A review by hannet
Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

If there's only one Annabelle, why would her eggs hatch!? This kept bugging me*. Also that ALL young people must leave the island to go to college. Also 40 people in a grade? That's not a tiny island I feel. Otherwise, the vibe was very A Series of Unfortunate Events, which is great. Maybe this works for the intended target audience. I found the story kinda mismatched and rambly, first it's all 'I'm so in love with this stranger', then it's about friendship, then about rape and also about leaving home?! Oh yeah and some magic sprinkled in. I did like the everydayness of the magical powers.

* I just went on a little Google adventure to see if a female bird could hatch without a male present (sans magic) and it's kinda possible! Parthenogenesis! It doesn't really work in birds, or the chicks that come out have issues, but asexual reproduction would've been a nice talking point to expand on the asexual-aromantic (I think!?) best friend.