Reviews

Sal by Mick Kitson

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*received an ARC for review*

I tried. I couldn't get into this and ended up skimming it. It alternated between mind numbingly dull jargon that was learned from YouTube or other survival stuff, most of which I recognized but enough to know it wasn't quite correct in the bigger picture, then swung into melodrama that seemed way too forced.

I also disliked the sentence structure, as there were tons of run on sentences, and various other technical issues bothered me. Definitely not my kind of book.

natashaophelia02's review

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4.0

I think the characterisation of both Peppa and Sal was really good and although not too much actually happened it was a really enjoyable and heartwarming (in places) read

cerim's review

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4.0

Picked this book up in the library months ago and I’ve kept renewing it - finally got round to reading!

I was expecting a bit of a ‘survival’ story but it was so much more. Sal was a wonderfully written character and I was rooting for her so badly! Peppa was an absolute delight, a right ‘taken tae wee lassie’ as we would say here. I really enjoyed this novel but felt that it ended too abruptly. Definitely wanted to know more. Please write a sequel!

klacebo's review

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4.0

I don't remember why I bought this book, it stayed a little over two years in my stand-by stack. But I'm glad I did. It's not often that I start a book hesitantly, thinking "wtf am I reading", and end up in tears when I finish.

margaret21's review against another edition

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3.0

This is the compelling story of Sal and her half sister Peppa's escape from life with their alcoholic mother and abusive step-father. Thirteen year old Sal, who narrates the story has long planned this escape, making use of carefully learnt bush skills to live Galloway Forest Park Scotland. Circumstances have made her wise beyond her years, though failing at school. It's an incredible, yet credible story of the consequences of one man's unremitting abuse, and of a mother totally unable to protect her daughters. An involving read both for an adult and YA audience.

mollymadworld's review

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3.0

Felt like it didnt really know where it was going

aus10england's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Very descriptive!

Content Warnings

vanessa_issa's review

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4.0

Thanks to Canongate Books for the ARC via NetGalley!

É tão lindo ver a Sal defendendo a si mesma e protegendo sua irmã mais nova. Elas são tão jovens, mas enfrentam problemas de gente grande, como abusos e atos de violência de seu padrasto, e conviver com uma mãe alcoólatra. Foi um livro difícil de ler, mas muito bonito. Acho que o mundo está precisando de mais histórias assim para inspirar meninas que infelizmente vivem situações parecidas na realidade.