This review is also available on my blog, Bows & Bullets Reviews

Tella Holloway has become much stronger than she was at the start of the Brimstone Bleed. A trek through a jungle and across a desert will do that to you. Now, as she prepares to go into the second half of this deadly race to save her brother, she wonders if she is really strong enough to make it through. Can she really defeat all these people? Can she, a girl who spent her life in search of the perfect dress and cup of coffee, really go head to head with a group of adults and really come out victorious? And could she have survived the first half without Guy’s help? This second installment of the Fire & Flood series comes with just as much peril and self-doubt, but an altogether stronger Tella. Let’s see if she can haul ass and save her brother’s life.

It’s been a while since I read Fire & Flood, so my love for Tella had to be made over. I remember loving her sassiness in F&F as well as her pandora, but I didn’t quite remember her exactly as she is. At the beginning of this, I was annoyed at her. She keeps trying to step out from underneath Guy’s shadow and lead the group and that isn’t what I wanted to see. I wanted to see her follow Guy’s lead and maybe watch a few hidden make-out scenes. Every time she went against him, I wanted to smack her. And then she learns that he doesn’t believe she can stand on her own, that he isn’t sure she could have made it this far without him, and she’s is devastated…and more determined than ever to stand on her own two feet. During that whole speech, I was a little conflicted. I mean, on the one hand, you kinda have to agree with him. She doesn’t know how to survive on the land and may well have starved or died of dehydration without him. On the other, that is a harsh thing to admit and Tella is always stronger than anyone gives her credit for. Then, she starts making smarter decision and slowly earns everyone’s respect and I was finally okay with her stepping out. But it wasn’t an immediately response. The thing that always won me over from moment one was her love for her Pandora and that is amplified here. She reaches out to all the Pandoras and does what she can to protect them as they would her.

Despite his harsh words and general unwillingness to talk, I still love Guy. He’s constantly doing whatever he can to keep Tella safe, even when Tella doesn’t want him to risk his neck for her. Even if his actions are misguided, he still shows a great deal of care for Tella’s well being and it’s obvious that he cares for her, even if he can’t bring himself to say the words.

One of the things I applauded Scott for in my review of Fire & Flood was the novel’s brutality. This is no different than that. While I still applaud Scott for not holding back, it still broke my heart in many ways…as I’m sure it broke hers. We get more character death here and that’s harder to take because I’ve become even more attached to them by now. You all know I’m not a fan of character death. While I am aware that at story of this caliber requires character death (because it’s preposterous to believe they can all make this deadly trek without casualties), that doesn’t make it any easier for me to read.

Besides the character death, the Pandora deaths are what really brought me down to a sob-worthy level. Just to be clear, I don’t want novels to make me sob. I respect that it takes a certain skill to bring your readers to such a state where they feel the need to shed real-world tears over a fictional event, but that is not what I seek when I look for a new novel. ANYWAY, by the time you reach the end of this, you know where it’s going Pandora-wise. We’ve really all felt it heading this way since the first introduction of the companions, but we were just hoping we were wrong, that Scott would find another way to devastate us. Trust you’re instincts on this because that is exactly where it’s going and you were spot on. And it’s heartbreaking. Devastating doesn’t seem a strong enough word. I won’t say more than that and the fact that it broke me.

Beyond the character death and the brutality, this novel is spectacular. I was able to continue reading it and enjoying it despite my issues and that’s saying something. The writing and plot blew me away, just like they did in the first novel. This is so very different than Scott’s Dante Walker series and I really liked that. It’s a very intense little book. I was one I could never binge read because it’s too potent. That is, until the last 100 pages when I didn’t care if my brain melted because I had to know what happened next. Does Tella win? DOES SHE? I’m not telling! But I’m excited about what comes next.

Though this ends on a cliffhanger (is anyone really surprised by that?), I’m excited to see how the group works to take down this crazy company that is killing people for sport.

The low rating here is mostly due to character and animal death. I can be forgiving at times and I know some think it’s unfair to rate a book I enjoyed 3 stars because it’s a mediocre rating, but that’s just how it works for me. Animal death is something to grabs me more than character death. That’s my real-world personality showing through because I’m a big animal lover and I don’t like the thought of them being abused. Beyond that, this is a great follow-up to Fire & Flood. If you enjoyed that, you’ll love this. Just, you know, be prepared because no one is safe and everything can change in the blink of an eye.

****Thank you to Scholastic Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review****

What an excellent read. Though all I can truly say is there HAS to be a third book coming out soon. 

We leave off right where Fire and Flood ended. If you read book one then you know how about the Brimstone Bleed and the Cure. You also know that only one person can win the cure for someone they love. Well Tella is still in the race though the relationship between her and Guy is a weird one. It is like he wants to be with her but pushes her away but pulls her back, how she hasn't fully lost her mind with it is amazing. 

In Salt and Stone the reminding contenders which there are less than 100 now have to travel the sea and the mountains but it won't be easy. I have to say it seems this leg of the race that it is much harder than the previous. 

I think in this one we really see Tella grow especially as a leader and I really liked that. She stands up for what she believes and you can tell she doesn't truly have a mean bone in her body and cares for all, even those that are rude.

We meet a new character who seems a bit shady and when we find out who he is all I can say is WOW. Didn't think of that scenario coming into play. 

I really do love the Pandora's and the roles they play especially Madox who is Tella's Pandora. The way Tella interacts with all of the Pandora's just shows you the character she truly is. She cares for all and has a big heart which you wouldn't have thought that before. It seems being in the Brimstone Bleed is something that makes you grow up a bit more.

The way the ending came about I just have to believe there is a book three I mean it ended to where you are satisfied but you are left wondering what will happen next. 

Who will cross the finish line first? Who as a person and as a Pandora will die next? 

Want something amazing to read then pick this book and Fire and Flood up soon.

#PBwekendread

Salt & Stone is the follow-up to the first book, Fire & Flood. I thought both were excellent and well-written! In Salt & Stone, the remaining Contenders are participating in the second leg of the Brimstone Bleed which is a race to win a cure for a dying family member. If you like animals and you like the show the Amazing Race then you will more then likely enjoy this book a lot. It will keep you on the edge of your seat but it will also tug at your heart strings. I literally ran through the whole gamut of emotions reading this but that's what a good book should do for you. I am dismayed though because as it stands right now, the publisher of this series has only bought the two books so it doesn't look like there is going to be a third book in the series and there were a lot of loose ends left open. I got so emotionally wrapped up in the characters that I'm dying to know what happens next and that might not ever come to pass. : (  It's really disheartening but we'll see...you just never know-I'm going to keep my fingers crossed...

**Note: I did submit the correct cover image & edition edits to the Booklikes database yesterday so hopefully those will update soon.

I have no idea why I never did a May one. I guess I'm just lazy. I read quite a bit these past two months-at least a lot for me, Though I know I'm behind because I want to read 75 books this year. Graphic novels and manga count right? I read three these past two months.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

It was a good sequel, but I definitely enjoyed the first book more.

I really liked the politics in this one, but I felt the build up was dragged for the ending sequence that was only like five pages. Also, not enough interaction between Arin and Kestrel. Though I really did like their heart breaking romance though. Rip my heart out it's okay. That cliff hanger though. UGH.

 Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

I loved this book so much. I loved it so much I actually made a post about it. i still want a story from Daniel's perspective. Just saying. 

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Everyone seems to love this and I am not part of that group. I wasn't impressed by this. Nothing meshed well and it was all over the place. I can't explain it but it was also very open...(?) It kind of just jumped right into the story and went from one thing to the next. I liked it enough to buy the sequel though. Interesting plot but meh writing. (Though I do love her Hex Hall series.)

Scandal by Sarah Ockler

The message of this book is very important. Cyber bullying is horrible and should never be done. I hated the bullying. I hated the fact that no one helped the main character. This poor girl would walk through the hallways of her school and get spat on. Why did no one stop this? Bullying is a messed up thing and I hate hearing about it. 

The one thing I didn't like was the main character's romance thing with the guy. There were things that were written about them that happened that were so vague they made no sense. 

Important message but everything else was meh. 

Lux Beginnings and Consequences by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I read Obsidian, Onyx, and Opal (technically I read Obsidian in May in finished in June and the same thing happened with Opal and finished July first oh well.) I like the story. It's enjoyable and has it's moments. I like Katy, I don't like Daemon. He was fine throughout the first book but half way in Onyx and a majority of Opal he was so annoying. He's so inconsistent. Up and down up and down. One minute he hates her the next he's in love. I was also so done with the romance in Opal. I want plot development I don't care about you two kissing. 

Angelfall and World After by Susan Ee

Literally the best angel books I've read so far. Granted I was annoyed that it just jumped to six weeks later. I want to know what happened but that's the whole point of the story. The angels have invaded and no one knows why. I love the relationship between Penryn and her sister and her relationship with Raffe. And of course the actual story and the crap that happens to her. But mostly Penryn. One of the best female leads I have ever read. (I heard the third book is a disappointment and I really hope when I read it I won't think it is.)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

I guess it was a cute contemporary? I don't really like contemporary nor did I like the instalove.

Salt and Stone by Victoria Scott

This sequel was so good! The character development was great with Tella, That cliffhanger though. When's the last book coming out?

I also read Deadly Class vol.1 and the manga Blackbird vol.1 and I liked the story to both of them but to me they were all over the place. Literally jumped from one thing to the next. 

Right now I'm in a reading slump. I have so many books on my tbr that need to be read but I don't wanna read any of them. 

At least now tella's realizing how useless she is. She's not as useless as she was but now she's like "omg did I really rely on him the whole time? Omgg I wonder what he must think of me Omgg"