First Impression Friday is hosted by J.W. Martin.
First Impression Friday will be a meme where you talk about a book that you JUST STARTED! Maybe you’re only a chapter or two in, maybe a little farther.
Based on this sampling of your current read, give a few impressions and predict what you’ll think by the end.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and 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?
When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.
I am reading House of Salt and Sorrows for a buddy read on Bookstagram, and I am so glad that I decided to participate. This is not a book that I would have ever picked up on my own, which would have been a shame because I am loving every minute of it. We read up until a certain chapter every day for a week, and as of writing we are just over halfway through. I highly recommend reading this book for a book club or with a friend because the discussions we have had have been half of the fun- so many conspiracy theories!
The book is a lot creepier and darker than I was anticipating, and I am all the more happy for it! It is setting the perfect tone for my Fall reading. I have no idea who to trust or where the story is going and that makes it difficult to stop reading at the allotted chapter. I need answers! What I find the most interesting is the fact that my opinions on each of the characters changes after every single chapter- I can not get a good read on anyone and I trust no one. It makes for a suspenseful and captivating reading experience.
There is one character who I would protect at all cost, and that is Verity, the youngest of the sisters. She is so sweet and has an interesting story line. Actually, the dynamics between the sisters is another highlight. I love when books focus on the often complicated relationships between siblings. I also appreciate that although there is a hint of a romance, it does not overshadow the main plot of the story.
It has been a long time since I enjoyed a YA fantasy novel this month and it has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am so excited to dip my toe into that genre again! Any suggestions of darker YA fantasy novels would be greatly appreciated, especially standalones!
I can not wait to see how this story ends- I am sure I am in for a lot more twists and turns! You can expect a full review for House of Salt and Sorrows when I am finished and I have a feeling I will be raving about it.
That sounds amazing! This book came in August’s OwlCrate and I just tucked it away on my shelf but it seems like it would be a great fall read. I love a bit of spooky and dark.
It’s perfect for Fall! It is way darker than I ever thought it would be and it’s awesome!
Ooh, this sounds really intriguing! I rarely read fantasy but I’m on a mission to change this, so will definitely add this one to my list 😊 Something dark appeals to me too – my family jokes that I’m friendly in real life because I get my dark side out in literature! Really looking forward to hearing what you think by the end!
📕MP📚 X
I am not a huge fantasy read either and this book has been a game changer for me. I hope it is for you as well! I love dark literature too.. give me anything Gothic.
I’ve heard so much about this book! I definitely need to give it a try 🙂
It’s a good one!!
This sounds SO amazing. I don’t know anything about the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale, but I’m so desperate to read this book 😂
I don’t either! I think I am glad I knew nothing about it before going in. That way everything is a surprise!
I’m so glad you’re loving it! I’m very excited to read this one (hopefully) soon! I’m in queue at the library, so hopefully the people before me read fast!
(www.evelynreads.com)
It’s a quick and captivating read so I think they will!
Ugh see! Let the dark creepy goth adjectives keep rolling! How did I miss this book??
aaaaah I hope you love it!!!
I am so far!!
This book has so much hype around it ! I’m glad you’re liking it so far 😀
It is a wild ride so far!
So glad to hear you’re enjoying this. My Owlcrate with this book arrived just as the weekend started and I’m so looking forward to diving into this. I’ve heard lots of great things about it and it definitely sounds like the creepiness will set the tone for fall perfectly! 😍
I hope you love it! It’s definitely a perfect fall read. So dark and creepy!!
I finished this book pretty recently, and I absolutely loved it!! Another good ya book with a similar spooky vibe is Wilder Girls! It gave me a similar vibe but more sci-fi adjacent?? Either way, very good and very spooky
I’ve been eyeing Wilder Girls. I just love the cover! I think I might give it a try. Thanks!
I’ve been on the fence about this one for a little while now. Maybe I will add it to my TBR now..
I don’t think you will regret it. It is so original and kept me guessing the entire time.
I’ll be hanging out looking in the comments looking for dark creepy YA recommends. Great post! Already itching to read this one even more.
It’s so good! I need all the dark, creepy books!
This sounds incredible, I’m really trying to read more fantasy so I think I’ll have to add this to my TBR 👌
It’s a great. So different from anything else I have read!