If you are looking for a new book to add to your favorites, you've found it! (At least I did) It comes as no surprise to me that I was/still am completely enamored by this book.
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Erin A Craig is an absolute genius when it comes to storytelling and is unbeatable when it comes to creating the perfect, lush, gothic atmosphere.
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This book wasn't nightmare fuel but will definitely make you uneasy and give you chills. Full of ghosts and dark family secrets, it will have you questioning so much from beginning to end. (Speaking of which, you cannot even be prepared for this ending! As the pages were dwindling I could see what was coming and was still shocked when it happened.)
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The pace is fairly consistent throughout the story, staying around medium pace until the last few chapters where it really picks up. It's a fairly quick read once you are engrossed in the book.
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The characters are perfectly fleshed out for their parts in this story. I absolutely adore Verity and her mild (not annoying) naivety. And Alex 👀 are you kidding me?! So cute and sweet! 😍 (Kind of a side note but if you are looking for more Annaleigh and Cassius you will not find it here. This is Verity's story but it's fantastic so don't let that deter you.)
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I can't even properly explain how perfect I found this book so please just read it for yourselves to see what I mean! 🖤 Thank you again to TBR and Beyond Tours, NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an e-ARC (and finished copy) in exchange for an honest review.

House of Roots and Ruin takes place years after Erin A. Craig’s excellent House of Salt and Sorrows. Craig could have easily left the world of Sisters of the Salt behind after her first novel, but took a gamble with exploring the world from a younger sister’s point of view.

This time around, the central character is Verity, a young and naïve girl who has spent most of her life sheltered on a remote island. When Verity learns that she’s been seeing ghost for years without realizing it, she runs away, somehow thinking that will make her problem disappear. Over the course of the book, Verity realizes her sister’s concerns are well-founded. Verity’s “gift” has put her in great danger.

Verity is a bit wishy washy to begin with, but if you keep in mind her past, you are able to see growth as House of Roots and Ruin moves forward. As a reader, it’s clear from the beginning that things are not all that they seem; it just takes Verity a little longer to catch up.

Is House of Roots and Ruin better than its predecessor? No. Is the ending more than a little jolting? Yes. Should you still read it? Yes. Craig is masterful at setting a scene, and that alone should get you to open the book. That, plus, it’s a fairly engrossing read.

I need to scream! I don't know where to start? I am spellbound, shocked, I can't even express my own feelings. Whatever adjectives I use to describe this book won't do justice. I LOVED it.

The author has given us a thrilling story that had me biting my nails. This had so many twists, secrets and multiple events that I didn't expect. It was creepy and I am usually not a reader of such books, but the atmosphere the author created was mind-blowing and had me hooked.

The cliffhanger! I knew the ending was wrong, but still reading the epilogue and end of last chapter, I need the next book immediately. I don't think we are done with Verity's story yet and I am glad because I need answers.

This gothic fantasy thriller is definitely a masterpiece. I feel my brain is about to explode. Is that even a thing?

A bit of serious stuff other than my ranting review - the vivid writing, characters, plot. It was complex, intelligent and dark and I urge you all to pick this up. Please!! I suggest going in blind, but if not, read the blurb or my 2 sentences below.

It is about Verity, a girl who feels caged in Highmoor with her elder sister Camille. She gets a chance to visit Bloem for a portrait commission which her sister asks to reject and runs away one night to the place after knowing that she can see ghosts. This is where everything starts and also the romance.

I can go on and on about this book and highly recommend it.

Erin A. Craig never disappoints! I have enjoyed all of her books, and this one was no different. Immersive world building, a compelling story line, a budding romance, and a house, (and family line) where something horrible seems to be lurking just under the surface. This book, a 544 page book, was so captivating that I finished it within a week, and a busy summer week at that! At first I was hoping that I would get some more time with the other Thaumas sisters, especially Annaleigh, but Verity held her own as she began to venture out of the Highmoor estate and find out who she was and what she wanted from life, especially after the revelation that she could still see ghosts around her, she just didn't know it. She was smart and cunning, and I enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the new manor, Chauntilalie, and discovering the dark rot underneath the beautiful facade together. But more than that, I loved the softer moments in the book as I watched Verity and Alex fall in love, and find comfort in each others presence. I could definitely see myself recommending this book to patrons at my library, especially as we enter the fall months.
Thank you to Erin A. Craig for the opportunity to return to Highmoor, and the experience of another exciting adventure with a Thaumas sister. I would do it again if given the chance. (*cough* book three *cough*) (*cough* that ending was open enough *cough*) :)
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the digital arc!

Verity, tired of being kept at home by her older sister, accepts an invitation to paint the portrait of the son of a duke in a nearby dutchy. Bloem is beautiful, full of fragrant flowers, very different from Verity's seaside home. But under the beauty lurks a deep, dark secret.

This was a really good read! I devoured a House of Salt and Sorrow in about a day, and this one almost lives up to the bar set by that book. It's a bit slow in the beginning, but it really grabs you by the end of the book. Highly recommend that if you liked the first book and are curious about what has happened to the six remaining sisters, espeically the youngest one Verity, pick this one up.
Craig paints a wonderful picture, both of light and dark, with her words, and her world building is amazing.

I really love that the ending of the book has left it wide open for a third book!

What a wonderful sequel to book 1, taking place years after the first book ended.
I felt like the story was better and that the characters were perhaps a bit more flat. The world was beautiful if a bit low described. The ending and the last half actually were phenomenal (I loved when more uncanny things started happening) Erin A. Craig is pretty much a auto-read author for me. While I think Small Favors was a stronger story I think this was a divine sequel to HoSaS

I had high hopes for this novel, but it fell flat and I struggled to even finish it. I did not know that this was the second book in a series, but that did not matter as events of the past are adequately explained. There is a slow, long build up that could not keep my attention at all. The characters were hard to get attached to, and the plot was hard to understand, as if the writing had no end point.

I may revisit this one after I read the first, but I have no inclination to read the first at this time.

I want to thank Netgalley and Delacorte Press for an eARC of this book.

Ahoy there me mateys! When I heard there was going to be another book in this series, I was very excited.  Sadly this was a flop.  There were three problems: Verity, the romance, and the plot.

Verity is the main character and she got on me nerves.  She is naïve and childish.  Dare I say stupid?  Aye, stupid. She disregards evidence of evil doings and doesn't consider anything.  She seemingly has the inability to use her brain for critical thinking.  Verity also seems both stubborn and selfish.  I wasn't really rooting for her.  I was waiting for her to show both initiative and spark but it never happened.

The romance was odd and unrealistic even for this gothic setting.  I couldn't tell if the author wanted her to be in love with Alex or not.  Actually, it never seemed like Verity knew if she wanted to be in love with him either.  So, when we are finally told Verity does love him, it seems to be out of nowhere.  As a character, Alex was light on real substance.  Plus the thrown in lust triangle was ridiculous.

The plot was just convoluted and nonsensical.  Verity is supposed to see ghosts but this is not used as a plot point particularly well.  Also the set-up to the story was amnesia about Verity's past.  I thought that was a weird choice.  The mystery of the house was seriously laughable as were the hints about the number 3.  Even the timeframe was awkward.  The pace was slow so it seemed like no action happened at all for 3/4 of the book.  Then, sadly, the action was a soap opera with a ridiculous twist that seemed obvious.  The cliff hanger ending was also super lame.  How can Verity be THAT stupid?  Actually all of the characters had flaws when it came to logic and long range planning.

I could write a lot more about the specifics that irked me (peacocks, tea, manservant, experiments, Alex's parents, etc.) but I don't want to think about this book anymore.  Shame because the first one was fun.  Arrr!

How could I not read this book after the fabulous reviews for the first book, House of Salt & Sorrows? My bad here, since I didn’t read #1 first. As luck would have it, House of Roots and Ruins spends an enormous amount of time bringing readers up to speed. Meet the younger sister, Verity, our main character. The setting of the gardens is lovely, the author does a fabulous job of taking time to smell the flowers. The beginning pace was too slow for my attention span. But once the tension began to build, I understood what everyone was talking about. Suspense ensues over family secrets and tales of the past with horrific twists and undeniable suspense. I had a hard time keeping all the names straight but there was fair warning by reading the name-heavy description. I will go back and read the first book!

It's been a long time since I've read House of Salt and Sorrow, and aside from some mentions here and there, I didn't really need to refresh my memory to read and enjoy House of Roots and Ruin.

One thing I do remember from the first book is that deliciously dark and spooky atmosphere. Take that and multiply it, and you have House of Roots and Ruin. I'd hate to give anything away, but rest assured that when you think you know what's going on, there will be another dark plot twist and another terrible secret revealed to entangle you all over again. Craig does a fantastic job at vividly describing the scene to put the reader on edge. You know how in horror movies it's usually the thing that isn't there that ends up being scarier than the thing that is there? The author writes those scenes so perfectly: the dark hallway in which anything may be lurking, a scene that may be a nightmare or may be reality, an unreliable character that might have so much darkness below the surface. The whole book is captivating, in that respect.

The characters were all interesting and multifaceted, though I didn't find the romance all that compelling. For me, the sequence of events and ending wouldn't have felt any different if Verity and Alex were just friends. I never felt anything other than friend vibes from Verity, and it truly felt like she consciously decided "eh, if I marry him it'll give me security and better prospects, and I do enjoy spending time with him, so why not?". Less like she was actually in love with him and more like she convinced herself that she could try to fall in love with him. It was just so forced and I didn't feel strongly toward it, and maybe it was dine intentionally to illustrate the time and how women needed to marry or else be seen an unwanted and spinsterly, but it didn't engage me much as the reader.

The book has a slower beginning that really draws you in with the gloomy yet elegant setting, and then gradually gets more and more twisted until, before you know it, you're in the middle of a thickly-woven plot full of twists and action. I really enjoyed the pacing throughout the book and couldn't stop turning the pages, even during the slower parts. There were clues dropped throughout the final pages of the book that hinted at the ending, though when I read the final page I was still like OMG what happens next?! In this case, I love the kind of open-ended note and final feeling of horror that dawns on the reader.

This was even better than House of Salt and Sorrow, and I can't wait to read what the author comes up with next!

Wow! Just Wow. I read The House of Salt & Sorrow in preparation for this tour. I thought the first book was dark & creepy but it turns out the world these books are written in are just all around dark & creepy!

I love the gothic setting, the characters are dynamic and unique, and you don’t know if your reading a psychological thriller, fantasy, or horror. I am so happy I had the chance to read this book.

This is filled with twists and turns, mind games, and tricks. I 100% recommend it to anyone who loves the macabre.

Appearances can be deceiving...............

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig is a fantastic gothic romance which hits you very differently. The plot unfolds where we find a girl Verity searching for her true self. And, when we come to think that it is a perfect love story, ghosts from the past enter the scene. For a second, I was dazed by the intensity of the plot. I would leave it to the readers to think, whether it is horror or a romance one. The book is one of its kind with some mysterious events going around in a house. The book attracts attention right from the beginning.

Definitely 5 stars for the book. And, thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an opportunity to be a part of the blog tour.

As much as I was hoping for a direct sequel I ended up loving this one for what it was. Another story set in the same world. I loved the spooky more thriller aspect of this one. It wasn't horror but still super creepy. I know I will not be going into any rooms without the lights being turned on. I love how dark this one was but also being YA. I loved the characters as they just rounded out the story and made it full. All aspects of this one worked hand in hand to make it an incredible adventure.

It’s been 4 years since the first book – House of Salt and Sorrow and I don’t remember much of what happen on that book. Fortunately, you can read this sequel just fine because it set in the same universe but following a different character (sister).

Although, I advise reading the 1st book if you haven’t because some things mentioned in here could spoil the 1st book.

I really like the writing style, it was easy to follow and the plot flows smoothly as well. The mystery of Laurent family keeps me interested which makes it really hard to put down this book.
I can feel the eerie atmosphere from the creepy sounds when the FMC was investigating the manor at night!

The characters are well developed, I really like Verity. She’s a brave and determined women. I also enjoy her blooming relationship with the MMC – Alex.
Alex is sweet and charming, although sometimes Alex gets slightly too sappy and emotional.

There’s a lot of twists in here, some of my theories are right but some was really unexpected!
The last few chapters were really intense and I felt so anxious as I read it...

Overall, this is a fantastic sequel. It’s very enjoyable and very addicting!
I highly recommend it if you love to read a gothic fantasy story with ghosts, creepy experiments and dark secrets!

I can’t wait to find out what happens next and more about this universe following different sister of the salt as well as the Gods and Goddess.
My only wish is I hope we don’t have to wait for another 4 years to get the next book!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Child death, murder, body horror, gore, brief mention of sexual assault

A huge thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

At seventeen, Verity is the youngest of the twelve Thaumas sisters and has spent her whole life at Highmoor. Only she, her sister Camille, and Camille’s family now live at Highmoor, but Verity longs for her own adventures away from the island. When she receives an offer from the Duchess of Bloem to paint a portrait of her son, Verity belives it’s the perfect opportunity to begin her own life. But Camille vehemently opposes her leaving. Why? Because Verity sees and speaks to ghosts, something she was unaware of.

I love settling in with a good Gothic novel. This one is blanketed in atmosphere, and I enjoyed exploring Chauntilalie along with Verity as she discovers secret passages and hidden gardens. I admired her independence and need to strike out on her own. At first glance, the Duchess and her family seem like lovely people, and Verity can’t believe her good fortune. Alex is kind, witty, and very charming. He’s also in a wheelchair due to a childhood accident, and I applaud the author for this disability representation. He and Verity are full of insecurities about themselves, and I liked seeing them work through them together. After her arrival Verity gradually discovers several oddities and inconsistencies at Chauntilalie. But can she trust what she sees? It soon becomes clear the house and its residents harbor many secrets, some of which are truly horrifying.

With its complex plot and shocking surprises, I couldn’t put this book down. I stayed up far past my bedtime finishing it because I couldn’t go to sleep without knowing what happened. And that cliffhanger ending is a doozy.

This is the third title I’ve read by this author, and I’m a confirmed fan. She’s a master at weaving atmosphere. House of Roots and Ruin could technically be read as a standalone, but to avoid spoilers for the first novel in the series, House of Salt and Sorrows, I’d recommend reading them in order.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Even though this story is marketed as a sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows, I would classify it more as a companion novel. That being said, I highly recommend reading HOSAS, which is incredible!

Craig knocks it out of the park yet again when it comes to creating a spine tingling atmosphere packed with unease and tension, which is palpable as soon as Verity arrives at Bloem.

I will warn y’all that this book is a slow burn since the first half of the story focuses on Verity and her flourishing romance with Alexander. While I wasn’t really a fan of this romance subplot, I loved the disability rep and the constant discussion that Verity and Alexander had regarding Alexander’s disability.

The story really takes off after the 50% mark, and that’s when I was absolutely hooked. There were so many unexpected twists and turns as well as exposed secrets and betrayal. I was here for it!

Overall, HORAR is a fantastic follow up to HOSAS and is the perfect gothic read for all of those horror fans!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was okay with the first book being a standalone, even though I wasn't the BIGGEST fan of that ending. But in all honesty, this one really stepped up to plate in being a sequel better than it's original.

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig is a YA fantasy sequel to House of Salt and Sorrow.
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?
When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

THIS SERIES IS THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER. IF YOU LIKE GOTHIC FAIRY TALE RETELLINGS, READ THESE ONES NOW. DO IT, THANK ME LATER.

I really loved that this book picks up where House of Salt and Sorrows left off, but we get a slight twist with this being focused around Verity instead. It incorporates the first book, but it would really do well as a standalone! This book really made me want more Sisters of the Salt stories.

I really loved the gothic, spooky vibes of this story. I couldn’t put this book down once I got to the second half; it started really picking up with the twists of the plot. I’m really looking forward to seeing if we get any answers, since this book leaves on a cliffhanger.

I’d recommend this to anyone interested in spooky, YA novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the ARC!

Such a good read! I loved the atmospheric writing style and lush story. You don’t need to have read the first book to love the second, though having finished this makes me want to reread the first. Spooky, gothic, and trailing fingers along your spine, Verity’s journey captures your attention and doesn’t let go until the last page.

I absolutely adored House of Salt and Sorrows so I was incredibly excited to read this companion sequel, House of Roots and Ruin.
Craig once again demonstrated her mastery of atmosphere, this time in Bloem, a town characterized by flowers and plants rather than the sea, though the floral setting made it no less dark and fantastical. The Laurent family home made for an interesting setting filled with even more interesting characters.
I really liked the overall story. If I had one complaint it’s that while Verity was sheltered and naive, some things she failed to pick up on once she had some knowledge of what was going on felt unrealistically stupid. Nevertheless, I loved this book and I hope to see more of the Sisters of the Salt.