reviews young adult | new adult
Salt
Fallen Grace
Penelope is a witch, part of a secret society protecting humans from demon attacks. But when she was a child, a demon stole her magic. When she’s finally given the chance to join the elite demonhunting force, she can get access to the information she needs to find “her” demon. Then she meets Carter. He’s cute, smart, and she can borrow his magic. He knows her secret—but he also has one of his own.
Branded a witch and exiled after a dishonorable display at the king’s annual tournament, quiet Grace Hilren is forced to uproot her life of luxury as a lord’s daughter and move to the slums of the port city, Glenbard. But Grace carries a secret. Though trained to be a fine lady, she also learned to handle a sword and has made it her mission to eradicate evil and injustice where she finds it. Even in exile, Grace continues her work under the given name of Death Dealer. Her nightly deeds bring her to the notice of the self-proclaimed King of Thieves, Marcus. When the king’s power is threatened by a rival named Mac, the Death Dealer unwittingly becomes a pawn in the struggle between thieves for control of the lower city. The game becomes dangerous as Grace realizes she may not be able to best this usurper.
Danielle Ellison Paranormal Young Adult Heat Rating: 1
Review: Salt was everything a fast-paced, action packed, swoon-worthy, YA novel should be! Right from the very first pages we are introduced to Penelope-a witch-fighting a demon, and the fun doesn’t stop there… it continues like the rollercoaster ride teens love! The paranormal take on witches and demons was very intriguing, with witches being blessed from Heaven to fight and protect humans against hellish demons. The tragedy in Salt originates with Penelope’s parents being killed by a demon, an attack Penelope survives, but results in her losing her power, a fact she works endlessly to cloak from the witching community for fear of exile. During a demon fight, we’re introduced to Carter, the humble, charismatic, handsome hero of Salt. Carter has a mission of his own. Combine that with Penelope’s agenda to find the demon that killed her parents and stole her power and you have the perfect combination for a well dosed tense romance. Along with generous helpings of demon fighting action, the author delivers some very touching moments as well. The other supporting characters were fleshed out in great detail all with very distinct personalities making them relatable. The ending was a surprise I did not see coming, making Salt a top notch YA novel and leaving me highly anticipating the next installment. | Reviewed by: Sasha Hibbs |
Katie Roman Young Adult/New Adult Heat Rating: 1
Review: Fallen Grace by Katie Roman is an engaging and interesting Young Adult fantasy story that will keep readers guessing. It takes a fresh look at the story of Robin Hood, with a woman - Grace Hilren - as the oft-revered and sometimes feared hooded vigilante known as the Death Dealer. The characters, if rather stereotypical, nevertheless play their roles well in the narrative, and the character development of Grace through her fall from her place in court to her new life in the town of Glenbard is well written. Though a little too blatant for my preference in regards to presentation - Roman tells rather than shows the reader the issues at hand - the feminist theme throughout the book was something I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed the ever-beloved theme of stealing from the rich to give to the poor that Roman brings to light in her description of both the Death Dealer and of the Thieves’ Guild in Glenbard I would have liked to know how exactly Marcus became the King of Thieves in the Thieves’ Guild, and I thought the obeisance to him as such was a little out of character for the people in Glenbard since they were so against nobility of any kind, but the ending March/April 2014 | 91