My father is an entomologist, and my husband has a debilitating fear of ticks; this book was written for me! I'm sandwiched somewhere between love and loathing, and it has given me a wary fascination of them. Obviously, the ticks in The Salt Line aren't your garden variety ticks. Ignoring the fact that they burrow under your skin and lay eggs carried through your bloodstream, they also have the potential to carry disease (and I'm not talking about lyme disease...). 
 The ticks, as terrifying as they are, are not the driving force behind this story. They act as the catalyst, creating a world where people's guards are always up, constantly on the defense. The plot is almost entirely character-driven, and I have to admit, a small part of me was secretly hoping for something more like this: 
 The POVs alternate between a handful of characters. After reading the synopsis, I really had no clue what could possibly motivate someone (let alone multiple someones) to leave the relative safety of home and risk death at the hand of ticks. Sounds like just about the worst way to go! The whole first third of the book is split between three very different characters, all with surprisingly understandable motivation. I'm not saying I would EVER make the same decision, but I can certainly follow them across the salt line, from a very safe distance. If you need me, I'll just be over wrapped in saran wrap, and armed with a blowtorch. 
 In the end, the ticks aren't the true villains. I mean, the bad guys aren't always the ones wearing the black hats. Regardless of the futuristic setting, the story draws some very relevant parallels to today's political climate... if you're willing to see them. If you're not in the mood to get all political up in here, it's still enjoyable in a creepy-crawly kind of way. Just be sure to tuck your pants into your socks before you start reading. 
 I won a copy of this book from First Reads, and have provided an honest review.