This was such a very fun book! I loved the gothic atmosphere in this story! It’s very creepy and thrilling! The only thing that I did not like about this book was the love triangle. Nevertheless, it had a very shocking ending! I recommend this for fans of Wendy Webb and Karen White!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this ARC. I apologize for the very late posted review.

Um, why???!!! Why end like that???!!! Really???!!!!
I enjoyed this story more than the Salt and Sorrows. Verity has so much personality and I freaking love her.
I sure hope she appears in book three!!!

Creepy. Level 10 creep. DO NOT read if you are easily spooked. I had to sleep with the lights on after this lol. Story was overall enjoyable even if that was a deterrent. However, I have some students that will love this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for exposing me to this wonderful series in exchange for an honest review.

"House of Roots and Ruin" is the sequel to "House of Salt and Sorrows". The first book can be described as a dark, retelling of the fairy tale the 12 Dancing Princesses. This book isn't a continuation on that particular fairy-tale. If anything, I got more of a Beauty and the Beast vibe from this one (probably because of the heavy emphasis on flowers in it). I was surprised by the big time-jump between the two books. Verity was only a tiny child in the first book. Now she's taking centerstage as our 17 year old heroine.

Verity has been kept sheltered on her harsh island home even when most of her other sisters have moved on. She wants to break free and see the world. Her older sister bars the way though, finally telling Verity why she's been kept out of society. Verity can see ghosts, only she doesn't' realize that they are ghosts. Some of the people that she has interacted with for years are not really there and she has no idea. Her sister is terrified of what might happen to her away from the safety of the island. Would people believe her? What would they do if they saw her talking to no one? Would they think her crazy and hurt her?

But Verity runs away after receiving a commission to paint the portrait of Alexander, the son of a duke in the distant land of Bloem. Bloem is worlds different that the stark island where she grew up. Everything is very ornate and centered on the power of flowers and botany. And, of course, before long Verity start to fall for the Alexander. But all is not beauty in the kingdom of Bloem. The book isn't called "House of Roots and Ruin" for nothing. And Verity finds herself trapped in the middle of a royal conspiracy.

I really liked this book. It's not as dark as the first in the series, but still a worthy successor. And it did end on a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the next one to see where Verity's story goes.

Did not love this as much as book 1 but it was just as beautifully written. I will edit this once I make a fully post about the author/books.

This was such a suspenseful and un-put-down-able book that really had me wanting to know what was going on. I also thought the love subplot was done really well, but the only thing that I was really not a fan of was the very random and out of place attempt at a love triangle

I didn't really remember everything that went on in the first book but got little glimpses in this sequel. However, on the whole, this one was way more boring and silly. Verity is so dumb and annoying, and I didn't believe her relationship with Alex one bit. For a moment, I thought we'd get an actual strong female character who decides she is not into this guy and all her feelings are valid, but instead we got a stupid girl who decides she's immediately in love with him and doesn't choose to see anything strange happening around her until absolutely confronted with the truth of it. Verity was like a little naive child, and she never grows beyond that.

I found this to be a solid and entertaining book. The writing was easy to follow, and the plot had enough intrigue to keep me invested. The characters were enjoyable, though I would have loved to see a bit more depth to their development. It may not have been groundbreaking, but it was a fun, light read that I’d recommend for anyone looking for something straightforward and engaging.

Erin A. Craig weaves a spellbinding tale in House of Roots and Ruin. I could not get enough of the haunting and atmospheric sequel that plunges readers into the eerie and elegant world she crafted in House of Salt and Sorrows. Verity showcases the strength and growth that I enjoy from characters. She is vulnerable and determined. Gothic storytelling at its best. From crumbling estates shrouded in secrets to fog-drenched landscapes that hum with unseen menace, every detail immerses readers in an enchanting world. Craig’s prose brings these scenes to life. While the pacing falters slightly in the middle, the story remains gripping with twists and dark revelations.

This book is everything a good gothic mystery should be. Old houses, screaming, weird noises, don't know who to trust...yeah, this book was everything. Sometimes plots are predictable -- this plot wasn't. There was so much going on, that I was in awe. Craig is an absolute genius at crafting such masterful plots.

This book was a great follow up! Perfectly atmospheric and just a bit creepy. If you enjoyed the first one, you’ll love this!

I kept feeling like I’ve read this book before throughout, but that didn’t diminish my reading experience at all. I loved every second of this book, Erin Craig is a master at paranormal horror. She will always be an auto buy author for me!

Erin A. Craig does such a good job creating the atmosphere that the story takes place in. Also, the COVER is so good.

I absolute love Erin's writing style. Her descriptions help me to fall into each story she tells. I love the dark, gritty feel of this book and it is a must for spooky season. If you like gothic fantasy, this is the series for you!

Erin writes in a way that is so enchanting and lush. It was interesting to read a book that was written so beautifully, yet was still creepy enough to keep me on my toes. I found the story itself to be equally spooky and addictive. I really enjoyed this book and wish more authors had such a beautiful and intricate writing style.

Absolutely stunning. I love this world that Erin has built starting with House of Salt and Sorrows. Now this world has expanded and I could not be more thrilled. The suspense, the characters, I was pulled right back into the story. I

I really love Erin Craig’s writing and this one is no different. The story is equal parts enchanting and creepy. Bad vibes from the dad all around and you want to know what on earth is going on in this house. Definitely the same tone as it’s predecessor Salt and Sorrow I highly recommend this gem.

A thrilling, gothic and eerie vibes that you’ll enjoy! I did enjoy THoSaS surely you’ll like it as well. In my opinion its a book that you can read even you don’t read the first, a companion one.

Verity, one of the Salt Sisters, a great artist, dreaming to see the outside world, to see whats beyond the sea. Her sister forbids her ( like Gothel to Rapunzel.. Mother knows best kinda thing) but with her curiosity and determination, coincidentally got to be commissioned to be the painter of a well known botanist family in Bloem she to that chance and never looked back. Be careful what you wish for… at first it’s all rainbows and butterflies, young love and all. Thats what Verity thought, every night she hears clanging, shouts and some strange sounds. Is it only in her mind? Is she dreaming? It is a gripping story that lies about the people and the house she’s in.

It’s a great book that I enjoy.

The Thaumas sisters return several years after the traumatic events of night their home burned. The surviving girls are all grown up, most of them with families of their own. But for young seventeen year old Verity, the baby of the family, life seems to be stagnant. Living with her older sister Camille, she feels like she will be trapped in her overprotective embrace for a lifetime if she doesn't do something to strike out on her own. When a letter commissioning her for a portrait arrives at the same time she is told she has been seeing ghosts, she decides to flee Highmoor and see what awaits for her at the invitation of the Duchess of Bloem.

Alexander, the duke's son and the subject of the portrait, is an intriguing young man who is confined to a wheelchair after a childhood accident. Verity begins to fall for him as she paints, but she can't shake the feeling that something is off with the Duke, who is a celebrated botanist. But knowing that she saw ghosts for years and thought they were real people, she doesn't think she can trust her own mind. And she is afraid that if Alexander and his family discover her "gift", she might not have a chance at the future she is starting to envision for herself at Alexander's side.

Definitely a YA horror so approachable if you want to still be able to sleep at night and not a lot of spice, but still felt we got good character development from both Verity and Alexander.

Haunting, creepy, really well done. Took awhile to really settle into this one but it got twisty and weird in a good way! Can't believe I have to wait for 2026 for the next book -- and although like this one it will feature and entirely new sister's story, I hope we get some answers for that shocking epilogue!!

I just really love Erin Craig's books.

I was afraid that I might struggle with this story because it's been so many years since the first one, but that didn't happen. We were reminded of the relevant stuff, and I never felt like I was missing something.

Loved the characters, the writing, and the story. That ending left it open for another book... keeping my fingers crossed!