Reviews

Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury

lein80's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm still trying to recover from that book... It's a very intriguing tale with mythological elements against a Scottish background (which is a big plus for me), that is very well worked out and manages to immerse me completely in it. The characters work (even when I shouldn't have doubted that for one second with Melinda Salisbury as an author). I really loved the relations between them. And then the ending... I don't want to give away too much about it, because it's far better to just live it, but it's perfect and amazing and more than I expected when I started reading it...

greeniedotie's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

boastybooks's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

acourtofsongsandstories's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow, I just finished this book and it has left me reeling. This was such an atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful story.

skyee_18's review against another edition

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4.0

This book took me on a rollercoaster ride and I enjoyed it so much! Once I got into the book, I couldn't put it down. This was set in Scotland which was really awesome to read about, and the story was so intriguing. I was hooked from the first sentence. It's chilling and enchanting. The characters were easy to root for, and the ending was not what I expected but was perfect. This book was riveting!

abbielester's review against another edition

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4.0

I went into this one knowing nothing, and I'm so glad I did. There are so many things I enjoyed about this book. Salisbury wrings suspense from almost every page, and the remote Scottish village adds to that feeling. The two characters who become Alva's greatest allies are boys, but the story never devolves into a love triangle which is refreshing. There are several scenes of violence and descriptions of horrific injuries and deaths. It starts a little slow, but once you reach the twist, things get wild! Recommended for 8th grade and up.

Read more at Bookish Adventures.

marissalobot's review against another edition

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5.0

A perfect example of storytelling: a gripping first sentence, unique and atmospheric setting, a good number of characters, vivid descriptions, great plot development, a few cliffhangers at the end of chapters, and a meaningful ending. A wonderful standalone book.

yost21's review against another edition

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4.0

My 14 yo daughter told me to read this because she really enjoyed it. It was suspenseful and one that kept me interested. Fast read but I am rewriting some things in my head that I didn’t like- there were some gut punches in there. Great for older middle school kids.

lunnats's review against another edition

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4.0

I wasn't really sure what to say of this book. In the best way possible, of course. It left me breathless many times for such a small book. A small book that, in the end, felt a lot bigger and at the same time not big enough. I enjoyed it fully, not being able to put it down once I first started, I mean really, couldn't put it down. Couldn't bare letting it go, leaving it for tomorrow was a ridiculous thought. In the end, I thought it was a wild ride but, at the same time, realized it wasn't meant to end any other way. An over-all great book that I simply couldn't put down.

paperheartsink's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved everything about this book. The setting was perfect (is it possible for me to not love a book set in Scotland? I suspect not.) That first chapter, the first LINE... wow.

I love Melinda Salisbury’s writing. Alva was such a great protagonist. Likeable, different, haunted. Her relationship with Ren had me at the very start. So well done. I adore him.

Well paced and kept me on my toes. Some of the twists I had figured but still enjoyed how it played out. A compelling read. And that ending. I mean, I had a feeling but I didn’t know for sure and when I did... gah. Yep, I cried. So well done and I honestly love nothing more than a bittersweet ending.... But I was mad for a few days