Taken With A Grain Of Salt: Episodes 6-10

The Salted #6-10

by Aaron Galvin

Anyone can be taken . . .

A Silkie slave, Chidi Etienne escaped her master knowing freedom meant beatings or worse to those she left behind. Still, the promise of life on land and the right to choose her destiny proved too great a hope to ignore.

She should have known better.

While the past returns to haunt Chidi, Midwest teenagers Kellen Winstel and Garrett Weaver struggle with the ripple effect that her decision to run has cost them. Kidnapped and dragged into the realm beneath the waves by Chidi’s former crew, both teens are pitched into an unforgiving world where innocence is preyed upon.

Even as they plot escape, Chidi and the teens must embrace their fears. For darker things than Selkies lurk in the Salted depths . . . and none of them have pure intentions for those cast into their watery domain.

Featuring episodes 6-10 of The Salted Series, TAKEN WITH A GRAIN OF SALT is the second box set in a fantasy adventure series.

Genres: Adventure

530 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2014

About the author

Aaron Galvin learned that he could get away with making up stories at age five and has continued telling them ever since. He is a conflicted Slytherin/Gryffindor, a known rascal, and sometime ne’er-do-well.

Also, he writes. Daily, sometimes, but mostly nightly.

He currently lives in Southern California with his two lovely daughters and an adoring wife, who continues to put up with his antics even though he doesn’t write the kissy-kissy, ‘everyone lived happily ever after’ books of which she much prefers.

Drop him a line ➜ aaron@aarongalvin.com
Visit his website ➜ aarongalvin.com
Send a tweet ➜ @aarongalvin5
Instagram➜ /galvinaaron/
Like the Aaron Galvin Facebook page ➜ facebook.com/aarongalvinauthor/

Reviews

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so into this series right now. When I started the first book it was a bit hard to get into the flow of things because of some of the language(the dialogue is all written out in the accent it’s spoken/pronounced) but once I did I was hooked. This second book was non stop action and I learned so much about the salt. I’m itching to get the third one on kindle so I can have it now but I really like having a paperback to hold.

[Lady The Owls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so enthralled with Taken with a Grain of Salt I could not put the book down. So much action adventure love and survival went into the many pages of the book. Strong characters that grow each time I read one of the new books in the Salted series. Some you fall in love with and others you hate with a passion. The story stirs so many emotions in you that your sucked into the story. I want to continue on with the series as soon as the next book is done. I think you would love the series start with Salted. It is the first in the books.

[Carol Keen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up where the last book left off, I would advise you to read this book in the series and not as a stand alone. You'd miss so much if you did that! the momentum of this book didn't slow down after it picked up. From the multiple points of views of the characters to the action and interaction, this was a don't-want-to-put-this-down-read. The world they live in is very read to me as a reader, it's well crafted. I need book three, like NOW please! To the author, please don't stop writing this series!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken With A Grain of Salt takes off without missing a beat from where Salted left off. This book is another page turner that I couldn't put down. When you go to read this make sure you allow yourself plenty of time, you won't want to have to put it down. The character continue to develop and the story is fast paced and engaging. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this series and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great follow up to the first book in this brilliant series. There is so much going on I wonder how Aaron Galvin keeps it all in his head! The author has created a world I want to know so much more about and his characters are so compelling. Not all are 'good guys' and not all are 'bad guys' either. You're never really sure where the story will go and it seems that maybe no one is safe! Excellent stuff and I recommend it to everyone.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was better than its predecessor, although I don't think it could entirely stand alone. There were places in the ebook version where a copy editor clearly missed a spelling error.

I found the copy editing issue distracting, but I found the world of the Salt and the elaboration on just what happens when you're Salted to be interesting. I will likely read the next book in the series.

[books are love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received in exchange for a honest review.

This is a excellent way to follow up Salted. It picks up where Salted left off but unlike Salted we get more. More history, more understanding, more emotion, and we get set up for the final battle. Brought to the crescendo where all will soon be opened up to us and finality will come. Where all things will come to a head and everything will be decided with hopefully all our questions answered.

This book was harder for me. Not because it isn't a excellent book because the story is truly wonderful and the plots that we see are captivating but because of the emotions that are evoked. Each character we thought we knew now get new faces, new dimensions and we get new feeling and opinions. Lenny for example will have you feeling anger, sadness, betrayal, warmth, joy but also loyalty. Paulie who you originally feel is loyal and sweet will have you feel anger to him and than sadness at the beauty of him. Elle you will feel anger and happiness. Kellen who you wanted to smack upside the head you feel for. Racer you love and mourn. Wotjek you feel sadness. Henry anger, sadness and resignation that he is torn and feeling guilt. Ishmael you want to smack. Fenton love and August and his son you want to just growl at. Declan at first you love and than have anger and feel that he is a hypocrite. Chidi you feel for and feel her guilt roll off her but at the same time you feel resignation for her. Garrett will just have you love him and feel for him. He is so lost and confused but such a good guy.

We are in the Salt now. Garrett is finding out who he is and watching what it means to truly be a slave. He is also learning the history of the slaves, the merrow, a salted child and his kind. He learns about the ancient ones and what is foretold. He feels alone and friendless that is until Lenny does something he didn't expect. Something Lenny's ex friend Paulie misconstrues as a selfish act when in reality it is a act of freedom and an olive branch. A good decent act to help Garrett get to go home. It isn't until Paulie sees Lenny sacrifice he realizes he is wrong about him. Too little to late though.

Lenny is placed under arrest and feels his father's disappointment and at the same time his father is proud of him for forging his own way. Lenny is almost killed, seen his friends whipped and is betrayed. He feels anger and sadness for his dad abandons him, Paulie hates him and this is something that could be prevented but Lenny is protecting him and Elle, and sadness because he will forever be a slave and alone. Except a opportunity to fight back is brought his way and all his anger and resentment comes forth and boy does he let it go in a big way. We see a complex character in Lenny. He is struggling to be what his dad says and wants while wanting to do what is right. Well once ole dad hurts him that ends that struggle and Lenny becomes his own man. A angry man but his own one about to change the path for slaves, the Salted and all around him.

Kellen is just filled with hate and his fate is not yet known. He learns what it means to truly be Salted and a slave though and be alone in the fight for his freedom.

While the battle forges on and we see a fight for power and greed we also see a struggle within each character. Each character is forging their path. Paulie with Elle and showing strength and love. Elle showing kindness. Lenny showing leadership and kindness as he begins to see what is lying before him and grabs ahold of the hope of doing what is right. Garrett is beginning to understand what he is but still wants to be home. He wants peace and freedom. Although I have a feeling this isn't quite in the cards just yet for him. I have a feeling if he follows Sydney to the Capitol his world will change as will everyone elses and he will be helping to decide the fate of the Salted. Lenny now needs to be there for his people after the battle in the Salt. So many questions are there for him and his fellow slaves that survived the battle down there. Are they free? Will they fight with Garrett and his kind? Will they walk away and begin anew? Will Lenny stand by Garrett's side when needed and fight as he just did for him? Fight for his freedom? Fight for Garrett to stay kind and innocent? What will happen with Chidi now that she is with the nomads? What of Edmund? Will he follow Lenny to freedom? Or will he seek the greater good for all?

So many questions are left out there for us to ponder. A book of surrender and finding your path while trying to do what is right. A well crafted story with many struggles and plots within battling each other to shine through and yet interwoven together as we learn the history of the Salt, what life is like in the salt and what lies ahead as each characters path is now being defined and leading up to the final battle for what I hope is freedom and peace. A enjoyable book that draws you in and has you feel so many things as you battle with each character and learn new things about their world and their struggles you see the change of the character and who they are happen before your eyes. So look forward to the next in this amazing and intriguing take on selkies, orcs, dolphins and salted people who desire freedom

[Jessica Traver cashen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! I can't wait for the next Book! The book is about Selkies and is Acton packed, and violence and a page turner....I couldn't put it down! And at the end, I didn't see that Coming! Great book series a Must read. I received an ARC copy for an honest review.

[Krystin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this one was a little hard to get into. It felt a little like the transition between the end of the first book and about 1/4 of the way through this one was a little bit of a stretch. To be honest.. it seems like Galvin sometimes has a hard time depicting the brutality of the world. I'm not sure if that's the best way to say it, but that's the impression I get. I did end up liking this one just as much as the first book in the series. I love the direction this is going in and I'll definitely keep reading.

I think the process of getting Weaver from the mainland to the yacht was the hardest part for me to believe. The part when it became the most believable was when the Crayfish threatens his mother. I may have to go back and read a bit to remind myself why he went with them in the first place. I don't think simply curiosity would work for a seemingly decent kid who loves his mum.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken with a Grain of Salt carried on nicely from where Salted finished. I am loving this tale of ocean dwellers and the different hierachy involved. Happy reading. Annemarie

I received a free copy from the author and have chosen to leave a review.

[Stephanie Tenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely lovethe story line. I enjoy Aarons writing style. Within the first few pages I am drawn into the book already!

[Mati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken With a Grain of Salt is the sequel to the novel Salted, a book I reviewed back in March. Featuring the same great cast of characters, this novel further explores the world of the selkies, Salt Children, and their ocean bound world. While Salted started with a story line that largely centered in our world, this sequel explores the larger reaches of the salt, and the creatures that live there.

What I like most about these novels is the characters continue to grow and develop as time wears on. While we follow multiple story lines, no character feels neglected and still feels important to the central story. I liked seeing the slow progression of Kellen and Garrett's relationship with the people around them, and I also enjoyed learning more of the lore that created the selkies and the system surrounding them. I will admit, it's hard to speak too much about any one element without throwing out spoilers, but I will say this book was great to fill in information that maybe wasn't in the first novel.

I liked that this book brushed a little more against some of the mermaid elements, while still keeping it's own twists. The concept of selkies and the transformations involved is really cool, but it's also nice to see maybe some elements of what are more typical ocean tails. (tales, tails, yeah, really couldn't avoid that little moment there). I also enjoyed seeing that even those that were the authorities in the Salted world have larger forces they have to be on guard for. Always a bigger fish in the ocean right? Or something like that.

Overall, I love the Salt series because it maintains an element of freshness. The elements the author uses just have a new feeling to them, and the characters are diverse, dynamic and really well rounded. As they adapt to new situations, powers, and relationships, each character in this story is truly tested by the ocean, fighting for survival in both an internal and external way. I enjoyed this book even more than the first one, so hopefully the rest of the series will continue to live up to my now high expectations for this author. No pressure right?

[Sienna Logan (Lost to Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting sequel. It's been a while since I read book one so it took me a little while to get back into things, but soon I was immersed in the Selkie world this author creates once more.

Taken With a Grain of Salt was a lot darker than I expected--or remember the first book being. Almost instantly you're thrown straight into the action and the death toll doesn't stop rising throughout the book. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I'm all for books that don't shy away from the darker side of things. However, I did wonder if the author was going to have any cast left at one point!

Anyway, I'd say this book is more character driven than plot based as the POVs don't really link until the end. I think there were four POV in total and they all follow a different thread as the characters go through their own ordeals. I did feel there was a definite separation in voices from the characters and it kept things interesting as there were plenty of different strands to follow.

I liked the fact that most of this book was set underwater and that I got a better understanding of what is was to be salted. The world building in this book was more in-depth and we get more detail on history, technicalities, and how everything works.

Like with Salted, this book does get better as it progresses, and once again there is a lot of action towards the end. It may have been a little slow in places, but the author delivers with the ending.

Overall, this was a good follow up. It's still a unique take on the underwater creatures you read about and slightly darker/grittier than the usual paranormal stuff out there in this genre.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken with a Grain of Salt by Aaron Galvin

Garrett Weaver and Kellen Winstel are Kidnapped by Selkie slave catchers and taken under the sea. While captured they are faced with a reality they may not like, they are not exactly what they seem to be (teen boys). They are something not human. As they try to escape they find that not every thing down below is friendly, and not all creatures have good intentions.

Book two in the series is more intense. We learn more about Garrett and Kellen. Both boys are likable, they are faced with some difficult choices and their lives are in danger. Watching them accept what they really are is fascinating, you can feel the emotions on every page.

A well written fantasy with water creatures. The story flows at an even pace, with alternating chapters told from the characters point of view. This really gave me the feel of what each one was thinking, which adds to the suspense. The plot is very original, it is not at all predictable, anything can happen at any moment. I like that in a story.

I highly recommendTaken With A Grain Of Salt to those who love a fascinating, thrilling underwater fantasy. Great as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading book one is in the series Salted.

[Randi (The Artist Formerly known as Guitar Chick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I really loved the first in this series, and book 2, while really different does an awesome job continuing to story for eight percent of the charcters. The people I wanted more from in book 1 fortunately get their time to shine here, especially Garrett and Kellan. So that's cool, but I do feel like some of the characters get a little neglected with all of the POVs flying around. I hope book three evens it out a little more. There's also a lot less action going on in this one, significantly more talking and explanation, but with the breakneck pace of book 1, this will also probably even itself in a latter installment.
I do still think these are really great books, but this one definitely is a little more on the filler/exposition side. I have a feeling I'll like it more when I get the rest of the story.

(Full and more awesome review to be posted on the merblog in due time, aka after finals).

[Kristine Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS second installment of the Salt series goes underwater to a dark world with both familiar and new characters you'll loathe and love and everything in between. I think Lenny Dolan is my new crush. Full review on Hall Ways http://tinyurl.com/HallWaysSalt2

[Caylen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it four stars since we get to learn more about their world and the character development was on point. Chidi still my fave though.

[Jacqueline Driggers]

The first book introduces you to the salted world, and the characters. The second book continues their stories, and you'll love it. So you'll want to read the first book in the series before you read this one. But I highly recommend both. This isn't just a 5 star book, it's a 5 star series.

The first book was very good, but this one is even better. It's an awesome series and the author is an awesome writer. This book has a different take on undersea angle, but it has a fast pace that you'll love. I know I did. It's one of those books that you won't want to put down. Both books are simply awesome. I look forward to more in this fantastic series.