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snowyshoes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked the way the story was told, and the prose use. The content was interesting and the premise was well set up I thought the evil twin thing was very cliche and I couldnt help but roll my eyes at all of that
caitcoy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
After not loving the first book of this series, I was super reluctant to pick this one up. Only the comments from some friends about how twisty this was and how I had to try it convinced me to give it a shot. And honestly, they weren't wrong.
House of Roots and Ruin follows one of the younger sisters from House of Salt and Sorrows, Verity Thaumas, who is invited to a remote mansion to paint a portrait. In proper gothic fashion, the house is incredibly creepy and filled with ghosts that only Verity can see so she has her hands full in managing that and the blossoming romance with the young man whose portrait she is painting.
I will admit that this book took a little bit to win me over. The beginning is very atmospheric with long sections of heavy description and scene setting. The romance initially felt only slightly less tropey than in the first book but as the creepiness ramps up, the story got a lot more interesting.
I will admit that Verity is not the sharpest tool in the shed throughout but honestly, I had fun even when I wanted to shake her for missing the most obvious of things. And I even warmed up to the romance as it progressed.
Then the second half ramped everything up to 11 and it became almost impossible to put down, I think I read the entire second half in a single sitting. I predicted some of the things but certainly not all of them and even some conveniences were easy to overlook with how fun it became. It does have one hell of a cliffhanger so the wait for the sequel will be a bit rough.
House of Roots and Ruin follows one of the younger sisters from House of Salt and Sorrows, Verity Thaumas, who is invited to a remote mansion to paint a portrait. In proper gothic fashion, the house is incredibly creepy and filled with ghosts that only Verity can see so she has her hands full in managing that and the blossoming romance with the young man whose portrait she is painting.
I will admit that this book took a little bit to win me over. The beginning is very atmospheric with long sections of heavy description and scene setting. The romance initially felt only slightly less tropey than in the first book but as the creepiness ramps up, the story got a lot more interesting.
I will admit that Verity is not the sharpest tool in the shed throughout but honestly, I had fun even when I wanted to shake her for missing the most obvious of things. And I even warmed up to the romance as it progressed.
Then the second half ramped everything up to 11 and it became almost impossible to put down, I think I read the entire second half in a single sitting. I predicted some of the things but certainly not all of them and even some conveniences were easy to overlook with how fun it became. It does have one hell of a cliffhanger so the wait for the sequel will be a bit rough.
brookehogan_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was definitely a let down from a house of salt and sorrows I enjoyed the first quarter when we were still in Highmoor and working through issues from the first book but this book was way too long and weirdly paced. I didn’t like the love interest or love triangle it just didn’t seem feasible for Verity to fall in love that intensely that quickly. I found the Mad scientist route interesting I just hoped for a little bit more mystery and horror because ultimately this doesn’t live up to the fear I felt reading HOSAS and the plot twists were nearly as impactful
This house has always felt full of ghosts to me—not of spirits in white sheets and chains, nothing as clichéd as all that—but of memories snatched away. Memories I’ll never be able to claim as mine.
I could clearly see the second figure now, standing beside her, their hand gripped tightly around my sister’s. I blinked hard. I wasn’t seeing clearly. In fact, I was seeing double. But neither of the figures was Lenore. They stared up at me, concern marring their pale and lusterless faces. “Sorrow,” my dead sister whispered, and then I began to scream.
It began as a protest, I will forever swear that it did. But then his mouth was on mine, or mine was on his, or they’d somehow moved at the same time, meeting each other, together and insistent. There was a groan. I couldn’t tell if it was his or mine, or if again, it was both of us.
I was crying for all the things I’d thought I’d understood but didn’t. Crying for all I’d hoped for that wouldn’t be. A cold, cruel light had been cast upon Chauntilalie’s beautiful façade. It was not a happy, perfect family I would wed into. It was family with pasts even darker than my own. There was horror within those gilded walls.
katsdaysarebooked's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aprilthelibrarian's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
cosmichippie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
“A wilting flower holds just as much splendor as one on the cusp of opening. People are so quick to idolize the fresh and the new. They fetishize it.” He rubbed at his forehead, his eyes bright with fervor. “Why should we celebrate one without the other?”
I absolutely loved this book and already told everyone I know about it. Such a perfect sequel to House of Salt & Sorrows and it was so enjoyable to hangout with Verity as she's gotten older and get a different perspective from one of the sisters. The ambience and theme of this story are misty, plant filled solariums with secret gardens and passageways in the manor it's based in. The main character sees ghosts and most of the time you don't know who's real and who isn't as a reader. The mysterious, confusing, thrilling pacing of this book is so well done. There's romance and descriptions out of this world and I could perfectly envision everything. The mmc's father being a botanist and so many plant, flower, and potions being described made my plant loving heart pitter patter.
“I was crying for all the things I'd thought I'd understood but didn't. Crying for all I'd hoped for that wouldn't be.”
The story begins from the first book in this lovely duet, where Verity is older but doesn't remember the events from her childhood and is still living in Highmoor. She has become an aspiring artist and gets invited to create a portrait for a young duke in a neighboring family's home. Despite Camille, her older sisters, confusing disapproval Verity decides to leave and then arrives at Bloem and things get strange very quickly. And by quickly I mean mysterious bone chilling murders, a horrifying story from the mmc to explain why he's paralyzed from the waist down, and a very mysterious family.
The plot in this book gives me the creeps so much, the ideas and concepts that are developed in the plot throughout Verity's adventures in this manor gave me goosebumps for hours. I found it so chilling once we began meeting some of Verity's ghosts, and finding out which characters were alive and not. It was fascinating to see Verity learn about her family's history and past and as she began to recall past memories and put pieces of her life together. Very good tie ins for the series in those portions and a lot of family lore.
“The People of the Petals bury their loved ones full of seeds, stuffed into the bodies. It aids in the decomposition process, helps the dead return more quickly to the earth. Then from their death…new life.”
I enjoyed Verity and her innocent and pure heart. I also loved the two new characters that came in at the end of the book despite how the story ended. That was a twist I had no idea was coming. I don't have good enough things to say about Alex, I loved his character, and I found the romance between the two characters to be eye opening. I think the idea of watching the two fall in love for the first time over the span of weeks was so well done. The author portrayed it so innocently but equally implied how concerning it was as a reader. Erin's harrowing writing style is incredible, most of the time you know something is wrong and have such a strange feeling in your stomach but the plot hasn't come together yet and you just have to sit with it until it resolves. This book was very difficult to put down, I pretty much didn't. When I tell you I was on the ground with my jaw on the floor for the entire last few chapters I am not kidding at all. Nothing could have prepared me for how much I have enjoyed this series. This author knows how to write a solid cliffhanger epilogue. I'd happily write a dissertation on this book that's how much I loved it.
I absolutely loved this book and already told everyone I know about it. Such a perfect sequel to House of Salt & Sorrows and it was so enjoyable to hangout with Verity as she's gotten older and get a different perspective from one of the sisters. The ambience and theme of this story are misty, plant filled solariums with secret gardens and passageways in the manor it's based in. The main character sees ghosts and most of the time you don't know who's real and who isn't as a reader. The mysterious, confusing, thrilling pacing of this book is so well done. There's romance and descriptions out of this world and I could perfectly envision everything. The mmc's father being a botanist and so many plant, flower, and potions being described made my plant loving heart pitter patter.
“I was crying for all the things I'd thought I'd understood but didn't. Crying for all I'd hoped for that wouldn't be.”
The story begins from the first book in this lovely duet, where Verity is older but doesn't remember the events from her childhood and is still living in Highmoor. She has become an aspiring artist and gets invited to create a portrait for a young duke in a neighboring family's home. Despite Camille, her older sisters, confusing disapproval Verity decides to leave and then arrives at Bloem and things get strange very quickly. And by quickly I mean mysterious bone chilling murders, a horrifying story from the mmc to explain why he's paralyzed from the waist down, and a very mysterious family.
The plot in this book gives me the creeps so much, the ideas and concepts that are developed in the plot throughout Verity's adventures in this manor gave me goosebumps for hours. I found it so chilling once we began meeting some of Verity's ghosts, and finding out which characters were alive and not. It was fascinating to see Verity learn about her family's history and past and as she began to recall past memories and put pieces of her life together. Very good tie ins for the series in those portions and a lot of family lore.
“The People of the Petals bury their loved ones full of seeds, stuffed into the bodies. It aids in the decomposition process, helps the dead return more quickly to the earth. Then from their death…new life.”
I enjoyed Verity and her innocent and pure heart. I also loved the two new characters that came in at the end of the book despite how the story ended. That was a twist I had no idea was coming. I don't have good enough things to say about Alex, I loved his character, and I found the romance between the two characters to be eye opening. I think the idea of watching the two fall in love for the first time over the span of weeks was so well done. The author portrayed it so innocently but equally implied how concerning it was as a reader. Erin's harrowing writing style is incredible, most of the time you know something is wrong and have such a strange feeling in your stomach but the plot hasn't come together yet and you just have to sit with it until it resolves. This book was very difficult to put down, I pretty much didn't. When I tell you I was on the ground with my jaw on the floor for the entire last few chapters I am not kidding at all. Nothing could have prepared me for how much I have enjoyed this series. This author knows how to write a solid cliffhanger epilogue. I'd happily write a dissertation on this book that's how much I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Abortion
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, and Murder
dags_delight's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Like.. 1,5 stars, for effort and flower language, and Alex who's actually really sweet. But otherwise the plot twists of this book have a striking resemblance to Valentine Sebastian from The Mortal Instruments, so much so that I keep calling THAT person Sebastian instead of his actual name when I told my friends about how frustrating it was.
Like 1:1, and I fucking hated it.
Like 1:1, and I fucking hated it.
bxboricua7's review against another edition
5.0
After the events of [b:House of Salt and Sorrows|39679076|House of Salt and Sorrows (Sisters of the Salt, #1)|Erin A. Craig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544071699l/39679076._SY75_.jpg|61277707] , Verity sees ghosts but can’t always tell if they are ghosts. She can have a full conversation with one and not realize that everyone else can’t see them. This is why her sister Camille does not want her to leave Highmoor. When she receives a commission to paint Alexander, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Bloem, she jumps at the chance. Alexander is a good person and she falls for him very quickly. He is also interested in her and worries that she won’t want him because he uses a wheelchair. She assures him that she cares for him and they are to be married very soon after she arrives. Then she notices weird occurrences- ghosts, gods, wraiths, her future father in law’s obsession with plant genetics. The mansion is spooky and full of secret passageways. There are odd burial mounds and voices at night. And so many secrets- as in her Alex having two secret brothers- that he doesn’t know about- who look almost identical to him- but Julien reads minds and Viktor has pyrokinesis. What is happening on this estate?
Spoilers below...because this is essentially a recap of things to remember for the next book, as there is an upcoming book #3 currently listed on Goodreads.
Evidence: “His dimples flashed before he returned to his reading, absentmindedly crossing one ankle over the other.” (Pg 531)
In an earlier chapter, Viktor did the same thing. (Pg 319) “ he crossed one leg over the other, sitting back in the wheelchair with a relaxed stance I’d never seen Alex manage.”
The Duke says about Alex, “I created a god. An immortal.” Because Viktor had pushed Alex over the balcony, a 42 foot fall and Alex had not only survived but Broke The Marble Floor when he landed on it. (Pg 486-497) In the Epilogue “There on the table, on the funeral slab, the dead boy’s fingers moved with a small, but unmistakably alive twitch.” (Pg 534) Which would make sense since Verity initially thought it was Alex that was thrown from the balcony. (Pg 515-516)
I kept thinking that Verity would have realized which brother she married since Viktor's eyes are described as having a "hazel ring around them" (pg 319) which is different from Alex. HOWEVER, after the fight, "Alex" is described as having "damage to his eyes" (pg 524) where he needs to be in dark rooms and wear "large spectacles with black tinted lenses to protect his eyes" (pg 528) when they get married outside. So she wouldn't be able to tell if it's not Alex until he heals...
I hope we find out in the next book!
Spoilers below...because this is essentially a recap of things to remember for the next book, as there is an upcoming book #3 currently listed on Goodreads.
Spoiler
Why the Duke has been using his knowledge of genetics to create children and his ultimate goal is to create a god. Alexander is that god- he survived a 42 foot fall and only ended up in a wheelchair. The Duke chose Verity to come to their home because of her ability to see ghosts and gods. His thoughts are to breed her with Alex! Then everyone’s plans get crazy. The Duchess dies of poison (accidentally killed by the Duke). Julien kills the Duke (while controlled emotionally by Viktor). Viktor kills Julien (to get him out of the way). Grandma Laurent reappears - the whole book she's been against Verity because she is part of the cursed Thaumas dozen, but actually she's complicit in the Duke's Dr. Moreau genetic experiments and her favorite is Viktor. She wants Viktor and Verity to be together. Viktor and the Grandma L. try to kill Alex ( Camille comes to Verity’s rescue and kills the Grandma while Viktor is thrown over the balcony and dies. Or does he???) Verity marries Alex- we think- there’s also an Epilogue which hints that who we think is Viktor is not dead- and since the only immortal one is supposed to be Alex, this might mean that Verity actually married Viktor who is pretending to be Alex.Evidence: “His dimples flashed before he returned to his reading, absentmindedly crossing one ankle over the other.” (Pg 531)
In an earlier chapter, Viktor did the same thing. (Pg 319) “ he crossed one leg over the other, sitting back in the wheelchair with a relaxed stance I’d never seen Alex manage.”
The Duke says about Alex, “I created a god. An immortal.” Because Viktor had pushed Alex over the balcony, a 42 foot fall and Alex had not only survived but Broke The Marble Floor when he landed on it. (Pg 486-497) In the Epilogue “There on the table, on the funeral slab, the dead boy’s fingers moved with a small, but unmistakably alive twitch.” (Pg 534) Which would make sense since Verity initially thought it was Alex that was thrown from the balcony. (Pg 515-516)
I kept thinking that Verity would have realized which brother she married since Viktor's eyes are described as having a "hazel ring around them" (pg 319) which is different from Alex. HOWEVER, after the fight, "Alex" is described as having "damage to his eyes" (pg 524) where he needs to be in dark rooms and wear "large spectacles with black tinted lenses to protect his eyes" (pg 528) when they get married outside. So she wouldn't be able to tell if it's not Alex until he heals...
I hope we find out in the next book!
sugarpop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
reynoldsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Drug use
Moderate: Child death