Ash may have escaped the immortal-worshipping cult that killed her mother, but the love of her life is still under its thrall. Dane has been possessed by his diabolical ancestor Coronado, a man who's fabulously wealthy, dripping with fame, and the leader of Europe's most dangerous immortal network. Dane begs Ash to join him at Coronado's castle in Spain, and swears that his blood bond with Ash is stronger than Coronado's hold over him. Ash is desperate to help Dane vanquish Coronado without having to sacrifice herself to the darkness. But when you're all in, blood and salt, the only way to hold on to the light might just be by setting everything on fire.
It's been a good 2+ years since I read Kim Liggett's Blood and Salt! I remembered enjoying it and being shell-shocked by the cliffhanger ending and then last year, she wrote Heart of Ash which concluded the duology. Granted, as always, my memory wasn't super hot on the first book. Even my notes weren't entirely detailed like I keep trying to do now. But thankfully, Ash does her own bit of a recap and I was able to remember the events fairly well, or at least well enough to get through the beginning stages of the book with little problem!
It's been a year since the events of the first book have passed. A lot has changed for Ash, tremendously so. Her brother, Rys is MIA, the love of her life, Dane is being possessed by the evil and ancient spirit, Coronado. Meanwhile, Ash and Beth are living the best life they can on the gold Ash can create that her mother taught her how to do and spending all the money possible to find Rhys.
Then Dane comes back into the spotlight, or well her spotlight of sorts as he's been the hot new millionaire for awhile now with women falling over themselves to be with him. He comes to Ash saying he can help her find her brother, but first she has to convince the council that she still has Katia's spirit inside her. That together they can keep the council from trying to kill her brother, since his blood is the one thing that can kill an immortal.
Ash wants to find her brother more than anything, but can she really trust that Dane is Dane? Reluctantly she goes to his mansion in Spain to set out to find her brother, this is when she meets the not-so-friendly, and weirdly Dane-obsessed head of staff, Lucinda. Lucinda seems to want Ash out of the house as quickly as possible. They do not get along, let's just say that. Every hero needs an adversary after all.
This was an interesting book and a rather quick read. If things weren't so hectic in my life at the moment, I'd likely would have had this finished in two days instead of three. The shocks and chills were relentless in this one! While some parts did drag just a bit, other elements were in full swing. The ending especially just let out the jaw-dropping reveals that had me reeling!
There was still a bit of romance brewing between Ash and Dane since Dane retains control over Coronado. Again, I probably should've written notes on my feels with these two but I have to say it was a sweet little romance happening here.
I guess what I will say is that I wish this one could've been a little longer. It was relatively short at 276 pages. Though it does seem somewhat refreshing to read a book under 350 pages every now and then. But at the same time, things started to feel rushed in the end. I mean, I wouldn't have said no to an extended conclusion with the characters who were left. But we just kind of get that sense that everything will be all right with those who remain and while there is a feeling of contentedness I just kind of wished there was a bit more. But all in all, a satisfying conclusion to the duology!
Overall Rating 3.5/5 stars
That's too bad about the ending--I have experienced rushed endings in books too and it is a let down. And it does seem most YA books are getting longer. I like to mix up the longer books with middle grade, which tends to be shorter.
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