Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott Review!

Title : Salt & Stone
Author : Victoria Scott
Pages : 407
Published : April 2nd 2015
Publisher : Chicken House LTD.
Source : From Publisher
Purchase : Amazon/ Book Depository

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. 

My Thoughts: 

This book will break your heart into a million pieces and stomp on the bits left! 

I adored book one and didn't think that the author could top it, but I was wrong. She didn't just top it, she blew it away! This was phenomenal!!! More action, more adventure, more death, and best of all, more Pandoras. 

They have had a week rest since the first leg of the race and now they are getting ready for stage 2. First up is the ocean part and let me tell you that you are in for a bumpy ride!! They are told that only 8 contenders and their Pandoras are allowed per boat, and thankfully Tella and Guy end up with the rest of the gang, they also pick up 3 new contenders to fill the boat. 

Now the first thing to strike me with this book was how much Tella has grown as a character. In the last book, she blindly follows the others, but now, she has finally found herself. She is stronger, braver and just all round more determined. She is no longer a follower but is someone who others look to. She is someone worthy of our admiration. She is fierce, loyal, kind, tough and someone you will want in your corner!! 

Guy is as swoon worthy as always. He is such a hard nut to crack but I loved seeing Tella worm her way in. His eyes are opened in this one when it comes to Tella. He realises that she isn't the girl that needs to be saved anymore. 

The romance isn't as prevalent as it was in the first book, but I was OK with that. The race is more intense through these 2 legs so there wasn't much time for romance. I did love how Tella tried to get Guy to open up though. She really wants him to say what he feels but he is as stoic as always. 

I loved the Pandoras in book one and was thrilled that they would be featured more in this one. They are such unique and amazing creatures that it's hard not to love them. The best thing about this book was Tellas love for each and every one of them. To most of the Contenders, the Pandoras are a means to an end but to Tella they are animals that deserve respect, no matter what. Her bond with her Pandoras was heart warming.

Salt & Stone is a phenomenal book and one every one should read. It's a non stop action packed, edge of your seat, thrilling read. From the very first page, Victoria Scott grabs you, makes you gasp, leaves you breathless and will rip out your heart with every word. I cried so much reading this that I could of cried the ocean the gang had to row across! So many times, I had to close the book for a second and absorb what just happened. It's that intense!! It's that good!! I could keep gushing and gushing about this book, and indeed the series, but I'll have to stop or I'll spoil something so I'll finish up by saying that you NEED to read this series. It's phenomenal, engaging, compelling, amazing and one that will firmly stay on my keepers shelf forever. Stop reading this and go buy the books, you will not be disappointed!!!!