SALT AND SILVER

Author: Anna Katherine ISBN: 9780765363046 5/2009 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

A hell of a lot more than just a greasy spoon... Allie can't seem to get it together. Ever since her mom ran away to Rio with Rio—her tennis instructor—stealing Allie's trust fund and her comfortable way of life, Allie has been floundering, marking time working in and living above Sally's Diner. One night, she and her friends chant a ridiculous spell... and open a Door to Hell—in the basement. When the Door opens, the mysterious Ryan appears out of nowhere. A Stetson-wearing demon hunter dressed in leather, he's assigned to the Door, and spends most of his time hanging out at the diner as a result. But something strange is happening in Brooklyn. Something bitter than Allie, Ryan and the Door in the diner's basement. And when a meeting of demon hunters gives birth to a dangerous idea, Allie and Ryan are left wondering if the fragile feelings growing between them can survive a trip to Hell.. . or if they will survive the journey at all.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

There was a certain sarcastic undertone to a lot of Allie’s thoughts and dialogue that struck me as something I would say or think. And it’s not that she was a sarcastic person (snarky maybe but not sarcastic), but more that she viewed things things from a darker place. You don't go from a carefree existence filled with parties, money and expensive toys to the dull drudgery of being a waitress, without some bitter baggage. Not to mention a small mistake she made turned out to have far-reaching consequences.

Anna Katherine paints a picture of a strong, but damaged woman who can't help wanting her easy life back while trying her best to clean up the mistakes she caused. It's not that Allie was born into the life or was given awesomely magical powers to combat the evil forces—she was told point blank she had no choice and to move on. I really liked Allie and was drawn to her story.

In fact, I was so intrigued by the story and where it was going that before I realized it the book was done. I was certainly squicked out by some of the scenes (Anna Katherine doesn't let you go with a short blurb—no, she gives a richly detailed accounting of the action and fiends from Hell), but that took a backseat to how much fun the book is.

The only complaint I have is that SALT AND SILVER is meant to be a 'paranormal romance', shelved with the romance section, labeled for the romance section and marketed for the romance crowd. Unfortunately, the romance is the secondary story to the action and kicking Hell portion of the story. It read more like an urban fantasy with romantic leanings, than a romantic story with paranormal leanings. A small quibble next to the fact that I enjoyed the book, though.

Alexandra Cenni