Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake 🦴🎹🖤🔪
Synopsis: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50702585-master-of-salt-bones
Genres: Dark Romance, Gothic Fiction, Suspense, Erotic Romance, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary Romance
Tropes: reclusive hero, young heroine, damaged leads, forbidden romance, dark past, family secrets, obsession, flashback, trauma bonding
Warnings: age gap relationship, obsessive/possessive behavior, grooming/power imbalance, violence, sa, child abuse, child death, child sa, domestic violence, self-harm, mental illness, death, murder, suicide, kidnapping/abduction, torture, incest, manipulation, substance abuse, misogyny, animal death, graphic sexual content
Dates Read: January 9, 2025 - January 20, 2025 / 552 pgs / Kindle
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake had been sitting on my TBR list for three years. Having recently enjoyed two of her other books, I was excited when one of my book clubs chose this title for their January 2025 read along. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally dive in. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations.
Isadora, a reclusive young woman, finds herself drawn to the enigmatic and brooding Lucian Blackstone, the heir to a crumbling estate with a dark past. As Isadora becomes entangled in the mysteries surrounding Lucian and his family, she uncovers secrets that challenge her perception of love, loyalty, and her own identity.
The story alternates between the perspectives of the FMC and the MMC, with additional flashback chapters centered on the MMC's past. While some of the flashback scenes were engaging and left me curious about the unfolding mystery, the present-day narrative involving the FMC and MMC felt lackluster and disjointed.
The chemistry between the two protagonists was unconvincing. Their relationship lacked a solid foundation, making the sudden obsession of Lucian for Isadora, a woman half his age, difficult to believe. While both characters have traumatic backgrounds to bond them, their connection felt forced and devoid of genuine tension or chemistry, which detracted from the impact of their encounters.
The author does tie up most plot threads by the end, but several elements remained unresolved, leaving me with a lingering sense of confusion and frustration. Moments that were presumably intended to be climactic or revelatory often had me thinking, "WTF was that?" rather than feeling satisfied or intrigued.
Overall, Master of Salt & Bones was a disappointment. It neither gripped me nor compelled me to turn the pages in anticipation. If you're reading for the spicy scenes rather than a coherent, engaging plot, you might find it worth your time. However, if you're seeking a well-constructed story with meaningful character development, this book is one to skip. I regret the time spent slogging through it when I could have been reading something far more enjoyable.
turnnoffyourmind
origamiaround
yousharknotpass
