A review by lindsaymck
Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone

adventurous emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I was drawn in by this book being a Tristan and Isolde retelling, but it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. Mark Trevena and Isolde Laurence are like if Christian Grey & Anastasia Steele were combined with Rhysand & Feyre in the Court of Nightmares, but without any of the trust or true intimacy. This age-gap, arranged marriage, dom-sub relationship was WILD at parts. 

Isolde’s dedication to her faith and her sexual awakening were well-written. She is a well-developed and complex leading lady: strong but submissive as part of her “sacrifice.” Mark is undoubtedly captivating, powerful, and mysterious, but cruelly pulls the rug out from under Isolde and reader, both, by the end. The setup for book 2 is definitely strong!
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