Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

by:  Kendall Kulper
published by:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
publish date:  September 23, 2014

Avery Roe wants only to claim her birthright as the witch of Prince Island and to make the charms that have kept the island's sailors safe at sea for generations, but instead she is held prisoner by her mother in a magic-free life of proper manners and respectability. Avery thinks escape is just a matter of time, but when she has a harrowing nightmare, she can see what it means: She will be killed. She will be murdered. And she's never been wrong before.

Desperate to change her future, Avery finds a surprising ally in Tane—a tattooed harpoon boy with magic of his own, who moves her in ways she never expected. But as time runs out to unlock her magic and save herself, Avery discovers that becoming a witch requires unimaginable sacrifice.

I found it odd that this book was classified as a YA book.  It didn't have a YA feel.  I think it's one of those books that would have fit neatly into the New Adult category if New Adult hasn't quickly become another term for dark and dirty romance.  However, that's a topic for another day.  Thinking back on it, I'm not really sure it would have been a good fit in adult literature either, because it didn't have the maturity adult readers would have expected.  So it was too mature for YA, but not mature enough for Adult, in my opinion anyway.

All that said, it was a really good story.  For generations the Roe Witches have been keeping the people of Prince Island safe and prosperous.  Until Avery's mother attempts to run away and break the hold that the island has on the Roe women.  She takes Avery away from her grandmother, the current Roe Witch, to be raised away from magic.  When the Roe Witch dies, there will be no one to take her place.  However, when she does die, all the magic holding Price Island together ends and the island becomes a dangerous place to be.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves historical fiction for one.  I liked that aspect of the story.  The witches keeping the whaling ships safe.  Readers the like witches and magic will also like this one.  I think readers of Kathleen Kent or Katherine Howe would really like this book.

 

Review and Giveaway: The Traitor's Wife by Kathleen Kent

If you've read The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent, this is the same book.  It has been retitled.  I've seen some negative comments elsewhere because people have bought the book thinking it was a new book only to find out they've already read it.

I dearly love this story and it's been featured TWICE on this blog.  Once as a stand alone.  Then I said:

I LOVED this book. I listened to the audiobook, but still, I loved it. The pace and the progress the the story was perfect. The author slowly revealed tiny little bits of the story so that you constantly wanted to know more.

This was one of those really interesting books that made you feel like you were learning something while you were reading. It was a fantastic historical novel as well as a lovely romance. The afterword as a lot of information regarding the history included in the book that was very interesting and made me want to read Kathleen Kent's other book, The Heretic's Daughter.

As I said, I listened to the audiobook and I'd highly recommend it. The reader, Ellen Archer, did a superb job. Thanks to the Hachette group for providing the audiobook!

We also featured it during our Salem Witches Week when we had a day specifically for Kathleen Kent.  Both of her books were featured.

I was absolutely thrilled to meet Kathleen Kent in New Orleans this August.  She signed a copy of The Traitor's Wife for me and it'll definitely have a special spot on my bookshelf.

Now, you can win a copy of The Traitor's Wife.  Thanks to the great people at Hachette I have 3 copies of The Traitor's Wife and 1 copy of The Heretic's Daughter to give away.  The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only, no P.O. Boxes, only one winner per household.

Please leave a comment with a valid email address.  Winners will be picked on Sept. 30th.

Salem Witches Week: The Writings of Kathleen Kent

Today we're spotlighting the books of Kathleen Kent. 

by:  Kathleen Kent

published by:  Little Brown and Co.

publish date:   September 2008

Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.

by:  Kathleen Kent

published by:  Reagan Arthur Books

publish date:  November 2010

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood. A love story and a tale of courage, The Wolves of Andover confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of family from colonial history.

 
 
 
 
I absolutely adored both of these stories.  I actually read/listened to The Wolves of Andover first and thought it was wonderful.  It was the book that somewhat inspired the whole idea of the Salem Witches Week.  It got me more interested in learning more about what happened. 
 
Both of these books are extremely well researched.  Kathleen Kent is a 10th generation descendant of Martha Carrier and knows her history well.  She has a deep love and respect for her ancestry and it shows in her writings.

Tomorrow we're spotlighting YA book, there are several!

The Wolves of Andover

by:  Kathleen Kent
published by:  Reagan Arthur Books

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood.

I LOVED this book.  I listened to the audiobook, but still, I loved it.  The pace and the progress the the story was perfect.  The author slowly revealed tiny little bits of the story so that you constantly wanted to know more. 

This was one of those really interesting books that made you feel like you were learning something while you were reading.  It was a fantastic historical novel as well as a lovely romance.  The afterword as a lot of information regarding the history included in the book that was very interesting and made me want to read Kathleen Kent's other book, The Heretic's Daughter.

As I said, I listened to the audiobook and I'd highly recommend it.  The reader, Ellen Archer, did a superb job.  Thanks to the Hachette group for providing the audiobook!