Salt is an utterly compelling fantasy adventure, the work of a master storyteller at the peak of his powers.</p><p>When his father Tarl is captured and enslaved to work in Deep Salt, Hari vows to rescue him. This is a forbidding task: no one returns from Deep Salt. But Hari was born and raised in Blood Burrow. He's tough and smart—and he has a secret gift: he can communicate with animals. </p><p>The beautiful Pearl, born into the privileged world of the ruling class known as Company, has learned forbidden things from her mysteriously gifted maid Tealeaf. Now her father has promised her in marriage to the powerful and ambitious Ottmar. But Pearl will never submit to a subordinate life, so she and Tealeaf must flee. </p><p>When their paths cross, Hari and Pearl realize that together they must discover the secrets of Deep Salt. Their long journey through the badlands becomes far more than a quest to save Tarl—their world is on the brink of unspeakable terror. </p><p><strong>Maurice Gee</strong> is one of New Zealand's finest writers, with more than forty books for adults and young adults and a number of prestigious awards to his credit. <em>Salt</em> is the first volume of The Salt Trilogy. Orca will publish <em>Gool</em> in Fall 2010 and <em>Blood Burrow</em> in Spring 2011.</p><p><br></p><p><stong>Want more <em>Salt</em>?</strong> Visit to read excerpts from each book in the Salt Trilogy and learn more about Maurice Gee.</p>