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Sisters of the Salt #2
Le Manoir de spectres et de fleurs
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2023)A modern masterpiece, this is a classic Gothic thriller-fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig, about doomed love, menacing ambition, and the ghosts that haunt us forever.
In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.
Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.
When their sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem—wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son, Alexander, Verity jumps at the chance, but Camille won’t allow it. Forced to reveal the secret she’s kept for years, Camille tells Verity the truth one day: Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t know it.
Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and—with nowhere else to turn—makes her way to Bloem. At first, she is captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and is quickly drawn to charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent. And soon, to her surprise, a romance . . . blossoms.
But it’s not long before Verity is plagued with nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to show through its sickly-sweet façade. . . .
In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.
Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.
When their sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem—wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son, Alexander, Verity jumps at the chance, but Camille won’t allow it. Forced to reveal the secret she’s kept for years, Camille tells Verity the truth one day: Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t know it.
Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and—with nowhere else to turn—makes her way to Bloem. At first, she is captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and is quickly drawn to charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent. And soon, to her surprise, a romance . . . blossoms.
But it’s not long before Verity is plagued with nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to show through its sickly-sweet façade. . . .
608 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2023
958 people are currently reading
57120 people want to read
About the author
Erin A. Craig
10 books7,038 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.
After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.
An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.
To find out more about Erin and the worlds she creates, follow @penchant4words on Instagram and Threads.
She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.
After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.
An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.
To find out more about Erin and the worlds she creates, follow @penchant4words on Instagram and Threads.
She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,786 reviews
June 14, 2024
this was CRAZY
so many secrets, so eerie, so spooky - in the best way. so much happened in that book wow
so many secrets, so eerie, so spooky - in the best way. so much happened in that book wow
November 18, 2022
I am absolutely delighted to share the next chapter of the Sisters of the Salt and can’t wait for you to (re)meet Verity Thaumas!
July 5, 2023
its been 4 years since ‘house of salt and sorrows’ came out and i remember absolutely nothing about it other than its a retelling of ‘the twelve dancing princesses’ and that its 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 isnt a story that will give you nightmares, but its 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 EACs ability to weave a delightfully spooky tale.
a big thanks to random house / delacorte press for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
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 isnt a story that will give you nightmares, but its 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 EACs ability to weave a delightfully spooky tale.
a big thanks to random house / delacorte press for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
January 24, 2024
Three things I have to say after reading this OUTSTANDING novel!
-This is even better than "House of Salt and Sorrows."
-This book ruined me for any other YA fantasy/sci-fi novels. Now, I compare each of them with this book, and I probably won't enjoy most of them.
-That jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, earth-shattering ending of the book made me scream in the middle of the night. I need a sequel, and I absolutely need it ASAP! My brain cells are about to burst out! I keep thinking about those unexpected, shocking twists and hitting my forehead with my palm, screaming, "how could I not see them?" It's obvious we have a very intelligent trickster author who writes hell of brilliant books that rock our world!
This book is an amazing mashup of "The Island of Dr. Moreau," "The Haunting of Hill House," several Toro movies including "Crimson Peak" and "Pan's Labyrinth."
You are drawn into a complex, riveting, and very much intriguing, bleak, dark plot, getting startled by an intense, disturbing, gothic atmosphere. It feels like you're transported into the story, feeling branches of trees slowly tingling your neck, smelling those flowers, getting lost in the long corridors of Chauntilalei, playing tricks with you, hearing those ominous peacocks' screams!
The story revolves around seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas, who is stuck in the family estate of Highmoor with her 14-years-older sister Camille and her family, despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores. She lost six sisters, her mother, and father. The rest of her two sisters have already left the mansion to pursue their own dreams, and Camille has no intention of letting Verity out of her sight.
But things suddenly change when Verity's sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem, Dauphine, married to the celebrated botanist Gerard Bloem, is interested in Verity's unique painting talent, requesting her to draw a portrait of her son Alex, who is in a wheelchair after his tragic childhood accident.
Camille puts pressure on Verity to reject the job. When Verity challenges her sister for the first time to find out what's the real reason she's so adamant to keep her prisoner in Highmoor, she finally finds out the ugly truth: she can see ghosts but she cannot differentiate them from real people.
Verity decides to take her fate into her own hands, leaving Highmoor in the middle of the night, heading to Chauntilalei: Bloem's gothic mansion. Instead of the Duchess Bloem's grumpy mother-in-law, each member of the Bloem family welcomes Verity with open arms. She finds herself falling in love with Alex, but the screams of peacocks in the middle of the night, the creepy botanic house where Gerard works on his special experiments that are filled with poisonous plants affecting you with hallucinations, the awkward manners of family members as if they're keeping things away from her, give Verity second thoughts about adjusting to her new life.
She finds herself at the speed of courtship, at all the haste preparing for the ceremony. What if she gets herself into a more dangerous position by leaving Highmoor? What is Gerard hiding in the study? Who is the servant lurking around the corridors looking exactly like Alex? Is he a ghost? Is there anything nefarious waiting for her behind the secret doors of the manor?
This book absolutely took my breath away! I couldn't put it down, and it's still in my thoughts. The jaw-dropping cliffhanger has stayed with me, and I can't wait to read more books by Erin A. Craig. Her brilliant words and fantastic writing style have made me an addict!
Overall, this novel is a masterpiece of gothic fiction that will leave readers captivated and enthralled. Erin A. Craig has proven once again that she is a master storyteller with an incredible ability to weave intricate and compelling narratives.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA fantasy, gothic fiction, or simply a great story that will keep them on the edge of their seat. You won't regret picking up this book, and you'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel along with me!
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-This is even better than "House of Salt and Sorrows."
-This book ruined me for any other YA fantasy/sci-fi novels. Now, I compare each of them with this book, and I probably won't enjoy most of them.
-That jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, earth-shattering ending of the book made me scream in the middle of the night. I need a sequel, and I absolutely need it ASAP! My brain cells are about to burst out! I keep thinking about those unexpected, shocking twists and hitting my forehead with my palm, screaming, "how could I not see them?" It's obvious we have a very intelligent trickster author who writes hell of brilliant books that rock our world!
This book is an amazing mashup of "The Island of Dr. Moreau," "The Haunting of Hill House," several Toro movies including "Crimson Peak" and "Pan's Labyrinth."
You are drawn into a complex, riveting, and very much intriguing, bleak, dark plot, getting startled by an intense, disturbing, gothic atmosphere. It feels like you're transported into the story, feeling branches of trees slowly tingling your neck, smelling those flowers, getting lost in the long corridors of Chauntilalei, playing tricks with you, hearing those ominous peacocks' screams!
The story revolves around seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas, who is stuck in the family estate of Highmoor with her 14-years-older sister Camille and her family, despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores. She lost six sisters, her mother, and father. The rest of her two sisters have already left the mansion to pursue their own dreams, and Camille has no intention of letting Verity out of her sight.
But things suddenly change when Verity's sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem, Dauphine, married to the celebrated botanist Gerard Bloem, is interested in Verity's unique painting talent, requesting her to draw a portrait of her son Alex, who is in a wheelchair after his tragic childhood accident.
Camille puts pressure on Verity to reject the job. When Verity challenges her sister for the first time to find out what's the real reason she's so adamant to keep her prisoner in Highmoor, she finally finds out the ugly truth: she can see ghosts but she cannot differentiate them from real people.
Verity decides to take her fate into her own hands, leaving Highmoor in the middle of the night, heading to Chauntilalei: Bloem's gothic mansion. Instead of the Duchess Bloem's grumpy mother-in-law, each member of the Bloem family welcomes Verity with open arms. She finds herself falling in love with Alex, but the screams of peacocks in the middle of the night, the creepy botanic house where Gerard works on his special experiments that are filled with poisonous plants affecting you with hallucinations, the awkward manners of family members as if they're keeping things away from her, give Verity second thoughts about adjusting to her new life.
She finds herself at the speed of courtship, at all the haste preparing for the ceremony. What if she gets herself into a more dangerous position by leaving Highmoor? What is Gerard hiding in the study? Who is the servant lurking around the corridors looking exactly like Alex? Is he a ghost? Is there anything nefarious waiting for her behind the secret doors of the manor?
This book absolutely took my breath away! I couldn't put it down, and it's still in my thoughts. The jaw-dropping cliffhanger has stayed with me, and I can't wait to read more books by Erin A. Craig. Her brilliant words and fantastic writing style have made me an addict!
Overall, this novel is a masterpiece of gothic fiction that will leave readers captivated and enthralled. Erin A. Craig has proven once again that she is a master storyteller with an incredible ability to weave intricate and compelling narratives.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA fantasy, gothic fiction, or simply a great story that will keep them on the edge of their seat. You won't regret picking up this book, and you'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel along with me!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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December 11, 2025
**4.5-stars**
🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀
House of Roots and Ruin is the second book in Erin A. Craig's tremendous YA-Fantasy series, Sisters of the Salt.
I looooooooved the first book, House of Salt and Sorrows, so much and I couldn't wait to return to this beautifully-eerie world. It was one of my most anticipated YA-releases of 2023 and it did not disappoint.
This story takes place years after the conclusion of the first story. In this one, we're following Verity, who I believe is the youngest of the remaining Thaumas sisters.
Verity is 17-years old and has spent her whole life living at the family estate, Highmoor, now run by her older sister, Camille. The rest of the remaining sisters are all all living in various places around Arcannia.
While Verity loves Camille and loves Highmoor, she's beginning to feel stifled. She wants more.
Any time she broaches the subject of leaving the estate with Camille, however, her hopes are quickly dashed. It seems her sister wants to keep her trapped there, but why?
It's as Verity is struggling with this issue that she receives word from her sister, Mercy, that the Duchess of Bloem is interested in hiring Verity to paint a portrait of of her son.
Verity is more than intrigued. This sounds like exactly the kind of opportunity she needs and the son, Alexander, is a young man just her age. This could be just what she needs, but how will she ever convince Camille to let her go?
As the sisters battle it out, the truth about why Camille wants to keep Verity at Highmoor is revealed, leaving Verity more confused than ever and more determined.
Verity decides she can't wait any longer. Under the cover of darkness she flees, making her way to Bloem.
Once there, she's entranced and impressed with her new surroundings. Bloem is stunning. The Duke is a celebrated botanist and the entire estate is replete with vibrant gardens and active greenhouses.
Additionally, Verity is smitten with Alexander. He's handsome and charming. Their days together fill her with a sense of happiness she has never felt before.
Unfortunately, before long, Verity begins to be plagued by nightmares and dark feelings. Is her past catching up to her, or is something more going on in Bloem?
Reading House of Roots and Ruin was such a beautiful journey. It's different than the first book, because of the setting. We're now removed from the sea and thrust into a more botanical scene, but I still really enjoyed it.
In my opinion, Craig's brand of gothically-infused horror imagery is unmatched in the YA genre. She brings such a rich atmosphere and the spooky imagery is A++.
The romance between Verity and Alexander was so pure and it was sweet watching it evolve. Verity has never had any sort of relationship like this, so she struggled a bit fitting her experiences with her expectations.
I thought that felt very real for a young woman and I enjoyed how Craig let her work through that versus just following a standard romance format.
I also enjoyed very much the complexity of the familial relationships, both Verity's and Alexander's. While the atmosphere was the highlight for me, I think the character work and the way the relationships played out deserve top marks as well.
We know a lot of Verity's family history from the first book, and we do get a bit more here, but learning about Alex's family, the Laurents, was so intriguing. Without giving too much away, I sort of feel like their last name should have been Moreau...
Craig did a great job of steadily building intensity. There is also an overriding mystery that kept me on my toes.
As the end approaches, everything begins to move at warp speed. I couldn't put it down until I got to the end. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out and there were some twists getting there that I definitely didn't see coming.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a darker Fantasy story, particularly if you enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows. While I could see people enjoying this as a standalone novel, I think it would be most impactful if you read the first book prior to this one.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm not sure if there are going to be more books in this world, but if there are, I will absolutely be picking them up!!
🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀🌾🥀
House of Roots and Ruin is the second book in Erin A. Craig's tremendous YA-Fantasy series, Sisters of the Salt.
I looooooooved the first book, House of Salt and Sorrows, so much and I couldn't wait to return to this beautifully-eerie world. It was one of my most anticipated YA-releases of 2023 and it did not disappoint.
This story takes place years after the conclusion of the first story. In this one, we're following Verity, who I believe is the youngest of the remaining Thaumas sisters.
Verity is 17-years old and has spent her whole life living at the family estate, Highmoor, now run by her older sister, Camille. The rest of the remaining sisters are all all living in various places around Arcannia.
While Verity loves Camille and loves Highmoor, she's beginning to feel stifled. She wants more.
Any time she broaches the subject of leaving the estate with Camille, however, her hopes are quickly dashed. It seems her sister wants to keep her trapped there, but why?
It's as Verity is struggling with this issue that she receives word from her sister, Mercy, that the Duchess of Bloem is interested in hiring Verity to paint a portrait of of her son.
Verity is more than intrigued. This sounds like exactly the kind of opportunity she needs and the son, Alexander, is a young man just her age. This could be just what she needs, but how will she ever convince Camille to let her go?
As the sisters battle it out, the truth about why Camille wants to keep Verity at Highmoor is revealed, leaving Verity more confused than ever and more determined.
Verity decides she can't wait any longer. Under the cover of darkness she flees, making her way to Bloem.
Once there, she's entranced and impressed with her new surroundings. Bloem is stunning. The Duke is a celebrated botanist and the entire estate is replete with vibrant gardens and active greenhouses.
Additionally, Verity is smitten with Alexander. He's handsome and charming. Their days together fill her with a sense of happiness she has never felt before.
Unfortunately, before long, Verity begins to be plagued by nightmares and dark feelings. Is her past catching up to her, or is something more going on in Bloem?
Reading House of Roots and Ruin was such a beautiful journey. It's different than the first book, because of the setting. We're now removed from the sea and thrust into a more botanical scene, but I still really enjoyed it.
In my opinion, Craig's brand of gothically-infused horror imagery is unmatched in the YA genre. She brings such a rich atmosphere and the spooky imagery is A++.
The romance between Verity and Alexander was so pure and it was sweet watching it evolve. Verity has never had any sort of relationship like this, so she struggled a bit fitting her experiences with her expectations.
I thought that felt very real for a young woman and I enjoyed how Craig let her work through that versus just following a standard romance format.
I also enjoyed very much the complexity of the familial relationships, both Verity's and Alexander's. While the atmosphere was the highlight for me, I think the character work and the way the relationships played out deserve top marks as well.
We know a lot of Verity's family history from the first book, and we do get a bit more here, but learning about Alex's family, the Laurents, was so intriguing. Without giving too much away, I sort of feel like their last name should have been Moreau...
Craig did a great job of steadily building intensity. There is also an overriding mystery that kept me on my toes.
As the end approaches, everything begins to move at warp speed. I couldn't put it down until I got to the end. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out and there were some twists getting there that I definitely didn't see coming.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a darker Fantasy story, particularly if you enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows. While I could see people enjoying this as a standalone novel, I think it would be most impactful if you read the first book prior to this one.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm not sure if there are going to be more books in this world, but if there are, I will absolutely be picking them up!!
February 1, 2024
4.25 stars
Spoiler-y mini rant below:
What the hell was this ending. If I thought the first book of this series made me question about everything, this one did it even more.
The last sentence of both the final chapter and the epilogue shook me to my core.
I need a sequel to Verity’s story asap! Although, I doubt a new book within this series is going to be happening any time soon, the next book will probably be about another Thaumas sister. Ugh.
I was supposed to read this during spooky month if it wasn't for the reading slump. But, better late than never.
I never knew I needed sequel to 'House of Salt and Sorrows' until I saw this!
Spoiler-y mini rant below:
What the hell was this ending. If I thought the first book of this series made me question about everything, this one did it even more.
The last sentence of both the final chapter and the epilogue shook me to my core.
I need a sequel to Verity’s story asap! Although, I doubt a new book within this series is going to be happening any time soon, the next book will probably be about another Thaumas sister. Ugh.
I was supposed to read this during spooky month if it wasn't for the reading slump. But, better late than never.
I never knew I needed sequel to 'House of Salt and Sorrows' until I saw this!
June 30, 2023
It absolutely KILLS me that I have to write this review. I loved HoSaS more than anything in the world and I was so excited to dive back into their story. I was getting so many vibes of Island of Dr. Moreau and Rappucini’s Daughter and Frankenstein and I couldn’t wait to see where it went.
Unfortunately this was just not it. Verity was SO stupid I couldn’t take it. I don’t know why she needed so many times to be presented with evidence before she finally came to grips with what was happening but her naivety was too much. I hated being in her head and she was so childish.
The plot kind of went off the rails and I wasn’t shocked by any of this “last sentence” nonsense. It was fairly obvious that’s what had happened. And the last few chapters itself were so convoluted and the pacing so off that I just ended up skimming it.
This was also ENTIRELY too long. Nothing happened in the first three hundred pages that couldn’t have been cut and it all amounted to nothing. This was anticlimactic, boring, and so hard to get through. I’m sad to say that I obviously don’t recommend it.
Unfortunately this was just not it. Verity was SO stupid I couldn’t take it. I don’t know why she needed so many times to be presented with evidence before she finally came to grips with what was happening but her naivety was too much. I hated being in her head and she was so childish.
The plot kind of went off the rails and I wasn’t shocked by any of this “last sentence” nonsense. It was fairly obvious that’s what had happened. And the last few chapters itself were so convoluted and the pacing so off that I just ended up skimming it.
This was also ENTIRELY too long. Nothing happened in the first three hundred pages that couldn’t have been cut and it all amounted to nothing. This was anticlimactic, boring, and so hard to get through. I’m sad to say that I obviously don’t recommend it.
Want to read
July 25, 2023Happy release day!! 🎉🎉
I loved House of Salt and Sorrows when I first read it and I'm so excited to jump back into this world 🥰🥰 will definitely try and get my hands on a copy soon! ❤❤
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OMG WE'RE GETTING A SEQUELLLLLLLL 😲😲😲🥳🥳🥳🤩🤩🤩
Tbh I never expected House of Salt and Sorrows to be part of a series- it always seemed like a standalone- but I'm soooo excited for this!!! Can't wait to be back in this world!! Also, LOVE that cover & title 😍😍
Gonna be eagerly counting down the days til July 25th!!
I loved House of Salt and Sorrows when I first read it and I'm so excited to jump back into this world 🥰🥰 will definitely try and get my hands on a copy soon! ❤❤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OMG WE'RE GETTING A SEQUELLLLLLLL 😲😲😲🥳🥳🥳🤩🤩🤩
Tbh I never expected House of Salt and Sorrows to be part of a series- it always seemed like a standalone- but I'm soooo excited for this!!! Can't wait to be back in this world!! Also, LOVE that cover & title 😍😍
Gonna be eagerly counting down the days til July 25th!!
August 26, 2024
5⭐️
I knew I was going to love Verity's story, but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did!!! Gosh this book was just INCREDIBLE.
Verity and Alex's story was a wild one, but man...I was enjoying the ride. Their chemistry from the very beginning was amazing. There wasn't much build up, but it was written in a way that still made it feel as if you've read 100 pages on them. Their personalities just meshed so well and I quickly became enamored with them.
The plot of this book was absolutely WILDDD. It started off a bit slow but it quickly picked up and when I tell you the ball just kept on rolling...It was one thing after another after another and I was NOT ready for it, but I loved it. The plot twists just kept on coming and at no point could I guess what was going to happen next. It was like a thriller with magic and mystery. I loved the way the ending turned out and the journey this book took you to get there.
HOWEVER...it should be a crime that the next book in this series isn't coming until 2026. THAT IS CRIMINAL.
This book was beautiful and magical and mysterious and I could not recommend this series enough. I know it's not finished and it's a long wait but the endings don't leave off on cliffhangers (mostly) and they're SO easy to binge and become immersed. It took me over a year to get to this, and I'm just angry that I didn't read it sooner. 🩷
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't wait to read about Verity's life in this book! I loved her so much in the first one so I hope this book does her justice 💜🩷
I knew I was going to love Verity's story, but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did!!! Gosh this book was just INCREDIBLE.
Verity and Alex's story was a wild one, but man...I was enjoying the ride. Their chemistry from the very beginning was amazing. There wasn't much build up, but it was written in a way that still made it feel as if you've read 100 pages on them. Their personalities just meshed so well and I quickly became enamored with them.
The plot of this book was absolutely WILDDD. It started off a bit slow but it quickly picked up and when I tell you the ball just kept on rolling...It was one thing after another after another and I was NOT ready for it, but I loved it. The plot twists just kept on coming and at no point could I guess what was going to happen next. It was like a thriller with magic and mystery. I loved the way the ending turned out and the journey this book took you to get there.
HOWEVER...it should be a crime that the next book in this series isn't coming until 2026. THAT IS CRIMINAL.
This book was beautiful and magical and mysterious and I could not recommend this series enough. I know it's not finished and it's a long wait but the endings don't leave off on cliffhangers (mostly) and they're SO easy to binge and become immersed. It took me over a year to get to this, and I'm just angry that I didn't read it sooner. 🩷
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't wait to read about Verity's life in this book! I loved her so much in the first one so I hope this book does her justice 💜🩷
December 27, 2023
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!
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!
November 10, 2024
It's been months and I still think about this book's ending.
This was the most perfect mix of whimsy and gothic and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed books like Down Comes The Night and Belladonna.
This was the most perfect mix of whimsy and gothic and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed books like Down Comes The Night and Belladonna.
May 29, 2024
this book?? that ending?? what did i just read???
for a young adult book, this was DARK. this plot definitely felt darker than house of salt and sorrows.
was i deeply unsettled? yes. were my eyes glued to every single page? also yes. while i preferred the seaside setting of the first book, i still felt completely consumed by the chilling chauntilalie house.
if i were to pick taylor swift lyrics for this book it would be:
wise men once said
one bad seed kills the garden
🪴🌺🥀🏚️
for a young adult book, this was DARK. this plot definitely felt darker than house of salt and sorrows.
was i deeply unsettled? yes. were my eyes glued to every single page? also yes. while i preferred the seaside setting of the first book, i still felt completely consumed by the chilling chauntilalie house.
if i were to pick taylor swift lyrics for this book it would be:
wise men once said
one bad seed kills the garden
🪴🌺🥀🏚️
Want to read
November 22, 2022Any fans of House of Salt and Sorrows here?! A NEW SEQUEL WITHIN THE SAME WORLD!
October 5, 2023
6 ★ !!
──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────
"𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜."
if erin craig has a thousand fans, i am one of them. if erin craig has one hundred fans, i am one of them. if erin craig has five fans, i am one of them. if erin craig has one fan, that is me. if erin craig has zero fans, i am dead.
i'm going to start off by saying this book is absolutely amazing !! it's dark, creepy, gothic, the world building is stunning. the ghosts really put this book over the top, the plot twists were insane and i didn't see any of them coming !!
𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙙.
let's talk about that ending. like wait one frigging minute ✋🏼✋🏼 THERE BETTER BE A SEQUEL OR I AM SUEING. the whole book was amazing, but something about that last 100-150 pages kept me absolutely enthralled, the final twists, everything went from one to a hundred in a minute. but in absolutely the best way possible !!
i loved the descriptions of bloem, it was beautiful. in my opinion, i loved getting to see the different traditions in bloem, that were so very different from salann, or highmoor. i loved the speaking flower part, which also made the ending seem so freaking better
"𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨. 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨."
♡ verity
i loved her, she's smart, honest, and a new favorite fmc. however, she could be a tad bit naive at times. (spoiler alert »--►) like cmon not believing that gerard would take a life? especially after you seeing him at unholy hours with an apron covered in blood? but you stupidly believed him saying it was just beetroot juice??? and instead thought it was dauphine? like no, i cannot see dauphine doing it, but gerard? 100%
♡ alexander
i really really liked him. he was so different from your common egotistical, cocky macho man love interest that we see so often. he was sweet, kind, caring, and i absolutely loved everytime he got nervous about verity because that was just absolutely so cute. i loved the wheelchair representation, and i think erin craig did an amazing job to show that. showing how things needed to be adjusted for him, the lift, the ramps, and frederick. and then showing others reactions to it, and to him.
"𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖'𝙨 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩. 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙪𝙨, 𝙫𝙚𝙧," 𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣. "𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞."
♡ the romance
to me, it just wasn't it. it was probably my least favorite thing about the book, which would normally make me rating drop considerably, because i'm a sucker for some good subplot romance, but i think i just still loved the rest of the book so much that i couldn't not rate this six stars. i didn't like the rushedness of it, or the whole verity's thing of "i dunno what i'm supposed to be doing" and then talking herself into loving him. or the whole forced love triangle with viktor just felt very shoved in there. but overall by the end of the book, i felt with alex and verity married, i liked them together a whole lot more.
𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚--𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨--𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.
this book was the perfect read for spooky season. erin craig is a master when it comes to creating a world shrouded in the dark and the mysteries. this book is dark, gothic, and haunting. this isn't a story that will give you nightmares, but will definitely make you wary of what hides in the shadows.
this story's inspiration was pulled from "the island of dr. moreau" and "the haunting of hill house." and it creates the perfect blend of sci-fi and creepy gothic paranormal.
"𝙞 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩."
spoilers below !!
i am so scared for the sequel because 1. are we sure that it wasn't alex that died instead of viktor? because we know that at first she thought it was alex because she was kneeled next to his body crying. and because of that last sentence about the burial and the dead viktor moving? and doesn't that sound a lot like alex's gift? immortality? and like their identical twins, but like couldn't verity examine viktors eyes a little closer??
and 2. be fr what are they gonna do with all the dead babies in the study?? donate them?? also i will riot if constance doesn't get her burial, thank u very much.
"𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙙."
✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
mwah,
lexi
──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────
"𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜."
if erin craig has a thousand fans, i am one of them. if erin craig has one hundred fans, i am one of them. if erin craig has five fans, i am one of them. if erin craig has one fan, that is me. if erin craig has zero fans, i am dead.
i'm going to start off by saying this book is absolutely amazing !! it's dark, creepy, gothic, the world building is stunning. the ghosts really put this book over the top, the plot twists were insane and i didn't see any of them coming !!
𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙙.
let's talk about that ending. like wait one frigging minute ✋🏼✋🏼 THERE BETTER BE A SEQUEL OR I AM SUEING. the whole book was amazing, but something about that last 100-150 pages kept me absolutely enthralled, the final twists, everything went from one to a hundred in a minute. but in absolutely the best way possible !!
i loved the descriptions of bloem, it was beautiful. in my opinion, i loved getting to see the different traditions in bloem, that were so very different from salann, or highmoor. i loved the speaking flower part, which also made the ending seem so freaking better
"𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨. 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨."
♡ verity
i loved her, she's smart, honest, and a new favorite fmc. however, she could be a tad bit naive at times. (spoiler alert »--►) like cmon not believing that gerard would take a life? especially after you seeing him at unholy hours with an apron covered in blood? but you stupidly believed him saying it was just beetroot juice??? and instead thought it was dauphine? like no, i cannot see dauphine doing it, but gerard? 100%
♡ alexander
i really really liked him. he was so different from your common egotistical, cocky macho man love interest that we see so often. he was sweet, kind, caring, and i absolutely loved everytime he got nervous about verity because that was just absolutely so cute. i loved the wheelchair representation, and i think erin craig did an amazing job to show that. showing how things needed to be adjusted for him, the lift, the ramps, and frederick. and then showing others reactions to it, and to him.
"𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖'𝙨 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩. 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙪𝙨, 𝙫𝙚𝙧," 𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣. "𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞."
♡ the romance
to me, it just wasn't it. it was probably my least favorite thing about the book, which would normally make me rating drop considerably, because i'm a sucker for some good subplot romance, but i think i just still loved the rest of the book so much that i couldn't not rate this six stars. i didn't like the rushedness of it, or the whole verity's thing of "i dunno what i'm supposed to be doing" and then talking herself into loving him. or the whole forced love triangle with viktor just felt very shoved in there. but overall by the end of the book, i felt with alex and verity married, i liked them together a whole lot more.
𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚--𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨--𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.
this book was the perfect read for spooky season. erin craig is a master when it comes to creating a world shrouded in the dark and the mysteries. this book is dark, gothic, and haunting. this isn't a story that will give you nightmares, but will definitely make you wary of what hides in the shadows.
this story's inspiration was pulled from "the island of dr. moreau" and "the haunting of hill house." and it creates the perfect blend of sci-fi and creepy gothic paranormal.
"𝙞 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩."
spoilers below !!
i am so scared for the sequel because 1. are we sure that it wasn't alex that died instead of viktor? because we know that at first she thought it was alex because she was kneeled next to his body crying. and because of that last sentence about the burial and the dead viktor moving? and doesn't that sound a lot like alex's gift? immortality? and like their identical twins, but like couldn't verity examine viktors eyes a little closer??
and 2. be fr what are they gonna do with all the dead babies in the study?? donate them?? also i will riot if constance doesn't get her burial, thank u very much.
"𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙙."
✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
mwah,
lexi
November 22, 2023
Well that was extremely disappointing. The more I think about this the more I really dislike it.
I quite enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows; I'd had a few issues with it, but overall enjoyed it. So I was excited to see more with these sisters and more of this spooky gothic horror setting.
I will give Craig, the atmosphere in this book was on point. She did absolutely nail the gothic atmosphere, which definitely helped this book. It was spooky and unsettling even when other parts of this book faltered. Both houses had such creepy vibes to them, and I was definitely disturbed at parts. The few times the horror elements of this book showed up, it was in fact, creepy. However, one of the major problems of this book is that aside from a few moments here and there, it wasn't really scary.
This book had no idea what it wanted to be. At first it was a gothic story about a girl who can see ghosts, which was fantastic. And then it started to seem like she was being gaslit and manipulated by an entire family, and I was here for it. But then it turned into a weird romance that I'll go more into later. But then after that it turned into a weird sort of mystery. And then the ending went completely off the rails and made no sense.
At first I thought this story was going to be the entire Laurent family trapping her into this marriage, and I was really excited to see where that was going. Everyone was so immediately warm and welcoming to her that it gave off so many red-flags. Alex was immediately in love with her, and I thought for sure it was some sort of ploy. I was very excited to see where that was going.
And then the story dissolved into a weird romance between Verity and Alex. And I was mostly okay with it, because we did need to see Verity falling for whatever trap it was that the Laurents were pulling on her. But the romance was really weird. Verity didn't feel a spark when they kissed, and alright that's fine. I do kind of hate when books make it out to sound like a good kiss requires sparks and fireworks. That is not at all what a good kiss is to me, and I am tired of that cliche. So I was thinking either we were going in the direction of acknowledging kisses aren't always sparks and fireworks, but you can still be attracted to somebody and love someone (which I guess is kind of where it went?) or that it was some subconscious part of Verity not being attracted to Alex as a warning or something, maybe? Granted, it would have made more sense for her to fall head over heels for him, but that's not really what happened.
Anyways, this book turned into a historical ya romance for a very solid chunk of the book. Way too long. It would occasionally go "oh, right, this is a horror" and throw in some moments that were scary, but then they'd kind of be forgotten and we would go back to the really just boring romance. It was so wishy-washy on whether Verity liked Alex or not. She kept questioning whether she did and insisting she loved him, but then wondering why she never felt any chemistry with him. I don't get what the point of that was at all. Especially to then, at the end, go, "never mind, she feels the chemistry now! It's fine!"
Then finally, three hundred pages in, we get the actual plot. It should have not taken that long for the plot to show up. The pacing was all over the place. In the beginning it was kind of find because it felt like we were setting up this creepy, gothic atmosphere and I was cool with that. But then we spent way too long on the romance. The ending was then also so incredibly rushed. The actual plot of the book is less than half of the book, and it is way too fast. We did not need to spend nearly 150 pages on the weird romance to then haphazardly speed through the bullshit plot that makes no sense. I have so much to say about the plot but I think because it's so late game it's all spoilers from here on out basically.
Well that turned into a rant and made me realize how much I really disliked this. Which kind of surprised me because I read over half the book in basically one sitting. Then again, it was a very slow day at work and I didn't have much better to do. Her writing made it easy to get through, and hey I'll give her points for the fact that I didn't realize how much I disliked it until I sat down to write my review. As I was reading it, I thought I enjoyed it. It was a three star book while I was reading it. But then on my drive home from work I went "maybe it's a 2.5, because I do have some issues." And then I sat down and spent an hour and a half writing an angry rant about this. So whoops. Apparently disliked this way more than I realized.
I quite enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows; I'd had a few issues with it, but overall enjoyed it. So I was excited to see more with these sisters and more of this spooky gothic horror setting.
I will give Craig, the atmosphere in this book was on point. She did absolutely nail the gothic atmosphere, which definitely helped this book. It was spooky and unsettling even when other parts of this book faltered. Both houses had such creepy vibes to them, and I was definitely disturbed at parts. The few times the horror elements of this book showed up, it was in fact, creepy. However, one of the major problems of this book is that aside from a few moments here and there, it wasn't really scary.
This book had no idea what it wanted to be. At first it was a gothic story about a girl who can see ghosts, which was fantastic. And then it started to seem like she was being gaslit and manipulated by an entire family, and I was here for it. But then it turned into a weird romance that I'll go more into later. But then after that it turned into a weird sort of mystery. And then the ending went completely off the rails and made no sense.
At first I thought this story was going to be the entire Laurent family trapping her into this marriage, and I was really excited to see where that was going. Everyone was so immediately warm and welcoming to her that it gave off so many red-flags. Alex was immediately in love with her, and I thought for sure it was some sort of ploy. I was very excited to see where that was going.
And then the story dissolved into a weird romance between Verity and Alex. And I was mostly okay with it, because we did need to see Verity falling for whatever trap it was that the Laurents were pulling on her. But the romance was really weird. Verity didn't feel a spark when they kissed, and alright that's fine. I do kind of hate when books make it out to sound like a good kiss requires sparks and fireworks. That is not at all what a good kiss is to me, and I am tired of that cliche. So I was thinking either we were going in the direction of acknowledging kisses aren't always sparks and fireworks, but you can still be attracted to somebody and love someone (which I guess is kind of where it went?) or that it was some subconscious part of Verity not being attracted to Alex as a warning or something, maybe? Granted, it would have made more sense for her to fall head over heels for him, but that's not really what happened.
Anyways, this book turned into a historical ya romance for a very solid chunk of the book. Way too long. It would occasionally go "oh, right, this is a horror" and throw in some moments that were scary, but then they'd kind of be forgotten and we would go back to the really just boring romance. It was so wishy-washy on whether Verity liked Alex or not. She kept questioning whether she did and insisting she loved him, but then wondering why she never felt any chemistry with him. I don't get what the point of that was at all. Especially to then, at the end, go, "never mind, she feels the chemistry now! It's fine!"
Then finally, three hundred pages in, we get the actual plot. It should have not taken that long for the plot to show up. The pacing was all over the place. In the beginning it was kind of find because it felt like we were setting up this creepy, gothic atmosphere and I was cool with that. But then we spent way too long on the romance. The ending was then also so incredibly rushed. The actual plot of the book is less than half of the book, and it is way too fast. We did not need to spend nearly 150 pages on the weird romance to then haphazardly speed through the bullshit plot that makes no sense. I have so much to say about the plot but I think because it's so late game it's all spoilers from here on out basically.
Well that turned into a rant and made me realize how much I really disliked this. Which kind of surprised me because I read over half the book in basically one sitting. Then again, it was a very slow day at work and I didn't have much better to do. Her writing made it easy to get through, and hey I'll give her points for the fact that I didn't realize how much I disliked it until I sat down to write my review. As I was reading it, I thought I enjoyed it. It was a three star book while I was reading it. But then on my drive home from work I went "maybe it's a 2.5, because I do have some issues." And then I sat down and spent an hour and a half writing an angry rant about this. So whoops. Apparently disliked this way more than I realized.
November 16, 2024
2 ☆ | what the heck was this
⤿ major spoilers
“the world is full of madness”
you know what madness is? the fact that this book got published. the two stars are probably being generous, but it did keep me mildly entertained so there’s that. I literally have nothing nice to say about it, so I present to you my second rant/hate review of the year! (the first one being powerless)
let us talk about our fmc, verity. bestie let her mother-gothel-older-sister push and boss her around her whole life. she never ever stood up for herself! she also wanted pity from the reader, I think, when it could’ve all been avoided if she just had a little backbone. I mean really. and none of her other sisters stood up for her either! I literally despise all the characters. anyways, verity is also kind of dumb. there were several things that were VERY OBVIOUS but ofc she didn’t notice. she legit caught a murderer with blood all over him, and he managed to convince bestie that it was beet juice. BEET JUICE. oh, and she found a p0rn book and it made her heart beat really fast. someone kill me now. idk why the heck the author added that lovely part, it made the plot even more of a mess.
the romance was actually the worst. they met a few chapters after the book started and then got ENGAGED 44% through! it felt so freaking forced, they had absolutely zero chemistry, and there was no tension no nothing. our bestie verity strikes again because all she cared about was if alexander was a good kisser (he wasn’t). so then she fell in love with another guy (bc yes, he was a good kisser) and had a lovely little dream about it. so she basically cheated on her fiancé, both physically and in her mind (it still counts), but then she decided that she actually loves alexander oh so much, how could she not see it before!? then they got married in the epilogue and it was the worst ending ever.
oh yes and the plot only started about 62% through the book, we love that <3 and it was just weird weird weird. the vibes weren’t creepy and fun, just morbid and strange. it felt similar to the first one, which I hated. what made it worse was the awful writing style. if you know me, you know I can’t stand when the author tells instead of shows, which is exactly what this author did. And the dialogue was so cringey, I needed cpr.
here are some wonderful examples:
this house has always been full of memories, (...) memories snatched away. memories I’ll never be able to claim as mine. // the over describing help! If your memory is snatched away we know dang well u can’t claim it!
I pressed my lips together, trying to hide the threatening smile. // EW EW EW! I can’t picture anyone doing that irl
“it’s easier to feel bold and cavalier in darkness. easier to play the role of a charming boy meeting a pretty girl for the first time. daylight comes and strips away such audacity. It makes you wonder if you were too forward, too brash.” // the author thought she did something here omg
“I love you,” he said clearly, breaking through my assurances. “I’m trying to tell you I love you.” // TELL ME WHY IT SOUNDS SO FORCED! It should’ve read like this: “I love you,” he interrupted.
He groaned and kissed me deeper, his tongue finding mine. BARF BARF BARF, the romance was so icky
A sigh escaped him. “I ruin everything.” the love interest was soooo whiny!
“More,” I agreed, crying out. “Oh yes, more.” // im sure u can imagine what was going on during this scene hehe I need some bleach for my brain
↳ I do not recommend this to anyone! please, trust me on this!!!
xoxo, Ava <3
⊱✿⊰
⤿ major spoilers
“the world is full of madness”
you know what madness is? the fact that this book got published. the two stars are probably being generous, but it did keep me mildly entertained so there’s that. I literally have nothing nice to say about it, so I present to you my second rant/hate review of the year! (the first one being powerless)
let us talk about our fmc, verity. bestie let her mother-gothel-older-sister push and boss her around her whole life. she never ever stood up for herself! she also wanted pity from the reader, I think, when it could’ve all been avoided if she just had a little backbone. I mean really. and none of her other sisters stood up for her either! I literally despise all the characters. anyways, verity is also kind of dumb. there were several things that were VERY OBVIOUS but ofc she didn’t notice. she legit caught a murderer with blood all over him, and he managed to convince bestie that it was beet juice. BEET JUICE. oh, and she found a p0rn book and it made her heart beat really fast. someone kill me now. idk why the heck the author added that lovely part, it made the plot even more of a mess.
the romance was actually the worst. they met a few chapters after the book started and then got ENGAGED 44% through! it felt so freaking forced, they had absolutely zero chemistry, and there was no tension no nothing. our bestie verity strikes again because all she cared about was if alexander was a good kisser (he wasn’t). so then she fell in love with another guy (bc yes, he was a good kisser) and had a lovely little dream about it. so she basically cheated on her fiancé, both physically and in her mind (it still counts), but then she decided that she actually loves alexander oh so much, how could she not see it before!? then they got married in the epilogue and it was the worst ending ever.
oh yes and the plot only started about 62% through the book, we love that <3 and it was just weird weird weird. the vibes weren’t creepy and fun, just morbid and strange. it felt similar to the first one, which I hated. what made it worse was the awful writing style. if you know me, you know I can’t stand when the author tells instead of shows, which is exactly what this author did. And the dialogue was so cringey, I needed cpr.
here are some wonderful examples:
this house has always been full of memories, (...) memories snatched away. memories I’ll never be able to claim as mine. // the over describing help! If your memory is snatched away we know dang well u can’t claim it!
I pressed my lips together, trying to hide the threatening smile. // EW EW EW! I can’t picture anyone doing that irl
“it’s easier to feel bold and cavalier in darkness. easier to play the role of a charming boy meeting a pretty girl for the first time. daylight comes and strips away such audacity. It makes you wonder if you were too forward, too brash.” // the author thought she did something here omg
“I love you,” he said clearly, breaking through my assurances. “I’m trying to tell you I love you.” // TELL ME WHY IT SOUNDS SO FORCED! It should’ve read like this: “I love you,” he interrupted.
He groaned and kissed me deeper, his tongue finding mine. BARF BARF BARF, the romance was so icky
A sigh escaped him. “I ruin everything.” the love interest was soooo whiny!
“More,” I agreed, crying out. “Oh yes, more.” // im sure u can imagine what was going on during this scene hehe I need some bleach for my brain
↳ I do not recommend this to anyone! please, trust me on this!!!
xoxo, Ava <3
⊱✿⊰
![Profile Image for julia ☆ [owls reads].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1636739475i%2F5520447._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 27, 2023
I loved loved loooooved the setting here, but the rest of House of Roots and Ruin didn't quite work for me. This picked up around 10 years after the events of the previous book and with Verity having no memories of what had happened. I found that rather frustrating? Especially with the way Craig decided to developed that--Verity came across as too naive and stubborn when she should have stopped to consider what was going on.
The romance was also a big big issue, personally. It was rushed and not as well developed as it could have been and there wasn't one moment where I actually believed Verity was in love with anyone. The weird love triangle that became a point towards the second half and ending of the book was also a strange choice.
The plot was very predictable as well. I think there was maybe one twist that actually caught me off guard and made things a bit interesting for me to read. Everything else was obvious and so there was very little tension in my reading experience; it was just a matter of waiting for things to be revealed and for Verity to connect the dots. And I did not appreciate in any way the (also super obvious) cliffhanger ending.
The romance was also a big big issue, personally. It was rushed and not as well developed as it could have been and there wasn't one moment where I actually believed Verity was in love with anyone. The weird love triangle that became a point towards the second half and ending of the book was also a strange choice.
The plot was very predictable as well. I think there was maybe one twist that actually caught me off guard and made things a bit interesting for me to read. Everything else was obvious and so there was very little tension in my reading experience; it was just a matter of waiting for things to be revealed and for Verity to connect the dots. And I did not appreciate in any way the (also super obvious) cliffhanger ending.
June 1, 2025
Erin A. Craig was the first ever author I truly fell in love with so it was safe to say I was incredibly hyped for not only a new release but a chance to read this in advance of its release!
House of Roots and Ruin (HORAR) is the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows (HOSAS), Craig's debut novel. Whilst HORAR follows Verity, a minor character and lookalike younger sister to the main protagonist in HOSAS, the books could honestly be read as interconnected standalones. Like any interconnected standalone though, reading it out of order could bring plot spoilers for the other books. HORAR also leaves off on an open-ended ending, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's another book in the Sisters of Salt series in our future!
This story follows Verity who has always wanted to escape the grasp of her older sister's protection and run out on adventures. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to flee her sister's property and paint portraits for a wealthy family, she is more than elated to get the hell out of there. As she arrives though, eery things start happening and she's not 100% convinced it's just the *recent* talent of hers she has just uncovered and perhaps the oddity lies within the manor and family inhabiting it.
Craig is a fantastic writer and this book proves that. In terms of her three novels, I think this one is the best written, although it is my second favorite, the first being her 2021 release, Small Favors. She also sets a perfect tone for the atmospheric spooky and gothic vibes she continues to strive for in all of her releases. It's creepy, yet so aesthetically pleasing I felt as if I were there myself! (P.S. I would also kill for this to be a movie... The set would be fantastic)
As for the rest of the book, like her other releases, I did predict certain plots, but that was the point! The foreshadowing is spectacularly done, however, she leads you into a direction that you'll at first believe to be cliche but then HITS you with plot twist after plot twist. Well done!
I was a bit disappointed in the romance though. I've swooned over the past two love interests in both of her previous releases and the male love interest in here didn't impress me. I actually swooned much more over the MC, Verity. It's not that he's bland, it's just that he's not as charming and witty as the other two, and I was really looking forward to that. I wasn't fully convinced by their romance and it felt much more like a trauma bond by the end. It felt like Verity settled and if you read the novel she wasn't really convinced it was love either.
Another disappointment from me was the climax scene. It really hits off with BANGER after BANGER, but then got cut short and you didn't get to see the aftermath. I would have preferred to see the entire scene play out and then get a little "What happened?" summary instead of the scene being cut and then being told what went down. That fell quite flat for me and my rating shows that.
I was still so impressed by this and I love Craig with all my heart! I cannot WAIT for another release from her. I will totally be purchasing a physical copy (or two) to complete my collection!
(DRC recieved through Edelweiss! Thank you to Edelweiss and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read this release!)
OLD REVIEW:
as the self proclaimed #1 erin a craig stan you do not know the scream I SCRUMPT when i woke up to this notification the other day.
ALSO THE BARNES AND NOBLE EXCLUSIVE HELLOOOO?!?!?!
House of Roots and Ruin (HORAR) is the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows (HOSAS), Craig's debut novel. Whilst HORAR follows Verity, a minor character and lookalike younger sister to the main protagonist in HOSAS, the books could honestly be read as interconnected standalones. Like any interconnected standalone though, reading it out of order could bring plot spoilers for the other books. HORAR also leaves off on an open-ended ending, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's another book in the Sisters of Salt series in our future!
This story follows Verity who has always wanted to escape the grasp of her older sister's protection and run out on adventures. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to flee her sister's property and paint portraits for a wealthy family, she is more than elated to get the hell out of there. As she arrives though, eery things start happening and she's not 100% convinced it's just the *recent* talent of hers she has just uncovered and perhaps the oddity lies within the manor and family inhabiting it.
Craig is a fantastic writer and this book proves that. In terms of her three novels, I think this one is the best written, although it is my second favorite, the first being her 2021 release, Small Favors. She also sets a perfect tone for the atmospheric spooky and gothic vibes she continues to strive for in all of her releases. It's creepy, yet so aesthetically pleasing I felt as if I were there myself! (P.S. I would also kill for this to be a movie... The set would be fantastic)
As for the rest of the book, like her other releases, I did predict certain plots, but that was the point! The foreshadowing is spectacularly done, however, she leads you into a direction that you'll at first believe to be cliche but then HITS you with plot twist after plot twist. Well done!
I was a bit disappointed in the romance though. I've swooned over the past two love interests in both of her previous releases and the male love interest in here didn't impress me. I actually swooned much more over the MC, Verity. It's not that he's bland, it's just that he's not as charming and witty as the other two, and I was really looking forward to that. I wasn't fully convinced by their romance and it felt much more like a trauma bond by the end. It felt like Verity settled and if you read the novel she wasn't really convinced it was love either.
Another disappointment from me was the climax scene. It really hits off with BANGER after BANGER, but then got cut short and you didn't get to see the aftermath. I would have preferred to see the entire scene play out and then get a little "What happened?" summary instead of the scene being cut and then being told what went down. That fell quite flat for me and my rating shows that.
I was still so impressed by this and I love Craig with all my heart! I cannot WAIT for another release from her. I will totally be purchasing a physical copy (or two) to complete my collection!
(DRC recieved through Edelweiss! Thank you to Edelweiss and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read this release!)
OLD REVIEW:
as the self proclaimed #1 erin a craig stan you do not know the scream I SCRUMPT when i woke up to this notification the other day.
ALSO THE BARNES AND NOBLE EXCLUSIVE HELLOOOO?!?!?!
August 26, 2023
4.5 stars
OH MY GOD. That ENDING. I just about LOST MY SHIT. All I'm saying is there BETTER be another book.
I really like Sisters of the Salt because it's creepy and you can't trust anyone. Even the POV character. Everyone's unreliable, and you never know who's gonna stab who in the back or who's been secretly plotting this whole time. These books are a wild ride.
OH MY GOD. That ENDING. I just about LOST MY SHIT. All I'm saying is there BETTER be another book.
I really like Sisters of the Salt because it's creepy and you can't trust anyone. Even the POV character. Everyone's unreliable, and you never know who's gonna stab who in the back or who's been secretly plotting this whole time. These books are a wild ride.
Want to read
November 17, 2022AHH WHAT?! A series now? Duology? After all this time? I’m so here for it.
Read
November 4, 2024⤷ dnf at 47% percent 🤧 guys I'm so sad, I was so excited for this!!! I enjoyed the first fifty or so pages but then it all just went downhill from there. The writing was bland, the plot was nonexistent, and the fmc and her love interest didn't have a single freaking spark. also, I wasn't creeped out at all, which was the whole point of reading this for halloween week 🥲. I loved the first book so much; I expected more from this author.
Want to read
November 17, 2022more of thaumas sisters - yes, please
February 20, 2025
Waaaaaw, vraiment, ce roman... une pépite d'originalité et d'addictivité ! J'avais beaucoup aimé La Malédiction de Highmoore de la même autrice et celui-ci est un tome compagnon : on se place des années après et on suit une des soeurs de la fratrie de Highmoore, Verity. Il se trouve que la jeune fille a un talent un peu particulier et une envie soudaine de quitter le cocon familial... ce qui va la mener bien plus loin qu'elle ne l'avait imaginé.
C'est un roman à l'ambiance extrêmement bien faite, hyper pesante et immersive : j'avais vraiment l'impression d'être dans les couloirs de ce manoir qui est à la fois sublime et super creepy. Je me suis prise de passion pour les secrets et les mystères dévoilés au compte goutte, je me suis laissée surprendre par les révélations et les plot twist, j'ai été happée par le style et l'imagination de l'autrice... vraiment, un roman de fantasy ado qui flirte avec le thriller psychologique et que j'ai dévoré ! C'est le genre de lecture qu'on voit peu et qui mérite clairement le détour ! Si vous avez envie d'être surpris ou même de frissonner un peu... foncez !
C'est un roman à l'ambiance extrêmement bien faite, hyper pesante et immersive : j'avais vraiment l'impression d'être dans les couloirs de ce manoir qui est à la fois sublime et super creepy. Je me suis prise de passion pour les secrets et les mystères dévoilés au compte goutte, je me suis laissée surprendre par les révélations et les plot twist, j'ai été happée par le style et l'imagination de l'autrice... vraiment, un roman de fantasy ado qui flirte avec le thriller psychologique et que j'ai dévoré ! C'est le genre de lecture qu'on voit peu et qui mérite clairement le détour ! Si vous avez envie d'être surpris ou même de frissonner un peu... foncez !
January 7, 2025
that ending was FOUL! i need answers. immediately. and preferably answers in the form of a sequel. (i know this is technically a sequel, but i need a third book that continues verity’s story. please and thank you)
i loved salt and sorrows and didn’t know if it could be topped. to my surprise and delight, i enjoyed book two even more! it took a bit longer for the story to get going but the payoff with the slow build up was so worth it. this was unsettling and creepy and once again so atmospheric. this is exactly the kind of book i love to read. genuinely feel like it was written just for me 🖤
the whole story was so good but the second half blew me away. the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat. the last chapter and epilogue specifically though!! it’s going to keep me up at night. so many twists and turns. the writing is truly something else and sucks me into this world erin a. craig created. i don’t wanna leave and am so sad it’s over :’)
possible spoilers ahead‼️ you’ve been warned
i’m so terribly sorry but why is viktor kinda… LIKE I KNOW! i know he’s evil. but i could fix him. alex is sweet and all, but unfortunately i would let viktor manipulate me any day of the week. idk. i love a villain. sue me.
i loved salt and sorrows and didn’t know if it could be topped. to my surprise and delight, i enjoyed book two even more! it took a bit longer for the story to get going but the payoff with the slow build up was so worth it. this was unsettling and creepy and once again so atmospheric. this is exactly the kind of book i love to read. genuinely feel like it was written just for me 🖤
the whole story was so good but the second half blew me away. the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat. the last chapter and epilogue specifically though!! it’s going to keep me up at night. so many twists and turns. the writing is truly something else and sucks me into this world erin a. craig created. i don’t wanna leave and am so sad it’s over :’)
possible spoilers ahead‼️ you’ve been warned
i’m so terribly sorry but why is viktor kinda… LIKE I KNOW! i know he’s evil. but i could fix him. alex is sweet and all, but unfortunately i would let viktor manipulate me any day of the week. idk. i love a villain. sue me.
August 24, 2023
I just really love Erin Craig's books.
I was afraid that I might struggle with this story because it's been so many years since the first one, but that didn't happen. We were reminded of the relevant stuff, and I never felt like I was missing something.
Loved the characters, the writing, and the story. That ending left it open for another book... keeping my fingers crossed!
I was afraid that I might struggle with this story because it's been so many years since the first one, but that didn't happen. We were reminded of the relevant stuff, and I never felt like I was missing something.
Loved the characters, the writing, and the story. That ending left it open for another book... keeping my fingers crossed!
November 30, 2023
If you liked Mexican Gothic you'd like this too
September 12, 2023
After that ending, there better be another book in this series!
August 6, 2023
The best way I can describe my experience with this book would be unnecessarily uncomfortable.
There’s so many dark, sexual moments that feel completely unnecessary and inappropriate for YA. I don’t recommend this to anyone, which is so sad because I enjoyed HOSAS so much.
There’s so many dark, sexual moments that feel completely unnecessary and inappropriate for YA. I don’t recommend this to anyone, which is so sad because I enjoyed HOSAS so much.
July 27, 2023
Review coming soon.
June 5, 2023
Thank you to PRH and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
PLEASE tell me there is going to be a sequel. Because that last line -- and that epilogue were EVERYTHING.
This book is everything a good gothic mystery should be. Old houses, screaming, weird noises, don't know who to trust...yeah, this book was everything. Sometimes plots are predictable -- this plot wasn't. There was so much going on, that I was in awe. Craig is an absolute genius at crafting such masterful plots.
I absolutely adored Verity, LOVED her so much. Her narration made this book spectacular. I loved that she was coming into herself. The romance between her an Alex was nice, but honestly, I wasn't as invested in that as I was the mystery. It was a nice aspect of the book, but this book was -- I have no words.
My heart was pounding the whole time I read this, and when I got to the last 30% I could not put the book down, and then the final bit? WOW. This is how you write a gothic thriller. THIS is one of the best gothic mystery/thrillers I have EVER read.
I'm speechless. Godsmacked.
No words.
This was an absolute page turner and I am eagerly looking forward to all the other things Craig has in store for us!
PLEASE tell me there is going to be a sequel. Because that last line -- and that epilogue were EVERYTHING.
This book is everything a good gothic mystery should be. Old houses, screaming, weird noises, don't know who to trust...yeah, this book was everything. Sometimes plots are predictable -- this plot wasn't. There was so much going on, that I was in awe. Craig is an absolute genius at crafting such masterful plots.
I absolutely adored Verity, LOVED her so much. Her narration made this book spectacular. I loved that she was coming into herself. The romance between her an Alex was nice, but honestly, I wasn't as invested in that as I was the mystery. It was a nice aspect of the book, but this book was -- I have no words.
My heart was pounding the whole time I read this, and when I got to the last 30% I could not put the book down, and then the final bit? WOW. This is how you write a gothic thriller. THIS is one of the best gothic mystery/thrillers I have EVER read.
I'm speechless. Godsmacked.
No words.
This was an absolute page turner and I am eagerly looking forward to all the other things Craig has in store for us!
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