House of Salt and Sorrows
House of Salt and Sorrows is a hauntingly beautiful young adult fantasy novel by Erin A. Craig, first published in 2019. Inspired by the classic fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," this gothic retelling weaves a dark, atmospheric story filled with mystery, grief, and a touch of the supernatural. Set against the moody backdrop of a windswept island estate, the novel follows Annaleigh Thaumas, one of twelve sisters in a cursed family plagued by tragedy.
The story begins with the Thaumas family reeling from the deaths of four of Annaleigh’s sisters, each lost to seemingly freak accidents or illness. The once-grand Highmoor estate, perched on the edge of the sea, feels more like a mausoleum than a home, shadowed by mourning and whispers of a curse. As the surviving sisters try to move forward—attending lavish balls and slipping into a strange, dreamlike routine of dancing each night—Annaleigh begins to suspect that the deaths were not accidents but murders. Driven by grief and determination, she sets out to uncover the truth, navigating a web of eerie visions, unreliable memories, and the unsettling influence of the sea gods her people worship.
Craig’s prose is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the salty, storm-tossed world of the Salann Islands. The novel excels in its gothic atmosphere—think creaking floorboards, flickering candles, and the ever-present crash of waves. The imagery of dance, with its worn slippers and frenzied midnight revels, serves as both a fairy-tale nod and a chilling symbol of the sisters’ unraveling fates. Annaleigh is a compelling protagonist, balancing vulnerability with a fierce resolve to protect her family, while the supporting cast, including her sisters and the enigmatic fisherman Cassius, adds depth and intrigue.
The plot twists deftly between psychological suspense and supernatural horror, keeping readers guessing whether the danger lies in human hands or something more otherworldly. Themes of grief, sisterhood, and the cost of defying fate run strong throughout, grounding the fantastical elements in emotional resonance. While some readers might find the pacing slow in the early chapters, the tension builds steadily toward a climax that’s both heartbreaking and satisfying.
House of Salt and Sorrows is a standout for fans of dark fairy tales and gothic mysteries. It’s a tale of salt-streaked sorrow and shimmering hope, perfect for anyone who loves a story that lingers like the echo of waves in a seashell. If you’re into books like The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw, this one’s worth a dive.
You can buy House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/42nFtM5
The story begins with the Thaumas family reeling from the deaths of four of Annaleigh’s sisters, each lost to seemingly freak accidents or illness. The once-grand Highmoor estate, perched on the edge of the sea, feels more like a mausoleum than a home, shadowed by mourning and whispers of a curse. As the surviving sisters try to move forward—attending lavish balls and slipping into a strange, dreamlike routine of dancing each night—Annaleigh begins to suspect that the deaths were not accidents but murders. Driven by grief and determination, she sets out to uncover the truth, navigating a web of eerie visions, unreliable memories, and the unsettling influence of the sea gods her people worship.
Craig’s prose is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the salty, storm-tossed world of the Salann Islands. The novel excels in its gothic atmosphere—think creaking floorboards, flickering candles, and the ever-present crash of waves. The imagery of dance, with its worn slippers and frenzied midnight revels, serves as both a fairy-tale nod and a chilling symbol of the sisters’ unraveling fates. Annaleigh is a compelling protagonist, balancing vulnerability with a fierce resolve to protect her family, while the supporting cast, including her sisters and the enigmatic fisherman Cassius, adds depth and intrigue.
The plot twists deftly between psychological suspense and supernatural horror, keeping readers guessing whether the danger lies in human hands or something more otherworldly. Themes of grief, sisterhood, and the cost of defying fate run strong throughout, grounding the fantastical elements in emotional resonance. While some readers might find the pacing slow in the early chapters, the tension builds steadily toward a climax that’s both heartbreaking and satisfying.
House of Salt and Sorrows is a standout for fans of dark fairy tales and gothic mysteries. It’s a tale of salt-streaked sorrow and shimmering hope, perfect for anyone who loves a story that lingers like the echo of waves in a seashell. If you’re into books like The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw, this one’s worth a dive.
You can buy House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/42nFtM5
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