Not many seem to be familiar with the Brothers Grimm‘s fairytale „The Twelve Dancing Princess“, which is also known as „The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes“ or „The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces“, but maybe you came across the popular movie adaptation „Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses“ that definitely has been a favorite of mine during my childhood years. Finding out about this retelling of the story of twelve sisters that spend their nights dancing in secret with a creepy twist, I knew I had to read it, and picked it up right away.

House of Salt and Sorrows takes the original fairytale and sets it in a darker setting, filled with mysteries, tragedies, and ghostly visions. Once, there were 12 princesses, but a curse responsible for the death of four of them, haunts the remaining daughters. But is it a curse? Or is it murder? As Annaleigh tries to find answers, she also is faced with the temptation to dance away the nights with her sisters.

As much as the Barbie adaptation is filled with laughter, music and joy, this retelling by Erin A. Craig created a dark, creepy and gripping atmosephere that will keep you up all night, and maybe sometimes make you wish you weren‘t reading this during nighttime at all. I, for instance, had a couple of sleepless nights thanks to some scenes. Not that it made me enjoy this any less.

I truly loved the twist this retelling had, and am craving a reread soon!

Watch Chiara from @_ckarys and I talk about this thrilling 12 dancing princesses retelling that gave us all the goosebumps for our September #BookTalkWithWifey at https://www.instagram.com/tv/B34sS6CABvz/