This story was completely engrossing. I absolutely loved this book. It was a combination of fantasy, horror, and mystery.
Several of Annaleigh's sisters have died and at first, there doesn't seem to be anything suspicious about them, just bad luck. When they lose another sister, Annaleigh starts believing maybe it hasn't been just bad luck after all. Slowly, strange things start happening to her and her remaining sisters. She begins having ghoulish visions and suddenly the difference between reality and illusion are difficult to discern.

As the reader you also become unsure of what might be the reality of the MC and what is delusion. There are several twists that, imo, weren't predictable and made the story so much more interesting. There was one element of the story that I saw coming, but THAT also had a twist that I did not predict. If other books similar to this exist, I have not read them. I loved the combination of genres to create such an interesting story.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in dark fantasies. Erin A. Craig has become an instant new favorite.

Annaleigh has just buried another one of her sisters. It seems as if her family had been in mourning for as long as she could remember. The islands they made their home believed there was a curse on their family. And when Annaleigh begins seeing the ghosts of her dead sisters, she wonders if they may be right. But that’s not the only strange thing going on.

I want more of this book! House of Salt and Sorrows is one-in-a-million. While being incredibly interesting, it also holds quite a bit of a spook factor. There were times where I didn’t want to read it alone because it gave me the heebie-jeebies in the best way possible. Mixed with fantasy and romance, the characters are incredibly easy to fall in love with. And there was just plot twist after plot twist! It was constantly throwing me off track on what I thought would happen. I seriously can not wait for this to come out in hardback because I will be snatching it up!

The fates of Caraval meet a twisted Twelve Dancing Princesses, in this story. My blood is still singing. This book was twisty and opulent, and Erin Craig did a wonderful job painting her world. I absolutely love the direction this book took, and certainly would not have guessed it to go this way originally. Bonus points for the fact that romance was not a massive part of the story. Coming from a ya reader who seems to be catching all the books full of lusty romances, this is a nice refresher! I’d have to say my only real problem with this is that I feel like I need to know more. More about the world, it’s gods, the characters themselves. With so many characters and such a vast world, I felt that I only got slight glimpses of everything. Beyond that, I’d definitely encourage anyone looking for a dark and twisted reimagining of The Twelve Dancing Princesses to dive into this book.

A perfect blend of the magical and the macabre, the innocent and the dark, all wrapped up in beautiful prose. Everything from the family, the atmosphere, the conversation is all carefully crafted, no detail too small.

Well, this unraveled into an unexpected story. Not sure why, but I didn't go into this book aware of how strong the fantasy aspect was. Maybe this is why I didn't enjoy this as much as I expected to. I liked the mystery part of the story, as it was weird how the sisters began to mysteriously die off in weird circumstances. At first, I thought it was a great start to the story, especially since this takes place on some strange religious island. There wasn't anything too extravagant happening at first, but when supernatural elements began to increasingly occur and revelations are made, the more confused I became. In all honesty, I wasn't too keen on that aspect of the story because of how it was developed into something much bigger. It was interesting to learn the mystery behind the deaths, though I found it a bit anticlimactic and the culprit kind of predictable. Also, none of the characters really stood out to me, but none were awful.

Overall, this was an unexpected read. It was entertaining until about halfway through, but if you like fantasy mixed with supernatural then you might enjoy this more than me.

I think the reviewer who described this book as "this is what would happen if House Greyjoy from Game of Thrones gaslit the Twelve Dancing Princesses" had it exactly right! This is a suspense/horror retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses in a world that reminds me of both Game of Thrones and the kingdom of Theramore in World of Warcraft (think moody oceanic people) with a dose of godly magic. It does drag at times but determined readers should keep going -- ultimately it pays off.

I love a great mystery and a great book and this is all of that!! I will be purchasing for my library!

I am unfortunately going to have to shelve this one. I've gotten about 30% of the way through and I will not be continuing anytime soon.

House of Salt and Sorrows is advertised as a haunting retelling of the classic story The Twelve Dancing Princesses with Crimson Peak aesthetics and themes throughout. The book follows the (now) second oldest Thaumus sister, Annaleigh. She and her twelve sisters have been in a constant state of grief for a long while, four of the oldest sisters have died, each death as sudden and unexpected as the last. People whisper the Thaumus line is cursed, and Annaleigh half-way believes it. After strange evidence, and her own gut-feeling, Annaleigh sets out to discover if someone is behind the latest death of her sisters . . .

And that's about as far into the main plot as I have gotten. I know that there is a fantastical element that is eventually introduced, the girls begin to sneak out with new dancing shoes and dance the night away in a strange place with handsome suitors, but not all is as it seems. Etc. I was trying to hold out for these chapters, but I find myself dreaming of other books and stories.

Annaleigh is a sweet girl, wholly passive and a bit naive. The love interest was instalove, and I mean immediate. The creepy vibes a la Crimson Peak were non existent, or at least not as strong as I was hoping for. The parental figures in this book were my biggest frustration, so much so I would have to take a break from reading anytime one of the parents were mentioned or had a conversation with Annaleigh. I am shelving this one for now, not forever, I simply need something more fast paced with stronger characters. This book is something I would read at the beach, on a relaxing day, or perhaps on a plane or train traveling somewhere. The overall aesthetic and world building is so delightful and rich, Annaleigh lives on an island and the history and beliefs of the people in the chain of islands is quite interesting. The aesthetic is beautifully written, I can almost HEAR the waves crashing against the cliffs, the rain pouring down the windows at Thaumus manor, smell the salt in the air, hear the piano going in the Blue Room . . . its a lovely setting, with the potential to be deceivingly dark.

Overall, I would one day like to finish this book and will be buying a copy when it releases. I recommend this to people who like a lighter and slower book with slightly fantastical elements to it. Beautifully written, simply too slow for me.

I’m not sure what I expected from this book, but it was amazing! Annaleigh’s story immediately pulled me in, and I didn’t want to put it down.

There used to be 12 sisters, but one by one, they’re dying, all in different ways. Are the Thaumus sisters really cursed like the locals believe? Who is the mysterious Cassius? And is her sister Verity really seeing ghosts?

Despite being a whole different world, the story has a very gothic feel to it. The world building was incredibly detailed, but gradual, so it didn’t get confusing. I loved the 12 Dancing Princesses take, although it was definitely creepier than any other I’ve read before. I definitely wish I could find out more about what happens to the (living) sisters after the end of the book. Hopefully there will be more books in this series!

Well written and loved the small glimpse into the HOSAS's world. The setting felt a little claustrophobic, trapped within the confines of the islands but that may have been intentional to up the suspense and emotional trauma.

The love story was a little "insta" for my tastes and didn't seem to add or subtract to the value of the overall story. However, it's thrills and chills made up for that and kept me on the toes! Would love to know more about the main continent and the Gods themselves. Would definitely read something else from Craig

House of Salt and Sorrows set up a lush, gorgeous world. The dancing with the enthralling balls were a fun addition. I also really like the spooky parts so much!! Particularly the Verity parts were fun! I can't wait to read Erin's next books.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

This book was the perfect mix of creepy and magical. I was glued to the story from page one!
Annaleigh used to be one of twelve sisters, but is now one of eight. Living in a mansion in a small seaside town, Annaleigh's family is shaken when the Thaumas girls start dying off in different ways, one by one. Everyone in town believes the family is cursed, but Annaleigh is determined to find out why her sisters are dying and stop it from happening, before it claims the rest of them. When they discover a secret door leading to nightly balls, the Thaumas sisters start a routine of sneaking out at night to dance. But soon, when Annaleigh starts having nightmarish visions of her dead sisters, she begins to wonder if the balls have something to do with the curse on her family. Who -- or what -- have they been dancing with every night?
The prose is not only beautiful, but has a magical quality as well. It pulls you in and refuses to let go until the very end. I was very intrigued by the family and their island traditions, and the ballroom scenes were mesmerizing. I have a feeling this book will be a huge hit!

HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS has everything I love in a book. Prose from the mind of a poet, characters flawed in the most unexpected of ways, and a plot that honors the fairytale genre while subverting it at the same time. This is the kind of book that needs to be experienced, because no amount of reviews will do it justice; the writing is gorgeous, the story is vivid and intricate, and the whole book just seeps magic. It's atmospheric, spooky, and completely captivating.

It's a really odd novel, straddling the line between contemporary thriller and paranormal mystery. It opens up with information about a family who is grieving the loss of a sister. It's very nerving as they bury her and realize their reputation is tarnished because of the local village accusing them of being plagued by a curse. They family are eager is forget the bad times but not all is what it seems and THIS people is where the story really begins.

It should come as no surprise that a story as haunting as this could credibly pull off shades of the supernatural as well. The line between fantasy and reality is muddied turning this story of grief and loss into an eerie story of guilt and innocence. Beautifully written, completely enthralling… I can’t seem to find the words to do this one justice. It’s definitely a must-read.

I was not salty by the ending to say the least... *cough*

Four krakens for The House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig !!! In short, this is what would happen if House Greyjoy from Game of Thrones gaslit the Twelve Dancing Princesses (which they would totally do). This has been a great spine-tingling ghost story to read at night, hidden under the covers in the dark as I kept reading to find out if the monsters plaguing Highmoor and the eight surviving Thaumas sister were indeed real! If you love a good scary story or retelling fairytales, definitely put this one on your list. Thanks again to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for allowing me to read this advance copy.

I hardly even know what to say. I loved this book so much!

First off, I loved that it was written in past tense. The trend in young adult fiction for several years, and in rising popularity, seems to be present tense. If I pick up a YA book, it's what I expect to see. I'm glad Erin A. Craig danced to her own waltz here, because I feel books just flow better in past tense. Just a personal preference, but I appreciated it.

There's quite a large cast of characters. I honestly found it overwhelming for a minute, but I went back to chapter one and made a written list of them all, living and deceased, and from there I had no problems.

The world is lush. We learn about different places in the world, their cultural customs, and the pantheon of gods involved in the lives of the people. Every detail feels real and believable. This is a world I hope the author explores in future books. I understand of these characters' stories are told, but the world is too beautiful and I'm not ready to let go of it yet.

This book has everything I love in one convenient place: fantasy, horror, and romance! Gods dabble in the affairs of mortals. There's murder and intrigue. A love triangle. You're left guessing until the very end, and you never know what to expect. The rules are constantly rewritten and there's a plot twist at every turn. I was dying to know how the book would end, but at the same time I never wanted it to.

The “Bookmarks are for Quitters” t-shirt that keeps popping up in my Pinterest feed reminds me of my time with this book! It took less than 48 hours for me to read it, and I was left with tired, swollen eyes, a fit of shakes, and sheer panic as I neared the final pages. I love a well-written novel that does that to me.

For starters, the beautiful cover artwork and synopsis is what drew me in, and I was quite excited to be approved for the digital ARC. (My thanks go out to NetGalley and Delacorte Press!) I only just found out that this novel is a re-telling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” which I have never heard of, so I came in with a fresh set of eyes and no expectations.

Simply, “House of Salt and Sorrows” is about 12 sisters who live with their father, a Duke, and new step-mother at their Highmoor estate. Located on a remote island whose people worship sea gods, the unfortunate deaths of some of the Thaumus sisters begin to unravel a series of ghostly encounters, dark magic, and pure evils as one of the living sisters, Annaleigh, seeks to uncover the truth behind the Thaumus family “curse.”

Quite frankly, it was everything I love: elements of magic and mythology, a strong female protagonist (and strong characters in general), a subtle romance—just enough to make the reader's heart flutter, and an unexpected plot twist. I was completely intrigued by some of the characters’ names, as well, and they have remained in my thoughts days after finishing the story.

Fresh, fluid, slightly creepy, and absolutely wonderful! I can’t help but give it a 5/5 and am looking forward to it being published so I can share it with my friends.

A vivid, lush retelling of the 12 dancing princesses that will keep you up all night long with the light on. It is lovely and the storytelling is divine. I will recommend highly to anyone!

All I can say about this book right now is YES.  I was 100% here for this book the whole 2 days that I took me to blaze through it and absolutely loved every single nanosecond of it!  I requested this book on NetGalley and it wasn't something that I felt strong for or against.  Honestly, the name was attractive and the cover design really drew me in.  I think there may have been a mention of ghosts or strange deaths in the description that really got me.  So, thank you to NetGalley and Delacourte Press for this e-ARC!

Roughly, this story is about 12 sisters whose father is the Duke of a region or area of a world that worships a sea god and loves everything about the sea and salt.  This is a re-telling of the 12 Dancing Princesses; which I have never read, so this story was pretty new for me.  The story goes through some untimely deaths of some of the sisters and their life at Highmoor.  There is plenty of magic, evil, ghosts, monsters, and loveable characters throughout this book.  The end was not what I had expected, entirely.  It did get a little weird, but I was still there for it and loving it!

For the negatives, I don't really have anything.  The writing was nice and fluid, the world building was kinda weak, but for a story like this, you don't really need it.  If this was going to be a series (it's not, but oh how I wish!) then the world building between islands and cultures would have been much needed.  But, for this story and its expanse, you get enough to make it worthwhile and to paint a nice picture of the world where this story takes place.

The characters and the fairytale-esque shimmery feel of the story are my favorite parts.  The whole time I read this, I felt like I was in a hazy sparkly world where magic is real and gods visit each year upon their return.  At first, this was a little difficult for me to adapt to.  I am used to reading books that are realistic, even if they aren't set in the world I live in.  You have to suspend your belief so much to get into this book, but I loved it so much that I had no problem letting it all go and falling into this book.  The characters in this book are soooo good!  The story is told through the second eldest daughter, Annaleigh's point of view.  However, you do get to know the other living sisters quite well, along with the nanny/wetnurse/caregiver Hanna and the stepmother Mordella.  Along with these characters, you meet Cassius, who turns out to be a pretty crucial character and maybe my favorite.  This will be spoiler free so I won't go anymore in depth into what happens and how he plays a part.  Just know, that he is a cutie!

100% without a doubt I'm giving this book 5 stars!  I really wish this would be a series, but the author has already denied this.  Maybe she will write more stories in this same world, on different islands...! I would love to get to know more about the islands and the other cultures and I feel, if she has the stories, they would be great.  Her writing style is quite beautiful and a little unconventional; she begins the story at a funeral with the description of a necklace.  The dialogue is well done, and I was swooning so hard with most of the dialogue between Cassius and Annaleigh.  I also loved the names in this story.  I assume that the author chose some of them on purpose because of their historical and mythological significance.

This book is due to be published on August 9, 2019 and I am stoked!  I will probably buy this one for my shelf and recommend it to everybody.

This book had beautiful writing. The story line was just not my thing. I love love love retellings, however this was just a bit too dark and creepy for me. I have to say that I was not familiar with the 12 dancing princesses at all so I began this book with no expectations. Others may LOVE this book as it has great elements: romance, mystery, suspense, ghosts, haunting, magic, likeable characters, etc... I enjoyed Annaleigh's character and the development between her and Cassius. Annaleigh is a relatable, strong willed young woman who has had a ton of tragedy in her life and the most recent tragedy isn't adding up. Rather than accepting things, she sets off to solve a mystery and that aspect of the book had a very "Agatha Christie" feel about it.

This book terrified me. It was way too scary and suspenseful and if you aren't expecting it, it can be a bit too much. Fans of creepy story lines and the dark Grimm brothers stories will enjoy this. If you don't like creepy, scary, horror, Crimson Peak stuff...I would recommend not reading this because I am a sissy and this was too much for me.

Overall, I would recommend this book for fans of horror, and EXTREME suspense.

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Children's - Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I always love books with secrets of family disappearances and how the youngest most ambitious family member digs deep and gets themselves into so much chaos that it turns into a thrilling adventure. However, there were some parts that are a little dark at times where young teens will find it a bit scary and not want to finish the book. But if you have the readers that do like a bit of darkness and thrilling story with such a shocking ending, then this book will be phenomenally popular.

We will consider adding this title to our YFiciton collection at our library. That is why we give this book 4 stars.