House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig is a re-imaginative telling of a classic fairy tale with equal parts of psychological and mythological horror. And in this article, we have given a spoiler-free review of House of Salt and Sorrows.
About the Book
Title: House of Salt and Sorrows
Author: Erin A. Craig
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror, Mystery, Retelling
Publisher: Delacorte
Type: Standalone
Pages: 403
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Annaleigh lives with her father and eleven sisters at Highmoor by the sea. Or she used to until her older sisters started dying one by one. So now there are only Annaleigh, her eight sisters, her father, and her new stepmother left. And the whole village treats them as cursed. But when Annaleigh finds some clue about her last sister’s death, she realizes the deaths might not have been natural. However, her investigation is put on hold when she and her sisters discover a portal that leads them straight to a magical garden ball. Annaleigh is sure she is diving headfirst into an accident, but while the glamour of this world so enchants her, she really couldn’t care. Until she starts feeling her dead sister’s presence in the manor, one that starts to make her believe that she could be the next princess to die.
Review of House of Salt and Sorrows
Imagine a book that hooks you right from the cover. Seriously. This one? It’s gorgeous. Deep blues that feel like you’re staring into the sea itself, with shadows around the title hinting at something dark and mysterious waiting inside. So yes, sometimes it’s totally okay to judge a book by its cover!
This novel is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses by the Grimm Brothers, but it’s no typical fairytale. Think: dark, gothic, and haunting, with just enough romance and eeriness to make you feel like you’re under a spell. It starts strong, diving right into the strange string of deaths surrounding the Thaumas sisters. And while the mystery unfolds at its own pace, it never drags, letting you get to know the family, their massive manor by the sea, and the island of Salten, a place steeped in its own myths and gods. (Side note: “Salten”? Salt? House of Salt and Sorrows? Clever, right?)
The pacing keeps you on edge—just waiting for that inevitable “something bad” to happen. And the ending? Oh, it’s satisfying alright. The kind that leaves you with questions, but in the best way possible. You’ll be thinking about it long after you turn the last page.
Now, the writing itself? It’s dreamy. Here’s a line to give you a taste:
“It still smelled like autumn here. Pine needles and cold, crisp air, bonfires and moldering leaves, the world dying as it readied to be reborn.”
– Erin A. Craig
That’s just a description of the weather. Craig has this poetic style that makes even horror scenes feel hauntingly beautiful. It’s a rare mix that’s somehow chilling yet captivating.
And let’s not forget the characters. Annaleigh, the main character, might feel a little bland at first. But by the final chapters, her trauma starts to seep through, and when she begins questioning reality, it’s goosebumps all around. Her love interest, Cassius, and some of her sisters, especially Verity, bring their own intrigue to the story.
Then there’s Morella, the stepmother, adding that classic touch of mystery. But honestly, the real star? The setting. The manor, the island, the stormy weather—they’re like characters on their own, giving off strong gothic vibes.
Not everything’s perfect, though. Annaleigh’s romance with Cassius doesn’t exactly sizzle, even if they’re compelling individually. And the book takes a bit of a genre shift, going from psychological horror to more straightforward fantasy. It’s a bit jarring, but hey, it’s still a mesmerizing story.
This is one of the best retellings out there. If you love creepy tales with a twist, this one’s calling your name.
Conclusion
Rating: 5 / 5; Our Rating Guide
Recommendation: Grab this one and be prepared for a chilling, mind-bending ride.
If you loved ‘All the Stars and Teeth’ by Adalyn Grace, ‘Remember Me’ by Chelsea Bobulski, and ‘Gilded Ashes’ by Rosamund Hodge, you would absolutely love House of Salt and Sorrows.
About the Author
Erin A. Craig is a Newyork Times Bestselling Author. She got her B.F.A. degree from the University of Michigan in Theatre Design and Production. Following that, Erin managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, which inspired her to create worlds that were just as creepy. She currently lives in West Michigan with her husband and daughter and has released two novels, House of Salt and Sorrow (2019) and Small Favours (2021), both fantasy, which have done incredibly well in the bestselling section.
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Major thankies for the blog article.Thanks Again. Will read on…