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.

House of Roots and Ruin is the sequel to the Sisters of Salt but I think it can be read as standalone, the relevant events of the previous book are mentioned, although I recommend reading House of Salt and Sorrow first for a better experience.

Verity is the youngest of the Thaumas sisters, at almost 18 years old she is ready to leave her seclusive manor and her overprotective sister, when the opportunity presents itself she runs away from home. She is a talented painter and is hired to paint the portrait of Chaunilalie's heir.

It was more atmospheric gothic rather than a dark fairytale as it is the previous book, some descriptions, especially in the mansion reminded me a bit of The Crimson Peak and Daphne du Maurier's stories. Chaunilalie is a big manor with secret passages and hidden doors.

The setting was wonderfully mysterious with overtones of horror and paranormal. The story is slow which is good because it allows you to get to know Chaunilalie, at first glance a beautiful mansion, with blooming gardens and unique trees, but the more you observe, you discover that there is something strange and spooky happening in the house and the family.

Verity is a good lead character, she is a curious, smart, and down-earth girl, she wants to own her destiny and life but shadows and ghosts keep haunting her. Alex is the romantic interest, he was sweet a romantic dreamer who has his head in books and due to a child accident, and due to an accident when he was a child, he uses a wheelchair.

I liked both characters, but in romance, I feel something has missing a spark that is present in the other books of the author, it's weird because I feel the romance was slow but fast at the same time.

The first part of the book shows you the manor, you walk through the gardens, have picnics by the lake, and you meet the family it's the second part where the action begins with twists, and turns. Underneath the pretty flowers hide creepy secrets.

It's supposed to be a standalone and it is, until you read the last paragraph and the epilogue, now it needs answers.

PS: I would love a novella about the Gods, Goddesses, Tricksters, Harbingers, and Immortals. The mythology and folklore are fascinating and there is still a lot to show.

Read it if:
• Like YA atmospheric gothic stories 
• Want something with spring spooky vibes
• Mystery, the language of flowers
• House with secrets and garden with poisonous flowers
• Paranormal creepy  

Thanks to Turn the Page Tours and Delacorte Press for ARC, I received a copy as a part of the promo tour in exchange for a playlist inspired by the book and an honest review.

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig is a dark, eerie fantasy sequel to House of Salt and Sorrow. Set several years after the first book, House of Roots and Ruin sees the youngest sister, Verity, embark on her own ghostly adventure.

I really enjoyed this book! Its been a while since I read House of Salt and Sorrow so it was nice with the little refresher scenes but also i think this novel stand pretty uniquely on its own too! I actually think I enjoyed House of Roots and Ruin more than the first one!

I loved the ghostly, spooky vibe of this book. Some of the scenes were pretty horrific but it fit the theme! It was really fun to read about Verity and her ability to see and interact with ghosts. I also really liked Verity as a character and enjoyed reading this book with her.

I'd definitely recommend House of Roots and Ruin to lovers of the first book and both of the books to anyone who wants an eerie young adult read!

Thank you to Turn the Page Tours and Delacorte Press for a gifted copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions contained within this review are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Children’s, and Ms. Craig for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I really enjoyed the first sisters of the salt book and was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this one just as much. Definitely a slow starter like its sibling, it got going once Verity was out from under the protective watch of her big sister Camille. Verity has been offered a commission to paint the son of the Duke in Bloem, a garden-centric district where people are very into gardens and the language of flowers. It’s immediately clear that something is definitely off there but what? I hesitate to get too descriptive because it would be easy to spoil things but let me just say that the creep factor is at its max here. The entire book I thought, hmm, ‘what a pleasantly creepy book’, but then, omg. THAT ENDING. No, not the epilogue, although that clinched it, but seriously. That last paragraph of the final chapter. I read it, did a double take, re-read it, then re-read the entire last two chapters. *Then* I went straight to Netgalley and goodreads to see if anyone else noticed. I want to discuss that ending with someone so bad!!!!!!!!!! Suffice to say, Ms. Craig knocked that ending out of the freaking park. Wow. A-MAZ-ing. I’ll be thinking about that for a while. How can she leave it that way? I’m guessing future sisters of the salt books will feature other sisters but I really hope Verity gets a revisit so I can find out WHAT THE **** HAPPENED.

Verity feels trapped by her life in Salann, stuck in her family’s estate with her older sister Camille, who is the head of the estate. Camille won’t let her leave Highmoor, even though all of her other sisters have been allowed to travel throughout the continent. When Verity is invited to paint a portrait of the heir to Bloem by an acquaintance of one of her sisters, she seizes the chance to spread her wings and sneaks off without Camille’s permission. As Verity arrives in Bloem and meets the Laurents, she is immediately taken by the manor and the subject of the portrait, Alexander. She finds herself falling for him, but as they grow closer, secrets cannot remain hidden. Verity’s long forgotten memories begin to resurface, as well as the horrors of the beautiful Bloem.

I truly enjoyed the first of this series and was excited to learn that a second books was on the way. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, it seems that many times book 2 tends to be a bit of a letdown but that was not the case here. It was helpful that you didn’t have to read the first book or have much knowledge of it to be able to appreciate this story on its own. I am very curious to see what happens next, as this was left on a bit of a cliffhanger.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: fantasy horror, plants, magic, fairytales, mystery

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 2/26 and my book blog as of 3/8 and has been posted to Instagram as of 3/19.

I absolutely loved this! There's a lush setting, ghosts, murder and mysteries, and plants plants plants! The setting is atmospheric in a very different way than Highmoor was. Where Highmoor had the drafty manor and moody sea vibe going, Chauntilalie has plants galore and twisting rooms and gardens. I really loved the descriptions of the estate and surrounding land. It was so beautiful but kept so many secrets and horrors. I also loved the obsession with plants, experiments, and genetics. It was perfectly creepy in a completely different way. There was so much focus on perfection in Bloem, and within Chauntilalie itself, and even botanical experiments took on a sinister tone.

One thing I will say is that this book is much, much less scary than HoSaS. I didn't actually mind the horror aspect from the previous book even though I tend to be easily freaked out by that stuff. At the same time, this book has a different take on creepiness/suspense that I think works well for this book. The perpetrator is different, the motive is different, the setting, the targets, and I think the focus on switchbacks and suspense works very well for this book.

Verity starts the story feeling restricted by her life in Highmoor. All of her sisters aside from Camille have left the estate and are living their own lives and Verity is well past ready for her turn. Despite having spent most of her life either with Annaleigh at Hesperus or with Camille at Highmoor, Verity is extremely compassionate and eager to help other people. She also has the ability to see beauty where other people might not. Verity's compassion is part of what jumpstarts things, though there are already undercurrents of things being not quite right. I really liked Verity's journey in this book as she tries to figure out who she is and how she wants to live her life going forward.

Alex surprised me. I thought he was going to be one of the problems at Chauntilalie but he turned out to be a fantastic friend (and more) to Verity. He has slightly different views of what constitutes beauty than most of Bloem, including his parents. He also seems to have the same compassion as Verity. I really like Alex's character and how gentle and sweet he is.

Their love is both insta-lovey and not. Alex and Verity begin flirting almost immediately and quickly begin courting. While it happens quickly, I appreciate how Verity takes time to figure out what she wants and make the distinction between lust vs love.

Camille is the only sister from HoSaS that's in this book, though all the living sisters (and the dead ones, actually) are mentioned. So we get updates on Annaleigh! Camille comes across as quite strict and inflexible at first, but her concern and love for Verity is real. There are a handful of other side characters who play various roles as well. Dauphine and Gerard are Alex's parents and are immediately welcoming to Verity. Marguerite is Alex's grandmother and is not welcoming to Verity...ever. Other characters are a bit spoilery, but there's multiple layers to each that slowly get revealed over time.

Also, that ending...we're going to get more from the Sisters of the Salt, right?! I absolutely need to see another book with the Thaumas family in it, preferably one that centers Verity again or Annaleigh (or both), but I would also love to see something with Mercy, Honor, or Lenore. I feel like each of those three has a really good setup for a future book, and Lenore feels like a bit of a mystery in and of herself.

I knew it was going to be hard to read a sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows, because IT WAS SOO good! The author made a clever choice in not having the main character (sister) as our heroine but rather one who we did not get to spend a lot of time with in the first one. However, 90% of this book takes place on a different estate so those looking for the sea atmosphere from the first will only get a dabble of it. Most of this one is in an entirely new place where gardens and flowers are the reigning features. It has many Secret Garden vibes but also plenty of horrific twists that Erin Craig is making herself known for. I wonder if we will see more of the other sisters in the future in other different types of kingdoms?

What a page turner! This sequel to, "House of Salt and Sorrow' is a worthy follow-up. This story follows the youngest of the Thaumas sisters, Verity, to the kingdom of Bloem where she has been commissioned by the Duchess to paint of portrait of her son, Alexander.

Upon arriving, Verity finds the house and grounds beautifully arranged with an abundance plants and flowers and landscaping to keep her busy exploring. She is also intrigued by the handsome heir, Alexander, as they spend time together while she is creating his portrait. Not long into her stay, Verity begins to suspect that things in Bloem, and especially at the Laurent Estate, are not as calm and loving as they originally appeared to be. The suspense is palatable as she learns more and more about the family and the secrets they've been keeping.

This sequel did not disappoint and I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the "Sisters of Salt" series! This is a perfect read for fans of Erin A. Craig's other titles, "House of Salt and Sorrow", and "Small Favors." Highly recommended for readers who enjoy suspense, mystery, romance, and horror.

Thank you to Erin A. Craig, NetGalley, and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig is the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows that we didn't know we needed. Occurring several years after the first book, it follows the youngest of the Thaumas girls, Verity. Now seventeen and desperately needing a change of scenery, she takes matters into her own hands and sneaks off the family island to take a commission with a family across the country. Chaos ensues.

Actually, chaos does not ensue for the first half of the novel. In fact, the first half is pretty damn boring. Nothing happens outside of Verity learning more about the family with whom she is staying, flirting with the boy whose portrait she is painting, and exploring the estate and its many whimsies. I imagine Ms. Craig did this at such length to drive home the fact that Bloem is very different from Highmoor and that the Laurent family is open and welcoming where her sisters are not. I understand the need to establish this familiarity for the reader. Unfortunately, it does not make for the most compelling of reads.

Once you hit the halfway point, the story slowly shifts into something darker, and tension builds as Verity realizes all is not as it seems. And when I say slowly, I mean that it takes almost the entire remainder of the novel to ratchet up the suspense and eerieness to the levels of the first book. Again, knowing how it ends, I can see why Ms. Craig is so careful to build each layer of the story. Sadly, I believe she is too cautious, and the pacing suffers.

In a complete turnaround in pacing, the final scenes of House of Roots and Ruin are over before you know it. You obtain so much information at the last minute that I can see how readers might find it confusing. Plus, it contains at least one convenient plot twist that had me rolling my eyes at the lack of complexity to that particular conflict.

Speaking of the story's conclusion, I don't know how to interpret it. Even though I did expect the final twist, the end of House of Roots and Ruin is my favorite part of the novel because it is so clever. (Here is where I hide potential spoilers.) I cannot decide if the ending suggests Ms. Craig is writing a third book about Verity and the Laurent brothers. An entire novel about mistaken identities does not seem like it would be engaging; maybe Ms. Craig has something else in mind. I am cautious about a third book because I like that Ms. Craig unveils one last plot twist during the novel's final sentences. It is a brave thing to do; it certainly closes the story with a bang. However, if the ending is an author hint about a forthcoming third book, my enthusiasm for the final two scenes wanes.

At the end of the day, House of Roots and Ruin is not as good as its predecessor. The horror elements are not nearly as potent, and Verity is not as strong of a heroine. There are some disturbing scenes and dirty secrets, but Ms. Craig takes it easy on the readers this time. Between the story's slow pacing and the lack of major horror elements, the best I can say about House of Roots and Ruin is that I enjoyed what Ms. Craig did with the ending the most.