pixieliscous's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.25
katys_books's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
slowreadersclub's review against another edition
5.0
“You brought me light. Thank you.”
Sal is a quietly moving story about two young sisters trying to survive on their own in the wilds of Scotland. It’s a novel that beautifully captures the small moments of kindness and love shared between siblings and strangers alike.
Sal planned their escape from their alcoholic mother and sexually abusive stepfather for almost a year before they ran; she bought supplies and tools from Amazon using stolen credit cards, read the SAS survival handbook and watched plenty of YouTube videos. Sal is ready and will do whatever it takes to protection her younger sister; Peppa.
The book is written from the perspective of Sal--who has a very distinctive voice, creating a vivid sense of how she views the world and the force of love she has for her sister. Sal comes to life in these pages, in the quietest and most beautiful way and it’s impossible not to find her utterly charming and endearing; she is definitely one of my most favourite fictional characters.
Mick Kitson is an incredible writer, and his ability to write from the perspective of a young girl is truly genius. Despite the sensitive subject of sexual abuse within the book, Kitson never divulges too much detail, nor does he make a spectacle of what Sal has endured. Instead, he skilfully creates a delicate balance between the innocence and wonder of childhood and the dark realities that Sal has faced.
Sal deserves all five stars and is easily one of my favourite books, ever!
Sal is a quietly moving story about two young sisters trying to survive on their own in the wilds of Scotland. It’s a novel that beautifully captures the small moments of kindness and love shared between siblings and strangers alike.
Sal planned their escape from their alcoholic mother and sexually abusive stepfather for almost a year before they ran; she bought supplies and tools from Amazon using stolen credit cards, read the SAS survival handbook and watched plenty of YouTube videos. Sal is ready and will do whatever it takes to protection her younger sister; Peppa.
The book is written from the perspective of Sal--who has a very distinctive voice, creating a vivid sense of how she views the world and the force of love she has for her sister. Sal comes to life in these pages, in the quietest and most beautiful way and it’s impossible not to find her utterly charming and endearing; she is definitely one of my most favourite fictional characters.
Mick Kitson is an incredible writer, and his ability to write from the perspective of a young girl is truly genius. Despite the sensitive subject of sexual abuse within the book, Kitson never divulges too much detail, nor does he make a spectacle of what Sal has endured. Instead, he skilfully creates a delicate balance between the innocence and wonder of childhood and the dark realities that Sal has faced.
Sal deserves all five stars and is easily one of my favourite books, ever!
dobbyhasnomaster's review against another edition
5.0
I was expecting action and suspense, but instead I got quite a serious story about trauma told in a matter-of-fact way, which worked really well.
robean_hwallace's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elizabeth1993's review against another edition
2.0
I was unsure about this book from the very first chapter.
Every step is explained in excruciating detail, to the point it become uninteresting.
I think Sal & Peppa had so much potential and I fell in love with Ingrid but the story on the whole fell flat.
Every step is explained in excruciating detail, to the point it become uninteresting.
I think Sal & Peppa had so much potential and I fell in love with Ingrid but the story on the whole fell flat.
erndixon's review against another edition
4.0
I think this book does an incredible job of describing a modern girl facing timeless problems. I especially like how the main character used the Internet in order to better herself and learn. Listen to the audiobook, gorgeously narrated by Sharon Rooney. The Scottish accent really makes the whole thing come alive in a way that my internal narrator would not have been able to accomplish. To be honest, I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much in print, but it is still a great story.
twentystitches's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laceyisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5