Book Review #83 of 2019:
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig. Rating: 4.25 Stars.
Read from September 8 to September 10.
Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows grabbed me and did not let go until I finished the book. This book is about 12 sisters who are cursed with bad luck as older daughter after older daughter dies in a series of accidents. But in their grief the younger sisters find a bright spot in the form of a door to magical lands and dazzling balls. As they dance their way through their shoes they have to wonder who--or what--they’re dancing with. (Also, did I use my gross old shoes to take a photo for IG? Yes. Yes, I did.) This debut knocked it out of the park.
This is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses and I loved this take on the story. Set in a manor by the sea, this book is so atmospheric and eerie from page one. It draws you in. The setting is at the top of my list for things this author did right. I love the little island they live on and I could picture the manor in my head so easily. As some people have taken to calling it, this book gives off the prefect “gothic ocean vibes.” I was so glad that I couldn’t see the end coming because it was so good. Normally, I can guess what the ending is going to be, but this one had me wondering the whole time.
The one downside I had for this novel was that in the last quarter of the book we start to wonder if we’re dealing with an unreliable narrator which is my least favorite trope. In the end, the way the twist works it doesn’t bother me the way most books do, but for a section there I had to wonder.
This was such a quick read for me despite not having a ton of time to read (thanks husband for actually being home and distracting me from reading, ha). I cannot believe how atmospheric and spooky this book was. It is definitely a Fall read and I cannot wait to see what else this author has up her sleeves.
IG: libertyreads789