Publishers Weekly
Celebrated New Zealand writer Gee (The Fire Raiser) returns to YA fantasy with this gritty, dystopian tale, the first volume in the Salt Trilogy. Hari lives in Blood Burrow, a hellacious, rat-infested slum. Long ago his dark-skinned people were conquered by Company (a fair-skinned, corporate society from across the ocean) and gradually forced into slavery (“Who joins Company joins history. Your time begins,” drones a clerk as new workers are branded with acid). Pearl is a pampered daughter of Company, her only purpose in life to be married off to cement one of her father's political alliances. When both young people, who share rare psychic gifts, revolt against their fates, they find themselves on a desperate journey across a hostile landscape, with the forces of Company at their heels. Later, as Company teeters on the brink of civil war, they must overcome their mutual distrust to save Hari's father from a horrific fate and destroy their enemy's deadly secret weapon. A compelling tale of anger and moral development that also powerfully explores the evils of colonialism and racism. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)
Children's Literature
Hari's life changes forever the day the Whips come to gather slaves out of Blood Burrow. With his father, Tarl, taken and destined for Deep Salt, Hari, alone, is left to rescue him. Using his astonishing ability to speak to animals and some humans with his mind, Hari resolves to leave the only world he has ever known—the mazelike tunnels of the burrows surrounding the walled city of Company—and set off across the unknown to save his father from certain death. Only Hari is not alone. Leaving Company at the same time are two women, Tealeaf, a Dweller with mysterious abilities of her own, and Pearl, a pampered, rich girl whose life of privilege has not prepared her for the rigors of life outside Company's walls. Hers is a life which she chooses to leave rather than face marriage to a man twice her age, one whom she does not love. As these three travelers make their way through scrub, snow, and jungle, they learn their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to trust one another. This carefully plotted fantasy novel grabs readers by the throat from the first line and does not let up on the tension. Gee creates a detailed, beautifully crafted world filled with danger and greed, balanced by wisdom and compassion. Colonialism, racism, and environmental concerns are woven into the narrative without taking away from the fast-paced adventure tale, which stands on its own as a complete novel, yet leaves the door open to the next book in the planned trilogy. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis
VOYA
Gee follows in the footsteps of many fantasy novelists in plotting and populating his world in this opening book of The Salt Trilogy. After his father is enslaved and sent to the mysterious Deep Salt mines, Hari sets out on a hopeless rescue mission. Although accustomed to living by his wits, his knowledge of the world is small and his emotional range is even smaller. An unexpected alliance with Pearl, the daughter of an oppressive overlord fleeing an unwanted marriage, forces Hari to explore new ideas. The relationship between the two wary young adults is guided by Tealeaf, one of the quiet but powerful Dwellers who can speak telepathically and control others through force of will alone. In addition to nurturing their friendship, Tealeaf guides Hari and Pearl in developing their mental skills. To Hari's surprise, the greatest dangers he faces come not through rescuing his father but in choosing what to do with the knowledge and weapons he acquires after he has learned the secrets of Deep Salt. Gee demonstrates his originality by spinning the adventure around ideas of colonialism and radioactive weaponry. These ethically compelling issues are refreshing in a fantasy novel, but the moral tone is sometimes heavy handed. The simplistic solutions to the thematic problems are also uninspiring—the dilemmas raised by radioactive weapons are resolved by suppressing knowledge; the consequences of colonialism are escaped by moving to new and conveniently uninhabited territory. Gee's work is ambitious and highly readable, but its reach exceeds its grasp. Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—In this dystopian fantasy, the people of the burrows are little more than slaves to Company. When his father is taken by the Whips and sent to work in Deep Salt, Hari vows to rescue him. He meets Pearl, the daughter of a Company official, who is fleeing an unwanted marriage, and Tealeaf, Pearl's teacher and companion. They are traveling to Tealeaf's village so that Pearl can develop her gift of mindspeaking. When Tealeaf discovers that Hari is able to speak with animals, she invites him to join them. Hari and Pearl soon discover that the substance being mined drains the workers and leaves them empty husks—and that Company is attempting to form it into a weapon to take over the world. Salt succeeds in being not only plot driven and fast paced, but also character oriented. Readers will appreciate the growing friendship between dark-skinned, aggressive Hari and lily-white, pampered Pearl as they discover that they are not as dissimilar as they believed. Gee presents a well-realized future New Zealand, and even those unfamiliar with the landscape will be able to picture the cities, forests, and coasts. A map allows readers to follow the path of the three adventurers, and the spare language makes this first novel in a trilogy accessible to reluctant readers. The dominant themes of prejudice and governmental oppression are subtly presented and do not overpower the action-filled plot. Salt will delight lovers of dystopic fantasies and leave them anxious for the second installment.—Karen E. Brooks-Reese, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Kirkus Reviews
In a fantasy world populated by evil colonizers, two children make a fresh start. Hari is a Burrows rat, a member of the brown-skinned underclass, who eat rats to survive. Radiant Pearl of the Deep Blue Sea is a pale-skinned daughter of the colonizing aristocracy on the run from an arranged marriage; if captured she'll be forced into slavery. Both children have the lost ability to speak without words, an ability that is recognized and encouraged by Pearl's nonhuman servant. Pearl joins Hari on his quest to rescue his father from Deep Salt, where troublemakers from the city are sent to toil and die. This dark world has a dim view of human nature: Victims are apt to become oppressors given half a chance. The most Pearl and Hari can hope for is saving themselves and preventing a few deaths. A fantasy without destined heroes redeeming the entire world from the forces of ultimate evil is refreshing-though this is book one in a trilogy, so there's still time. Admirable characters confronting human realities make for compelling reading. (Fantasy. 11-13)
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