House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Shreya | W. R. Satz Middle School, Grade 8
Rating: *****
Annaleigh and her sisters lived peacefully in Highmoor Manor. But soon after her mother died, giving birth to the last of her sisters, her siblings started to die one by one, too. The villagers call it the Thaumus curse, but Annaleigh knows that they weren’t cursed, and that her sisters were, in fact, murdered. After the most recent death, her father decides not to continue mourning, and that they should instead celebrate the new life that his new wife is bringing into the world. Annaleigh needs to find out who murdered her sisters before she, too, falls prey to the curse.
House of Salt and Sorrows is a violent retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses by the Brothers Grimm. I really enjoyed the book’s vivid descriptions. I personally liked how this fairytale was different from the norm, as it was dark and scary rather than sweet and fuzzy.
Noemi | Ocean Township High School, Grade 9
Rating: *****
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig is a phenomenal book. There is always some kind of twist or turn which leaves you on the edge of your seat. You have no idea if what is going on is real or not.
In this novel there is a girl named Annaliegh. Her father is the duke. She lives with her eleven sisters and her father. Her sisters start to die off one by one throughout the novel. Is this a coincidence or a curse? Or maybe something else entirely? It may have to do with the fact that her and her sisters go out every night to mysterious balls with strange people. During one of these outings she meets her love interest. Is she allowed to feel these things or is she going to have to marry someone with power and money? What happens between them? I will not spoil it.
This novel talks about a country's ways because they are the people of the salt. The book talks about the people of the salts ways and how they live between mortals and god. It also shows a story about a family who has grieved too much and can not take the sadness any more. This novel was awesome. It kept me on my toes and I did not want to put it down. The ending took me by surprise. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes myths or fables. As well as a good mystery thriller with a tang of romance. I truly loved this book.