Book Synopsis:
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed. Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?
When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.
The story:
The House of Salt and Sorrows is a twist on the classic tale of the 12 dancing princesses. It follows Annaleigh, who becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths of her other sisters were not accidents– but murders. She is haunted by ghostly visions, strange unsettling balls, a magic mystery man, and the fear of being the next one to be killed. She is determined to find the answer at any cost, but she may not be prepared for what she finds.
Why this novel is important:
This book comes as an example that all remakes are not inherently bad and or lack ingenuity or imagination. This truly sets itself apart with the unique world-building and the key attention to detail. The author Erin Craig brilliantly reminds us that just because something already exists does not mean one cannot put their own originality into it.
What I really felt hit the mark:
What sets this book apart from the other retellings of other classic tales, is that it does not fixate on yet another romantic perspective like many others, making it a refreshing read. It’s psychologically thrilling and Craig retells this story completely as her own creating a magnificent new setting, rituals ,and customs to the book. The story moves at just the right pace, clearly describing the setting and plot, but not in excess detail. The reader is thus allowed to fill in pieces and parts of the story by themselves, creating a much more colorful image. It is not a cliche but comes as a new driver in the genre of horror.
What didn’t hit the mark:
The ending was a little vague, leaving the reader with many burning questions and no answer. Definitely feel a little more closure or a concrete ending could’ve been given instead of all the loose strings.
The characters:
Craig does an excellent job in creating unique characters who have their own personalities and thoughts. This especially in the 12 sisters, where it’s quite simple to lose character individuality. The antagonist comes as a complete twist and only after they are revealed does the reader put together the various hints and clues the author left earlier in the book.
Rating:
Absolutely loved it!
-aaruu 🙂
CityNightStars 