“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.