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naideraid 's review for:
Black Salt Queen
by Samantha Bansil
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
It's 2025 and Goodreads still doesn't allow for 1/2 star ratings, but just know that, in my heart, this is a 2.5.
On the one hand, I really like that the author integrated Filipino culture and history into this world. It's there where I think the writing particularly excelled, in bringing the culture of this world and the surroundings to life.
On the other hand, I was honestly let down by the writing in other aspects: namely, the characters. This book relies heavily on TELLING you the connections between the characters without actually letting the reader experience it for themselves. The reader gets told that the current Hara and her daughter have a contentious relationship, but you don't see quite enough of it to make it seem like her fears over succession are grounded in reality. I both wanted and needed a lot more to make the connections between the characters feel real and give weight to their conflicts and triumphs. As it is, though, I didn't and that made later plot points in the book not quite ring as true as the author wanted.
While the character work was the biggest point for me, I will also say that I felt like the pacing didn't quite work either. Things really speed up towards the end in a way where I was slightly confused as to what happened. Especially in the case of the epilogue, where it felt like there were certain character moments/revelations I would've liked to actually see on-page, but were only referenced in passing.
Overall, I can definitely see the vision, but it, unfortunately, fell flat for me. I think the author shows a lot of promise; I just need less telling and more showing, particularly when it comes to building up the characters.
It's 2025 and Goodreads still doesn't allow for 1/2 star ratings, but just know that, in my heart, this is a 2.5.
On the one hand, I really like that the author integrated Filipino culture and history into this world. It's there where I think the writing particularly excelled, in bringing the culture of this world and the surroundings to life.
On the other hand, I was honestly let down by the writing in other aspects: namely, the characters. This book relies heavily on TELLING you the connections between the characters without actually letting the reader experience it for themselves. The reader gets told that the current Hara and her daughter have a contentious relationship, but you don't see quite enough of it to make it seem like her fears over succession are grounded in reality. I both wanted and needed a lot more to make the connections between the characters feel real and give weight to their conflicts and triumphs. As it is, though, I didn't and that made later plot points in the book not quite ring as true as the author wanted.
While the character work was the biggest point for me, I will also say that I felt like the pacing didn't quite work either. Things really speed up towards the end in a way where I was slightly confused as to what happened. Especially in the case of the epilogue, where it felt like there were certain character moments/revelations I would've liked to actually see on-page, but were only referenced in passing.
Overall, I can definitely see the vision, but it, unfortunately, fell flat for me. I think the author shows a lot of promise; I just need less telling and more showing, particularly when it comes to building up the characters.