Set in Long Beach, California, beginning in the 1970s, The Salt God's Daughter follows Ruthie and her sister, Dolly as they carve out a life in a place filled with natural beauty, meteorological myths, and exotic folklore. Raised by a mother drawn to the ocean and guided by the moons, their heritage is a mystery and their mother often absent, forcing the two girls to confront the social and sexual mores of the time on their own, caught in the riptide of a culture that alternately glorifies and demonizes female sexuality.
Well, I've been thinking about this review for over a week now and honestly, I still don't really know what to say about this book. There were parts that I enjoyed and other parts not so much. Ruthie and Dolly are two characters that pulled on my heart strings and I did feel for their plight and the crazy mother figure they had to endure!! But what I didn't really care for was the mystical aspect. At times it confused me and quite honestly, I wasn't entirely sure that it added that "unique" twist to the story. I never felt drawn to the story and I was able to easily walk away from it and not care whether I actually finished it or not. I think the best term for my thoughts on this one would be- ambivalent. I didn't really care one way or another. Now in all fairness I do want to put in writing that I am going through an emotional upheaval and was certainly feeling in the dumps when I read this one. I know that if I had been in a better frame of mind I might have a totally different opinion on this novel.
Recommend? I wouldn't run out and tell my friends that they had to read this one. But I also wouldn't discourage anyone from wanting to try it. Many book bloggers have loved the author's debut work (which I will try for sure) and they would probably enjoy this one too!
Source: SparkPoint Studio
Disclaimer: Thank you to Erin@Penguin for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
Review Book #29
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
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I hate being confused by a book - especially when no one else is (which is often the case with books that confuse me! LOL)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that I'm very alone in the group that was confused!! LOL!!
DeleteAfter reading the synopsis.. I think I might actually struggle with this one... thanks for the honest review Staci!!!
ReplyDeleteI should have known better too!!
DeleteSorry you didn't love this one. You're right, though - your frame of mind may have influenced your opinion.
ReplyDeleteI know that it did play a huge role, Kathy!
DeleteDoesn't really sound like my kind of book. I didn't know it was set in Long Beach though.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't strike me as one you would read.
DeleteYay for a review from you! :D
ReplyDeleteLong time coming!!!
Deletehaven't begun this one yet, but i am anxious to try it. Hope u are having a good week so far.
ReplyDeletenot every book is a perfect fit--I think it is great you try lots of different authors. I'm inspired to branch out myself.
ReplyDeletemystical elements are so hard to make believable. Sorry this one didn't work as well as you'd hoped, but maybe her other books will be better.
ReplyDeleteI passed up on the offer to review and after reading this review I think I would have had the same issues.
ReplyDeleteThe mood that we're in can have such a huge effect on the enjoyment of a book. I hope that things are looking up for you!
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned mystical elements, I thought that I probably would be ambivalent, too. It is difficult to include those elements in a way that makes everything believable. I might try this at some point, but now is not that time! Thanks, Staci.
ReplyDeleteHmm, may not be for me either...
ReplyDeleteSorry this one didn't do it for you. Mood can definitely influence, I need guaranteed awesome or mindless fluff at the moment LOL, anything I have to think too much about or can't lose myself in immediately cannot be on the menu right now ... oh well, sh*t happens :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my big problems with books for review is that you often find yourself reading them at a time when they just aren't "the" book for the mood you're in. I always wonder what my thoughts might be in this situation if I had been able to just set the book aside and come back to it another time. I've heard good things about this one; sorry to hear it didn't work for you.
ReplyDeleteEek! I have this, but didn't know there were mystical aspects to it! :(
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that this one didn't quite work for you. Lovely cover though! I hadn't heard of it before now, and I'm honestly not sure if this is a book I would like or not. Guess I'll just keep it in mind...thanks for an honest review as always!
ReplyDeleteSounds like maybe the author was just trying to do too much at once. I have this one sitting on my shelf...haven't felt compelled to pick it up yet.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have problems with magical aspects and folklore, so I don't think I'll be running out to read this one.
ReplyDeleteAmbivalent is never good with a book. I hope you are in a happier place?
ReplyDelete