My honest review was provided in exchange for an ALC on NetGalley. Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for giving me this ALC! And apologies for any character names I may have misheard and/or misspelled.

5/5

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It's been half a year since Skipper has heard from her oldest sister, Nora. Nora, who left home to study the crop failure that blighted their country, killing millions and ravaging society for decades thereafter. Nora, who their middle sister Carmen thinks is selfish... but is really only resentful because Nora managed to escape, and Carmen still has to live in the hole that is her shadow. Nora, who must be in trouble because she would never willingly leave the mug her baby sister made her behind...

Something is wrong, and Skipper – with the help of her unconvinced-but-in-grave-need-of-a-distraction sister Carmen – are going to the city to find out what happened.
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This multi-POV book was masterfully written and narrated! I was delighted to hear Eunice Wong again, giving Skipper, Carmen, and Nora the same gentle and deep emotionality she gave Sam in Red City.

The world Yume Kitasei built was gorgeous and broken. The ecological hellscape our MCs grew up in was haunting, fueled by corporate greed and authoritarianism. I hated (in a very, very good way) exploring the uneven impact the blight had on different regions and countries. Moreover, my heart broke for Skipper and Carmen as they were forced to learn just how unfair life had been because they had the misfortune of being born in a blighted, ruined town. Their anger and dissonance was raw and powerful and so beautifully, beautifully written!

More than the world, though, I loved how Kitasei crafted the sisters' relationship. Though the plot is driven by the need to find Nora, at its heart this story is about the sisters and their relationship. And that relationship felt so real. Underneath their simmering anger and unresolved jealousy - built over years of miscommunication and incorrect assumptions - was a deep and abiding sisterly love. They each had their faults, exaggerated in moments of tension and anguish, but it was never a question that they loved each other. And more importantly, when moments were darkest, they dug deep and came through for each other in real and resonant ways. The lengths to which Skipper and Carmen went to save Nora and each other was lovely, and - to me - what made this book sing.

Of course, Eunice Wong did an amazing job keeping me engaged and resonating with each of the sisters in their respective POVs. As with Red City, a good amount of my enjoyment came from her performance, and I don't think I would have felt as deeply as I did had she not been narrating. She was just exceptional, and I will gladly pick up any audiobook she narrates!

Overall, I really, really love and recommend this book! If you enjoy dystopian stories steeped in ecological disaster and deep explorations of family dynamics, then this book is definitely for you. And I highly recommend the audiobook, so you can experience Eunice Wong's amazing and heartfelt performance!

📘TITLE: Saltcrop
✍️AUTHOR: Yume Kitasei
💫GENRE: Dystopian Thriller
🎙️NARRATOR: Eunice Wong
⭐️RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
📆AVAILABLE: September 30, 2025

First let me say I LOVED this novel! It was so well written, gripping, emotional and tense! Our setting is dystopian with earth in environmental crisis - primarily with food sources. Add in corporate greed, secrets and a whistleblower. At its core though, to me this was a story of sisterhood. As the oldest of 3 sisters, I found this story about 3 sisters so relatable! The dynamics explored and intricacies of family dynamics hit the mark.

Eunice Wong was fantastic at narrating our cast of characters. I did not want to step away from this audiobook!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for access to an advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley! All opinions are my own and freely given.

Mutant animals, rising sea levels and engineered crops are at the heart of this dystopian, family drama. When Skipper’s oldest sister, Nora, goes missing, she braves the ocean with her other sister to try and find her. Along the way they will find themselves in danger, having to make decisions they never could have imagined.
They’ll have to unravel the mystery surrounding their sisters disappearance and delve into some heavy duty corporations and just what kind of trouble their sister got into.
I really enjoyed that this story is told in three parts. Each are told from the viewpoint of a different sister. We really get to know the characters this way. This story is about so much more than a possible, bleak future. It’s about how we change as we grow. Learn from our mistakes and meet one another on different levels.
All told, this is a beautifully rendered story and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
I was given this in audiobook format in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this as an audiobook! Thank you to McMillan Audio and NetGalley.

More of a literary read about three sisters and their relationships, less of a science fiction story about an environmental collapse. I enjoyed the evolving family dynamics and detailed character development. I found it to be a very honest depiction of siblings, and how our the perceptions of the people we grow up with can change and evolve. Nora’s disappearance and plight started out intriguing and high-stakes, but the resolution felt underwhelming.

I found the dystopian setting and agricultural issues interesting, and I craved more world-building and background details. I would have enjoyed additional layers to the environmental conflicts and corporation exploitation, especially with these topics feeling so timely and realistic.

I enjoy Eunice Wong as a narrator and think her performance captured the tone of the story well. But I also believe having three narrators for each sister's section of the story would have made for a more impactful listen.

Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei comes out September 30th, and this held my attention from the start!
This may be a dystopian tale, but man, it feels so prescient. I hope it is not prophetic as well. A climate fiction story inside of a sister-story, I was engrossed in the family dynamics as two sisters set out to find their older sister who seems missing.
This story tackles corporate power in farming, changing agriculture, climate issues, power plays in science, survival fears, and moving sisterhood issues and a love for this beautiful planet. I loved the narration by @eunicewongnarration and how she took me into this world seamlessly, easily moving me between sisters. I enjoyed this author's previous book, so having Wong narrate was the cherry on top.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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.

SALTCROP is both a sweeping tale of the dangers of eco capitalism and an intimate portrait of a family, told through the eyes of three very different sisters.

This was my first Kitasei novel, despite owning her previous two, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. This story is definitely soft sci-fi, which leaves lots of room to explore how the sisters interact with each other, other people, and their world as a whole.

I really enjoyed having all three sisters’ points of view. Seeing how they each think about themselves and their responsibilities and sacrifices vs each other really drives home that everyone is experiencing the world in a different way, even when they are living within a single home. This was especially true with Skipper and Carmen - Skipper saw only her own sacrifices to take care of Grandma while Carmen moved out, while Carmen worked to help pay for Skipper and Grandma and the house. I feel like there’s a whole essay that could be written to explore the validity of perceived reality… but that’s getting a little too deep at this point.

The setting of the dystopian eco disaster world takes a backseat but is never forgotten in this story. Anyone looking for hard sci-fi will likely be disappointed. Personally, I thought it was a great way to demonstrate the struggles that the sisters (and, by extension, everyone) must overcome to live in this time. Kitasei drops reminders of the world they’re in even when the characters are in the middle of an ocean both subtly (they pull up a two-mouthed mutant fish) and overtly (a whole society living on a defunct oil rig).

The audiobook was solid and the narrator did a fine job, though I think it would really bolster this audio if each sister were narrated by someone different.

Nora’s section felt the weakest to me, and the climax wasn’t quite as thrilling as I’d hoped for, but overall it was a solid story. When I finished the audiobook, I was surprised to find myself a little sad that I wouldn’t be spending more time with Skipper, Carmen, and Nora.

Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book so I may leave an honest review.

4.5⭐️

Very thoroughly enjoyed this one. Such a real take on sister dynamics and how life goes on during/beyond “the end of the world”. I really liked the writing style and pacing, and will definitely be picking up another one of Yume Kitasei’s books!

“Maps never show the whole truth, just what a place could be without people or time.”

I enjoyed the way this book addresses a number of poignant topics ranging from censorship, the power of wealthy corporations, the danger in trust not earned, chemically engineered foods, and overconsumption. It’s a story of how three very different sisters from a small town and traumatic upbringing move through life on a journey for truth and family. This is not a happy story.

The book is written in third person limited POV, however it is broken into three parts with each one focused on a different sister - there is Skipper the idealist, Carmen the charismatic, and Nora the brilliant but socially inept eldest sister. I found myself enjoying Carmen’s POV the most, but it was interesting to see each sister from all sides.

If you loved the stakes and science of Blood Over Bright Haven, the mutts and post apocalyptic feel of The Hunger Games, and the sisterhood of ACOTAR; this book may be a great read for you.

Tropes and Content Warnings:
Sisterhood
Missing Person
Post Apocalyptic World
Evolved Beasts
Corporate Espionage
Food Scarcity
Cannibalism
Genetically Modified Foods
Poisoned Land/Food
Unveiling the Truth

I've never read a book that captures the essence of sister relationships so accurately. Specifically: older-, middle-, and younger-sister relationships. We'll fight, annoy, and love each other; say the most hurtful words that can't be unsaid, but we'll also venture across the world for each other if we sense our sisters are in danger.

Yume Kitasei's words flow like butter. I listened to the audiobook version, and I ate this novel up in three sittings. The narrator does a fantastic job and nearly every chapter ends with a hook that keeps you in suspense. I especially liked the pacing, and how each of the three parts of the book correspond to one of the sisters. I ultimately view the entire book as an allegory for the effects of unchecked corporate/capitalist greed, the resilience of nature, and the reality of overconsumption. So if those themes are your jam, you're going to eat this novel up, too.

"She can't decide whether the world is in its last breathes, or slowly coming back to itself."

I've never read Yume Kitasei before, but after Saltcrop, I'm definitely going to read her other works. 5 ⭐️. No notes.

It's different than Kitasei's previous 2 novels in that it's much more closer to reality. I loved the sisterhood aspect, loved getting the different perspectives on how they perceive themselves and each other. The dystopian vibes were great. I forever love any audiobook narrated by Eunice Wong and this one was no exception.

Dystopian sister story. Set in an unspecified future, where blight reigns and crops are genetically modified, two sisters set out to find their missing sister, Nora, who they believe is in danger. Nora is a scientist, and has been researching soy bean seeds, and uncovered what she believes is a deliberate cover up that affects everyone. Sisters Carmen and Skipper set out in their sailboat to rescue Nora, but end up having many dangerous encounters, and come to realize what is important about their own life dreams versus their sisterly bond. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had related to Nora, but I just was baffled by a lot of her choices. About a 2.5 for me - listened to the audiobook, thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for the advance audiobook.

4.5
Yume Kitasei really impressed me with the nuanced character development in this fresh and speculative novel. She really captured the feeling of loving but not always liking your family. Each character has unique flaws and growth throughout the course of the novel, although I think Skipper was the most compelling for me. I liked getting POVs from each of the three sisters, but it was interesting that we got them in chunks instead of alternating.

In a bleak future Earth, two sisters set sail on a makeshift boat to find their missing third sister, who was involved in some mysterious agricultural research. Eunice Wong does a great job of narrating, although I prefer when different POVs have different narrators.

Thank you to netGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio eARC.

Saltcrop was an unexpectedly enjoyable listening experience from start to finish. The journey in three parts between the sisters was fun to listen to, realistic in nature, and the progression was interesting as they uncovered the world around them. A big downside from jumping between three parts and three points of view though was sometimes the other sisters would be doing something, and the text more or less brushed them off, but I wanted to know where they were going and what they were doing! Where was Skipper going to down by the docks? I wanted to know!

But maybe that was the point. The sister in question not knowing, understanding, or comprehending how each of them was growing and changing despite the world around them. But that they were sisters, and they were there for each other, despite all odds.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the perspective of the three sisters compelling. The dystopian future setting kept things exciting and engaging. I would recommend this book to a friend.

This was a very slow, character-driven novel. The audiobook narrator's voice was good overall, but it was a little too monotone for my personal taste. Considering the fact that this book was already slowly paced, the unmodulated narration didn't necessarily help maintain my attention. I'm not fully sure who the real culprit is though; was the narrator too monotone or was the writing more on the dull side? Perhaps a little of both?

As for the story itself: While the synopsis makes it clear that the relationships between the three sisters are the main focus, I couldn’t help but wish the ecological disaster elements had carried more weight. The worldbuilding and explanations of the environmental collapse were far more engaging to me than the family dynamics, yet they mostly served as background for the sisters’ personal struggles. I wanted a deeper exploration of the disaster itself rather than the ongoing emphasis on their relationships.

Because of this domestic focus, I often found myself bored. The conflicts between the sisters didn’t hold my attention, and the missing-person mystery added little intrigue. Without stronger development in the areas that most interested me, the story dragged and never fully captured my attention.

This book was solid, and I can see many others loving it, but for me it ended up being a pretty mundane read.

*Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for early copy for review*

I listened to audiobook and the narrators voice was so soothing so even though I found this book at times boring I kept listening to hear such a nice voice. This being said I found the plot very predictable with the big secret Nora discovered very obvious.

This story is told in three parts from all three sisters and I found that when we were in their perspective the sister felt the most vulnerable at the moment. For example Skipper, the youngest sister and who we start with, become more confident in her choices when we're in Carmen's part. It made me feel that the sister's was discovering how capable each other were. For a dystopia story it did not feel so far removed from our world and I did not enjoy this aspect of the story that much. I did enjoy the parts that focused on their sisterly bond and wished there was more of that.

I recommend this book for readers seeking light speculative fiction that creates a vivid, easily imaginable world.

"Saltcrop" by Yume Kitasei unfolds in a near post-apocalyptic world ravaged by fungal infections causing crop failures and animal mutations. As hunger spreads, humans infected with the fungus face death from prolonged use of a marketed "cure." Rising waters submerge coastal cities, adding to the crisis. Skipper and Carmen set sail to find their older sister Nora, who disappeared months ago while researching the plant blight in pursuit of a cure.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. It's more speculative fiction than sci-fi or fantasy. The reader avoids getting bogged down by unnecessary technical jargon about sailing or the blight. This creates a world that's easy to visualize.

The sisters become more endearing as the story progresses. I found myself invested in each of their journeys for different reasons. Following their search for Nora was entertaining. Without revealing whether they find her, I can say that upon reaching their destination, they embark on a new mission to save the world. Though veering slightly into political territory, the second part of the story stayed suspenseful. Both the plot development and character growth were great.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an atmospheric novel about a near post-apocalyptic future, where water is a main character. Yume Kitasei writes in such lovely, ethereal way that I can't help but be drawn in by the vibes of her novels, regardless of how much I may or may not connect with them. The storyline was more about family and sisterhood than any huge, overarching mysterious future, which was my expectation going in, but I still enjoyed it. Elements of J.G. Ballard's "Drowned World" were on the tip of my brain as I read this, as well.

This is a really interesting look into a future where we have lost everything and have allowed one company to basically control everything around us, from our health to our food to our jobs. It’s not eye opening in the sense that I find this concept unbelievable, it’s eye opening in how we can so easily get to the point of where this book begins much sooner than I think most of us realize.