Saltcrop

Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei is a sci-fi, dystopian, eco-thriller -  and a domestic drama about three sisters with absent fathers raised by their grandmother after their mother commits suicide - and I am here for all of it. 

Saltcrop is set in a near-future where the only available crops come from corporate-provided genetically modified seeds which rely upon dangerous chemicals to help them grow. 

In this world, sisters Nora, Carmen, and Summer grew up with little money and with their grandmother as their only parent for most of their lives. 

Nora moves to “the city” to research solutions for the blight which is killing not only crops but people, but when they receive a cryptic message followed by months of no communication, Carmen and Skipper sail on Skipper’s sailboat in search of her, encountering dangerous weather, pirates, and more along the way. 

Although I love a good eco-thriller and dystopia, my favorite part of Saltcrop is the relationship between the sisters - maybe because of my own relationship with two sisters. We always say we’re exactly the same but different in every way, and I see that in Kitasei’s portrayal of Nora, Carmen, and Skipper. 

They all benefit and suffer from growing up the same way in the same house - but with several years separating them, their own natures, and the bits of them that grow or shrink in reaction to each other and the world around them, they are all very different even now that they’re all adults, but it’s easy to trace them back to what they most have in common - perhaps starting with their mother’s death. 

Saltcrop is a beautiful horror novel where the horror comes from the power that corporations have over everyday life - literally holding life and death in their hands as they control the food supply -  and the lengths they will go to to protect that control, and the beauty comes from their relationship between the sisters - they have arguments and misunderstandings, but as we get to hear from all their points of view, we know there’s always an underlying love and belief that they will always be there  - and will go to even further lengths to protect each other. 
Note: The audiobook was well produced by Macmillan and expertly narrated by Eunice Wong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy for my honest review. Pub. date: 9/30/25

Support your favorite indie bookstore (and me) by using my link to order the audiobook from https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm60355 OR if you prefer using your eyes to read, support your favorite indie (and give us both 20% off if it’s your first purchase) by using my link at https://refer.bookshop.org/candidanorwood.