Salt & Stone by @VictoriaScottYA {Review & Giveaway}

Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott
(Fire & Flood, #2)
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 320 pages
Rating:

What would you do to save someone you love?

In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't quit--she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.

But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left--and only one can win.

If you have NOT read Fire & Flood please read with caution. There are some spoilers that were unavoidable. Proceed with caution . . .

First, I want to say I am not a fan of the cover changes. I don't like the eye and I hate the covers that have the eye as a focal point. *cough*Shatter Me*cough* Now, they're not the worst but I prefer the original cover. It was simple yet not. I loved that and now - not so much. But alas, it's not about the cover, is it? It's about what's inside that really counts (I just wanted to throw my opinion out there).

I think I liked this book more than Fire & Flood. Which is crazy because I actually loved that book but there was so much more in this book. The two legs of this race were more interesting, dangerous and frankly, entertaining.

You know, I've noticed I'm a sucker for secondary characters. They, in my opinion, usually outshine the main stars of a story and that's how it is with this book. However, I never realized how much I loved a particular character until . . . *highlight to view spoiler* I was utterly heartbroken. You ever feel like a piece of you has been ripped out and you just don't feel the same? That's how I felt. Honestly, first time I ever truly felt that way while reading a book. Absolutely & utterly gutted. I'm still feeling a little empty . . . *end spoiler*

This book is filled with death. I was fearing for anyone to survive by the end but it was almost at every turn another person was being killed off (okay, so that's a little bit of a exaggeration). It was stressful, emotional book but I loved every second of it; even if I wanted to go in a corner & just cry.

One thing I've loved about these books are the fact that you don't feel like you're reading a story. You feel like you are part of the group, experiencing the adventure with them. Minus the danger, of course. How many books do you read where you feel like you're part of the story instead of simply being an observer?

There's no definite third book and this needs to be changed RIGHT NOW. There is no way these books can just end where it ended. Absolutely no freaking way. Who do I have to talk to make this happen? BTW . . . *highlight to view spoiler* Her brother cannot die. I feel like these books get compared to Hunger Games too much & while I don't agree with that - if she kills off Tella's brother, it will be something too similar to make me overlook. Everything started in the Hunger Games to protect Prim, which is just like this book, when she died, I was pissed because it was almost like, what was the point of all this? It can't happen here. It just can't. *end spoiler*

BTW, the best thing about this book, as an avid Baltimore Ravens fan is this (and I thank Alyssa for bringing this to my attention before I read the book - I was waiting for this part & when it happened, I danced, no lie):

My love for Guy Chambers - and @VictoriaScottYA - quadrupled, after reading this passage :D #EwSteelers (#GoRavens) pic.twitter.com/bJlE0DvMwg
— Alyssa Susanna (@Alyssa_Susanna) January 19, 2015

Thank you so much to Scholastic for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

One lucky US reader can enter for the chance to win an ARC of Salt & Stone. Open to US residents, only. Giveaway ends on Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck & may the odds be ever in  your favor.

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