Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was on the fence on wether I would like this book or not. I enjoyed the first book, but I’ve never been a fan of books set in historical settings- thankfully, the fantasy and gothic elements really kept me from focusing to heavily on that. Book one’s ending really sealed the deal for me when it came to reading this sequel, and I went in with high expectations.

The beginning of this novel was fantastic. Verity is an (almost) unreliable narrator and the spookiness was perfect- though, I could have dealt without the Insta love trope. The ending didn’t quite meet my expectations, though I still enjoyed it! I do wish it had been wrapped up in a bow like the first book, but I suppose this leaves room for another book in this series, which I’m totally on board with.

This book is perfect for when you’re looking for a spooky/gothic read that gives you goosebumps, but also has a sweet romance in it that is almost like a pallet cleanser from all the scary. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys gothic YA romances/thrillers.

I loved this book!

Disclaimer: I would absolutely read HOUSE OF ROOTS AND RUIN before reading this book; even though this book takes place 12 years after its predecessor, I think it's important to know the events of the first book before jumping into this one.

First of all, I adore Verity as a character. In the first book, she was only 6, so you really get a sense of who she is and how the chaotic events of her childhood affected her. She doesn't remember most of what happened from the previous book, which I found added an interesting layer to the story. It was also interesting to see right away that she and Camille still don't know exactly what happened the night their Dad died in the fire and the extent of what their stepmother did to them.

Verity still being able to see ghosts was such an interesting story element because I was never sure who was real, especially once she arrived in Bloem and everyone was new to her, on top of not knowing who to trust in the house.

There were so many twists and turns in this book that I really look forward to rereading it in the future and seeing the clues that were planted along the way that I missed.

And the ending! I don't want to spoil anything because it was so good, so all I'll say is that my jaw was on the floor; I thought for sure I'd skipped a page. I need there to be a third book so we can see what happens next!

Needless to say, I'd absolutely recommend this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Sisters of the Salt series. I loved this! I loved hearing Veritys story. Amazing follow up.
I just reviewed House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig. #HouseofRootsandRuin #NetGalley
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House of Roots and Ruin is a compelling, suspenseful fantasy set in one of the most beautifully complex and lush fantasy worlds I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Verity Thaumas is the youngest of 12 “cursed” sisters. She lives in a manor by the sea with her oldest surviving sister and her family and longs for adventures and a life of her own. When she receives an invitation to a far-off estate to paint a portrait of a future duke, she jumps at the opportunity. Not even a shocking revelation her sister tells her to try and keep her home can stop her.

Once at Chauntilalie, a lush manor set in the garden province, where all manner of plants and flowers, beautiful and deadly, thrive, she meets Alexander, the handsome young heir, and his seemingly kind and welcoming parents. But there are many others lurking around this estate and so many secrets they’re bound to come spilling out. Verity is also still dealing with her own demons as well as the ghosts of her past.

All of this creates a powder keg of a book that you can’t help but race through to find out what happens. I could not put this down. It was anything but predictable—there were several twists I did not see coming—and the ending was a complete shock.

I was just as satisfied with this book as I was with the original. I can only hope Craig returns to this world again someday.

This book take place about 11 years after the first book and follows the youngest Thaumas daughter, Verity. We learn that Verity is special, in the sense that she can see and talk to ghosts. When she gets commissioned to paint for a duke in another town, things aren't quite as they seem.
This is like a young adult, murder mystery, fantasy book. There are lots of different twists throughout, especially at the end, and this book ends in a major cliffhanger.
I was a little disappointed we didn't hear anything about the weird demon baby that was born at the end of book one, but maybe in book 3 ?

In <i>House of Roots and Ruin</i>, we follow Verity, the youngest Thaumas sister, on her first journey beyond Salann. She arrives at the extravagant Chauntilalie estate, home to the Laurant family and the many skeletons in their closets. Of course, the longer Verity stays at Chauntilalie, the more obvious it becomes that something is terribly wrong.

Erin Craig's writing has improved so much since her debut. I really enjoyed <i>House of Salt and Sorrows</i>, but had some issues with the character development and plot. <i>House of Roots and Ruin</i> was not perfect, but it avoided a lot of the issues I had with the first book.
As always, the atmosphere and settings really pull you in. I read this in a few sittings of over 100 pages at a time, finishing with 307 pages in one day at the end. I just couldn't be away from Verity for too long.

I think a big advantage for this book is that the author was able to focus on Verity instead of trying to make so many different sisters distinct characters. Her sisters are in the story, but Verity gets to take up space in a way that Annaleigh didn't really get in <i>House of Salt and Sorrows</i>. I didn't find the romance very compelling, but that could be a me problem as I'm not usually big on the romance aspect.

I didn't even know I needed a second book. The first book was a surprise 5 star for me and this one was too. Can't wait for the 3rd one

**4.5 STARS**

Content Warning: violence, death, gruesome experiments

We are back with Thaumas sisters but mostly one in particular, Verity. I will note that only Verity and Camille are present in this story though the other girls are mentioned. But that’s totally okay because this is Verity’s story and what a story it is.

Verity goes to Bloem under the pretense of doing the future duke’s portrait. But she has longed to leave Highmoor for awhile now and live her own life and this is her chance. But Camille tells Verity something about her that is shocking. Bloem is way different than Salaan and Highmoor but it is as gothic a setting as Highmoor but filled with more…flowers.

Without giving any spoilers let’s just say the first part of this story builds slowly like a mystery but the new characters like Alex, Gerard and Dauphine are intriguing. Something is going on at Bloem, and I kept trying to guess what was happening and I will tell you when all was revealed I was in shock. The hits kept coming and I was wondering to what end?! And what an ending it was. I loved the mystery, the gothic vibes of Chauntilalei, the ghosts, the romance (which didn’t really start off with sparks – it’s a slow burn), the creepy experiments and the reason behind it all!

Tropes: girl can see ghosts

Why you should read it:
*great storytelling and building up to that ending
*gothic vibes, creepy, ghosts, romance, Gods

Why you might not want to read it:
*not into Gothic mysteries

My Thoughts:

I was so excited to get a copy of this arc and I can say I was not disappointed. I didn’t know which way the story was going and when I thought it did – it changed on me and in an unsuspecting way. I enjoyed Verity and the gothic estate of Chauntilalei where there are secret passage ways, long, dark hallways and someone or something lurking in the corners. I am eager to read book three!

The writing was very well done. However, I couldn't continue reading it. This is a Young adult book with pornographic material. That is absolutely unacceptable. Is the whole sexual orgy book scene really necessary? It adds nothing to the story, and shouldn't even be in books available to those as young as 12. I don't care how well written and intriguing the premise is, if it's littered with garbage. I've read more tasteful adult novels.

Please change this. I cannot stress that enough.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

House of Roots and Ruin… I still can't believe I got an advanced copy-- I literally screamed "I can't believe I got this!!" to my husband.

He had no clue what I was talking about.

House of Salt and Sorrows was one of my favorite reads last year (I read it a bit late ok?) and I am pleased to say that <b> House of Roots and Ruin </b> will be a favorite of this year, with no doubt. The beautiful level of atmosphere and detail Erin Craig creates without being overly wordy or descriptive, or boring the reader to death-- is a rare talent.

<b> This book was beautiful and horrid, the contrast painting a vivid image of Verity's journey, with complex characters and twists until the absolute end. </b> I look forward to any Salt Sisters --or unrelated-- books that Erin writes, but for now I leave this one with 4.5 stars rounded down.

A beautifully eerie gothic thriller. This book had me captivated from the very first page. Years after the events of House of Salt and Sorrows comes this enthralling story about the youngest Thaumes sister Verity trying to make her own path but finding herself caught in a dark and sinister world, plagued by nightmares and ghosts.

A very spooky, darker themed story, with so much mystery that I couldn’t figure out how it was going to end. I would definitely recommend!

Probably should have re-read House of Salt and Sorrows before diving into this because there are a few references at the beginning to events in the previous book that I had completely forgotten.

But regardless, devoured this! The mystery, the spice 🌶️ and THAT ENDING!!!

I need book three asap!!

House of Roots and Ruin Sisters of the Salt Book 2 by Erin A Craig

544 Pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 25, 2023

Fiction, Teen, Young Adult, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Gothic

The book begins years after the fire at Highmoor. Verity, one of the graces, is still living at Highmoror with her eldest sister, Duchess Camille. She is offered a position to paint a portrait in the blooming lands. Before she tells Camille, she accepts the job. Now she has three months to finish the portrait and decide what to do for the rest of her life. Her life with the Laurents is pleasant enough until it isn’t.

The book has a steady pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view. Great mystery with twists. You don’t need to read the first book in the series before reading this one.

My personal favorite touches Craig sprinkled over the plot would have to be how each sister had specific color schemes, personalized scents and talents. Each bell-ringing detail had me racing to the end of the page, flipping as fast as I could to reach the next clue. If you’re familiar with the story of the 12 dancing princesses, then you’ll love Erin A. Craig’s grim “who-dun-it” twist with the tale. This story is a standalone novel, meaning that, unlike the late Highmoor sister, you won’t be hanging off a cliff at its end.

I loved House of Salt and Sorrows. I picked up the book assuming it would have a similar vibe, picking up where Salt and Sorrows left off. What I got was so much more! I am not a fan of horror movies, but this duology was right up my alley. This story follows the youngest sister from Salt and Sorrows, Verity, almost a decade later. At first, I was disappointed, preferring to continue with the story of Annaleigh, but I quickly forgot all about her as Verity's storyline picked up. From the beginning Craig writes twists and turns that boggle the mind, keeping you guessing and unable to stop reading. Verity, who has been protected ever since the events that burned down their mansion years ago, is finally getting her chance. Oldest sister Camille doesn't think it is wise for Verity to travel to the mainland, but Verity doesn't let her sister stop her. Desperate for her own adventure, Verity soon realizes that maybe her sister was right.

This book kept me up at night in the best possible way. I'm hoping for another sister spin-off soon. This series is too good not to continue.

A terrifying mix of Bluebeard, Doctor Moreau and the Secret Garden, this book made want to turn on all the lights in the house. Craig is way too good at creepy haunted house stories. This has the same vibes as House of Salt and Sorrow but with Verity as the main character it's entirely distinct. Verity as a protagonist is young and a naive which gets a little annoying but it works well with the gothic horror story. The plot is really smart; things that seem like errant details or even plot holes in the first half are all neatly explained in the back. Every description is intentional. It has alllll the tropes of a great gothic horror novel plus a bit of fairy tale magic (but decidedly the Grimms fairy tales, not Disney's).

Probably can be read without having read House of Salt and Sorrow but some plot points will have less of a punch. I do think I liked Salt & Sorrow more, but only because I found Annaleigh to be more compelling than Verity, but that's certainly a personal preference. Definitely would read anything else Craig writes in this world! Or in general.

delightfully creepy, Erin Craig’s latest reinforces her indisputable rule as reigning queen of terrifying YA. (all hail Craig.)

*thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.*

I’d heard so many good things about this and I couldn’t have loved it more!! Great author and series and a definite new favorite 🙌🏽🙌🏽

I am not typically a lover of fantasy/ sci-fi, but this novel was great. The author does a great job of making you feel as though you are being transported into the story by utilizing descriptive writing. I found the main character to be very relatable to my students and think they will enjoy following her story.

A wonderfully creepy addition to Erin A. Craig’s growing lineup of strikingly atmospheric books.

I have yet to read a book by the author that I don’t like and the trend holds true with this latest installment. While we aren’t on the remote islands of Salann or the cut-off-from-civilization Amity Falls as we were in her previous books, we do follow a character that we were introduced to previously. She leaves the remote islands of Salann for a commission, the first time ever that she has left the islands alone, only to find that the family that has commissioned her has just as many secrets as her own did, if not more.

If possible, this book seems like the character is even more cut off from the world, even though she is in the center of a metropolis. The descriptions of the deadly, but beautiful, plants add to a claustrophobic atmosphere while making it sound more like a gilded cage than the new freedom she thought it would bring.

Overall a fantastic read, and one that I will be recommending to anyone that likes a little bit of spooky in their reads.