A Dance at the House of Salt and Sorrows

House of Salt and Sorrow

By: Erin A. Craig

Once there were 12 sisters living by the sea now after a series of increasingly tragic (and random) deaths there are only 8 left. 8 sisters who after years being shrouded in grief chase a myth through a hidden door that can apparently take them anywhere they want to go.

And life, at least at night, becomes an endless dance.

After her latest sister plunges to her death Annaleigh begins to think there is something more involved than a much talked about curse. Driven by the idea that Eulalie was pushed she’s the only sister to forgo the nightly revelries and with the help of a stranger outsider to the islands her quest for the truth could unlock a much deeper surprise.

I’ve had this book sitting on my shelves since it came out last year and now I finally read it I loved it!

Based in part of the 12 Dancing Sisters myth it’s a great mystery. The island setting is very atmospheric and there are certain scenes (like the balls, the gardens) that scream make me a movie! Annaleigh’s still living sisters are likable enough. Hell I actually even liked the love interest. It’s a very myth filled story. Gods and monsters and curses take shape around the people.

There’s even some creepy shit at a lighthouse which naturally made me think of The Lighthouse and start seeing it all in black and white with Robert Pattinson and Willem Defoe in certain roles.

I will say the conclusion to the mystery on the one hand is not very surprising yet Craig wrote it well enough that it genuinely kept me guessing. You may figure out what’s going on early or who, if anyone, is behind the whole thing but you’ll be thrown off enough throughout to keep you on your feet.

At least I was and I must admit overall I enjoyed the hell out of House of Salt and Sorrow. I’m glad I finally got around to picking it up.

Recommend: Yes.