lizfritsch 's review for:

Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan

3.75

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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 The more I sit with this book, the harder it is for me to say I truly loved it. While I found it deeply engaging—particularly the final hundred pages, which I read in a single sitting—the overall pacing left me somewhat unbalanced. The novel unfolds as a slow burn, only to accelerate rapidly toward its conclusion, with revelations arriving in quick succession. To her credit, Givhan lays careful groundwork for these narrative turns, yet their delivery feels abrupt. 

My deeper frustration lies in the emotional distance I felt from the characters. The majority of the novel is filtered through Mal’s perspective, and while this is compelling, the chapters that offered alternative points of view were, for me, the most resonant. I found myself longing for greater access to the interior lives of Amar, Gris, Gus, and especially Mami. The glimpses we are offered are rich and evocative, hinting at depths that remain just out of reach. A fuller exploration of these perspectives could have elevated the narrative’s emotional texture. 

That said, the prose is beautiful. As someone who grew up in a community where Spanish was seamlessly woven into everyday speech, I found the integration of language authentic and skillfully executed. Givhan's command of voice and cadence is a clear strength throughout. 

In the end, while it didn’t fully land for me, this is a haunting and lyrical novel that I’m still glad I read—and one I’d readily recommend to others looking for something both heartfelt and distinctive.