Atmospheric and oh so spooky!!! Wonderful sequel, waiting with bated breath for any info on the third, there HAS to be a third! Fa-reaking out!!!!!!

The grip this story had on me was insane. I don’t read a whole lot of horror/suspense, but I absolutely adored the taste in this book. At first I tried so hard to figure out the plot twists, but failed so badly I gave up about half way through and just let myself be immersed into the world. Comparatively (to Salt & Sorrow), this book was a little less “creepy” and quite a bit more sad. I really enjoyed the setting especially, I kept picturing the house from Crimson Peak.

What a slow burn turned thrill ride!! This is everything my gothic living heart wanted. First and foremost, I have read House of Salt and Sorrow…but it was 2 years ago…and I couldn’t tell you anything other than it was gothic and I loved it. I was able to read this one without knowledge of the first. So don’t let that stop you (although HoSAS should be read because it’s equally awesome!). Verity is the youngest of the Thalmus sisters from the first novel. She lives with her sister Camille, and longs for something more. She is sent for to complete a portrait of a future Duke, and what lies ahead is the slowest of slow burns with gothic sci fi vibes that would make Mary Shelley proud. I think it’s best to know that this book deals with poisonous botany, dark family ties, societal expectations, and hubris. It’s honestly amazing and the speed at which the action happens is appropriate and not rushed even though it is extremely fast paced. Loved it loved it loved it and I know my students will love it as well.

4⭐️

<b>This house has always felt full of ghosts to me—not of spirits in white sheets and chains, nothing as clichéd as all that—but of memories snatched away.</b>

Verity is the last of her sisters to leave home, and she dreams of a life of adventure beyond Highmoor’s walls. Verity lives with her eldest sister, Camille, the lady of the manor. Many of their other sisters have left, or were lost tragically. When Verity receives word from her sister, Mercy, that the Duchess of Bloem wants to commission a portrait of her son Alexander, Verity believes it is her way out of Highmoor. Camille and Verity argue about Verity’s potential leaving, and Verity agrees to stay. However, Verity observes something strange that changes her mind and herself: her dead sister’s ghosts.

I really liked a lot about this book, and my favorite thing about it was the atmosphere the author creates. It’s gothic and spooky and amazing. Beware: some spoilers ahead.

<spoiler>Verity’s ability to see ghosts is <i>so cool</i> but I feel like it was completely overshadowed or forgotten in the last half of the book. A lot of Verity’s concerns are that she’ll speak to someone no one else can see not realizing they’re a ghost and having those around her think her mad. She spends a lot of time worrying about this, and I would have liked to have seen it come into play in the story more than it did.

The whole triplets thing was totally off the wall and I didn’t like it as a “twist.” Gerard’s experiments were creepy and weird and added some interesting elements to the story but I think there was just so much going on that it wasn’t fully developed in a satisfying way. Also, the whole thing with Viktor and Verity didn’t make sense at all. Everything at the end of this book felt really rushed and almost like a completely different book. </spoiler>

The romance between Alexander and Verity was cute and I thought they were really sweet together. Verity’s hesitance and somewhat disappointment in their first kiss was a little confusing, but seeing their relationship turn into more was nice. I would definitely continue reading books from this author and I enjoyed a lot about this book!

<b>There was horror within those gilded walls.</b>

🥀 House of roots and ruin is the second book in the sisters of the Salt series. This time, we follow the story of Verity Thaumas. she received an invitation to paint a portrait of a duke’s son, and she agreed to it, despite her sister’s objections. As a People of the Salt, Verity spent her whole life on the island of Salann,  but she wanted adventures. Little did she know that her trip to Bloem, the place for the Peole of the Petals, would give just that– and more. 


This YA gothic fantasy book gave me the same eerie feeling when I read House of Salts and Sorrow. The writing is so descriptive, and the vibe shifts through the atmospheric writing as the story gets darker. Erin knows how to build suspense. having a big manor with several passageways and surrounded by plants serve as a good backdrop to the mystery. 

The duke is a botanist and has dedicated most of his life to experimenting with plants and flowers, and the descriptions of their mutations were both fascinating and dreadful. There’s also a love story on the side between Verity and Alexander, which I find sweet. Until Verity slowly uncovers the dark secrets of his family.

I am honestly kind of sad about this book. I really loved the last two from this author but this one kind of lost me. The first arc felt like it took too long compared to how rushed the second half was. I feel like this book would have benefited from being in two different parts. That way all the characters would get to shine and the plot would be a little less confusing. Not giving the plot time to grow is definitely what hindered this book in my eyes. I couldn't connect at all to either of the love interests because it just felt so rushed. Despite that I will give the second one a try just to see where the plot ends up going just because of that ending.

Gothic fantasy at its finest. Reminiscent of Jane Eyre and Rebecca, this novel weaves an atmospheric spell around its readers. However, spicier scenes may keep school libraries from ordering for collections serving young teens.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Erin A. Craig for the opportunity to read House of Roots and Ruin in exchange for an honest review.

House of Roots and Ruin (Sisters of the Salt #2) is a complemetary novel to Craig's House of Salt and Sorrows (Sisters of the Salt #1). In the original novel, Verity is merely a child (who can see ghosts). In this accompanying work, she is now eighteen and seeks to start a life of her own, away from her older sister, the Duchess of Highmoor. You do not need to read the first novel to enjoy this one, though it does reference some of the events that happened while Verity was a child and adds more to the allure of what is going on in her adult life.

Verity's gift is hidden from her since childhood with the use of special candles that ward off spirits. Despite this, she still sees ghosts, but she may not recognize them as ghosts, for they are incredibly tangible. Timing is certainly funny. After her ability is revealed, she recieves a letter from the Duchess of Bloem to paint a portrait of her son, Verity wants to take the opportunity to escape from her sister and live her own life. She just has to keep her ghost sightings a secret, or else she may be percieved as mad.

Verity finds the wheelchair-bound duke-to-be, Alexander, to be a rather charismatic and kind person. Of course, she starts to fall in love, and he in return. While the days are frivolous and full of Chantilalie (the house) exploration and artistic ventures, Verity's nights are less than pleasant. She thinks she is seeing ghosts of the house and hears screams at night. Interestingly enough, the duchess's white peacocks put her mind at ease, at least somewhat. But the nights continue to come with nightmares, and when she starts looking into the duke's twisted botanic research, Verity comes to some haunting conclusions, and it is the dead that will lead her to the truth.

Alluringly haunting, this novel is well-written and full of mysticism, romance, and godly wonder. I easily get lost in Craig's writing style. The characters are interesting, and I especially appreciate the fact that Alex, a main character, has a wheelchair. I find this inclusivity very important and it also really adds to the character, as well as the deeper aspects of the plot as the reader begins learning more about the duke's and Chauntilalie's sectrets.

A thrilling novel full of ghostly mystery that the reader gets to solve along with Verity. A must-read for Craig fans, romance seekers, and lovers of gothic literature. (P.S. I saw this book at Barnes & Noble and it was gorgeous, with beutifully edge-painted purple pages-a must-have for collectors!)

House of Roots and Ruin is the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrow. In this book, we follow Verity many years later at 17 trying to make a life of her own. She has only ever lived at Highmoor with her older sister, and has not been allowed to travel to other parts of the kingdom alone. This causes friction in the manor and a secret is revealed. Verity can see ghosts. She flees Highmoor to accept the invitation she received to paint a portrait of the Duchess of Bloem's son, Alexander. They end up falling for each other, but everything in Bloem is not as it seems. Verity is still seeing ghosts and needs to help them.

This books is insanity in the best way. I liked House of Salt and Sorrow, but this one is by far my favorite! The atmosphere is creepy throughout the entire book. You don't know who to trust and what is real. The ghost, the deaths, the unexpected visitors! Twist after twist right until the very end! Which. I NEED ANOTHER BOOK. A DIRECT SEQUEL!!!! I need it to pick up exactly where it left off and explain itself! Because that ending had me looking for extra pages!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So much better than the first book! The ending was way more predictable than my liking, but overall, the book was very enjoyable. Craig does a great job at building tons of intrigue and weaving pretty intricately creepy stories.

Really, really enjoyed this one. This book has strong, autumn/Gothic vibes and is the perfect read for a cozy chilly fall day. Readers who like atmospheric tales that compell you to keep reading will devour it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-arc!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Overall I loved the vibes of this story! I’ve started recommending it to customers as an atmospheric fall read.

I remember little of the story of House of Salt and Sorrow other than it being a retelling of the twelve dancing princesses, and thankfully that was enough to be able to read and fully understand this book. While they deal with the same family, they are separate stories. This one features the youngest sister, Verity, who can see ghosts!

Like House of Salt and Sorrow, it is wonderfully spooky and atmospheric. And like Craig's other works, there is a retelling aspect to this story, although much of it is uniquely its own, as far as I can tell. This time the referenced work is The Island of Doctor Moreau. I enjoyed that there were so many twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes and the doomed romance was fun to read.

I have recommended House of Salt and Sorrow to many teen fantasy readers at my library and now I am happy to be able to tell readers that it has a sequel!

Definitely didn't see this one coming! My students will love the characters, the subtle sense of suspense, and the twists that reveal themselves before you even think to expect one!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of the book for review.***

Seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas is stuck in the family estate of Highmoor with her older sister, the duchess, Camille. She desperately dreams of adventures beyond the Salann shores and to find a life of her own.

When another of the Thaumas sisters, Mercy, sends word that the Duchess of Bloem is interested in Verity's unique painting talent and is requesting her to paint a portrait of her son, she thinks it may just be the opportunity she needs.

Despite her sister Camille's pleas, Verity decides to take her fate into her own hands, leaving Highmoor in the middle of the night and heading to Bloem. The Laurent family, Duchess Dauphine, celebrated botanist Gerard, and Alexander the heir, all greet Verity with open arms and welcome her into the estate. They are perfect. The Chauntilalei manor is perfect...everything is all a little too perfect.

As Verity spends more time at Chauntilalei she grows closer to Alex and they begin a courtship. But she also starts to experience some strange sounds and happenings around the manor. What or who is behind the strange screams in the night? What is within all the hidden passageways? Why is Gerard's study the only room in Chauntilalei to be locked?

I really enjoyed this second Sisters of the Salt novel! I didn't find it as creepy as the first one which was a let down for me but there was still a well-done atmospheric sense of unsettling within the story. Verity is a young character and at times very naive but I liked her overall and rooted for her and her ambitions to live her own life. I found her struggle between wanting to live for herself vs needing to be in a certain position for her family relatable.

I was a big fan of the Verity x Alex courtship. Alex was the cutest. He is very sweet and he loves books! Who doesn't love a man who loves his books!? I thought they were a good match and I supported the pair.

There were a few big shocking reveals that I thought were great additions and worked out well. They made for an even more convoluted and interesting development. I am still thinking about the book hours after finishing it, looking back on the surprises that were thrown in, even at the very end. I hate that it is a bit of a cliffhanger ending and we don't know anything of a third title at this time but I look forward to it if it happens eventually!

Erin has done it again! Book 2 was just as good as the first! The very end knocked my socks off and I am looking forward to a third book!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Children's for a chippy of House of Roots and Ruin.

This book is fabulous. I loved every corner it took. Verity had been born into a cursed family. Many deaths in many different ways have occurred. She loves to draw and paint and she receives an invitation to do a painting for the Duke and Duchess. She goes against her sister's wishes.

Many things happens while at this place.

Sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows!

Verity is tired of staying home at the Highmoor estate and when she receives an invitation to paint portraits for a family in Bloem, she’s absolutely thrilled. Her older sister and caregiver adamantly denies Verity any hope of leaving. This suffocates Verity and when she asks Camille why she’s denying her any hope of freedom and adventure, Camille confides that Verity talks to ghosts everywhere they go, no one else can see them and this makes her and the family look crazy. Verity denies this accusation until proven wrong when told her nanny has been dead for twelve years and Verity had no idea because she talks to her and receives help from her every day. When Verity sneaks away in the night, she feels truly alone for the first time in her life and what awaits her is beyond anything she can imagine.

Likes/dislikes: I love the author's writing style. The character development was fun to read. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the family in Bloem.
Language: PG-13 for 12 swears, no f-words.
Mature content: PG-13 for a passionate kiss and implied sex.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: The ethnicity is mixed with copper skin; red hair, white skin and freckles; golden brown skin; chestnut skin and a white older man.

4 Stars

Erin A. Craig delivers yet another compelling narrative in this enthralling Gothic thriller-fantasy that seamlessly interweaves romance, mystery, and the supernatural. Set against the evocative backdrop of the Salann shores, the story takes readers on a haunting journey alongside Verity Thaumas as she grapples with the specters of her past, both metaphorical and eerily literal.

Highmoor, with its looming presence and secret-laden walls, sets the stage for a tale riddled with suspense. Craig's vivid portrayal of the Thaumas sisters, each with their unique strengths and vulnerabilities, paints a complex picture of familial ties and the lengths one would go to protect their kin.

The progression from Highmoor to the opulence of Bloem is crafted with exquisite detail, symbolizing Verity's initial escape and eventual entrapment. Alexander Laurent, with his charm and enigma, adds a layer of romantic tension, making the unraveling of Bloem's mysteries even more tantalizing.

However, while the novel shines in its atmospheric build and character development, certain plot points felt slightly predictable, dampening the element of surprise.

All in all, this modern masterpiece from Erin A. Craig is a haunting ode to doomed love, relentless ambition, and the inescapable ghosts of our past. It's a must-read for fans of Gothic fiction and those looking to lose themselves in a beautifully dark tale.