The House of Salt and Sorrows

The House of Salt and Sorrows follows Annaleigh Thaumas, one of twelve sisters living in a manor by the sea. After four of her sisters die under mysterious circumstances, rumors spread through their island that the family is cursed. Annaleigh begins to investigate the deaths while experiencing ghostly visions and disturbing dreams. She and her remaining sisters discover secret passageways to grand ballrooms where they dance all night with mysterious partners, but the revelry may hide something sinister. Dark forces close in as Annaleigh races to uncover the truth about her sisters' deaths before another tragedy strikes. The story combines elements of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" fairy tale with Gothic horror and mystery. The novel explores themes of grief, family bonds, and the sometimes blurry line between reality and illusion. Craig's atmospheric tale raises questions about the price of ambition and the depths of sisterly devotion.

Readers describe this gothic retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" as atmospheric and haunting. The book holds a 4.0/5 rating on Goodreads (88,000+ ratings) and 4.5/5 on Amazon (3,800+ ratings). What readers liked: - Rich descriptions of the coastal setting - Creepy, unsettling tone throughout - Strong family dynamics between sisters - Balance of romance and horror elements - Fresh take on the original fairy tale What readers disliked: - Pacing issues in the middle section - Some plot threads left unresolved - Romance develops too quickly - Character development focused mainly on protagonist - Ending feels rushed Many reviewers note the book is darker than expected for YA, with one calling it "more horror than fairy tale." Multiple readers mention struggling with keeping track of all twelve sisters initially. The atmospheric descriptions receive frequent praise, with reviewer Sarah M. noting "you can smell the salt air and feel the dampness of the manor."

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🌊 The story draws inspiration from "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, but reimagines it as a gothic horror tale set in a coastal manor. 🎭 Author Erin A. Craig worked as a stage manager for theater productions before becoming a writer, which influenced her ability to create atmospheric and dramatic scenes. 🌊 The fictional Highmoor estate is located on Salann, one of twelve islands known as the Salann Islands, where salt mining is a crucial part of the economy and culture. 👗 The author meticulously researched Victorian mourning customs and dress codes to create authentic details for the numerous funeral scenes in the book. 🎪 The novel's haunting carousel scenes were partly inspired by Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and the author's own fascination with vintage carousels.