Title: Summer of Salt
Author: Katrina Leno
First published June 5, 2018
288 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9780062493644 (ISBN10: 0062493647)
Rating: 4.01
Overview
Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno is a novel that explores the magical world of By-the-Sea. Georgina Fernweh has been waiting for her gift of magic that has been passed down through generations of women in her family.
However, as her eighteenth birthday approaches, she begins to lose hope. Her twin sister Mary already shows signs of her ability to defy gravity.
On the island of By-the-Sea, the Fernweh family is known for their ability to concoct remedies and offer help with strange occurrences. The weather is moody and erratic, much like a summer storm, and a three-hundred-year-old bird comes to roost on the island every year.
Georgina’s last summer on the island becomes a legendary one full of love, salt, and storms. However, when tragedy strikes, the Fernweh women become suspects.
Georgina discovers the truth about magic and its many forms. Summer of Salt is a captivating novel that will take you on a journey through the magical world of By-the-Sea.
About the Author
Katrina Leno is an accomplished author who has both written and read numerous books. There’s something special about books, don’t you think?
Editoral Review
Katrina Leno’s “Summer of Salt” is a beautifully written novel that masterfully blends elements of magical realism and contemporary fiction. The book was first published on June 5, 2018, and quickly drew attention from readers and critics alike.
Leno’s previous works include “The Lost & Found”, “Everything All at Once”, and “Horrid”.
Set on the fictional island of By-the-Sea, “Summer of Salt” tells the story of the Fernweh family, whose members possess a range of extraordinary abilities, from the power to control the weather to the gift of seeing the future. The novel centers around Georgina, a young woman who is waiting for her own magical powers to manifest.
As she navigates her way through a summer of self-discovery, Georgina is forced to confront her family’s secrets and the harsh realities of life on the island.
Leno’s prose is vivid and poetic, creating a rich and immersive world that draws the reader in from the first page. The island of By-the-Sea is a character in itself, with its lush landscapes and quirky inhabitants.
The characters are all well-developed, each with their own unique quirks and personalities. Georgina’s journey of self-discovery is both relatable and inspiring, making her a protagonist that readers will root for from beginning to end.
One of the strengths of “Summer of Salt” is the way that Leno seamlessly weaves in themes of family, identity, and acceptance. The Fernweh family is not without its flaws, and the novel explores the complexities of familial relationships with nuance and sensitivity.
Leno also touches on themes of environmentalism and social justice, adding depth and relevance to the story.
While the pacing of the novel can be slow at times, Leno’s lyrical writing style keeps the reader engaged throughout. The magical realism elements may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are handled with care and never feel forced or gimmicky.
Overall, “Summer of Salt” is a stunning work of fiction that will appeal to fans of both contemporary and magical realism genres. It is a book that celebrates the power of family, the beauty of nature, and the importance of accepting oneself for who they truly are.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars.