Verity has never left the safety of life at Highmoor. She’s the last of the cursed Thaumas girls and desperate for adventure. When she tries to plan a trip, her sister Camille forbids her and reveals that Verity has always seen ghosts. Verity’s world is shaken, so she hastily decides to accept an invitation to paint the portrait of a young man. At the Bloem’s floral estate, peacocks scream in the night and the meaning of flowers holds dangerous messages. Verity must unravel the secrets of the estate before she becomes permanently intertwined with the mysterious legacy of the Bloems.  

Erin A. Craig is one of my favorite authors! She excels at fantastical stories with that creeping sensation that something isn’t quite right. I could not put this book down! Verity’s ability to see ghosts was fascinating and I loved the twist that she doesn’t initially know if she is talking to a ghost or a real person. The vivid descriptions of the estate and flowers were beautiful. I enjoyed how Verity was able to use the language of flowers to communicate and reveal secrets. 

I loved Verity’s bond with her sisters, which held even when she tested it by leaving the safe haven of Highmoor. I enjoyed the cameos from Annaleigh, Camille, and learning what happened to the other sisters from House of Salt and Sorrows. The world-building was richly detailed and it feels like there are more stories to tell in this world. There were SO many excellent twists! I can’t talk about most of them without spoilers, so I'll just say that I highly recommend you pick up House of Roots and Ruin. 

The ending made me shriek! Craig is so elegant with her writing and can change the trajectory of a story with two simple lines. I can’t wait to read the sequel and find out what happens next! Readers who enjoy a spooky atmosphere, complicated family dynamics, and a house with dark secrets will love House of Roots and Ruin! I would recommend this for readers who enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows (Erin A. Craig) and Within These Wicked Walls (Lauren Blackwood). 

Thank you so much to Erin A. Craig, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.