House of Salt and Sorrows

by Erin A. Craig

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Book 1 of Sisters of the Salt

Pub Date 6 Nov 2025 | Archive Date 14 Oct 2025

Oneworld Publications | Rock the Boat

Teens & YA

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Description

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters. But loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short, each death more tragic than the last.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that her sisters’ deaths were no accident. The girls have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers. Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who – or what – are they really dancing with?

As Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has enveloped her family – before it consumes her too.

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters. But loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut...

Advance Praise

'Step inside a fairy tale.' Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

'An eerie, lovely "Twelve Dancing Princesses" retelling.' Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

'Evocative details and lyrical, moody prose . . . a richly conceived story that blends mythic and Gothic storytelling.' Publishers Weekly

'This moody maritime retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses blends elements of suspense and horror for a gothic twist on a familiar tale. A memorably built world populated with a hauntingly doomed family.' Booklist

'Step inside a fairy tale.' Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

'An eerie, lovely "Twelve Dancing Princesses" retelling.' Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling...

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781836431640
PRICE	£9.99 (GBP)
PAGES	416

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Additional Information

Average rating from 12 members

Featured Reviews

Melanie A, Reviewer

loved loved this! it's so immersive, the atmosphere is dark and eery and the plot keeps you hooked. i loved the characters and the romance!

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Marie-Hélène B, Reviewer

This book is a wonderful retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Annaleigh's sisters keep on dying off, following the order of birth. Most people are convinced it's a coincidence, but Annaleigh cannot believe and the sisters who are left start looking for alternate explanations - maybe the gods have something to do with it? That's when they find a door that transports them to the most majestic balls, and Annaleigh meets Cassius.

This story will have you on the edge of your seat, craving the next page and the next revelation. The plot twists are mostly unpredictable and the mystery sucks you in, whilst Annaleigh succeeds in making you root for her and her sisters and want them to survive. The characters are all multifaceted and form a wonderful community, and the storyline completely makes sense. It's a fast read and a well-built world, but it's also obviously targeting a more YA audience.

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Cydney W, Reviewer

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0.

What a story! I enjoyed the setting and world building, it held this strong foundation regarding the familial heritage and linked into the past and present. There’s a mystery woven into the heart of this plot surrounding the daughters and their home, it is darker than I originally thought it would be. The girls suffer a lot during this with grief, scheming and betrayal.

I had an inkling who might be behind everything happening, but the slight predictability doesn’t take away from the plot. At points the story gave me chills, it has a supernatural feel to it that’s creepy and unnerving especially whenever Verity popped up on page with something to share about her sisters. The story held a lot more emotion than I anticipated surrounding love, sisterly bonds and grief, it’s a very well told fantasy.

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Molly L, Reviewer

Really enjoyed the creepy vibe of it and the twist on the Twelve Dancing Princesses - The seaside setting was super atmospheric, and the mix of mystery and fairy-tale kept me interested. It’s definitely more of a slow burn, and I thought the romance felt a bit rushed, but the spooky twists and haunting vibe made up for it. Overall, it’s a nicely written, spooky read that’s perfect if you’re into dark fantasy stories.

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