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House of Salt and Sorrows
- Narrated by: Emily Lawrence
- Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
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House of Salt and Sorrows
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Summary
"Step inside a fairy tale." (Stephanie Garber, number one New York Times best-selling author of Caraval)
Get swept away by the New York Times best seller that's sold over 100,000 copies. As one by one her beautiful sisters mysteriously die on their isolated island estate, Annaleigh must unravel the curse that haunts her family. Be careful who you dance with....
In a manor by the sea, 12 sisters are cursed.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters and their father and stepmother. Once there were 12, 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 her sister's deaths were no accidents. The girls 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. House of Salt and Sorrows is a spellbinding novel filled with magic and the rustle of gossamer skirts down long, dark hallways. Get ready to be swept away.
"An eerie, lovely Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling full of ghosts and gods and a fascinating waterfront world and I'm reading it from behind my fingers." (Melissa Albert, New York Times best-selling author of The Hazel Wood)
Critic reviews
"Haunting, atmospheric, and immersive." (Bustle)
"Nothing short of both haunting and mesmerizing...a perfect step into escapism and away from real life." (Hypable)
"A gothic maritime romance...after two centuries of dominance by the realistic novel, we need more than the sketch of a fairy tale. We need personalities, we need individuals, we need to understand the heroine’s interior life, all engagingly presented in this charming remake." (The Wall Street Journal)
"Chilling and atmospheric." (Laura E. Weymouth, author of The Light Between Worlds)
"Evocative details and lyrical, moody prose...a richly conceived story that blends mythic and Gothic storytelling." (PW)
"The novel’s vivid, evocative atmosphere will please fans of the gothic...chills aplenty." (The Bulletin)
"Equal parts gothic fairy tale and romance...compulsively readable." (SLJ)
"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)
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What listeners say about House of Salt and Sorrows
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anamelia Regan (EldritchFae)
- 30-09-19
Not quite what I expected
This took me a while to finish as I wasn't a mug fan of the narrator.
The book was dark but featured so many vapid conversations about marriage and boys that it was only the horror and scenery that got me though. Interesting premise but could have been done better though I did enjoy the nods to Poe and of course the original brothers grimm story.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- K. Bridges
- 29-11-19
Over dramatic narration
I didn’t love this story; it’s not all that original and very slow moving. I have to say though, I really did not like the narration. Unfortunately, Emily Lawrence seemed to be in a permanent state of near hysteria and even someone blowing their nose appeared to be a disaster of cataclysmic proportions. I’m sorry to say I really didn’t enjoy this one and I will be returning it.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Emma D
- 19-06-20
Worst narrator ever
I just couldn't listen to her. Maybe the book is good? I'll never know. It's been ruined for me. Luckily I only used my Audible credit on it.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Sophie
- 06-02-23
Good story, not a fan of the narrator
I like the story but the reader sounds like they have too much spit when they talk. Not good if sounds like that annoy you as it is very grating
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Samwisejay
- 13-12-22
It’s okay
Kinda nothing happens. A little mystery but boring overall. The reader was good the story just lacked any really context
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tasha Ní Mhiacháin
- 03-12-22
A favourite to reread
“I wouldn’t mind if our wishes got twisted up in each other.”
This book was beautiful, haunting, dark, and sometimes outright terrifying. I loved all of it.
I prolonged finishing this book for as long as I possibly could, I never wanted it to end.
I don’t know what else to say. It was intense, it kept me guessing and it made me cry so, so much. Two moments in particular were heart-wrenching.
I am not ready to leave Highmoor. I see a lot of rereads in my future.
I really enjoyed the audio. Emily brought so much emotion to the characters she read.
And the characters, ugh, sometimes when you read a book you come away from it feeling like you’ve gotten to know real people, and that’s what this book has given me.
I will cherish this story, always. It is definitely one of my all time favourite books. I cannot wait to read it again, and again.
^ This is my first review of House of Salt and Sorrows, I just finished a reread and I'm an emotional mess. Gosh I love this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martina
- 30-11-22
great
one book which surprised me in long long time.really enjoyed it.even the ending is really good.well done
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 04-11-22
Most Irritating Narration of the year
Great story just wish I'd read it rather than listened it. The narrator uses a really irritating Mid Atlantic voice for anyone not the heroine which makes everyone sound like Effie from the Hunger Games.
Excellent if slightly convoluted storyline. Would be an excellent YA film 15 years ago
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lyndsey
- 09-10-22
Darkly romantic and tragic fairytale
I adored this gothic horror retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale. The world building was lush and rich, with gods meddling in the lives of humans, elaborate, nature based religions and glamorous, magical balls. The description was gorgeously detailed and each character was fully rounded and unique (difficult with a cast including 12 sisters!). I highly recommend this book to fans of dark fairytales and historical fantasy with incredible world building and swoony romance.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Alexandra Norman
- 16-07-22
Emmersive
I loved the story and the way the story of the twelve dancing princesses is retold. The narrator was not the best, and her storytelling abilities made it difficult to focus on the story itself.
The dark twists and turns definitely captivated my mind, and the imagery was brilliant.
I just wish there had been a better ending.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sarah
- 30-10-19
a novelized folk tale
My favorite part of this story was the description. I would read other tales by this author just for more of the imaginative descriptions.
I also really liked a protagonist who made mistakes, who succumbed to intense opposing forces, who struggled to weather adversity.
I didn't like the predictability, but that may just be me. The villain could be identified by name alone from the beginning. The setting up of some of the story elements seemed a bit ham-handed. However, the concept here is a sound one and fairly unique. It may be reminiscent of a fairy tale, but this veers far from the dancing princesses story I know.
What I really disliked about this book was the audio. I think I have listened to this reader before. Her elocution is great; what bugs me is the nasal quality of her voice. Every word sounds as though she ran it through her sinuses on the way out. I will probably just avoid buying books with this reader in future.
18 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Booniecat
- 28-08-19
a creepy, gothic mystery!
An interesting retelling of the Dancing Princesses fairy tale, this book takes the basic premise and makes it new with a gothic, atmospheric and very creepy story. The narratation was very good, and brought just the right voice to the main character. The first part of the book was a little slow, and seemed to lose its focus a bit as the timely discovery of a magic portal to amazing balls where the sisters can dance all night distracts the main character from her dective work in the murder mysteries, but it is all worth it because the slow, creepy build really brought it all together by about 2/3 of the way in. The author is particularly adept at slow burn, creepy scenes...several times I was on the edge of my seat with the vivid imagery! The threat of madness and real vs fantasy was well handled as well. Most questions were answered, and the world building was interesting enough I would love to read more stories set in this world. Not perfect, but an excellent listen and I will be looking for more from the author!
18 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Karissa Eckert
- 28-09-19
Unique but very slow
This was a retelling of the "Twelve Dancing Princesses", which was my favorite fairy tale growing up. I was very excited to read this and it ended up being...okay. I normally love fairy tale retellings but this one was very slow, you could have had this book be quite a bit shorter and the story would have been just as good. Most of the action and excitement takes place in the last few chapters of the book.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life as the daughter of a Duke on a small island. However, her peaceful life has been shattered by the intermittent accidental deaths of her sisters. When she starts having ghostly visions and a mysterious door to another realm is found, Annaleigh begins to wonder if her sisters’ deaths were really accidents at all.
So, first...other things I didn't like (aside from the poor pacing). I had trouble engaging with the main protagonist, Annaleigh, she was just so serious and so good. In fact that's another issue I had with this book; it felt like it took itself way too seriously and was just way too dramatic. No humor or fun dialogue here.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narration might have been part of my issue with this. The narrator does an excellent job with most character voices but Annaleigh's voice sounds breathy and dreamy, almost overdone.
There were some things I liked about this book as well. The description in this book is pretty amazing, I never had trouble picturing characters or settings. There are strong horror elements throughout, enough that the story is very creepy and at points the description is a bit naseauting. I liked how this horror was woven into a classic fairy tale. I also liked that this blended elements of madness and almost Lovecraft/Cthulhu-like themes into the fairy tale as well.
Regarding the horror elements...I would only recommend this book to older young adults. This book includes a lot of very descriptive and gory horror elements. There are also a lot of other mental health things going on here like suicide, madness, and self-harm. Just a heads up to anyone sensitive to those topics.
Overall, although the ending was interesting and I liked how the fairy tale was blended with themes of horror and madness, this is a book I would have been fine with skipping. Personally I wouldn’t recommend, there are better fairy tale retellings out there. However, if a horror and fantasy themed retelling of the twelve dancing princesses intrigues (and you don’t mind a deliberately paced story) you might really enjoy this one.
16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cassandra
- 29-08-19
Wow!
I downloaded this before a trip because it sounded intriguing and I needed a longer book to fill travel time. WOW! Craig’s story is a delicious mix of beautiful, magical, mythical, and creepy. I really love the twists and turns she takes the reader/listener down. If Haunting of Hill House crossed with a fairy tale, this would be it. This book was meant to entertain me for a few hours between point A and point B then back again, but it thoroughly grabbed my attention long after my trip was over!
15 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Heather
- 15-09-19
reviews
i went back and forth with purchasing this audiobook. There really wasnt anything i really liked about this book. I didnt like the narrator and the way she portrayed the main charecter. All of the sisters where downright annoying except for verity and camille being one of the most annoying characters i've encountered in a long time. I loved the direction the author was trying to take it, but it was just so many antagonist that it almost made it not worth finishing. all in all i rate this a three. The picture they painted was beautiful. the rest was not.
14 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Kelly C.
- 23-08-19
Not For Me
I have heard several people talk about this one. I actually do not know if I know the fairytale that is it a retelling for, but I was still excited to give it a try. I really loved the beginning, but then it went a little too slow for me. I liked the mystery behind the sisters and the curse. As the story goes on though it veered off too much. I did not care at all about the ball and the dancing. It just made the story drag on. I wanted to get back to the mystery and if the sisters were killed. There was so much filler that did not bring anything to the story. I know it all comes together in the end, but I just kept feeling like I wanted it to be over. Yes, there was exciting parts but even then I could not get into this one. I should and could have pushed through to finish this as I got so far. I seriously read around 80% and then skipped to the end to get it over with. This one was just not for me.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 07-09-19
Wow!!!!!
This book is magnificently written! Spellbinding fantasy so relatable you would think it’s true. Bravo!!!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- caylie
- 06-09-19
So So So Good!!
It was so good!! Intense, sad, exciting, and just overall amazing!!!! I loved the ending!
There were times that I was confused, but thats because I didnt read the story this was spinned from. But it was good even without that!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Megan
- 02-08-20
amazing twisty turny book but...
this book was amazing. it was a slow start, but once it picked up pace I actually got annoyed with my husband for interrupting me. the but is that there's a lot of untapped potential. the author could EASILY turn this into a series. the world building is immaculate. The Author could make each of the surviving girls go through other fairy tails, like beauty and the beast, or even have the Trickster come back to cause trouble with Cassius and Annaleigh. make something come of the little monster baby. something. This book had me clamoring for more that I feel I'm not going to get. but it IS amazing writing and an amazing world. I want to know more about the people of the petals, bone, stars, everything. I want to know more about the gods that walk among the people--which is seriously such a great concept. GIVE ME MOOOORE
2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Carly
- 19-07-20
Interesting premise but let down by underdeveloped characters and world
I loved the 12 dancing princesses tale as a kid and was so excited about this book but ultimately the lack of depth let me down. Most of the scenes felt like plot points to move the story along rather than truly earned emotional moments.Like Annaleigh and her love interest spend probably a combined 12 hours with each other over the course of a few days and they are instantly in love, saying they were waiting their entire lives for each other. And I can’t tell you one unique thing about the guy because he falls into the tall, muscular stranger with beautiful eyes that tucks a stray hair behind her ear stereotype. Also the women in this story feel so flat. The author sets up a pretty patriarchal society and calls out some of the unfair traditions but then does nothing about it. It felt like a false open because it leads you to believe Annaleigh’s emotional/personal character arc would involve some realizations or growth in this area- but no such luck. In terms of the writing, I did enjoy the descriptive language, particularly when we encounter magical scenes. But the dialogue didn’t live up to that high bar. It was so exposition heavy, like villains/antagonists explaining their master plan. It felt so unnatural and led so some characters feeling unrealistic.
2 people found this helpful