About the Book:

Title: House of Roots and Ruin

Author: Erin A. Craig 

Publisher: Delacorte Press 

Release Date: July 25, 2023

Pages: 544
Genre: YA Fantasy 

Synopsis:

A modern masterpiece, this is a classic Gothic thriller-fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig, about doomed love, menacing ambition, and the ghosts that haunt us forever.

In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.

Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.

When their sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem—wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son, Alexander, Verity jumps at the chance, but Camille won’t allow it. Forced to reveal the secret she’s kept for years, Camille tells Verity the truth one day: Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t know it.

Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and—with nowhere else to turn—makes her way to Bloem. At first, she is captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and is quickly drawn to charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent. And soon, to her surprise, a romance . . . blossoms.

But it’s not long before Verity is plagued with nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to show through its sickly-sweet façade. . . .

 

Review:

*I received an e-arc from the publisher via Netgalley. Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley. All thoughts are my own*

Sensational! Erin Craig absolutely outdid herself with the sequel to House of Salt and Sorrows. House of Roots and Ruin completely consumed me and had me wrapped up in this hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric story. 

Verity Thaumas is no longer a child, but a seventeen-year-old girl who dreams of adventure in far off places, far away from the shores of Salann. She has remained at the Highmoor Estate, with her older sister Camille, while their other sisters have scattered across Arcannia.

Verity’s sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem, also the wife of a well-known botanist, would love for Verity to paint her son Alexander’s portrait. Verity speaks to Camille of the opportunity, but Camille forbids it. She is forced to tell Verity after keeping the secret for years, that Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t realize it. 

Shocked, Verity flees from Highmoor that night and journeys to Bloem. At first, she is completely captivated by her surroundings and is quickly drawn to the charming Alexander. But things soon become darker and more complex as Verity is plagued with nightmares and begins to discover that things aren’t as perfect as they seem. 

There are so many layers and so much depth to this story, and it will keep you turning the page! I highly recommend. This beauty releases on July 25, 2023. I may have already preordered a copy or two! 

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.

After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.

An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.

She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.