by Erin A. Craig
published July 25, 2023 by Delacorte Press
This was a mixed read for me. I enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows quite a bit, and though I don’t normally love sequels, I was interested in reading House of Roots and Ruin because there’s a time jump, new location, and new heroine.
Roots and Ruin follows the youngest Thaumas sister, Verity. She’s been hidden away on her family’s island for most of her life because she can see ghosts. Verity’s also an artist, and when she’s invited to paint a portrait of the son of the Duchess of Bloem, Alexander, Verity sneaks out.
Verity immediately likes Alexander, but must figure out how to hide her ghostly visions from him, lest he think her mad. Also, there’s something very creepy going on at the Bloems’ estate.
On the positive side, the atmosphere in this novel was great — there’s some seriously creepy imagery and underlying dread to a lot of the scenes. I also liked the initial romance and Verity’s desire to become her own person.
Unfortunately, the book felt way too long for me, and it was drawn out by some very stupid decisions by the main characters. By the last quarter, I was ready for it to be over.
🌟🌟🌟
Leanne Olson 
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