House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig book cover
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Eerie Efficiency Book Profile

House of Roots and Ruin

Series membership: Sisters of the Salt · Listed position 2
2023 Young Adult
About this book

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A modern masterpiece, this is a classic Gothic thriller-fantasy from 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 facade. . . .

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Best for readers who like: Dark fairy tales, botanical horror, beautiful houses hiding grotesque secrets
What do these ratings mean?

These are Eerie's editorial scores. Spice is scored out of 5; the other scores are out of 10. Higher intensity does not mean a better book. Romance Focus measures how central the relationship is to the story. Overall Recommendation is Eerie's recommendation for the book's intended readers.

Read the full rating methodology

Spice1/5
Darkness8/10
Obsession6/10
Psychological9/10
Violence7/10
Emotional Damage9/10
Trigger Intensity9/10
Romance Focus7/10

Bibliographic Sources

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Book at a Glance

Series membershipSisters of the Salt
Readable on its ownno
PaceFast • Medium
Story LengthStandard
EndingCliffhanger / Series Continues
WorldFantasy
SettingFantasy / Supernatural
RelationshipM/F
Obsession TypeRomantic Fixation
Subgenrehorror • Young adult gothic fantasy
FMC TypeVulnerable / Guarded
Writing StyleAtmospheric / Gothic
MMC PersonalityCharming, secretive, conflicted
FMC PersonalityCurious, artistic, sheltered, determined

Tropes & Themes

Trigger Warnings

These tags describe potentially sensitive material in the book and may not be a complete list. A missing warning does not confirm that the content is absent. HEA/HFN describes the romantic ending, not the absence of disturbing content. Check the author's current content notes before reading.

ableismbetrayalbloodbody horrorchild deathforced drugginggriefmurder

Eerie Take

Highly recommended for YA gothic fantasy readers who accept a severe cliffhanger

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Intensity
Eerie editorial
Readers
Spice
1/5
Waiting for votes
Darkness
8/10
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Obsession
6/10
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Psychological Intensity
9/10
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Violence
7/10
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Emotional Damage
9/10
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Trigger Intensity
9/10
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Romance Focus
7/10
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