luellen1990's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be really weird, it was quiet sinister in parts and it's been awhile since I read a horror book so I think that's why it took me some time getting into it. I'm glad I read it but I wont be reading it again, I think I'll stick to my romance books in future.
amy_j18's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ecote525's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars...and only rounded up for the character of Beth. I hope there is more focus on her in the sequel because I cannot stand the main character...or any other for that matter. So much corn. So much discussion about smells. Blah. I had to majorly suspend my disbelief on this one...Coronado, whaaaaat? Like the conquistador? mmm, okay then. But since this ended on a cliffhanger and I have OCD, I must read the next one. Le sigh.
iphi_kc13's review against another edition
2.0
This is not a scary book.. Just because she can see a dead person does not make this creepy. I thought the overall story was good but it jumps in some spots and I'm not dying to read the second one. I will read others to see how it goes but it's not a mind blowing series for me.
serena2286's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic and once I started I didn't want to put it down. Full review to come.
geldauran's review against another edition
1.0
I feel like this is partially my fault, because I think part of me thought this was a horror novel. Or that it was going to be spooky. The book's cover certainly added to this impression.
But instead of a spooky cult book, it was standard paranormal fantasy. You remember all those angel books that came out in the mid 00s? Soul mate, angels, destiny girls, immortal love, etc? Well, this is the same fare. Soul mates, corn, immortal love and the weirdest mix of alchemy and... Native American folklore?
At the end of the day the book is being marketed wrong. There is such a thin slice of "Children of the Corn" in this book.... people who come to this book looking for creepiness or something on the edgier side of YA paranormal aren't going to be pleased. But someone looking for an updated take on those 00s books I was talking about would probably find something right up their alley.
But instead of a spooky cult book, it was standard paranormal fantasy. You remember all those angel books that came out in the mid 00s? Soul mate, angels, destiny girls, immortal love, etc? Well, this is the same fare. Soul mates, corn, immortal love and the weirdest mix of alchemy and... Native American folklore?
At the end of the day the book is being marketed wrong. There is such a thin slice of "Children of the Corn" in this book.... people who come to this book looking for creepiness or something on the edgier side of YA paranormal aren't going to be pleased. But someone looking for an updated take on those 00s books I was talking about would probably find something right up their alley.
onewinternight's review against another edition
More of a romance (and a drippy one) than a horror/thriller - it wasn't really my thing. I kept waiting for it to be creepy, but, nope. Sigh.
kbranfield's review
4.0
Blood and Salt is an engrossing and rather creepy young adult romance with supernatural elements. This debut novel by Kim Liggett centers on Ashlyn "Ash" Larkin, a centuries old family curse and a mysterious spiritual commune in the middle of a cornfield in Quivira, Kansas.
The history of Quivira is rather convoluted, goes back centuries and features a love triangle between Katia Larkin, Alonso Mendoza and Spanish explorer Coronado. Katia's quest for immortality results in betrayal and death and the Larkin women are called upon to carry out their fate in Quivira as Katia's "vessel". Nina Larkin escaped from Quivira before giving birth to twins Ash and Rhys seventeen years earlier. The family now lives in New York, but just before the summer solstice, Nina returns to Quivira to fulfill her destiny as a vessel for her ancestor Katia. Desperate to find their mother, Ash and Rhys travel to the eerie cornfield to save their mother from what they consider to be a religious cult. However, unbeknownst to Rhys, Ash's lifelong visions of a hanging girl have increased in frequency and she soon realizes these images are memories of events that occurred centuries earlier. Upon arrival in Quiriva, these horrifying images take an ominous turn and Ash quickly becomes increasingly concerned for their safety.
Modern day Quivira clings to the traditions of the past and Ash figures heavily into their quest for immortality. She and Rhys are aided by Beth, a "seer" whose visions once foretold the future before a severe head injury quieted her gift. Ash is immediately enthralled by Dane, a charismatic young man whom she is forbidden to love due to his mixed bloodlines. The rest of the villagers seem mostly harmless but Ash quickly senses evil when she meets their current leader, Spencer Mendoza.
Ash is swiftly drawn into the rituals of Quivira and despite Rhys's pleas to leave, she is determined to rescue their mother. With her visions becoming more and more frequent, she realizes the hanging girl seems to be trying to tell her something. With Dane at her side to protect her, Ash eagerly allows the hallucinations free rein and she soon realizes the horrifying truth. But is it too late to stop the diabolical plan that Katia has unleashed?
Blood and Salt is a suspense-laden horror story that is full of unexpected twists and turns. The novel is fast-faced and quite riveting and Kim Liggett easily captures the reader's attention with the inventive storyline. Thundering to a dramatic and completely unexpected conclusion, this first installment in the Blood and Salt series will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book in this ingenious series.
The history of Quivira is rather convoluted, goes back centuries and features a love triangle between Katia Larkin, Alonso Mendoza and Spanish explorer Coronado. Katia's quest for immortality results in betrayal and death and the Larkin women are called upon to carry out their fate in Quivira as Katia's "vessel". Nina Larkin escaped from Quivira before giving birth to twins Ash and Rhys seventeen years earlier. The family now lives in New York, but just before the summer solstice, Nina returns to Quivira to fulfill her destiny as a vessel for her ancestor Katia. Desperate to find their mother, Ash and Rhys travel to the eerie cornfield to save their mother from what they consider to be a religious cult. However, unbeknownst to Rhys, Ash's lifelong visions of a hanging girl have increased in frequency and she soon realizes these images are memories of events that occurred centuries earlier. Upon arrival in Quiriva, these horrifying images take an ominous turn and Ash quickly becomes increasingly concerned for their safety.
Modern day Quivira clings to the traditions of the past and Ash figures heavily into their quest for immortality. She and Rhys are aided by Beth, a "seer" whose visions once foretold the future before a severe head injury quieted her gift. Ash is immediately enthralled by Dane, a charismatic young man whom she is forbidden to love due to his mixed bloodlines. The rest of the villagers seem mostly harmless but Ash quickly senses evil when she meets their current leader, Spencer Mendoza.
Ash is swiftly drawn into the rituals of Quivira and despite Rhys's pleas to leave, she is determined to rescue their mother. With her visions becoming more and more frequent, she realizes the hanging girl seems to be trying to tell her something. With Dane at her side to protect her, Ash eagerly allows the hallucinations free rein and she soon realizes the horrifying truth. But is it too late to stop the diabolical plan that Katia has unleashed?
Blood and Salt is a suspense-laden horror story that is full of unexpected twists and turns. The novel is fast-faced and quite riveting and Kim Liggett easily captures the reader's attention with the inventive storyline. Thundering to a dramatic and completely unexpected conclusion, this first installment in the Blood and Salt series will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book in this ingenious series.