Short and Sweet Review
Its been years since the events of House of Salt and Sorrows took place. Now Verity the youngest sister is seventeen and she still lives in Highmoor with her eldest sister Camille, while the rest of their sisters have left and are scattered about. When Verity gets a letter from her sister Mercy explaining that the Duchess of Bloem wants Verity to come there and paint a portrait of their son Alexander. Verity is excited about the opportunity and wants to go, but Camille gives her a hard no, that’s when Verity learns that she’s able to see ghost. Verity ignores Camilles warning and goes to Bloem anyway and she learns that being at Bloem is more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.
Verity has lived at Highmoor her whole life and when she gets Mercy’s letter she knows this is her time to explore the world around her and see what’s out there. Camille immediately shuts down the idea and after they have an argument Camille reveals to Verity that Verity is able to see ghost and she doesn’t want her at Bloem sounding like a mad woman. Verity still feels like she needs to get away and she goes to Bloem with her sisters warning at the back of her mind. At Bloem Verity meets Dauphine, Gerard, and Alex. At first everything seems normal and Verity does her job starting the portrait of Alex. Alex and Verity begin to develop a relationship, these two have a lot in common, mainly how they’ve been sheltered. The Duke Gerard is a botanist and he has some weird plants growing in his greenhouse. Verity sees a lot of weird things at Bloem and she’s having trouble sleeping and she’s hearing things. Verity is determined to find out what’s going on at Bloem and she has to use her ability of talking to ghost to see if she can learn anything. Alex and Verity get engaged and that’s when things really take a turn, more unexplainable things are happening and Verity really has to dig deep to seem like she’s sane.
This book gives off a different feel than the first one, but the writing is hauntingly beautiful. I love the feel of a dark mansion with plants growing everywhere and the ghost also add to the gothic and horror theme. Alex and Verity have a slow burn romance and I also liked the representation of Alex, he’s in a wheelchair, but he does most of the things he wants in life and he’s special. There’s a lot of twists and turns in this book and even if you think you know what’s going to happen there’s another twist. I throughly enjoyed this book and loved seeing the secrets unravel and how Verity dealt with her new found freedom. If you enjoyed the first book, definitely get your hands on the sequel!

It's been 4 years since ‘House of Salt and Sorrows’ came out and I remember absolutely nothing about it other than it's a retelling of ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses’ and that it's super spooky. Luckily, a reread was not needed in order to enjoy this sequel!

And even though the books are technically connected, it makes much more sense to me to call this a companion novel set in the same world rather than a true sequel, as they are quite separate stories. But the one thing that definitely ties the two together is the atmosphere.

EAC is a master when it comes to developing a world shrouded in the dark and the mysterious. This isn't a story that will give you nightmares, but it's definitely one that will have you wary of the things that hide in the shadows. This story pulls inspiration from ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ and ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and creates the perfect blend of scary sci-fi and creepy gothic paranormal.

So yet another book that just cements EAC's ability to weave a delightfully spooky tale!

Okay so House of Salt and Sorrow is one of my favorite books, despite my complicated feelings about the ending, so I have been looking forward to this book FOREVER, and truly truly could not believe I was able to read it early. I am so incredibly thankful.

IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Picking up quite a few years after Salt and Sorrow, Verity is no longer a little girl and trying to find her own place in the world. I fell in love with Verity rather quickly. She's curious, trusting but cautious, passionate, eager, and ready for adventure. I felt so bad for her at the beginning of the novel - having her world upended learning her closest friend and so many of the people she's spoken too are actually ghosts, and everyone on the island probably thinks she's insane always talking to herself.

But this revelation brings her to the Bloem house, where Alexander lives with his parents, and all is...odd. Now I did not love Alexander as much as I loved Verity - he was nice and charming and had big dreams, but he was pretty average overall. But I really did enjoy the blossoming friendship and romance between the two of them and seeing how they both view life. One thing I really liked was how both characters were on different pages feelings wise, it wasn't insta love across the board or mutual slow burn - they developed their feelings at different rates and intensities and it felt very natural.

There were some parts of the story that I saw coming, a few of the reveals I was like CALLED IT, but some of the moments I could not have seen coming. This story gets a lot going on fairly quickly, and there's quite a few mysteries at play and I love the way in which everything is revealed. Craig did an amazing job with foreshadowing and laying hints for every big moment, there wasn't ever really a time where something came out of left field, and it just made everything so much more enjoyable.

AND THE ENDING.

THE ENDING.

The ending got me so good that I actually ended up messaging Erin about it, and she is so incredibly kind despite her slightly laughing at my despair. (I kid, she really is sweet)

But the ending has so much going on and so much revealed and then just leaves you going HOLY SHIT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

This is by far one of my favorite books of 2023 and I truly truly cannot wait for it be out in the world.

I really enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows, so of course I had to jump on the chance to read House of Roots and Ruin early.

It did not disappoint. I love the way Craig writes a lush and vibrant, yet gothic, world. It’s hard to describe honestly, but I loved every detail. Every crumb of secrets I could latch on to. I had wild theories and voiced recollections. (Thank the book Gods my BFF is also reading it.)

The story was so different from Salt and Sorrow, but similar. It felt like home in a way. I loved every twist and encounter. This world Craig created is one I’d happily revisit over and over.

3 out of 5 stars. To be released July 2023.

I love Erin A. Craig's first book, House of Salt and Sorrows. This book is a spin off of the first, following Verity as she is commissioned to paint a portrait of Alex, the future duke of Bloem. Craig crafts a creepy atmosphere in her description of the going-ons at Chauntilalie and plants seeds of distrust with Alex's parents. It took about half way through the book for things to start getting interesting as the twists and turns started to appear more. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Salt and Sorrows, but it was still enjoyable for what it was.

I loved the first book in this series (duology...? I don't know), and had high hopes for this one - I was not disappointed! I'd even go so far as to say you can definitely read this one as a standalone if you wanted to, not having to read the other book at all in order to get invested and enjoy this gothic, spooky, ethereal story.

4.25 stars!
I haven't read book 1 and I think you can read it as a stand alone in my opinion. The gothic fantasy mystery vibes the book provides is so good like I was like shocked. This book made me realize that I need to go back and read book 1 hehehe. The pacing of this book was overall a medium paced book (slow and first and then fast towards the end). The complexity of the characters and the plot was amazing and I do think that reading book 1 may provide some information and deeper details about the book 2!


Thank you netgalley, Random House Children's, and Erin A. Craig for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A lush and poisonous gothic fantasy that drew me in and wrapped me in a story I could not escape.

House of Roots and Ruin is everything that made House of Salt and Sorrows amazing, dialed up to 11. Rich, atmospheric locations filled with mysteries lingering in the shadows, complex characters that keep you guessing, and a story I had to stay up all night to finish.

And then sit there to think about what Erin A. Craig had just done to me.

This time we follow the youngest Thaumas sister, Verity who dreams of a life beyond the crags of Highmoor even if her sister Camille is staunchly against that idea. When the opportunity to use her skills as a painter arrives in the form of a request from the Duchess of Bloem to create a portrait of her son arrives, Verity jumps at the chance.

Which is when things take a turn. She and Camille clash, and she finds out that she has been seeing ghosts for years, ghosts she cannot tell apart from the living. Verity flees her home, heading for Bloem in a haze where she is welcomed with open arms.

There she finds the enigmatic Alex, whom she quickly finds herself falling for, strange screams in the night, the Duke performs strange experiments in his greenhouse filled with poisonous and hallucinogenic plants, and the strange demeanor of the Bloem family puts her on edge as she tries to find her way.

From there the story twists and turns, with a story that welcomes you in and then captures your attention entirely. I never saw the ending coming, and I devoured the ARC I was sent, savoring every syllable.

This is a book built for gothic romance lovers, and it does not disappoint.

I missed the sisters a lot so it was nice reading about them again. It had really good mysteries and plot twists just like the first book. And I recommend it for everyone who liked the first one.

I knew upon reading House of Salt and Sorrows that Erin A. Craig had created a world that needed more stories. I was thrilled when I learned she was returning to this world and these characters with a follow-up novel.

House of Roots and Ruin follows the youngest Thaumas sister, Verity, and shows the effects of the events that transpired in House of Salt and Sorrows upon her life. I really liked how Erin took what was established in book one and threaded it through the plot of book two. While this book follows a different sister, which makes it seem more like a companion novel than a true sequel, I think readers would understand the story if they were familiar with the first book. The stories weave together in intricate ways.

The story itself is a bit slower paced than I anticipated, but it has a good balance of fantasy elements and horror that kept me reading. Erin always does a great job creating super atmospheric places and giving such vivid details to her prose. It all reminded me a bit of The Secret Garden mixed with Jane Eyre mixed with Frankenstein. A truly Gothic thriller with so many twists and turns and horrific reveals.

The ending felt a bit rushed to me. Some of the plot points kind of dropped once certain conflicts were resolved. And while I know the romance was meant to be rushed on purpose for plot, it still felt a little too rushed at the end and I wish things had been a bit more natural and believable between Verity and Alex.

But overall, House of Roots and Ruin is a good sequel, giving a glimpse of what happened to the Thaumas sisters after House of Salt and Sorrows while also letting Verity shine as the protagonist of her own story.

Sometimes, I get a little anxious about giving a five star review to a book that isn't critically-acclaimed ~*~literature~*~, the kind of book that is almost beyond reproach. This book kicked me off that high horse! House of Roots and Ruin is a YA Gothic Thriller (and a spiritual sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows) that isn't perfect and may not be for everyone, but my goodness folks, IT WAS FOR ME.

Twelve years after the events of House of Salt and Sorrows, Verity Thaumas is still at Highmoor manor. Her watchful sister Camille seems desperate to keep her contained there. When Verity receives a tempting invitation to travel to faraway Bloem for an art commission, an ugly truth emerges: The sisters' past encounter with the gods left Verity with the ability to see ghosts. She's been interacting with them for years, believing them to be living figures, and everyone outside her home will think her mad if she's caught. Overwhelmed but unwilling to give up hope for a different future, Verity flees to Bloem. There she takes residence at the estate of the Duke and Duchess, where she was invited to paint a portrait of their charming son, Alex. While she undoubtedly feels a fascination with the estate and a connection to the family— especially daring and keen Alex— strange events begin to unravel her confidence and slowly, the dark secrets of this powerful family make themselves known.

Having read House of Salt and Sorrows probably aided my enjoyment of House of Roots and Ruin, but this book could be read as a standalone. The plot takes place long after the original story, doesn't rely on callbacks, and weaves a tale that's specific to 18-year-old Verity.

Long before the mystery elements came into play, I was drawn in by the characters. Verity is driven by her own naiveté to a degree, so I didn't always agree with her actions. In fact, there were a couple moments where I wanted to yell "GIRL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" But I still found myself rooting for her and her happiness. In the midst of everything, she's discovering what SHE wants and fights for it above all else. Alex pops off the page from the moment you meet him. His chemistry with Verity was palpable and super sweet. However, this story isn't instalove, despite some wonderfully tender moments, and I really appreciate the hell outta that.

The other secondary characters are captivating in their own right, each with a distinct personality and secrets to unravel, especially the Duke and Duchess of Bloem. Everyone in this book has their own motivations that they're pursuing ruthlessly. It keeps the story fresh and fast-paced.

Of course, this is largely a mystery, so I can't speak too much to the greater story other than to say it was deliciously twisty fun that isn't afraid to dive into the bizarre and grotesque. There was so much more to the story than Verity's ability. Yes, there are some horror/thriller cliches involved, but the details are laid out so intricately and the story flows so vividly that I just didn't care.

Finally, the ending. THE ENDING. There was no way I could react the way I did to the ending and not give it 5 stars! The book isn't out yet, there's no announced sequel, and yet I need the sequel IMMEDIATELY!

17 year old Verity Thaumas has remained at Highmoor, her family’s estate, with older sister Duchess Camille following the events from 12 years prior. Her other sisters have all ventured away, fulfilling their dreams, when one day sister Mercy writes that the Duchess of Bloem wants Verity to paint a portrait of her son. Verity is more than excited, but Camille is not. In a blazing row, Camille reveals that Verity has been kept at Highmoor because she is still seeing ghosts and doesn’t realize it.

Shocked and feeling betrayed, Verity runs away in the middle of the night to the Laurents at Bloem. The new land brings her a renewed joy to paint, but so does the heir, Alexander. However, it quickly becomes apparent that something isn’t quite right at Bloem, and Verity is somehow a part of it.

I admire Verity. Her desire to show that she’s more than what Camille fears. To capture her own dreams. I didn’t find this one to be as spooky as House of Salt and Sorrows. I mean, there are ghosts here but there were ghosts in HoSaS too who were way more creepy. There is, however, some super dark parts, so readers be warned. This is labeled horror for a reason.

This is not a standalone novel. I feel like I should have gone back to the first novel and re-read it. There were so many references to it, some vague, some not, that I had to keep double-checking on. With the way this one ended, I can’t help wondering though if the first book was meant to be a appetizer, and now the audience is getting to the main event. I just want to know what happens next, and I really don’t want to wait.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

The second book in the Sisters of the Salt series has the gothic twist with a mystery and ghosts. This will keep you on your toes in the very best way!

O...M....G...... THIS WAS AMAZING!!!

So, so, so good! I give this a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, and the ending 😳, cannot wait for more. I hope @penchant4words is already writting a third!?!

Coming out in just a few more day 'House of Roots and Ruin' is a fantasy thriller, if I do say myself. There are Gods, a little Ghost seeing, and a twisty story of one man's push to create beings above a God.

Many many thanks to @netgalley, @penchant4words, and @randomhousekids for the opportunity to enjoy this book early!

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3.5 stars. hour of Roots and Ruin is the follow-up to House of Salt and Sorrows, but reading the first book isn’t necessary to understand this one. The story is set 12 years after the end of the first book and follows Verity, now almost 18 years old, as she finally leaves Highmore Estate for the land of Bloem. There, she’s taken in by the Laurents, the family of the duke, and commissioned to paint a portrait of their son Alexander. Behind the picturesque beauty of Bloem’s gardens, however, something is festering, especially as Gerard, the duke, continues to breed hybrid plants.

The novel is fast-paced and well-written, and the atmosphere is strange and eerie. I did love the twist, and the book generally kept me guessing. However, the romance, and the relationships between the characters in general, is a bit too YA-esque. Still, House of Roots and Ruin is a quick, fun read that kept me up late into the night.

Great follow-up to House of Salt and Sorrows but can be read as a stand alone novel. Atmospheric will a strong female protagonist.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC

A beautifully descriptive book that will lull you into a false sense of security with the enchantment of Chantililae, complete with the beautiful flowers and grand facade of the estate. I was first introduced to Erin A. Craig's work with House of Salt and Sorrows and fell in love with the story, so I jumped at the chance to get reacquainted with the characters there. This time, I get a chance to see Verity grown and follow up with the events that happened since the first book.
Here, we have Verity in the aftermath of the events from the first book. Verity continues to paint and draw and spends her days with her artwork. One day, Verity gets correspondence from Bloem in which the Duchess requests her presence to paint her son, Alexander's, portrait, as he will be the future Duke of Bloem one day. Verity feels stifled in Highmoor, and so takes this into consideration. Camille, however, is strongly against it. Verity presses to find out why, when Camille reveals to Verity that she continues to see ghosts, long after the house fire 12 years ago occurred. At first, she doesn't believe her, until she sees the ghosts of her long-departed twin sisters, and reveals to her that Hanna, who we see Verity talk to, is indeed, a ghost.
Verity is disheartened, but not completely discouraged, and runs off anyway for Bloem looking for a different life. She meets the duchess, charming Dauphine Laurent, her affable enigmatic husband, Gerard, and her endearing, sweet son, Alexander. They generously accommodate her, including her as part of the family. Verity gets to make herself at home at Chantilale. Gradually, she starts to fall in love with Alexander, whose kind spirit draws her to him. It looks like a fairy tale come true, until the cracks start to show on the beautiful, polished facade, and terrifying, sinister secrets begin to be revealed.
This story is quite different from the first book, but every bit as enjoyable. It's a much slower burn that the first, for one, and you get a lot of description of the loveliness of the house and all the plants that Gerard grows. You also have an adorable, slow burn romance with Alex, the sweet, loveable son of the Duke and Duchess. I love the representation Erin has with him. He's in a wheelchair due to an accident from when he was four. Despite this, he's very charismatic and easy to love, but realistically talks about how his disability impedes him and makes him shier and hard to include people in his circle. He still makes a wonderful, albeit unconventional romantic hero, and it's enjoyable watching his and Verity's relationship grow.
The family has many secrets, and as Verity and Alex's wedding date gets closer, the story takes on a darker and stranger turn where the secrets begin to unravel. I myself didn't see every twist and turn that I get taken to. Everything revs up to an exciting climax, and just when I think the story's going to end one way, I get one more shocking twist that leaves me stunned to a thrilling finish.

I was absolutely blown away by "House of Salt and Sorrows" and when I found out a companion book "House of Roots and Ruin" was being released, I knew this was something I needed immediately. The second book is set about 11-12 years after the events of the first book and still follows the Thaumus sisters, but this time the focus is on Verity and her ability to see spirits. She's invited by the Bloem family to paint a portrait of their son, and is excited to escape from her island... but soon Verity is wrapped up in the ulterior motives of the family, and begins to question reality. A gorgeous gothic novel - reminiscent of "Mexican Gothic". 

I've had plenty of students who've loved 'House of Salt and Sorrows' - I'm sure that they'll be just as excited for "House of Roots and Ruin".

5/5 would recommend. Erin A. Craig never fails to impress.

Thank you to NetGalley and  Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the digital ARC of "House of Roots and Ruin" by Erin A. Craig.

I thought the first book in this series was good, but this one takes the the absolute cake. The first half of the novel is a bit slow and uneventful, but the second half demands to be read in one sitting because it has the most spine-tingling, blood-curdling, did-not-see-coming plots twists I have ever read. Erin A. Craig’s writing is stellar. This novel is atmospheric, creepy, romantic, sexy, fun, and adventurous all in one, and don’t even get more started on how strong and solid her plot line was, all my applauds to Erin Craig, I would read a million books in this series if you let me. Oh my goodness, I will never stop screaming over this book, it is an absolute jaw-dropping, can’t-put-down masterpiece, and this series as a whole is SEVERELY under appreciated. I will be eagerly waiting to see if there is more to come for this universe, and I honestly don’t think I’ll be satisfied until there is, I am never going to shut up about these books!

If (like me) you loved House of Salt and Sorrows...welcome home.

This time we follow the baby sister of the Thaumas family, Verity, except she's all grown up. You don't need to have read HOSAS to enjoy HORAR, though, nor do you need to do a reread to refresh your memory. This story is Verity's and Verity's alone.

I was so happy to get to see more of the world in this fantasy series. Last time we were on an island chain, and this time we're in a garden filled with blossoms, statues, and mysteries waiting to be solved. The plot twists and turns and keeps you on your toes. You're never sure who to trust, or even who is real or who is really a ghost, trapped in a beautiful mansion filled with secrets.

I loved the atmosphere and the story and the characters. I was (pleasantly) surprised by how spicy this book was, compared to its predecessor! I even tried drinking hot tea while reading in bed, hoping to fall asleep and dream of Chauntilalie, but turns out that stuff's full of caffeine. At least I was able to stay up and read late into the night. lol