What a way to bust an almost year long reading slump. I have had the absolute honour of reviewing each book that Erin A. Craig has published so far, so I was DYING to get my hands on a copy of House of Roots and Ruin, especially after reading House of Salt and Sorrows. One of eerie enchantments, haunting beauty, and where trust is scarce, I was swept away by this book and Verity Thaumas. This is a story where the light and darkness touch. Where the shadows curl around you in a comforting, deceptive caress as it lures you beyond redemption. If you want some summer gothic horror vibes à la Crimson Peak, you’re not going to want to leave this one sitting on your shelf for long.
While I don’t necessarily think you have to read House of Salt and Sorrows before picking up this book, I think it would certainly add some clarity to the relationships that Verity has. To sum up the story, Verity Thaumas is on the precipice of adulthood and still living at Highmoor while her other sisters have moved on across Arcannia. When her sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem is looking to have a portrait of her son painted, she takes her chance at freedom despite Camille’s desperate attempts to stop her. Unfortunately for Verity, she has been able to see ghosts her entire life. Undeterred, she makes her way to Bloem, where she falls for the lush scenery and for Alexander, the charming son of the Duchess. It isn’t long before romance begins to bloom for both, but something darker seems to have taken root at the estate.
From the very beginning, I was pulled into a world where things were not what they seemed. There are many twists and turns to this story that you won’t see coming and they will leave you gasping. Character-wise I don’t want to get into it because of spoilers, but Verity is a starry-eyed young woman who dreams of a life beyond. However, she shares a bond with her sisters that also keeps her from taking that ultimate leap into the unknown. There’s a lot of conflict as Verity comes to terms that her sister Camille’s attempts to control her life will ultimately suffocate her. She’s incredibly perceptive and cautious, but still has that innocence of someone having their first adventure. She’s also struggling to keep her ghost-seeing ability under wraps, which adds an element of suspense for the reader. For her though, the mistakes she makes could potentially be deadly.
I really loved the world-building taking place in terms of magic and gods. Although we don’t necessarily get to explore much of the world outside of Bloem, there is plenty to explore within the Laurent estate that will both fascinate and horrify. I was particularly fond of the botany aspect of this book. I’m a huge plant person and one of my favourite stories (allegory really) is Rappaccini’s Daughter. It definitely gave me some of those vibes, but leaning more into the gothic aspect of things (again, similar to Crimson Peak). It seems that each and every character has a secret they’re trying to hide, but it is only a matter of time before secrets are revealed.
Each of Craig’s books always has a romantic element that draws you into a warm and dark embrace. I don’t want to delve too far into it because I don’t want to spoil anything, but it is a very insta-love type of romance with something more. You’ll have to read it for yourself to see exactly what I mean. At times, I feel like the relationship develops more quickly than I was expecting, but in true Craig fashion, everything is meticulously plotted out for a reason. There are horror elements, just like with her previous books, and the ensuing nightmares that I had should be an endorsement to the book. They were beautifully wretched. You won’t be able to get this book out of your mind when you’re finished.
I don’t think there are enough words to recommend this book. If you are someone who are interested in trigger warnings, do know that there are elements of poisoning, murder, death, as well as physical assault. If these things will trigger you, I’d approach this book with caution. It is dark, certainly, but well worth the read if you can get through it. I’d recommend reading it during a rainy day, but if you’re at all like me, no amount of sunlight will be able to brighten the atmospheric vibes that this book gives off.
House of Roots and Ruin is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 25th.
Will you be picking up House of Roots and Ruin? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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. . . .
