Review: Salt and Stone by Victoria Scott

Title:  Salt & Stone

Author: Victoria Scott

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publishing Date: February 24th 2015

Pages:  320

Genre: YA Sci-Fi Thriller/ Adventure/Survival

Series: Fire & Flood #2

Source: ARC

  

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.

I was so so super uber excited to get my hands on this book.  I dug in as soon has I got my hand on it. I am a bit of a fan girl for the first book and was a bit nervous for the second. I didn't need to be. It was just as exciting, just as intense, just as superb. I loved every moment of this story. 

Tella and her crew from the first book are just about to embark on their third and fourth leg of the race. The ocean and the mountains. One is deep and wet and what looks like endless with sharks and jellyfish and waves and storms and so much more danger. The other is full of cold, ice, wind, and well that is enough right. Tellas now has two pandoras but less friends. The first and second leg of the race were filled with deceit, tricks, betrayals, and so many near death experiences. The race is just going to get harder. Good thing she has Guy or maybe anyways. As the race gets harder, challenges become more deadly, and resources more scarce. Its a game where death is almost inevitable 

I really don't know where to start with this review or how much I can actually say. I don't want to give anything away. I can say all bets are off for this book. I wasn't prepared that is for sure.
People die, people I didn't want to die. Sad things happen, cruel things happen. I was on the edge of my seat for well pretty much the entire book. My heart was broken over and over. Tears were shed. Bad words were on the tip of my tongue. 

There were some sweet moments too, far and few, but they were there. I can say that I am not a fan of the romance in these books, but some of the moments did get to me and I caught myself smiling. There were also some great moments for friendship and loyalty that had me beaming. And of course there were some giggles and chuckles here and there. Which I found amazing because it is such an intense book, but they were there and they fit well. 

Like I said I was not a fan of the romance. I wish I could say I was but there was too much push and pull, hot and cold, I want you but no I can't. This is one of my pet peeves for romances. You can't act one way one moment....all lovey dovey and passionate and intense then turn around and be all cold, can't do this, walk away kind of thing. I don't care the reasons. If the relationship is a bad choice or shouldn't happen then just be a man and keep your mouth shut or be a strong independent woman and just walk away. I hate wishy washy romances.... 

Now I think the two... Guy and Tella are made for each other. They are both stubborn, bossy, independent, and quite annoying but still lovable. So that said I dealt with the back and forth crap. I do think that Guy was a bit hard on Tella at times but circumstances were extreme so I could see how that could change the way things are handled. Tella wasn't perfect either. She was a bit rash at times and was a bit "Ill show you" type of attitude. Other than that loved them and all the other characters. 

There were a few of my faves returning. I do like Olivia and I do love Braun. He cracks me up. I even got attached to Jaxon. There were a few new characters as well that were thrown into the mix and of course they added to the story quite well. 

The pandoras were my favorite thing in the first book and I loved them in this book too. I was able to get a bit more attached to the pandoras in this book, at least a more than I remembered I did from the fist book. There are so many and they are all just so special. I hate the thought of harm coming to them or feelings being hurt or the pandoras being neglected. I just want to collect them all and bring them home with me. 

I really can't express how  much I love this story. The entire game  master, play to survive, evil corporation thing may be over done fro some people but its not for me,. the plot may not be completely original but the story is completely unique. The added bonus of pandoras makes it extremely cool for me. I love the thrills, the surviving, the friendships that are being made. I love the decisions between keeping some humanity or winning the game to save a loved one. Its not just to save yourself but someone you care for very much. Its brings in the reasons to survive stronger. 

The book really is intense, extreme, sadistic, sad, heartbreaking, and so much more. 

Nothing but my biggest love for this book and series.

Victoria Scott is the author of TITANS (Scholastic, Spring 2016), the FIRE & FLOOD series (Scholastic), and the DANTE WALKER trilogy (Entangled Teen). Her books have been bought and translated in eleven foreign markets, and she is represented by Sara Crowe.

Victoria lives in Dallas with her husband and hearts cotton candy something fierce.