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A review by lilydefender
Daughter of the Salt King by A.S. Thornton
4.0
I forgot to write a review at the time, so the details of this book are a little faded. The biggest reason I'm leaving this review is to give little warnings for some of the content, so others can be more aware of what they'd be getting into. And know that while I may read something that doesn't mean I support it.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Daughter of the Salt King was refreshingly different from the other books I've been reading. The setting was vibrant and full of detail, making me feel every grain of sand and the dry heat of the desert air.
The plot revealed itself nicely, with everything leading to quite the finale. I anticipated some of the twists but was surprised by more. (I was supposed to read this book slowly but I admit I gobbled it right up lol)
I enjoyed the many characters and their complexities. No one was TSTL (too stupid to live) — although the main character did occasionally do things that had me thinking "no, wait a minute, think this through better!"
The plight of the main character (and her sisters) was very moving, but a bit uncomfortable as well.
** One of the main plotlines was that the sisters are basically in harem, waiting for wealthy men to ask their unkind father for their hands in marriage. They can be chosen by a prospective husband and he may sleep with any of them for up to three nights. The men are sometimes old, and sometimes cruel. You hear of and see afterwards what some of the girls go through. And with the main character the reader is there during those intimate scenes, which were sometimes very rough.
I considered leaving the book when this became a focal point of the plot, but despite how uncomfortable it felt it was also respectfully and well written, so it felt like I was reading about historical events that actually befell women instead of a story trying to be dramatic. And the nasty parts were early skipped. I'm a big supporter off skipping scenes and reading a more pleasant, if self-abridged, version of the book.**
The main romance was sweet, which was a welcome change for the reader as well as the main characters. There was a kind of enemies --> friends --> lovers progression that made me really root for the couple.
** They had intimate scenes as well, which I didn't need to see, but I was glad they were happy and that the MC was being treated with love, kindness, and respect for once. **
** Some of the side characters had romance scenes that felt unnecessary and rather TMI. I want reading their story, I don't know why I had to be shown that detail. **
Something I didn't like that was more related to style than content was the occasional modern viewpoint or mindset toward issues. Some of those elements felt shoehorned in.
The ending was very cinematic, and I went straight and bought the sequel :) so for me, its downsides didn't detract overly much from its story appeal.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Daughter of the Salt King was refreshingly different from the other books I've been reading. The setting was vibrant and full of detail, making me feel every grain of sand and the dry heat of the desert air.
The plot revealed itself nicely, with everything leading to quite the finale. I anticipated some of the twists but was surprised by more. (I was supposed to read this book slowly but I admit I gobbled it right up lol)
I enjoyed the many characters and their complexities. No one was TSTL (too stupid to live) — although the main character did occasionally do things that had me thinking "no, wait a minute, think this through better!"
The plight of the main character (and her sisters) was very moving, but a bit uncomfortable as well.
** One of the main plotlines was that the sisters are basically in harem, waiting for wealthy men to ask their unkind father for their hands in marriage. They can be chosen by a prospective husband and he may sleep with any of them for up to three nights. The men are sometimes old, and sometimes cruel. You hear of and see afterwards what some of the girls go through. And with the main character the reader is there during those intimate scenes, which were sometimes very rough.
I considered leaving the book when this became a focal point of the plot, but despite how uncomfortable it felt it was also respectfully and well written, so it felt like I was reading about historical events that actually befell women instead of a story trying to be dramatic. And the nasty parts were early skipped. I'm a big supporter off skipping scenes and reading a more pleasant, if self-abridged, version of the book.**
The main romance was sweet, which was a welcome change for the reader as well as the main characters. There was a kind of enemies --> friends --> lovers progression that made me really root for the couple.
** They had intimate scenes as well, which I didn't need to see, but I was glad they were happy and that the MC was being treated with love, kindness, and respect for once. **
** Some of the side characters had romance scenes that felt unnecessary and rather TMI. I want reading their story, I don't know why I had to be shown that detail. **
Something I didn't like that was more related to style than content was the occasional modern viewpoint or mindset toward issues. Some of those elements felt shoehorned in.
The ending was very cinematic, and I went straight and bought the sequel :) so for me, its downsides didn't detract overly much from its story appeal.