⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5 stars)
Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake has all the signature elements that make her books memorable lush gothic atmosphere, morally gray characters, and a story that leans into the eerie and mysterious. The setting is easily one of the novel’s biggest strengths. The coastal, decaying estate vibe feels cinematic and immersive, and Lake’s writing style is rich and descriptive in a way that really pulls you into the mood of the story. I also appreciated the twists sprinkled throughout. A few of them genuinely caught me off guard and added intrigue just when things risked slowing down, which kept the plot from feeling too predictable.
That said, while I can absolutely see why this book works for so many readers, I never felt fully hooked. The pacing felt uneven at times, and there were stretches where I wanted a stronger emotional pull or deeper connection to the characters. The atmosphere and tension are there, but my engagement wavered in the middle, so I didn’t feel that can’t-put-it-down urgency. Some plot threads and reveals were interesting in concept but didn’t land with the emotional impact I was hoping for.
Overall, this is still a solid, moody read with strong gothic romance vibes and enough twists to keep things interesting. Even though I wasn’t completely absorbed the whole way through, it’s a good book with beautiful writing and an intriguing story just one that didn’t fully grab me from start to finish. If you love dark, atmospheric romances with a haunting setting and layered secrets, it’s definitely worth checking out.