This is the second book in the series. I didn’t read the first one yet, because I wanted to see if I could pick it up without knowing the story. Verity has a secret. She can see the dead. Her sisters worry for her and try to protect her but Verity longs for freedom. She gets her chance when she’s asked to paint the portrait of the young heir to a fantastic fortune. When she meets him, she is dazzled by his good heart and kindness. But all is not as it seems in the land of the people of the flowers. Verity will have to embrace the truth of herself and be braver than she’s ever been, for herself and the boy she’s come to love. Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love this book so much! It's the perfect blend of fantasy and horror and the story kept me up late into the night. I couldn't sleep after reading it because I couldn't stop thinking about it. I enjoyed the House of Salt and Sorrows and I was so excited to see a sequel. It was so much better than I could have imagined. I like the choice of Verity as the protagonist, we didn't get to see a lot of her in the first book and it was both familiar and fresh to see her and her family in a different time and setting. Everyone who likes YA horror and fantasy should read this book, and everything by Erin Craig while they're at it!

I love Erin A Craig and went into this with high expectations that were still blown out of the water. I adore the setting it was so interesting seeing more of this world; and similarities and differences between Salann and Bloem. This also tied well into learning more about the Gods and magic system of this world. This series once again delivers an amazing Gothic manor that is the perfect romantic, disturbing, and mysterious playground for these wonderfully written characters. The pacing is also so well done it keeps you on the edge of your seat without letting any of the revelations feeling rushed, and allowing some great chemistry between the characters. All around this story is immensely satisfying while still leaving you craving more of this world.

an exciting addition to House of Salt and Sorrow. I loved the characters This seems more of a companion book rather than a sequel. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first, or who enjoy YA romance. It kept me interested throughout

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via TBR and Beyond Tours in exchange for an honest review!

House of Roots and Ruin is the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrow, this time we follow Verity, a grown adult, who goes to Chauntilalie to paint the portrait of Alex, and uncovers some dark secrets that are housed there.

“A worth beyond beauty”

I read House of Salt and Sorrow back in 2019 and I devoured and absolutely loved it! When I learned a sequel was coming, I couldn’t be more excited to dive into this story and go back to the Thaumas sisters and their lives! I often say I don’t want series to end and to go back to the characters and I loved that Erin did just that! You don’t really have to read the first book to understand this one, they feel more like standalones in the same world!

We start the story at the manor at Highmoor with Camille and Verity! I loved that Verity is a grown woman and not the little child she was in the first book! The other sisters do make very brief appearances and are mentioned, but I liked that the focus wasn’t on Annaleigh this time around, but the youngest Thaumas sister!

The story and plot itself is beautifully haunting and eerie in the best way! Erin did an amazing job with the first book, creating a hauntingly horror story which was a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and while this isn’t a retelling anymore, the same vibe and atmosphere was created at a whole other manor! It is intense, dark and engaging and I loved exploring the word once more!

The story itself has a bit of a slow start, but that really fitted well with the plot and characters and later on really helped with the build-up and suspense created! The pacing does pick up and honestly, I believed this story just got better and better the further along I got!

I loved Verity so much! She is such a delightful character, who really just wanted to see the world! Her curiosity and loyalty were such great traits for her and she really grew into a beautiful woman. I was also a really big fan of Alexander, who had a heart of gold and was so considered and very giving! I also loved how positive he was in life, in spite of being in a wheelchair.

The romance was everything! While it did seem to grow and develop rather quickly, there were some time jumps in the story that made sure the romance didn’t come across as Insta-love. I loved the exploration and development of the romance.

When I say this book gets better and better, I truly mean it! The biggest twist happens at around 65% and I was SHOOK! I was completely blown away by the twist and reveal and I loved it! It fitted so well with the horror/haunted vibe and the continuation of the storyline! Also, the ending completely took me by surprise! Like, DAMN! I had not expected it to end like that! At first, the ending chapter seems really sweet and a happy ending, but that last paragraph!! IT IS HAUNTING ME!

Overall, House of Roots and Ruin is an amazing sequel and in my opinion even better! It is a hauntingly beautifully written story that I devoured!








SPOILERS
* I had not expected the brothers to be bad, and am kinda sad that Julien died, since I liked him! Viktor had an eerie vibe around him, so that wasn’t as surprising.
* I love that Alex and Verity still got married and their love persevered!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an e-galley in exchange for an honest review. SO: when the first book in this series came out in 2019, it quickly climbed to my top 10 for the entire year. I was entranced by the work, and clamored for the next installment, hoping against hope that there would be another book. HOORAY for this one. I wasn't sure if I needed to be intimately familiar with the characters to enjoy this novel, so a reread of the first was had. Luckily, I don't think I would've been lost if I hadn't done that, as Craig does a phenomenal job of looping the reader in. I was a bit surprised, but also happy to realize that this isn't exactly a sequel. It, to me, feels like Craig used the same setting/universe for another novel, with appearances by familar characters, but it isn't exactly sequential. I feel like a person could read either or both, and enjoy them just as much. By the end of the book, I realized it's the way Craig pulls the reader in, slowly, patiently, to the story and then when the force of the book hits you, you're happily ensconced in the entire world and don't want to leave. This was well done!

**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own**
This book followed the youngest of the sister from book one, Verity. She's the only one of her siblings still living at home with her older sister, now the Duchess of Highmoor, Camille. And Camille doesn't want her to leave. Ever. But Verity wants to go out into the world like the rest of her siblings have and when she gets invited to do a portrait of the Duke of Chauntilalie, she's sees it as the perfect chance to get away from Highmoor. Her sister is not supportive of the idea and after an argument and confessing to Verity that she can still see ghosts, she forbids Verity form going. So in the middle of the night, after realizing what her sister says is true, she leaves for Chauntilalie and for what she thinks will be the start of life as she has always dreamed. But boy, how wrong she is.

I will say, this wasn't what I was expecting from the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows. It wasn't bad, just was hoping for a little bit of a break for the Thaumas sisters
Verity had it a little tough in book one, which is why I was hoping for things to go well for her here and they did a little. She begins to fall for the Duke's son, Alexander while she is painting his portrait. The thing I have issues with is it feels like she is just settling. After the things that Camille said to her, I think she feels that she will never be able to find someone to love her as Alexander does, so even though she isn't feeling that spark she though she'd feel, she decides that she is also in love with him. And you get that feeling through the whole book, even after she accepts his proposal and they get married at the end. It all just feels like she has settled.
I think the book was also just too long. There were points where things just weren't happening or what was happening wasn't really significant to the overall story. About halfway through, it go difficult for me to want to pick up the book just because of how much was written, but nothing was happening. I was bored.
The story overall though was interesting and has the same sort of spooky, thrilling feel that the first book did, especially at the end. I think it was a good sequel and if somehow another book was written I would consider picking it up. But just like with book one, I think this one ended at a perfect place and wouldn't need a continuation.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was very excited to read this sequel, as I really enjoyed The House of Salt and Sorrows! The House of Roots and Ruin did not disappoint! While these two books could technically be standalones, there will be some spoilers in this sequel if you decide to go back and read the first one later.

This book follows Verity, who has spent her life stuck in the manor under the protection of her older sister. Never having traveled or really discovered new lands, she receives a request to travel to an exciting area to do a painting for a future Duke. While she is excited to finally leave, her sister forbids it, so she decides to leave in the middle of the night against her wishes.

As she arrives to the manor, eerie things begin to happen and she begins hearing and seeing things that cannot be explained. Is it the house, the family or her past that is coming back to haunt her?

This story was told with the perfect amount of eeriness and beauty that matched the first in the series. I found myself enraptured in the story from beginning to end! The ending left off on one hell of a cliffhanger...that is if you were able to spot it! Looking forward to seeing if a 3rd will be coming out!

I will say that I was not 100% sold on the romance of the story. It felt a bit forced and I didn't find myself truly rooting for them despite that they were both relatively likeable characters. The MMC seemed a bit "woe is me" for my taste.

Other than one minor complaint, really loved this!

Erin Craig is a master at world building. She immediately sucks you into the gothic, lush world of the book. The story centers around Verity Thaumas, one of the younger Thaumas sisters, and her journey. This book is absolutely breathtaking, and I couldn't stop thinking about it after putting it down.

I loved this companion novel to House of Salt and Sorrow. This fantasy story is about a girl who can see ghosts and wants freedom from her overbearing sister. She runs away, finds love, a new life, but strange things are happening. She begins to question if maybe her sister was right to be protective. So many curve balls to keep you guessing!

An engaging fantasy read about a girl who can see ghosts and wants a chance at a life out from under her overbearing sister's thumb. When she runs away to complete an art commission she finds love and a new life. But weird things are happening and she is struggling. Is life on her own worth it, or was her sister right to protect her so fiercely.

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this ARC!

Now, I know this book is listed as #2 in the series, but this is definitely a companion novel set in the same world as the first. Which was great, because I don't remember much of the first book.

I liked that this book threw some curve balls in the storyline. When I thought I had things figured out, I absolutely did not. Everytime I thought I was right, it was partially right, but with a little bit of extra thrown in that I wasn't expecting.

That ending though...like wait...what? I had to read the last parts of the end chapter and epilouge to make sure my brain wasn't making things up. Could there be another book?? I'm so confused. (In a good way)

House of Root & Ruin is the sequel to House of Salt & Sorrow. It is a Gothic Fantasy about love, ambition, and the ghosts that haunt us forever.

This is set 12 years after House of Salt & Sorrow although you truly don’t need to read that to enjoy this book. I will warn you that it will stay with you for a long time after you end it.

4.5 Stars

Omg I was so excited, yet terrified, to return to the lush and horrifying world that is HOSAS and HORAR. Verity was the sweet baby sister we kept protected at all costs in House of Salt and Sorrows, so fast forwarding thirteen years to her making her break away from Highmoor and paving her own future as one of the haunted Thaumas girls.

We start the story back at Highmoor and get to see how adult Verity is handling the aftermath of her family’s demise (hint: she doesn’t really remember much). But her desire to leave her island and see the kingdom scares her elder sisters, Camille and Annaleigh. They know things about Verity that she might not even know.

So when Verity runs away to paint a portrait of the next Duke of Bloem, we find ourselves caught up in a romantic yet horrifying mystery around family secrets, ornate homes, and the sacrifices for ambition.

I will admit that it took me until about the halfway point in the book to really understand what might be happening, but once we got to the first major twist, I COULD NOT put this book down. I found myself confused and scared and second guessing everything, much like Verity. And without giving anything away, let’s just say I kept flip flopping over her impending marriage and if it was all real, or not.

The ending has kept me up at night and I’m convinced we have to be getting another book eventually……right?! BECAUSE THAT ENDING HAS MY BRAIN SPIRALING IN THE MOST DELICIOUS OF WAYS.

This book was such a fun dive back into the world of Salt and Sorrows, while also standing firmly on its own. I highly recommend, especially for anyone who loves a good gothic setting and having spine-tingling chills as you read. And the kissing isn’t half bad either *wink wink*

Omg!!! Erin A. Craig does it again. Another incredible, very unsettling atmospheric read. This time returning back to one of the Thaumas sisters, Verity.

Verity Thaumas lives with her sister, a duchess, but dreams of finding her own way in life. This idea is solidified when Verity is invited to Bloem to paint a portrait. When she tells her sister her plans to go, it is revealed that Verity can see ghosts... and she can't tell the difference between a ghost and reality. She sets off alone in the middle of the night and soon finds herself at the duke's house in Bloem and falling in love with his son, Alex.

Of course, there is much more to this story. God's and goddesses, a sort of Frankenstein experimentation on plants and more.... and the ghosts.

I loved this so so much. I love everything this author has written, honestly. There's just a specific style and quality to Craig's writing that makes each story so haunting. Definitely recommend this!

Out July 25. 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

loved loved loved!! The ending of this book left me in shock, although I was expecting it, it was still surprising to me. The atmosphere in this is perfect, I was hesitant when I saw this was coming out, especially since it's been a few years since the first book was published, but honestly, this was as good as the first one.

Definitely recommend this one

When I finished House of Salt and Sorrows I knew I wanted more of this family and this world, but with the way it ended, I wasn't sure where it could go but, House of Root and Ruin 100% knocked it out of the park.

We are following Verity, the youngest of the Thaumas sisters, and she is itching to leave Highmoor and explore and travel the world. Her sister Camilla is doing whatever she can to keep her close to home, but when Verity receives a commission for a painting and she jumps at the chance!

When she arrives she immediately likes the family and has some instant chemistry with Alex, whose portrait she will be painting. However she soon finds out that Bleum is full of some disturbing secrets, and her ability to see ghosts has put her right dangerous path. I loved Verity and Alex's relationship, it was so sweet. There were twists and turns everywhere, and each reveal brought a new surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next!

The atmosphere was amazing, and the characters and plot hooked me and wouldn't let me go until I reached the last page, and with the way it ended, and I really hope that were going to get another book!! I'm definitely not ready to leave this world or the Thaumas sisters yet!

Verity Thaumaus, the youngest of the cursed sisters has grown up on a island manor. She’s lived in a world of ghosts, unknowingly. When Verity is offered a commission to paint a Duke’s son in a faraway country, her own Duchess sister denies her permission. Wanting to be free from her limited life Verity travels in the dark of night to Bloem, and the manor of the Duke and Duchess who love everything green and growing. In this flourishing atmosphere she a modest romance grows between Verity and her subject. As their relationship grows and she learns of this land dark secrets begin to unfold. Meanwhile, she is keeping her ghostly visions a secret from the family. The beauty of the land, the home, and their perfections comes through many sacrifices and Verity finds herself fighting for what could be her new home.

HoSaS was… interesting. I liked it up until the very end and then it had me scratching my head and questioning everything I had read. I was a little reluctant to jump at the chance to read this one being book two but I just needed to know what’s going on.

I am here to say… House of Roots and Ruin is even better than HoSaS. I’m so glad I risked it all and read this!!! It’s sooooo gothic and lush (I hate using that word in reviews but it’s true.) Erin writes the most beautifully haunting stories that you could literally paint a million pictures off of one page.

The dark secrets + the spooky, unsettling atmosphere made this book for me. It’s been a while since reading book one but it didn’t matter! This one weaves its own tale and it’s delicious!!

This house has always felt full of ghosts to me not of spirits in white sheets and chains, nothing as cliched as all that - but of memories snatched away. Memories I'll never be able to claim as mine.

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours and the author for providing an arc in exchange for a review!


Despite dreaming of exploring the wonders of the distant shores, Verity is stuck behind the walls of Thaumas, their family estate, her sister eager to keep her protected and by her side.

When she learns of a job to paint the portrait of the Duchesses son, Verity sneaks away in the night to experience the world. However, this is with the new knowledge that she is cursed to see ghosts.

“I feel as if I'm on the precipice of a cliff,» he murmured, keeping a careful eye on them "The ground is starting to give way and it's already too late to do anything. push myself back, it will just cause the plunge to happen sooner. But staying place won't save me either."
"Then we fall together," I promised.

Alexander offers a refreshing disability representation, Craig paying attention to the limitations of a wheelchair, others’ reactions, and how his certain things may need to be adapted for him.

“People get so squeamish about the chair, about me being in the chair. They shouldn't. You shouldn't," he said with emphasis. "I've been in it most of my life. I don't really remember a time when I wasn't. It's part of who I am but it's not the only thing that defines me.”

Also, I loved the botanical interest - speaking in plants and their meanings, hiding secrets in flowers and thorns!

I think I preferred this a House of Salt and Sorrows! Admittedly, I think there was slightly less atmosphere, but there was definitely a greater growing horror in the facade of normalcy mixed with supernatural. Also, the character study was so much better as there was a smaller cast of characters we can follow more intimately, especially compared to trying to follow the twelve dancing sisters of book one.

However, similar to book one, the end was rather abrupt and sudden, but it does end on a tantalising cliffhanger…

I you enjoyed this (especially the plant elements, I would recommend T Kingfisher’s What Moves the Dead and Kalynn Bayron’s This Poison Heart.