Firstly, thank you NetGalley & Bindery Books for providing me an ARC of this story!

This book was full of lush imagery, vivid detailing and powerful emotional conflict. From beginning (slowly wading into the world of political prestige and slighted lovers) to the shocking climax of the middle (which leads you to wonder what possible fate is left for these characters) to the sweeping conclusion (full of mystical battles and overcoming the odds) - this was an incredible journey to go on.

My one concern for the plot was the fact that the last third of the book felt very rushed, or better yet conveniently and quickly ended, in order to progress the story along faster. I felt as though MORE time could have been spent drawing out the final act to help make the high-stake consequences and actions have greater impact with the reader and to the story as a whole.

Overall (and with that tease at the end!?) I'm very much looking forward to a sequel and anything else this author creates in the future!

This book was one of my most anticipated for 2025, the synopsis and premise definitely had me hooked during the first few chapters, but by the end I feel like I was left wanting more.

The three female main characters were interesting, I enjoyed the suspense with which each of their secrets were revealed, and I feel like the author had a fairly firm grasp on the characterization for each of their personalities. However, the character development and relationship portions fell entirely flat for me. The character's emotions, motivations, and mental states would change from sentence to sentence, all within the same paragraph, to the point where you'll have Laya cycling through anger, agitation, resignation, and acceptance all within the same paragraph. It never felt like the characters were allowed to sit in their emotions nor let these emotions ferment, which ultimately resulted in all of the characters feeling like static caricatures with little to no strong development. Laya and Luntok's relationship felt far too much of an exact carbon copy of Duja and Imeria's relationship, to where the similarities felt like a heavy-handed telling of how history repeats itself. Both these relationships lacked depth, and the ending of the sapphic relationship in particular felt so predictable and grating.

On a world-building scale, the food and fashion of Mariit are granted lush and evocative descriptions that immediately immerse the reader into the world, but I feel like the brunt of the writing was so heavily weighted into these elements, that the other portions of the world felt empty in comparison. I liked how precisio was introduced, and I definitely feel like the inclusion of a high powered drug served to expand the world beyond Mariit, but the city itself felt so underdeveloped, with only a few throw-away lines to describe the canal structures and it's people, to the point where I feel like the narrative was sorely lacking in a non-monarchal perspective that would add more dimension to the story.

The writing itself was compelling and highly immersive, but there were times where it felt juvenile and unfinished. Frankly, the inclusion of the more graphic sex scenes felt like the only reason this book has been slotted into adult fantasy. The uneven fast (-ish) pacing, coupled with the anticlimactic final scene at the Black Salt cliffs, as well as the surface-level depth of political intrigue, did not feel mature enough to be an adult fantasy. The final battle had so many plot holes in regards to character movement and placement, that again, siphon back into a lack of physical world descriptors, that it was easy to get lost and confused in the mayhem.

I can see the merits in the story and the characters of this world, but overall this book felt like such an intermediary story, funneling into a set-up for the sequel. I am curious enough about the characters and their direction to pick up the next book, but I'm not holding out hope for anything particularly mind-blowing.

This sounded so interesting and with the author having a Filipino background I really thought I would enjoy this. But unfortunately this didn’t work for me.

The writing was my biggest issue. The book does a lot of telling instead of showing, especially when it comes to its characters. It was very boring to read, which is a shame because it could have been a great story but it felt so bland…

The pacing was a bit odd to me… but I could have gotten past it if the writing had been better.

I can see what the author was going for but it just didn’t work for me as a reader…

i think this could have had just a little more excitement for me but other than that, it was pretty good for a debut novel. i think it deserves a fair chance. plus i enjoyed reading about characters that were not white. definitely need more novels like this. if you're looking for indie and bipoc authors/stories, consider reading this one. plus the cover is absolutely stunning.

Told through several points of view, Black Salt Queen details a precolonial island nation in which the ruling family are the only ones left who posses any magical power.
Hara Duja Gatdula, the current queen, was never meant to rule. She fears her Heir, Laya, is not ready to rule.
Her former friend, Imeria, has resurfaced after two decades and come back into their lives.
And Imeria's son, Luntok, is now Laya's lover.
In a complex narrative, we explore the thoughts of these four interwoven characters in the fight for power and stability within the kingdom.

This story line is gorgeous. The actual plot points are interesting and I constantly wanted to know what happened next.
However, the writing itself leaves a bit to be desired.
The pacing of the story is painstakingly slow. In order to convey to us just how much we should dislike the Gatdula's, we're shown an entire festival detailing their power over their citizens. I understand it's necessary and we are not supposed to like the ruling family, but it's truly not very "eat the rich" of us to focus on this oppressive family. I'm hoping this is all in preparation for the sequel which will hopefully take the sparks of revolution which were doused in this book and instead use them in a constructive way now that our ruler has grown.
Another complaint about the writing style, I strongly dislike how we are shown the same scene from multiple points of view. We will end a scene from one character, then switch to another and start the scene all over again. Once or twice as a literary technique this can be beneficial to see things from another character's perspective, but when done too often it just continues to draw out the story line and mess up the pacing even further.
Overall, had this not been an ARC I felt obligated to finish I was met with multiple points throughout the book which made me want to put it down. I think the story had a lot of potential but overall was not executed to its full potential.

LOVE that we’re seeing more filipino fantasy in publishing rn, deserved !! out of the many i’ve seen coming out, i strongly think this one might be my favorite. this is also probably one of my favorites from the bindery books i’ve read— the imprints are acquiring fresh, interesting work in their respective genre spaces and this is no exception. the writing in particular is a strongsuit here— it’s gorgeous and intricate & exactly what fantasy prose should be. also, LESBIANS!!!!! the only weakness here is that the characters are not as strong as they should be for such a politically heavy story, but there’s so much potential here from bansil as an author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eARC of Black Salt Queen. I requested this ARC based on the cover and description, and it blew me away. The imagery and world this author has created are completely engrossing. I loved the diverse representation, the tragic romance, and the magical elements.

I was a solid four stars until that last fourth of the book - superb culmination, wrapping up a lot of storylines (and preparing us for hopefully a book 2!). The characters are so well described by their actions, that conversations are almost secondary, but even the language that the speak to each other is beautiful.

I always prefer characters that are imperfect, and make bad decisions, even when coming from a good place. So many of the characters here are that, which makes for an even richer story.

You're a freaking liar author this is no debut. This is a masterpiece. Art. Poetry. A blessing to read. Thank you NetGalley and Violetear for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, my happiness lays in your hands.

A queen and her 3 daughters reign over a pre-colonial Philippines-inspired kingdom with powers blessed by the gods. They come at a cost, Duja the queen growing weaker and weaker with time. She seeks a cure to sustain her powers and keep her lovestruck petty daughter Laya from having to take the throne. Meanwhile, noblewoman and Duja's angsty ex-lover Imeria wants to usurp the throne, angered by their tragic falling out 22 years ago when Imeria revealed a secret that risked Hara's entire crown and legacy. Imeria's son Luntok is Laya's lover but they can't be together for the same reason Imeria and Duja couldn't be together: a bloody past and historic cultural divide too significant to ignore. Everything changes when they both separately get their hands on a drug that would let them achieve their goals. If you like:

complicated mother-daughter relationships
complicated sister relationships
complicated parenthood
complicated family really
"I want you but I can't have you" angsty romances
jibes at the colonial western world (my personal favorite)

then this is so for you. The story itself is told through multiple POVs mainly of Duja, Laya, and Imeria and multiple letters to and from different characters culminating towards an impending doom only you as the reader playing god blessed to see and understand all POVs can foresee. I was so hooked, I felt so many emotions while reading this. For example, second-hand embarrassment at Laya and Luntok's obsessive young love, dread at what I knew was coming, and pure glee at some beautifully crafted sentences. There was a colorful cast of characters but it was so easy to keep track of them all. We get the easy-to-hate but also very passionate spoiled princess Laya, the stressed but devoted mothers Duja and Imeria, the nerdy sweet scholars that balance their counterparts, and that bastard Luntok. Kidding! I (maybe) understand Luntok was also in a difficult position, torn between the princess he loves and the mother and people who rely on him. Still, I don't have to like him.

The book did come with some choppy parts, which is expected. The action scenes were written awkwardly and the pacing was off especially towards the end. About half the book is spent slowly building the plot and drama but the resolution and ending only had a few chapters that made for a rushed pace. I wish we got to see more about Bulan my poor neglected baby, especially since both her other sisters got chapters of their own and it felt odd that she didn't. Her history had POTENTIAL. And what about Pangil? I'm holding out though, I know there's a sequel.

Overall, absolutely beautiful colorful vibrant crazy debut. You better watch out author, I'm so binging everything you're ever coming out with from now on. 3.5/5

This isn’t my normal cup of tea, but I had a blast. I have been trying to make it more of a goal to read outside my comfort zone and read things I’m not sure I would love, but have elements I might like and this was one of those that smashed my expectations. I had a good time!

This was a beautifully done start to the Letters from Maynara series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this type of book. The characters had that element that I was looking for and was hooked from the first page. It uses the fantasy element well and left me wanting to read more in this world. Samantha Bansil wrote this perfectly and am excited for more.

It's 2025 and Goodreads still doesn't allow for 1/2 star ratings, but just know that, in my heart, this is a 2.5.

On the one hand, I really like that the author integrated Filipino culture and history into this world. It's there where I think the writing particularly excelled, in bringing the culture of this world and the surroundings to life.

On the other hand, I was honestly let down by the writing in other aspects: namely, the characters. This book relies heavily on TELLING you the connections between the characters without actually letting the reader experience it for themselves. The reader gets told that the current Hara and her daughter have a contentious relationship, but you don't see quite enough of it to make it seem like her fears over succession are grounded in reality. I both wanted and needed a lot more to make the connections between the characters feel real and give weight to their conflicts and triumphs. As it is, though, I didn't and that made later plot points in the book not quite ring as true as the author wanted.

While the character work was the biggest point for me, I will also say that I felt like the pacing didn't quite work either. Things really speed up towards the end in a way where I was slightly confused as to what happened. Especially in the case of the epilogue, where it felt like there were certain character moments/revelations I would've liked to actually see on-page, but were only referenced in passing.

Overall, I can definitely see the vision, but it, unfortunately, fell flat for me. I think the author shows a lot of promise; I just need less telling and more showing, particularly when it comes to building up the characters.

This was a bit of a difficult and disappointing read for me. I think I went in expecting something that this wasn’t. I don’t think I could write a comprehensive review on this one

I enjoyed this book but I also found that the description in my opinion gave me a different description than the actual plot in some parts.

3.5 stars rounded up. Black Salt Queen is an engaging Filipino-inspired political fantasy set on a tropical island, centered around a royal family who possesses the magical ability to control the weather and the elements and their struggle to maintain power.

It's got a large cast of complicated characters whom I felt like I got to know well, some more than others. The loving yet ruthless royal family consists of three sisters, the powerful and brash heir Laya, who can control wind; Bulan, who has no magic so she has trained to become an expert swordswoman; and Eti, the youngest, who knows small magics to do with decorating metal.

There are queer characters, for example the sapphic relationship between the queen and her old friend and rival (I loved their mean girl toxic love story though); and Bulan is asexual, but queerness isn't the main focus of the story.

The writing was strong, the pacing compelling, and I enjoyed the complicated puppy love of flirty Laya and Luntok, a childhood sweetheart from a traitorous family who could never be hers. I was rooting for how they ended; I found him to be a shallow narcissist obsessed with power and Laya deserved better. Luckily this wasn't a romance. I liked how Laya was unlikable and reckless, though I wish she'd had more character development. I wanted to understand her as more than a shallow, impetuous princess who liked to flirt.

It's only not getting 4 solid stars because I found the story got overly melodramatic in the second half for my tastes. It was also heavy on political machinations and family drama, not my favorites, and I was hoping for more action and plot. It's a solid character-driven epic political fantasy, however.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book transported me to a completely different world with a found family that I felt sucked into. There were adorable precious moments, and then plot twists you do not see coming. On top of it, the author sprinkled in a bunch of details, so much so that I feel I will totally need to buy a physical copy of this book and do an annual read of it, as I'll be able to gain something new from it each time.

This is truly a wonderful book. I did struggle to keep up with all the characters, but those that I was able to keep track of, I did already feel a bond to, which is impressive.

The writing style is also beautiful. You can tell the author put their soul into creating this work of art, and I am here for it. I definitely recommend this to fantasy lovers - no one is going to want to miss out on this book. It's simply too magical and too good of a story.

I'll be saving up to finish this wonderful book in person once it gets released so I can have the full experience.

I received a free ARC copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Black Salt Queen by Samantha Basil , follows brash crown princess Laya, her mother Queen Duja ,desperately trying to find a cure for the magic sapping the very life from her, Laya's lover, Luntok, and lastly, Luntok's mother, Imeria who aims for Duja's throne ( tfw when breakup so bad you commit treason)


The story was well paced, with believable characters each with their own goals and ambitions, and the world building was well structured.

Recommending this if you liked Asioaf (specifically the Dornish).

I liked this book! I like that it had women in charge and how everything would just be better if that were a reality. I liked the themes of betrayal, secrets, and the magical realism that was in this book. Overall, it was a great story and kept me entertained throughout reading

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

When it came to publishing my second book under my imprint, Violetear Books, I knew I wanted to build on the themes we established with our debut. I love stories of power, corruption, love, betrayal, and discovery. I love unapologetic characters who will do whatever it takes to achieve what they want, even if it means betraying those they love most.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading Black Salt Queen multiple times throughout its journey from draft to completion, and each time I find myself discovering new layers to love. Samantha Bansil has created a story that feels alive in every sense of the word. Inspired by precolonial Philippine culture, this fantasy is steeped in rich history, vibrant traditions, and a matriarchal power structure where women and secrets rule. The world is so immersive, every inch beautiful and brimming with tension and magic, that you can’t help but lose yourself in its depths.

What truly hooked me, though, were the characters. Each one is so deeply complex, so unapologetically human, that they feel like living, breathing people. The multiple POVs weave together seamlessly, offering a mosaic of perspectives that highlight the intricate relationships and stakes in this lush, dangerous world. At the heart of it all are two romances: a sapphic love story between two rival mommies that is bittersweet and heartbreaking, and a heterosexual that captures the fragility and intensity of young love. These relationships unfold amidst schemes and betrayals, weaving seamlessly into the broader narrative and reminding us of the strength and fragility of love.

From the fierce rivalries to the quiet, tender moments, Black Salt Queen explores themes of power, loyalty, and the blurred line between love and hate with incredible prose. Sam’s writing is electric, pulling you into a whirlwind of betrayal, passion, and ambition. Every time I finished, I found myself longing to revisit the characters, the story, and the vivid world that feels more real than the city I live in.

This is the kind of book that stays with you, the kind that you think about long after the final page is turned. The twist of an ending will leave your mouth agape. Sam has crafted something truly extraordinary, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. Black Salt Queen is a love letter to bold, complex women and the secrets they wield in a world brimming with magic and intrigue.