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Salt for Air #1
Salt for Air
Greek mythology meets The Little Mermaid in this delicious fantasy novel about a quiet, nerdy girl who meets a merman prince in her bathroom.Ellie dreams of mermen.Dreaming is her escape. Every day, she’s bullied at school -she’s a nerd, she writes fanfiction, she loves books and she used to be overweight. What’s not to bully?One day, the bullies go too far. They try to drown her, but at the last minute an otherworldly creature shows up in the water. He keeps her breathing and tells her to "How will you be able to save anyone if you can't even save yourself?"She thinks it was a dream, but the emerald-eyed merman boy who rescued her appears in her school the next day.That’s when things start to go weird.Next thing she knows, there’s a mermaid living in her bathroom. And the gorgeous boy who rescued her? Is he really the exiled prince of an ancient kingdom fighting for survival? And is he asking her to save him?And most impossible of all, could this beautiful boy who looks like a young Poseidon, god of the waters, falling in love with her?When myth and reality collide, can love save their lives?
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2018
93 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Frank
38 books551 followers Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK's books, where characters aren't going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they're in Jane Austen's England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they're scared they'll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 12, 2018
If you're looking for an indie author to support who consistently produces quality stories, let me introduce you to M.C. Frank. Her stories are complex, timely, and carry a natural prose that is both easy to understand and beautifully arranged. After reading her No Ordinary Star series last year, I knew I'd want to get my grabby hands on whatever she put out next, and when she announced that Salt For Air would feature a Little Mermaid retelling of sorts, I was practically drooling. Her cover art is always gorgeous, but I feel like she's really outdone herself with this one; it's breathtaking.
I'm not going to delve into specific plot points, as the synopsis gives you the idea of what you're going into, but just know that it is a compelling storyline that you'll want to dive into blind and avoid spoilers at all cost. There is such a delicate blend of the real and fairytale here, and I found the subject of bullying written in a compelling and respectful manner here. The story itself isn't long, but it was easy to get lost in and I found myself thinking on it for days before I could come back here and write my full review. As is with all of Frank's novels, once I had read the book I could easily see where the minor detailing in her cover art came from; she has such a gift for developing meaningful and gorgeous pictures and aesthetics that I have yet to find elsewhere.
If you enjoy YA novels, especially of the fantasy and fairytale retelling genre, you need to get your hands on this one. The author's novels are always reasonably priced as ebooks for the budget-friendly reader, and you truly are getting your money's worth when you purchase one. Highly recommended to those readers looking for an emotional, luxurious story.
*Many thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
I'm not going to delve into specific plot points, as the synopsis gives you the idea of what you're going into, but just know that it is a compelling storyline that you'll want to dive into blind and avoid spoilers at all cost. There is such a delicate blend of the real and fairytale here, and I found the subject of bullying written in a compelling and respectful manner here. The story itself isn't long, but it was easy to get lost in and I found myself thinking on it for days before I could come back here and write my full review. As is with all of Frank's novels, once I had read the book I could easily see where the minor detailing in her cover art came from; she has such a gift for developing meaningful and gorgeous pictures and aesthetics that I have yet to find elsewhere.
If you enjoy YA novels, especially of the fantasy and fairytale retelling genre, you need to get your hands on this one. The author's novels are always reasonably priced as ebooks for the budget-friendly reader, and you truly are getting your money's worth when you purchase one. Highly recommended to those readers looking for an emotional, luxurious story.
*Many thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
October 20, 2018
My thanks to the author, M. C. Frank for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Writing negative reviews for indie authors is painful. I truly went into this book with an open mind; I read a sample of the first few chapters before receiving an ARC, and I thought the story had a lot of promise. Ellie, the protagonist is a really sympathetic character. She's somewhat of an outsider at school and is mourning the death of her father when the story opens. She uses fandom as a means of mental escape, and spends most of her free time writing fanfiction. Ellie was overweight before the start of the story, and the other kids at school gave her an extremely hard time about it.
"But now that I'm no longer overweight, here's what I found out:
1. I don't care. I don't care what those people thought or what they called me. There are so many other things to care about. Good things, worthy things. Serious things. And small-minded, cruel people are none of these.
2. I hate how I got skinny. I hate that I lost the weight by forgetting to eat between hospital visits, and then not being able to eat because he wasn't there. He still isn't. He never will be. So what's the point in being anything at all?
3. They're still making fun of me."
I think this was a strong point of the novel; Frank has run with the anti-bullying theme in a big way, and while it can sometimes get heavy-handed, it's a really good overall message. Bullies are rarely portrayed in anything other than an explicitly negative light in fiction, but Frank takes it a step further by making it a point to place the focus on Ellie in a very particular way. The trait that had apparently triggered the bullying in the first place no longer exists, but the bullying continues. The underlying message here is clear: kids can be habitually harassed for no particular reason. The bullies may latch onto a particular kid because they seem insecure, and any particular trait that they use to belittle them may be purely incidental. Ellie was the bullied fat kid who lost all the weight, and it didn't make any difference. She was targeted simply because she was vulnerable.
However, as the story progresses, it doesn't feel like any meaningful character development happens. When the supernatural aspect of the story becomes apparent, Ellie never seems to progress beyond the stage of constant bewilderment. Usually in stories where the main character is thrown into a supernatural narrative, they hit a certain point where they are no longer shocked by each new magical revelation. They accept whatever paranormal reality exists in the novel and they roll with it. Ellie never hits that point. She is either distraught over the loss of her father or in a state of "OMG, is this really happening?!? I think this might actually be happening!" Those are her two main mental states, punctuated occasionally by thirsting after Ky, the merman.
And speaking of Ky, this is where the story really lost me. I have a big issue with YA romances that feature a cocky, self-centered boy with an insecure, isolated girl. Why is this such a trope? Frank attempts to make Ky sympathetic by emphasizing the danger he's faced his whole life and by giving him occasional moments where he is fiercely protective of Ellie, but the overall impression I got of him was still quite negative. Ellie dislikes everything about him other than his appearance early in the book, and while she ends up falling for him seemingly overnight, Frank does not succeed in making the reader do the same. Ky is being hunted by the villains of the story, but I was never given a compelling reason to hate or fear those villains or to root for Ky's survival. Consequently, the story lacked the tension it was aiming to create.
All that being said, there is a definite audience for this book; it just wasn't me. Fans of the Shadowhunters series or Twilight might have a hard time putting this one down.
You can read all of my reviews at my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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Writing negative reviews for indie authors is painful. I truly went into this book with an open mind; I read a sample of the first few chapters before receiving an ARC, and I thought the story had a lot of promise. Ellie, the protagonist is a really sympathetic character. She's somewhat of an outsider at school and is mourning the death of her father when the story opens. She uses fandom as a means of mental escape, and spends most of her free time writing fanfiction. Ellie was overweight before the start of the story, and the other kids at school gave her an extremely hard time about it.
"But now that I'm no longer overweight, here's what I found out:
1. I don't care. I don't care what those people thought or what they called me. There are so many other things to care about. Good things, worthy things. Serious things. And small-minded, cruel people are none of these.
2. I hate how I got skinny. I hate that I lost the weight by forgetting to eat between hospital visits, and then not being able to eat because he wasn't there. He still isn't. He never will be. So what's the point in being anything at all?
3. They're still making fun of me."
I think this was a strong point of the novel; Frank has run with the anti-bullying theme in a big way, and while it can sometimes get heavy-handed, it's a really good overall message. Bullies are rarely portrayed in anything other than an explicitly negative light in fiction, but Frank takes it a step further by making it a point to place the focus on Ellie in a very particular way. The trait that had apparently triggered the bullying in the first place no longer exists, but the bullying continues. The underlying message here is clear: kids can be habitually harassed for no particular reason. The bullies may latch onto a particular kid because they seem insecure, and any particular trait that they use to belittle them may be purely incidental. Ellie was the bullied fat kid who lost all the weight, and it didn't make any difference. She was targeted simply because she was vulnerable.
However, as the story progresses, it doesn't feel like any meaningful character development happens. When the supernatural aspect of the story becomes apparent, Ellie never seems to progress beyond the stage of constant bewilderment. Usually in stories where the main character is thrown into a supernatural narrative, they hit a certain point where they are no longer shocked by each new magical revelation. They accept whatever paranormal reality exists in the novel and they roll with it. Ellie never hits that point. She is either distraught over the loss of her father or in a state of "OMG, is this really happening?!? I think this might actually be happening!" Those are her two main mental states, punctuated occasionally by thirsting after Ky, the merman.
And speaking of Ky, this is where the story really lost me. I have a big issue with YA romances that feature a cocky, self-centered boy with an insecure, isolated girl. Why is this such a trope? Frank attempts to make Ky sympathetic by emphasizing the danger he's faced his whole life and by giving him occasional moments where he is fiercely protective of Ellie, but the overall impression I got of him was still quite negative. Ellie dislikes everything about him other than his appearance early in the book, and while she ends up falling for him seemingly overnight, Frank does not succeed in making the reader do the same. Ky is being hunted by the villains of the story, but I was never given a compelling reason to hate or fear those villains or to root for Ky's survival. Consequently, the story lacked the tension it was aiming to create.
All that being said, there is a definite audience for this book; it just wasn't me. Fans of the Shadowhunters series or Twilight might have a hard time putting this one down.
You can read all of my reviews at my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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December 30, 2018
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
Salt for Air was mixture of urban fantasy, Greek mythology and Little Mermaid retelling that revolved around not-so-exciting Ellie’s real life and her exciting action packed fanfic world that drastically turned into real life fairy tale. The book features loss, sadness, surviving the world of bullies, betrayal, love, and finding your inner truer and stronger self.
This lines from the book are epic and it tells exactly what you should expect from the book.
characters-
The narrator and protagonist of the book, Ellie, was orphan, Nerdy, blogger who wrote fanfiction stories. Her life has been tough. She was that girl whom no one would care about at school, no one will sit with or study with her, or even look at her without bulling and name calling. I was surprised there weren’t any good kids who try to stand up for her or even talk to her. Moreover she lost her dad to cancer, only person who cared about her. She was quite lonely and no one to help her or to share her life problems. But books saved her and gave something to live for. As author said in book ‘something we all can relate to’. Her life was sad and filled with fear but her voice was most powerful in the book. She had that self-respect, will and determination in her that I loved to see in book when I was least expecting it. Her development was slow but effective and I loved the way she turned out at the end.
Ky was the emerald eye toilet savior, a merman and exiled prince. I also liked to call him fish boy and there was something fishy about him. I didn’t buy his confession so early and his intentions were selfish. But as I read more about him, he kind of grew on me and I started to like his all faults and imperfection just as Ellie did. His development and emotions were gradual and beautifully narrated. It was freaking awesome to meet this swoon worthy fish boy. I loved those two fierce sidekicks- Ky’s sister, Lorelei, and Maia.
what i liked-
This is my fifth book by M.C. Frank. All her books are in different genre yet there was this familiar voice and style of author that I have come to love. Her creativity in designing meaningful and colorful covers and coming up with whole new world with each book is noteworthy. Even though the setting of the book was same as her ‘Lose Me’ contemporary novel, (which gave amazing description of Greece and Greek culture) author maintained the charisma of the setting in this book as well, with some more details and its beautiful beaches.
Book started with main character Ellie being bullied in girl’s bathroom and saved by emerald eye Ky resembling the character of her fanfic story. I was intrigued to know more about this gorgeous emerald eye boy and world of Ellie. Her unique voice was the first reason that tempted me to read this book.
Character descriptions were fun to read. It was catchy and grabbed the attention. It was mesmerizing to read characters’ story. Relationship between Ellie and Ky was hate/love kind but it was unpredictable because of Ky’s act. I loved to read growing friendship between female characters, it had that hopeful warm feeling but there was twist in that as well. Author played with emotions creatively in this book.
The world of merpeople was most fascinating part of the book. The explanation of travel between worlds, how they are different from mermaid stories and how it was related to Greek mythology was depicted nicely. Though the Greek myth in book was lesser than I expected, also less descriptive, I like the way author connected it with the world in the book.
What I loved most in the book, those chapters from Ellie’s blog on ‘Rule for surviving Bullies’. If I have to describe this book in one word I would call it emotive. It touched the heart with its deep message of fighting against bullies, what real bullies are, how to survive them and how the war against evil can be won and how you can find your own worth, your own space and world. It was inspiring and motivating to see Ellie and Ky growing in this book that can reach to the soul of all readers.
I enjoyed all twist and turns and suspense created by uncertainty of characters’ intentions and what Ellie would decide to do when the time comes. Climax was surprising and poignant. Both Ky and Ellie’s emotions were heart wrenching, it literally made me cry. Battle near the end was okay. End was good unlike what I have expected but I was happy to read it. It was not cliffhanger but there is certainty of next book in the series that I would love to read.
why 4 stars-
At some places it got little confusing. Things happening so suddenly and without any explanation readers are directed to the next scene and then revelation of that suddenness comes later in the book. It can put readers off the track and because of that pace was on and off. Second the last battle scene was bit rushed. I didn’t get what just happened, maybe explanation is saved for second book but I was like ‘How that can happen’!
Overall, it was captivating, emotional with wonderful narration and strong plot that retelling and fantasy lovers would love to read.
*** Note: Many thanks to author for providing me e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review. ***
Salt for Air was mixture of urban fantasy, Greek mythology and Little Mermaid retelling that revolved around not-so-exciting Ellie’s real life and her exciting action packed fanfic world that drastically turned into real life fairy tale. The book features loss, sadness, surviving the world of bullies, betrayal, love, and finding your inner truer and stronger self.
“This is a story of sadness. Of death, of loss and of going slightly mad because of them. Also, of girls’ bathrooms. There’s going to be a lot of that. So be prepared.”
This lines from the book are epic and it tells exactly what you should expect from the book.
characters-
The narrator and protagonist of the book, Ellie, was orphan, Nerdy, blogger who wrote fanfiction stories. Her life has been tough. She was that girl whom no one would care about at school, no one will sit with or study with her, or even look at her without bulling and name calling. I was surprised there weren’t any good kids who try to stand up for her or even talk to her. Moreover she lost her dad to cancer, only person who cared about her. She was quite lonely and no one to help her or to share her life problems. But books saved her and gave something to live for. As author said in book ‘something we all can relate to’. Her life was sad and filled with fear but her voice was most powerful in the book. She had that self-respect, will and determination in her that I loved to see in book when I was least expecting it. Her development was slow but effective and I loved the way she turned out at the end.
Ky was the emerald eye toilet savior, a merman and exiled prince. I also liked to call him fish boy and there was something fishy about him. I didn’t buy his confession so early and his intentions were selfish. But as I read more about him, he kind of grew on me and I started to like his all faults and imperfection just as Ellie did. His development and emotions were gradual and beautifully narrated. It was freaking awesome to meet this swoon worthy fish boy. I loved those two fierce sidekicks- Ky’s sister, Lorelei, and Maia.
what i liked-
This is my fifth book by M.C. Frank. All her books are in different genre yet there was this familiar voice and style of author that I have come to love. Her creativity in designing meaningful and colorful covers and coming up with whole new world with each book is noteworthy. Even though the setting of the book was same as her ‘Lose Me’ contemporary novel, (which gave amazing description of Greece and Greek culture) author maintained the charisma of the setting in this book as well, with some more details and its beautiful beaches.
Book started with main character Ellie being bullied in girl’s bathroom and saved by emerald eye Ky resembling the character of her fanfic story. I was intrigued to know more about this gorgeous emerald eye boy and world of Ellie. Her unique voice was the first reason that tempted me to read this book.
Character descriptions were fun to read. It was catchy and grabbed the attention. It was mesmerizing to read characters’ story. Relationship between Ellie and Ky was hate/love kind but it was unpredictable because of Ky’s act. I loved to read growing friendship between female characters, it had that hopeful warm feeling but there was twist in that as well. Author played with emotions creatively in this book.
The world of merpeople was most fascinating part of the book. The explanation of travel between worlds, how they are different from mermaid stories and how it was related to Greek mythology was depicted nicely. Though the Greek myth in book was lesser than I expected, also less descriptive, I like the way author connected it with the world in the book.
What I loved most in the book, those chapters from Ellie’s blog on ‘Rule for surviving Bullies’. If I have to describe this book in one word I would call it emotive. It touched the heart with its deep message of fighting against bullies, what real bullies are, how to survive them and how the war against evil can be won and how you can find your own worth, your own space and world. It was inspiring and motivating to see Ellie and Ky growing in this book that can reach to the soul of all readers.
I enjoyed all twist and turns and suspense created by uncertainty of characters’ intentions and what Ellie would decide to do when the time comes. Climax was surprising and poignant. Both Ky and Ellie’s emotions were heart wrenching, it literally made me cry. Battle near the end was okay. End was good unlike what I have expected but I was happy to read it. It was not cliffhanger but there is certainty of next book in the series that I would love to read.
why 4 stars-
At some places it got little confusing. Things happening so suddenly and without any explanation readers are directed to the next scene and then revelation of that suddenness comes later in the book. It can put readers off the track and because of that pace was on and off. Second the last battle scene was bit rushed. I didn’t get what just happened, maybe explanation is saved for second book but I was like ‘How that can happen’!
Overall, it was captivating, emotional with wonderful narration and strong plot that retelling and fantasy lovers would love to read.
*** Note: Many thanks to author for providing me e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review. ***
September 11, 2021
Salt For Air is full of beauty and grace. It is swimming with fantasy, emotion, and excitement. For those who love faerietale-esque stories with all the feels, this will be your new favorite read!
I found this one to be absolutely STUNNING! It has been a very long time since a book has made me feel this deeply. M.C Frank has captured my heart and soul with Salt for Air.
First of all, the writing was enchanting. It was vivid, elegant, and flowed beautifully from page to page. It captured my imagination like no other book has and it painted exquisite pictures in my mind.
Secondly, the story truly and deeply touched me and left an aura of intense emotions floating around my heart. There was sadness, struggle, danger, friendship, and glorious self-discovery. There was never a dull moment, and the pacing and depth of the plotline was perfection.
And, finally, the stars that truly stole my heart were the characters. I’ve said this before, and I know I will always end up saying this but, M.C. Frank truly knows how to write gorgeous characters and deeply intense friendships. I fell in love with each gloriously unique and dynamic character in Salt For Air, and they have stayed with me since I finished their story.
Salt For Air was a powerful story about loss, depression, bullying, and learning how to love oneself. It was also an amazing tale involving mythology, a fantasy world, and mermaids (particularly a gorgeous, strong, emotionally conflicted merman). M.C. Frank found an incredible way to weave emotional struggle, and important issues, in with a heart pounding faerie tale so, even though there was plenty of dreamlike fantasy, there was also a sense of realism that readers, and especially myself, could relate to.
This one has moved to my favorite spot for the year. The world building was impeccable. The characters were highly developed, and the storyline gave me all the feels and kept me wanting more until the very end. I laughed, I cried, and when I was done with the book, I wanted to sit and read it again. I’ve dreamt about this book so many times since I’ve finished it and I can’t recommend it enough.
All the mermaids for this one, and then some!! I am so glad I had the opportunity to beta read this and provide my honest feedback and review!
I found this one to be absolutely STUNNING! It has been a very long time since a book has made me feel this deeply. M.C Frank has captured my heart and soul with Salt for Air.
First of all, the writing was enchanting. It was vivid, elegant, and flowed beautifully from page to page. It captured my imagination like no other book has and it painted exquisite pictures in my mind.
Secondly, the story truly and deeply touched me and left an aura of intense emotions floating around my heart. There was sadness, struggle, danger, friendship, and glorious self-discovery. There was never a dull moment, and the pacing and depth of the plotline was perfection.
And, finally, the stars that truly stole my heart were the characters. I’ve said this before, and I know I will always end up saying this but, M.C. Frank truly knows how to write gorgeous characters and deeply intense friendships. I fell in love with each gloriously unique and dynamic character in Salt For Air, and they have stayed with me since I finished their story.
Salt For Air was a powerful story about loss, depression, bullying, and learning how to love oneself. It was also an amazing tale involving mythology, a fantasy world, and mermaids (particularly a gorgeous, strong, emotionally conflicted merman). M.C. Frank found an incredible way to weave emotional struggle, and important issues, in with a heart pounding faerie tale so, even though there was plenty of dreamlike fantasy, there was also a sense of realism that readers, and especially myself, could relate to.
This one has moved to my favorite spot for the year. The world building was impeccable. The characters were highly developed, and the storyline gave me all the feels and kept me wanting more until the very end. I laughed, I cried, and when I was done with the book, I wanted to sit and read it again. I’ve dreamt about this book so many times since I’ve finished it and I can’t recommend it enough.
All the mermaids for this one, and then some!! I am so glad I had the opportunity to beta read this and provide my honest feedback and review!
October 20, 2018
This was quite the ride! If you’re looking for a lovely tale of mermaids and wars that could destroy the earth, then this is the book for you!
M.C. Frank is such a fantastic writer and has a great way of drawing you into the story and making you love the characters. I loved the fact that Ellie was a fanfiction writer and that that was her escape. I could totally relate to that side of her, having spent the majority of high school and college doing just that. She was so relatable and so strong.
The one thing that bothered me throughout the book was that she was so wishy washy with everything going on. She yanked poor Ky around left and right, BUT I get it. There was a lot going on and they did expect a lot from her right from the get-go.
This book was set in Greece, which so rarely happens that it made me love it at once! I wish that there was more exploring when it came to actually seeing more of Greece, but that’s okay!
The progression of this book was amazing! The flow was great and it moved at a pace that made me want to keep reading. I flew through this book, especially the last 30%!
I don’t want to get into any of the actual plot because I don’t want to spoil anything for other readers, but I will say that if you like mermaids and mythology, you should DEFINITELY read this book. You get hot mermen trying to save the world from eternal damnation, awesome battles, and some pretty cool world building that sets us up nicely for the next book!
I can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future.
M.C. Frank is such a fantastic writer and has a great way of drawing you into the story and making you love the characters. I loved the fact that Ellie was a fanfiction writer and that that was her escape. I could totally relate to that side of her, having spent the majority of high school and college doing just that. She was so relatable and so strong.
The one thing that bothered me throughout the book was that she was so wishy washy with everything going on. She yanked poor Ky around left and right, BUT I get it. There was a lot going on and they did expect a lot from her right from the get-go.
This book was set in Greece, which so rarely happens that it made me love it at once! I wish that there was more exploring when it came to actually seeing more of Greece, but that’s okay!
The progression of this book was amazing! The flow was great and it moved at a pace that made me want to keep reading. I flew through this book, especially the last 30%!
I don’t want to get into any of the actual plot because I don’t want to spoil anything for other readers, but I will say that if you like mermaids and mythology, you should DEFINITELY read this book. You get hot mermen trying to save the world from eternal damnation, awesome battles, and some pretty cool world building that sets us up nicely for the next book!
I can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future.
June 29, 2019
Review to come.
October 20, 2018
I was given a free PDF ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review
I'm sad to say this... but this book was just not my cup of tea. I adore Greek mythology and mermaids/sirens, so I'm really sad that this fell flat for me because it had such potential.
The plot really was super interesting, but the writing style of it just wasn't for me. It was written like a fanfiction. The main character was constantly talking to the audience which is something I personally don't enjoy. I know some people do enjoy this, but it's not for me.
"You might want to skip this part. I'm going to gush now, and I know from experience no one likes to read that. But I don't care. You'll learn everything about my new, , whether you like it or not."
This is one example of this in the text (it is subject to change as this is from an ARC), but it was one of MANYYYY. I feel like this read more like a middle grade book (except for the make out parts), which is totally fine, I love a good middle grade book, but that's not what this was supposed to be.
I also wasn't a huge fan of any of the characters. Ellie was just so whiny and irritating. There was one moment where Ky made a comment about how he's never even seen her cry and I was so confused because he's watched her cry herself to sleep every night, and also cry about 10000 other times through out the day. She also was just so insanely dramatic. She flipped from love to hate to love to hate so easily. I just wish she had something that made me want to root for her.
Ky was a jerk for most of the story. I mean it starts off with him calling her an idiot as she's being shoved face first into a toilet by bullies, so I feel like that's an example of just how shitty he could be. He did a little bit redeem himself for me by the end, but I still wasn't that impressed.
The side characters, Lei and Maia, I did enjoy, I just wish we got more of them. I feel like I wasn't able to really form a connection with them.
I did really enjoy some of the twists and turns along the way and it kept me engaged. I really liked the way it ended and thought it wrapped up nicely.
I'm sad to say this... but this book was just not my cup of tea. I adore Greek mythology and mermaids/sirens, so I'm really sad that this fell flat for me because it had such potential.
The plot really was super interesting, but the writing style of it just wasn't for me. It was written like a fanfiction. The main character was constantly talking to the audience which is something I personally don't enjoy. I know some people do enjoy this, but it's not for me.
"You might want to skip this part. I'm going to gush now, and I know from experience no one likes to read that. But I don't care. You'll learn everything about my new, , whether you like it or not."
This is one example of this in the text (it is subject to change as this is from an ARC), but it was one of MANYYYY. I feel like this read more like a middle grade book (except for the make out parts), which is totally fine, I love a good middle grade book, but that's not what this was supposed to be.
I also wasn't a huge fan of any of the characters. Ellie was just so whiny and irritating. There was one moment where Ky made a comment about how he's never even seen her cry and I was so confused because he's watched her cry herself to sleep every night, and also cry about 10000 other times through out the day. She also was just so insanely dramatic. She flipped from love to hate to love to hate so easily. I just wish she had something that made me want to root for her.
Ky was a jerk for most of the story. I mean it starts off with him calling her an idiot as she's being shoved face first into a toilet by bullies, so I feel like that's an example of just how shitty he could be. He did a little bit redeem himself for me by the end, but I still wasn't that impressed.
The side characters, Lei and Maia, I did enjoy, I just wish we got more of them. I feel like I wasn't able to really form a connection with them.
I did really enjoy some of the twists and turns along the way and it kept me engaged. I really liked the way it ended and thought it wrapped up nicely.
August 3, 2018
MC Frank has done it again. This book is filled with emotion and lessons learned. You will become attached to the characters immediately. I recommend you pre-order this beauty now!!
January 20, 2019
I really wanted to like this book more, but I felt there was a lot of repetitive things. The main character continuosly pushes everyone away for reasons that don't seem like a big deal. The conflict just seems unnecessary a lot of the time. If she had only done it once, it would have made more sense. It was also quite cheesy a lot of the time. It was a light read though and I was fascinated to see how it concluded.
May 23, 2020
2.5
Better narration, structure, and there is a purpose.
This author is a little bit overdramatic in many places.
I think it , umm, gives a bad description of life in Greece.
I don't think the style of this writing is my thing.
And is too fasted, I don't have the time to consider so many images, thoughts, and opinions of this character. It jumps from here to there.
I will stop reading this excerpt. Gave me a headache.
Better narration, structure, and there is a purpose.
This author is a little bit overdramatic in many places.
I think it , umm, gives a bad description of life in Greece.
I don't think the style of this writing is my thing.
And is too fasted, I don't have the time to consider so many images, thoughts, and opinions of this character. It jumps from here to there.
I will stop reading this excerpt. Gave me a headache.
November 11, 2018
Now, I haven't read either 'Heroes of Olympus' or the 'Lux' series, so I can't say I picked up this book because I was a fan of either of these series. I bought this book because I had really enjoyed M.C. Frank's No Ordinary Star trilogy and because I really admire a self made author who puts in so much love, research and effort into her work.
What I loved about the book:
This is not a love story, and yet a love story. But more importantly, this is a story about surviving bullies, about surviving loneliness, about finding the strength to get through an evil and relentless world, and about getting through loss. This story is about finding love and understanding the meaning of love. It is about sacrifice. It is about friends. It is about caring for yourself as much as you care for another being.
I love a book that teaches me things I wasn't aware of earlier. And M.C. Frank taught me so much about Greece, its architecture, its mythology through this book. She taught me about the impact the current economic downturn has had on the lovely island and its hospitable people. She also taught me about Korean dramas and shows (that I really need to check out now, I wonder if they're based on real shows..hehe). She taught me a new Korean word called 'Saranghae'- which means, I love you :)
I haven't read a romance in a while now, because romance lately has become so much about sex than romance or love, and that turns me off a little. However, the chemistry between the leading characters in this story was amazing and I literally had butterflies in my stomach reading some of the scenes between the leading pair!
Things I wish were a little different in the book:
Like I said, I really admire and respect M.C Frank. I admire all self made authors really. So it is really hard to find something negative to write about in this review. However, I did wish that the scenes that happen towards the end of the book, had taken place in the middle of the book, because I really enjoy scenes on warfare
I wish there was more about the relationship between Maia and Elissavet. Maybe there will be a sequel? hehe :D
So there it is. Do check out this book though, I'm sure it will be worth your time. Especially if you love fairy tale retellings, amazing chemistry between leading pairs and interested in all the good things I mentioned above:)
What I loved about the book:
This is not a love story, and yet a love story. But more importantly, this is a story about surviving bullies, about surviving loneliness, about finding the strength to get through an evil and relentless world, and about getting through loss. This story is about finding love and understanding the meaning of love. It is about sacrifice. It is about friends. It is about caring for yourself as much as you care for another being.
I love a book that teaches me things I wasn't aware of earlier. And M.C. Frank taught me so much about Greece, its architecture, its mythology through this book. She taught me about the impact the current economic downturn has had on the lovely island and its hospitable people. She also taught me about Korean dramas and shows (that I really need to check out now, I wonder if they're based on real shows..hehe). She taught me a new Korean word called 'Saranghae'- which means, I love you :)
I haven't read a romance in a while now, because romance lately has become so much about sex than romance or love, and that turns me off a little. However, the chemistry between the leading characters in this story was amazing and I literally had butterflies in my stomach reading some of the scenes between the leading pair!
Things I wish were a little different in the book:
Like I said, I really admire and respect M.C Frank. I admire all self made authors really. So it is really hard to find something negative to write about in this review. However, I did wish that the scenes that happen towards the end of the book, had taken place in the middle of the book, because I really enjoy scenes on warfare
I wish there was more about the relationship between Maia and Elissavet. Maybe there will be a sequel? hehe :D
So there it is. Do check out this book though, I'm sure it will be worth your time. Especially if you love fairy tale retellings, amazing chemistry between leading pairs and interested in all the good things I mentioned above:)
Read
January 22, 2023rtc
September 22, 2018
A touching story that reminds you that loneliness need not be permanent.
This story is filled with emotion, it sucks you in from the first page and keeps you hooked - no pun intended - to the very last page. There are twists and turns around every corner, which make this an exciting, fast-paced read.
I really appreciate the message the author shares through this book. Ellie is such a wonderful protagonist and narrator, she is witty and brave and yes, she has been hurt and has suffered a lot, but it is what she does with that pain that is truly remarkable. I love the character development in this story, it is so great to follow.
As with Lose Me, Frank paints beautiful pictures of Greece, her descriptions are raw with emotion. If you love the sea then you'll be overjoyed at how it features in this novel. I like the nods to Greek mythology throughout the text, and I'd be interested in reading more set in this world.
I did occasionally find bits overly dramatic, and some dialogues felt repetitive. But overall, these are small complaints.
I think that this novel will resonate with a lot of readers, especially mid-range teens going through difficult times in their lives - you are not alone! I think the world needs more novels that send such positive messages, and I'm grateful to the young authors out there willing to write from the heart!
This story is filled with emotion, it sucks you in from the first page and keeps you hooked - no pun intended - to the very last page. There are twists and turns around every corner, which make this an exciting, fast-paced read.
I really appreciate the message the author shares through this book. Ellie is such a wonderful protagonist and narrator, she is witty and brave and yes, she has been hurt and has suffered a lot, but it is what she does with that pain that is truly remarkable. I love the character development in this story, it is so great to follow.
As with Lose Me, Frank paints beautiful pictures of Greece, her descriptions are raw with emotion. If you love the sea then you'll be overjoyed at how it features in this novel. I like the nods to Greek mythology throughout the text, and I'd be interested in reading more set in this world.
I did occasionally find bits overly dramatic, and some dialogues felt repetitive. But overall, these are small complaints.
I think that this novel will resonate with a lot of readers, especially mid-range teens going through difficult times in their lives - you are not alone! I think the world needs more novels that send such positive messages, and I'm grateful to the young authors out there willing to write from the heart!
October 19, 2018
Salt for air is another amazing book by the amazing M.C Frank, all of her books have sucked me into a whole other world. If you want to read a book that will not disappoint you , I highly suggest picking up one of her books today! Salt for air is all about Greek mythology and mermaids with an amazing romance to go with it. As always M.C Frank magically blends the real world with the fantasy and makes it feel so real and amazing.
The story is filled with emotions and has all different twists coming at you which will keep you hooked into the book. Once you start you’ll find it hard to put down again! The characters have been planned out so well, and the development is just incredible. The way M.C. Frank talks about Greece in Salt for Air is absolutely amazing, your able to paint a picture in your head of what it looks like.
I highly recommend picking this book up and reading it and I hope we get more books like this!
The story is filled with emotions and has all different twists coming at you which will keep you hooked into the book. Once you start you’ll find it hard to put down again! The characters have been planned out so well, and the development is just incredible. The way M.C. Frank talks about Greece in Salt for Air is absolutely amazing, your able to paint a picture in your head of what it looks like.
I highly recommend picking this book up and reading it and I hope we get more books like this!
May 7, 2019
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I thought this book was overall a decent, easy read. The reason I only gave it 3 stars was because I found it to be a little juvenile. It almost seemed like the fanfiction that was such a big part of the story, with a quick, fierce love but next to no explanation of important things (like how they went from enemies to in love, not a lot of explanation of the Kingdom or the war that is being waged, or where the soldiers end up after the battle, nor is there much descriptive language that helps build a clear picture of the world or action, etc). I did enjoy the unique and interesting world the author created and it is definitely different than any other mermaid book I've read (of which there are many), but it still reads as a rough draft and definitely needs more development and depth before it is as amazing as it could be.
Want to read
September 24, 2018I NEED THIIIIIS. <333
October 29, 2018
Best ever retelling book! A genius twist of Little Mermaid meets Greek Mythology
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't affect my opinion/s of the book just because the author asked me to review her book. ✌🏼 Bullying, I have a mild experience of bullying in Elementary and High School. The taunting, teasing, the backstabbing friends. I discovered my true friends in high school that totally sticked to me in the end. I didn't experienced the harshness of the bullying like what Ellie, the main heroine, experienced but I still empathize since I too was bullied at a young age. When I graduated in college my childhood tormentor approached me and apologized for everything she had done to me when we were young. Experiencing that really made me feel good and in the end she and I became casual friends. Bullying is bad everyone, karma has a way to give you back tenfold like what happened to my old tormentor, many things had happened to her that it will be a long list for me to mention. Anyways enough about me, let's get on to the book review 😁 Keeping it short to keep myself from writing spoilers. Little Mermaid meets Greek Mythology? Who doesn't love mermaids? Well I do love them! And I did want to be a mermaid when I was little and I am fan of greek mythology as well. M.C. Frank is a genius! A genius in mixing these two ideas as one. I relate so much to Ellie in many ways but instead of writing but to art (for me). The storyline is not what I expected from what I have read from the blurb it was so good. I emptied 2 boxes of tissues because of this book. It was an emotional roller coaster for me. Like watching a kdrama coming to life from a book! Overall Impression Amazing simply amazing. This book is now one of my absolute favorites. 5 stars for this book. It's a must read for those who love mermaids and the greek myths of anything related to the ocean or Poseidon.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't affect my opinion/s of the book just because the author asked me to review her book. ✌🏼 Bullying, I have a mild experience of bullying in Elementary and High School. The taunting, teasing, the backstabbing friends. I discovered my true friends in high school that totally sticked to me in the end. I didn't experienced the harshness of the bullying like what Ellie, the main heroine, experienced but I still empathize since I too was bullied at a young age. When I graduated in college my childhood tormentor approached me and apologized for everything she had done to me when we were young. Experiencing that really made me feel good and in the end she and I became casual friends. Bullying is bad everyone, karma has a way to give you back tenfold like what happened to my old tormentor, many things had happened to her that it will be a long list for me to mention. Anyways enough about me, let's get on to the book review 😁 Keeping it short to keep myself from writing spoilers. Little Mermaid meets Greek Mythology? Who doesn't love mermaids? Well I do love them! And I did want to be a mermaid when I was little and I am fan of greek mythology as well. M.C. Frank is a genius! A genius in mixing these two ideas as one. I relate so much to Ellie in many ways but instead of writing but to art (for me). The storyline is not what I expected from what I have read from the blurb it was so good. I emptied 2 boxes of tissues because of this book. It was an emotional roller coaster for me. Like watching a kdrama coming to life from a book! Overall Impression Amazing simply amazing. This book is now one of my absolute favorites. 5 stars for this book. It's a must read for those who love mermaids and the greek myths of anything related to the ocean or Poseidon.
June 2, 2019
This is a book that i am having trouble coming up with words to say what i feel. I struggled in the beginning with it until the characters sucked me, then after that, there was no stopping me. At work when i was forced to put the book down i was still reliving the scenes in my head.
I took off a star mainly for the shaky beginning and for some of Ellie's moments of me wanting to shake her. she goes through a lot but dang, i wanted her to open her eyes sooner. I still loved her and all her nerdy quirks and i will gladly read a sequel following them if it happens. She wasnt your typical strong heroine but she was real and it was very refreshing.
I loved Ky. I know he also has lots to overcome but i very much enjoyed watching him find who he is and what emotions actually are.
I loved the take on the mermaids and how strange all the things happening were. It made you keep turning the page to find out where it is going next. The romance, family love, friendships, and just pure emotional rollercoaster will keep you on the edge of your seat and thinking of them long after you read the last page.
I took off a star mainly for the shaky beginning and for some of Ellie's moments of me wanting to shake her. she goes through a lot but dang, i wanted her to open her eyes sooner. I still loved her and all her nerdy quirks and i will gladly read a sequel following them if it happens. She wasnt your typical strong heroine but she was real and it was very refreshing.
I loved Ky. I know he also has lots to overcome but i very much enjoyed watching him find who he is and what emotions actually are.
I loved the take on the mermaids and how strange all the things happening were. It made you keep turning the page to find out where it is going next. The romance, family love, friendships, and just pure emotional rollercoaster will keep you on the edge of your seat and thinking of them long after you read the last page.
Read
July 30, 2020There were glimpses of good parts that were interesting but most of this book is the teenage ramblings of an extremely sad girl but that may not be such a bad thing. Salt for Air tackles tough subjects such as loss and bullying. The reader sees the main character Ellie find herself and transform into her true self because of it which I think is a good lesson to teenagers going through the same thing.
Reading this as an adult I see Twighlight with mermaids instead of vampires with a war against evil and immortality. As an adult I didn't particularly enjoy it but I didn't hate it either. The descriptions in the end when they finally get into the ocean are beautiful and I think the authors imagination begins to shine. There were several typos/mistakes in the editing but nothing major.
I don't know how to rate this because I see it as 4 stars from a teenage/young adult perspective and 3 stars as an adult. Either way, I recommend giving it a try yourself and form your own opinion. The story seemed to really develop in the second half for me. If you like fantasy, mermaids, and teenage transformations this may be a great book for you.
Reading this as an adult I see Twighlight with mermaids instead of vampires with a war against evil and immortality. As an adult I didn't particularly enjoy it but I didn't hate it either. The descriptions in the end when they finally get into the ocean are beautiful and I think the authors imagination begins to shine. There were several typos/mistakes in the editing but nothing major.
I don't know how to rate this because I see it as 4 stars from a teenage/young adult perspective and 3 stars as an adult. Either way, I recommend giving it a try yourself and form your own opinion. The story seemed to really develop in the second half for me. If you like fantasy, mermaids, and teenage transformations this may be a great book for you.
October 2, 2021
It’s was ok. The story was partially interesting to keep me reading. It wasn’t so descriptive that I had to put it down. I don’t know if I just didn’t understand what was going on or what. It seemed every time Ellie would say she was confused I would be right there with her. I didn’t understand why Ky had been exiled. Like I knew why he was there but i didn’t really get a good sense on the water kingdom and it’s background. Maybe it was just me. Ky the kept going back and forth where I didn’t know what his true nature was. Did he like her or was he playing her half the time? At the end you find out but still, he just didn’t do it for me. There was a few swoon worthy parts but nothing great between the two teens. I think I wasn’t crazy over the writing style as well but maybe I needed to be a teen to enjoy it more. It was written like a diary or just whatever she was thinking, spewing onto the pages.
Overall I give it 2.5 stars. It kept me engaged but it’s not a book I would read again.
Overall I give it 2.5 stars. It kept me engaged but it’s not a book I would read again.
February 26, 2021
I was initially open minded about this book. I hadn't read the reviews before I chose to read this and really the first 30% I was enjoying it enough to think hmm this isn't so bad and then the twist came and I felt a bit confused.
This book is 100% depressing.
It felt very doom and gloom, unnecessarily gloomy. I won't be rushing to read this book again ever.
My reasoning if I didn't like this to give it 2 stars because of the bullying aspect. Its very realistic, that kids pick on others for no reason, they pretend theres a reason her weight for example but it wasn't that because when her weight is gone they continue. The moral there is some humans are trash.
This book is 100% depressing.
It felt very doom and gloom, unnecessarily gloomy. I won't be rushing to read this book again ever.
My reasoning if I didn't like this to give it 2 stars because of the bullying aspect. Its very realistic, that kids pick on others for no reason, they pretend theres a reason her weight for example but it wasn't that because when her weight is gone they continue. The moral there is some humans are trash.
January 29, 2021
So many layers to this book and they all work. This is easily classifies as young fiction. No sex, no harsh language. It dealt especially well with bullies and how to handle yourself around them. The other issues addressed were Love, Loss, and Friendship. The development of the characters had new treatment so was not ho-hum. There were several twists toward the end, more than normal and the only spoiler was the character announcing them. Otherwise this was a strong feel good story, the best I've read in a long time.
August 21, 2025
3,75⭐️
It was good, I liked that. Weird but really nice. The beggining of the story when they met in the toilet iconic✨️ and just their whole beggining, also with Lorelei and Maia. When Ellie was introduced do all that world from the others were. Ellie as a main character was different than others from different books but I really liked her. Somethimes I wanted just punch them for what they were doing and they were so veriable in their behavior I wanted to punch them. But in the end if they weren't like that this book won't be the same good as it was.
It was good, I liked that. Weird but really nice. The beggining of the story when they met in the toilet iconic✨️ and just their whole beggining, also with Lorelei and Maia. When Ellie was introduced do all that world from the others were. Ellie as a main character was different than others from different books but I really liked her. Somethimes I wanted just punch them for what they were doing and they were so veriable in their behavior I wanted to punch them. But in the end if they weren't like that this book won't be the same good as it was.
October 6, 2018
For retelling and Greek mythology lovers, this is a book about a girl meeting a mer prince in her bathroom. I know it's weird but it is true!! Want to know more? Read it.
The best part I liked about this story is the message about bullying and how it affects a person. It was very powerful and covered quite a lot of bases.
I, however, found some parts of the story a little confusing because I did not understand how the story was connecting from one part to the other. But it was still okay because overall, it still made sense.
Thank you M.C.Frank for sending me a copy to review.
The best part I liked about this story is the message about bullying and how it affects a person. It was very powerful and covered quite a lot of bases.
I, however, found some parts of the story a little confusing because I did not understand how the story was connecting from one part to the other. But it was still okay because overall, it still made sense.
Thank you M.C.Frank for sending me a copy to review.
August 19, 2021
An interesting premise but I didn’t enjoy the writing style. The narration by the FMC was immature and sounded much more like something from a middle grade novel than what would be expected in a YA novel. By the point I stopped (15%), I’d encountered plots holes, info dumping and a MMC that I couldn’t get behind either. I really wanted to like this one but I just couldn’t get past the issues. Disappointed.
August 30, 2024
This book took me some time to really dig into. The ramblings of a confused movie star in his early 20's isn't a usual read for me but I've read and enjoyed MC Franks before so I continued.
Before I knew it I was sucked into Wes' mind and hoping he can figure things out before it's too late. Much like when someone writes whatever comes to mind into their journal, Wes lets his mind go and takes you with him.
Before I knew it I was sucked into Wes' mind and hoping he can figure things out before it's too late. Much like when someone writes whatever comes to mind into their journal, Wes lets his mind go and takes you with him.
August 11, 2019
If you always wanted to be Ariel...
READ THIS BOOK!!! This was a very cool totally unique storyline for those of us who always wanted to be a mermaid. I love the depth this writer takes us to, with topics as bullying and death and finding who we are as individuals. Great read without a doubt.
READ THIS BOOK!!! This was a very cool totally unique storyline for those of us who always wanted to be a mermaid. I love the depth this writer takes us to, with topics as bullying and death and finding who we are as individuals. Great read without a doubt.
February 14, 2024
DNF.
While this this could have been a great book filled with a lot of mythos and lore, I found it to be dragging on about a girl who was filled with a lot of self-loaning and who never truly did advance beyond the two "holy cow this is happening" or "I just miss my dad" mind sets. There never seemed to be any character growth with the MFC.
While this this could have been a great book filled with a lot of mythos and lore, I found it to be dragging on about a girl who was filled with a lot of self-loaning and who never truly did advance beyond the two "holy cow this is happening" or "I just miss my dad" mind sets. There never seemed to be any character growth with the MFC.
March 11, 2020
So powerful
I really wish i could put into words how great this book is. It gives you so much to think about. From everyday struggles to fantastical battles... it is really great story.
I really wish i could put into words how great this book is. It gives you so much to think about. From everyday struggles to fantastical battles... it is really great story.
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