyed this book A LOT! It’s not my typical type of book, as I have a hard time stomaching non-consensual acts, and abuse, but this book was just so riveting. The world building was wonderful and I really enjoyed learning about a culture I didn’t know much about. I also have never read a book containing genies and I really really enjoyed it and the magic within. I loved how cunning and unexpected the outcomes of the wishes could be. And most of all, I absolutely loved the romance between the 2 characters in this story. I loved their chemistry and the way it all happened and flowed, nothing felt forced or pushed or rushed, it was just the perfect amount of tension throughout. Did I love the ending? Not particularly. I loved the way the last wish came to fruition, I thought that was so clever of the author to twist everything to work out the way it did, but I wish we had more closure with the romance for sure. I hate being left wondering if it ever worked out! But all in all I really enjoyed this book 4.5/5 stars.
Emel is the daughter of the salt king, and to bring honor to him, she must wed a man of good position, but first she must show him what a good wife she would be. As a royal harem, the daughters of the salt king “up for rent” until a man decides he would like to take her home as his bride. Emel, being the most beautiful of the daughters, still was unwed and nearing the age in which she would be banished for being “un-useful” to the king by not securing an alliance through marriage. She dreams of leaving the palace and harem and living a life of peace. And that just may very well be true when she finds the source of the king’s fortune, a genie. Will she be able to craft her wishes well enough to fulfill her dreams? Or will she find a different dream within the glass container?
I really really really enjoyed this book A LOT! It’s not my typical type of book, as I have a hard time stomaching non-consensual acts, and abuse, but this book was just so riveting. The world building was wonderful and I really enjoyed learning about a culture I didn’t know much about. I also have never read a book containing genies and I really really enjoyed it and the magic within. I loved how cunning and unexpected the outcomes of the wishes could be. And most of all, I absolutely loved the romance between the 2 characters in this story. I loved their chemistry and the way it all happened and flowed, nothing felt forced or pushed or rushed, it was just the perfect amount of tension throughout. Did I love the ending? Not particularly. I loved the way the last wish came to fruition, I thought that was so clever of the author to twist everything to work out the way it did, but I wish we had more closure with the romance for sure. I hate being left wondering if it ever worked out! But all in all I really enjoyed this book 4.5/5 stars.
batchelder95's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
4.75
becxreadz's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Liked
*Unique story
*Desert fantasy
*Sibling relationships
*How Saalim became a Djinn
Dislikes
*Instalove
*No chemistry
*Djinn magic was vague as he'll
*Emel never tried to escape her situation
*Nothing happened
*Unique story
*Desert fantasy
*Sibling relationships
*How Saalim became a Djinn
Dislikes
*Instalove
*No chemistry
*Djinn magic was vague as he'll
*Emel never tried to escape her situation
*Nothing happened
ssaut's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookdragonstbr's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
What an amazing story! I found this book to be so very atmospheric. I could feel the sand and the heat as I read. The characters are amazing and very diverse. I wasn't a huge fan of the Salt King, he treated his daughters so despicably. Pretty much as a means to an end - selling them off for men's pleasure. Emel is a fierce woman, a dreamer, and unfortunately the Kings daughter. When she accidently stumbled across her dad's favorite bauble she finds out his power comes from a jinni. Saleem and her have an automatic connection that I loved watching grow. As the story sews itself together, everything starts to add up. A phenomenal story and can't wait to dive into the next one.
amy_j18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jodiesackettbrown's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
baskinkrobbins's review against another edition
2.0
I have to be honest. I did not enjoy this ARC, and I did, indeed, DNF it. I do not make a habit of DNFing ARCs since they are kindly gifted to me by the publisher. But when I do, I still like to provide the extensive review that the book deserves.
There were definitely some elements of the story that adhered to the adult fantasy claims (i.e. the daughters of the salt king going to bed with suitors as a means of convincing the suitors to marry them). However, I found that the storytelling never reached the complexity I like to see in adult fantasy. In short, it felt very ya fantasy. This is not inherently a criticism of ya fantasy. It's just not what I thought I was getting myself into. Fans of The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton will adore this book.
I enjoy breaking up my normal queue of European/medieval-inspired high fantasy novels with a fantasy book featuring a different geographic and cultural focus. The middle eastern/indian cultural elements were front and center in this story, but I found that those elements weren't presented in a unique, original way that the literary world of fantasy hasn't seen before. (see above ya fantasy books aforementioned)
I did not find the main characters motivations to be particularly gripping, and I have to say, I was not intrigued or excited when the love interest entered the picture, which is a huge sign for me that a fantasy romance will fail to capture my interest.
And lastly, I like to quickly comment on the audiobook itself. The narration was very good. I enjoyed the narrator and thought she portrayed the characters effectively and accurately.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook version of Daughter of the Salt King. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
DNF at 23%
There were definitely some elements of the story that adhered to the adult fantasy claims (i.e. the daughters of the salt king going to bed with suitors as a means of convincing the suitors to marry them). However, I found that the storytelling never reached the complexity I like to see in adult fantasy. In short, it felt very ya fantasy. This is not inherently a criticism of ya fantasy. It's just not what I thought I was getting myself into. Fans of The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton will adore this book.
I enjoy breaking up my normal queue of European/medieval-inspired high fantasy novels with a fantasy book featuring a different geographic and cultural focus. The middle eastern/indian cultural elements were front and center in this story, but I found that those elements weren't presented in a unique, original way that the literary world of fantasy hasn't seen before. (see above ya fantasy books aforementioned)
I did not find the main characters motivations to be particularly gripping, and I have to say, I was not intrigued or excited when the love interest entered the picture, which is a huge sign for me that a fantasy romance will fail to capture my interest.
And lastly, I like to quickly comment on the audiobook itself. The narration was very good. I enjoyed the narrator and thought she portrayed the characters effectively and accurately.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook version of Daughter of the Salt King. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
DNF at 23%
cortnyjoy's review
4.0
My first FINISHED fantasy novel! Gosh, it hit the spot.
In DOTSK, Emel has spent her life at the mercy of her culture WHILE ALSO challenging the status quo and exerting her independence just enough to keep her feeling alive. She’s cunning and daring as well as loyal and compliant...to an extent.
As she approaches the age at which she must be chosen by a suitor for marriage or be banished from her community, she clings to the hope of a husband. Not because she wants to follow tradition or please her father - the Salt King, but because marriage will be her ticket to the world outside. To her freedom.
Chaos erupts toward the beginning of the story and Emel’s choice to boldly observe the mess instead of running to safety changes her course completely. Her open-heartedness allows her to experience the magic of tender affection, satisfying adventure, and an opportunity for everything she’s always wanted.
But there are costs. Steep, painful, gut-wrenching costs. And this is the story of a young woman’s navigation of those choices on her path to self-worth and fulfillment.
I really enjoyed this book! Emel’s character and the hurdles she faces (both internal and external) were incredibly relatable. There was one chapter...15...where I found myself highlighting every other paragraph. I was like, “WOW, this is such a rich story.”
There’s sensual romance. (This is an adult book). There’s darkness. There’s ugliness. There’s complicated family dynamics. Conflict, beautiful scenery, hope, friendship, tenderness, pain, hard choices, internal strife, and magic.
It really got me thinking deeply. Am I willing to pay the cost of my desires? Where is the line between bravery and foolishness? Am I open to the magic around me?
In DOTSK, Emel has spent her life at the mercy of her culture WHILE ALSO challenging the status quo and exerting her independence just enough to keep her feeling alive. She’s cunning and daring as well as loyal and compliant...to an extent.
As she approaches the age at which she must be chosen by a suitor for marriage or be banished from her community, she clings to the hope of a husband. Not because she wants to follow tradition or please her father - the Salt King, but because marriage will be her ticket to the world outside. To her freedom.
Chaos erupts toward the beginning of the story and Emel’s choice to boldly observe the mess instead of running to safety changes her course completely. Her open-heartedness allows her to experience the magic of tender affection, satisfying adventure, and an opportunity for everything she’s always wanted.
But there are costs. Steep, painful, gut-wrenching costs. And this is the story of a young woman’s navigation of those choices on her path to self-worth and fulfillment.
I really enjoyed this book! Emel’s character and the hurdles she faces (both internal and external) were incredibly relatable. There was one chapter...15...where I found myself highlighting every other paragraph. I was like, “WOW, this is such a rich story.”
There’s sensual romance. (This is an adult book). There’s darkness. There’s ugliness. There’s complicated family dynamics. Conflict, beautiful scenery, hope, friendship, tenderness, pain, hard choices, internal strife, and magic.
It really got me thinking deeply. Am I willing to pay the cost of my desires? Where is the line between bravery and foolishness? Am I open to the magic around me?