Summer of Salt

“Summer of Salt” tells the compelling story of the Fernweh twin sisters and their life on a magical island surrounded by bird-watching tourists, whom they seem to know better than even their neighbours and friends. Georgina Fernweh is still waiting for the magic inside of her to show itself. Her sister Mary is already floating since birth - quite literally - and they are only weeks away from their eighteenth birthday. In comparison to her twin Georgina is quite shy and inexperienced, but when new bird enthusiast Harrison and his sister Prue arrive at By-the-Sea, Georgina is immediately smitten by the girl in the vintage blue-and-white-striped T-shirt. During this summer, well-established customs seem to crumble, everything changes, nothing’s like it was during other summers. And even though Georgina realises her feelings drifting more and more towards Prue, there is also a force driving her more and more away from her own sister. This book is an emotional read filled with love, as well as doubt and insecurity, life-long friendship, more than just one kind of obsession and - of course - magic. I loved this story, although it had a somewhat dark turn in the end. Nevertheless, I admire Katrina Leno’s unique style of writing and her ability to create a story like this, in which centre stands not necessarily a summer’s love but a family’s bond and their ancient history of powerful women.