Master of Salt & Bones

De: Keri Lake

Narrado por: Stefanie Kay, Ryan West

Meet the Devil of Blackthorne Manor.

When I was a little girl, I dreamed a handsome knight would come and rescue me from my wretched mother. He'd ride up on his white steed and break the curse I've been fated to carry since the day I was born.

Funny how things changed over time, how the fairytale twisted into something far more crooked—and darker—than I ever imagined.

In reality, my knight is scarred and broken, living alone in a castle of bones that overlooks the sea. He isn’t searching for me. He never was.

Lucian Blackthorne is as cursed as I am, and equally shunned by the locals, the fishers of men, who believe him to be the devil in the flesh.

Perhaps he is, with the way his amber eyes draw me in, ignite me like an infernal blaze. And the sins he whispers in my ear are as wickedly intoxicating as the man himself.

Yet, his touch is heaven and his will is my weakness.

He calls us forbidden, an unsalvageable tragedy, with no happy end. Maybe we are. But in this story, he’s the one who needs saving.

Master of Salt & Bones is a dark, modern gothic contemporary standalone romance.

©2020 Keri Lake (P)2023 Podium Audio

Feeling slightly shocked

I have realized as I continue reading books by Ms Lake I’m becoming more and more addicted!
I thought I loved Nightshade (ahhh Jericho) and I Do, but Lucien now has a place in my heart slightly higher then Jericho.
Ms Lake’s ability to weave an addictive storyline is indescribable. I wore my headphones for hours everyday because I Needed to finish this story. Now I’m sad it’s over and have a slight book hang over.
There are moments that had me questioning decisions made but Dang are they with it.
Do yourself a favor and Read/Listen to this book! You won’t be let down

great story

Best audiobook i have listened to in a long time. Hands down worth it 1000% don’t question it just listen.

One thing missing!!

I enjoyed the book, but there was one thing missing, an end to the group. I wish the other would have taken the time to write about the destruction of the group. like the execution of a multi-member assassination, a bomb, anything!!!!! wish the epilogue would have also included a "5 years later" with the couple having kids and a new transformation of the castle.

Another enthralling delight from Keri Lake!

This is technically my second by Lake and I’ve loved both this one and 𝘕𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢. I say technically my second because I started the 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘋𝘶𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 before this one, but it just isn’t the same quality. It’s too flowery and aloof for my taste, plus, for personal reasons (and also likely because I have a BA in Religion, I struggle with it as a major theme of fictional stories because they’re usually so far from accurate that it’s off-putting for me). Even the blurb was poorly written and I struggled to glean the premise from it, and I’m glad that I didn’t give up on Lake because I discovered this gem! I like that Lake seems to be able to use just the perfect amount of every element: poetical sentiments, gothic themes, supernatural elements, and minimal internal dialogue and “self-help” lectures—which tend to be the trend of the season. On to the particulars: the characters are intriguing and diverse. Lake writes complex characters, and there are several in her stories. The plot is so fascinating and I never lose interest. The story keeps me enthralled from beginning to end. There is always forward movement, and the story never lags. The endings are nice and tidy, too. This story did have just a few issues that I felt could have been a little better. ⚠️𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝙱𝚎 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛𝚜‼️: There were a few not-so-tidy threads, like the death of his friend at a young age. We find out late in the story that Lucian’s time with Jude is a hallucination, but how do we make sense of the scene in the cave where Lucian turns Solange away for having first had sex with Jude? They’re 16 and we’re led to the conclusion that Jude died when they were young children. And it was strange for me how everything shifted to Lucian’s mother, but it wasn’t really a tidy twist—although, I did suspect as much since Lucian had obviously been drugged by her when he had a drink with her the night of his son’s death. I also struggled with the Isa’s overly dramatic shift during the “third act break up” scene when she was suddenly weak and immature. She overreacted toward Lucian and the severity of her response didn’t fit her personality, or the situation. Likewise, the conclusion just felt a bit rushed—like it needed more of the rough edges smoothed away. The Secret Society drama was still not really clear—and not totally in a way that hinted at mystery so much as a bit of a weak area. But it’s still a superb story, and I loved every minute!

Slow Burn

I am happy I got this as an audiobook. IDK if I would have finished it if I was reading the book. It was slow to start but began to pick up then I couldn't stop listening!

Male Lead A+

This is my second time listening to a book by Keri Lake and overall enjoyed the story.

I love a slow burn with a sense of forbidden romance but… was left wanting more when the two leads were finally together.

The character development of the male lead was FABULOUS! Was honestly here for his story and “solo acts”. Lucian was a 10/10!

Sexy devil isn’t so bad

Could not stop listening!
Spice 🥵
Banter
Narration 👌🏻
Plot!
Was incredibly exciting and was entertained each chapter.

Gothic vibes and dark secrets

Amazing book! I did not care for the narrators accents… I stopped listening and finished it on kindle. Overall, the twist, turns, and suspense was 💯

Master of Salt & Bones

“There are darknesses in life and there are lights. You are one of the lights.”
Master of Salt & Bones is a hauntingly beautiful blend of gothic romance and dark modern fairy tale that will leave you entranced. Keri Lake spins a story as wild and untamed as the sea that crashes against Blackthorne Manor, where the enigmatic and scarred Lucian Blackthorne reigns.
The book follows Isadora, a young woman whose life has been shaped by her own cursed circumstances and a desperate need to escape. She finds herself drawn to Lucian—a reclusive, brooding figure feared by the local town for reasons shrouded in mystery. But the Lucian she discovers isn’t just the “devil” the villagers whisper about; he’s broken, burdened by guilt, and in need of salvation as much as Isabelle herself.
The atmosphere is pure gothic gold, with Blackthorne Manor practically dripping in shadows and secrets. The romance is sizzling yet forbidden, with tension building between Isadora and Lucian as they grapple with their tragic pasts and the electric pull between them. Lucian’s amber-eyed intensity will make you swoon one moment and shiver the next, and Isadora’s determination to save him makes her a heroine worth rooting for.
What kept this from being a full five stars was the pacing—it dragged a bit in the middle, and some of the darker elements felt slightly repetitive. Still, the prose is lush, the chemistry undeniable, and the story unforgettable. If you love dark romance with gothic vibes, tortured heroes, and resilient heroines, Master of Salt & Bones will cast its spell on you.
Lucian might claim there’s no happy ending, but this book will leave your heart full and aching in the best way.

I loved this!!

I am so surprised how much I loved this book. Wow. Probably one of my favorite books. The story was so well described, and the characters were wonderful. Keri Lake does it again.