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.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this title.

I really enjoyed this book, just like Erin Craig's others. It had a great couple of twists at the very end, and I loved the atmosphere and main character. I still love Small Favors best, but this was a good, solid read that I found enjoyable and definitely a bit creepy (though it is not exactly horror, at least not to me).

I loved this book. However, I forgot that I had read this book so long ago. Too much time has passed to write a good review.

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

I have been waiting for this sequel ever since I read House of Salt and Sorrow, a retelling of the Brothers Grimm'a classic fairy tale about the twelve dancing princesses.

Verity has lived all of her 17 years at her family's home, but she's ready to go out into the world to find adventure...and maybe even love. Her older sister Camille doesn't think that's a good idea yet, seeing Verity's youth and inexperience. But most especially, she's concerned because Verity is a bit different - she sees ghosts...and tends to talk to them quite a bit, making the possibility of people on the outside thinking her quite mad.

But Verity is not going to let a little thing like being cursed stop her from living her best life! Her talent for painting soon earns her an invite to the house of a Duchess who's very interested in having her son's portrait done. Verity jumps at the chance to explore the world outside of her family's home, and earn a commission to boot!

Soon after arriving however, Verity feels that things seem a little off in the household, though she can't quite put her finger on what's making her uneasy. Is it the beautiful and seemingly over-cheerful Duchess, or her plant-obsessed husband who is forever experimenting with poisons? While trying not to fall completely head over heels for the unexpectedly handsome and charming subject of her portrait (or will she even really try?!), Verity begins poking around to discover the hidden (and dangerous) secrets of the ducal family,

It's definitely a dark and somewhat creepy gothic story, but that's one of the things I really liked about it. And lots of unexpected twists and turns make for an unpredictable ending.

Really enjoyed this sequel, and honestly feel it would even be fine to read as a stand-alone novel. This one was well worth the wait!

I am on this spooky/eerie YA streak right now so this book fit perfectly into my vibes for reading this month. I havent read the first book so i didnt realize that this main character, verity, is the younger sister of the mc from the first book. it is nice that these are essentially standalones though, so i dont think it affected my reader experience. i really loved the aspect of verity being able to see ghosts, that was something different and jumps right into those spooky vibes. I thought it was all together a good story, the romance was eh, but this book was fine!

Literally this book is STILL wrecking my life and its been like 2 weeks since I read it. I still have so many questions and concerns and questions.

I've loved everything Erin has written so far, so I knew I was going to love this. I should have known she was going to do something that would leave me Not Okay. And she totally did. The ending was absolutely wild and again, I'm still not over it.

I loved being back in this world and I swear if Erin doesn't write a third book following this family and the aftermath of what happened at the end of this book I might die from lack of knowing.

10/10, highly recommend. It's so good.

I got this ARC through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this.

4/5 stars. I throughly enjoy this book. It’s a little larger then House of Salt and Sorrows so I enjoyed that. I also enjoyed that it was a gothic horror type of read. This has become a favorite for me. I was excited to get back into the world of from house of salt and sorrows as I remember liking that book very well.

I enjoyed following the youngest sister through her adventure to another location away from the island and into a more flowery environment. I also enjoyed the mystery that this novel had and the gothic horror vibe that flows throughout. I thought the imagery was nice as well.

For its conclusion, I would say I did kinda see the ending coming. But I still enjoyed it. I also liked the epilogue and I know it could leave it open for a 2nd book in the series which I would throughly enjoy and pick up to read!