If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be emotionally shipwrecked on a stormy sea of angst, magic, and betrayal, Of Salt and Mist is here to give you the full experience and then some. This dazzling debut novel drags you (willingly, I might add) into a world where Naida, a half-human, half-siren with a past as murky as the ocean depths, fights for survival while navigating love, treachery, and enough twists to make your head spin like a ship’s compass in a hurricane.
First off, let’s talk about the world-building it’s so brilliant and vivid that I’m 80% sure I smelled the iron tang of blood while reading. This world feels alive, but not in the creepy “the ocean is going to swallow you whole” way more in the “I want to visit, but also maybe not die” kind of way.
And the characters? Oh, they’re fantastic. Naida is the kind of heroine who could out-sass anyone, even while chained up in the depths of despair. She’s sharp, strong, and just the right amount of sarcastic basically the kind of person you’d want on your team in any life-threatening situation. The supporting cast is equally complex, with motivations so layered they could rival a wedding cake. You'll love some, hate some, and spend half the book trying to figure out who’s secretly plotting what.
The plot is where this book really shines. It’s like a maze where every turn comes with a trapdoor, a heart-pounding twist, or a betrayal that leaves you shouting, “Seriously?! Again?!” It has everything: action, angst, and just the right amount of spice to make things interesting (without veering into full-on “lock the door before reading” territory). And don’t even get me started on the ending my poor Kindle still has indentations from the death grip I had on it. I sat there, slack-jawed, whispering, “WTF just happened?” like I was Naida trying to remember her past.
In short, Of Salt and Mist is a stunning debut that’s equal parts heart-pounding, heart-breaking, and highly entertaining. If you love magical worlds, witty heroines, and plot twists that slap you in the face (in the best way possible), do yourself a favor and dive in. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself staring at the ocean afterward, waiting for sirens to emerge.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Burn:🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: First Person
Ending: Cliffhanger