barbie's fairytale with a dark twist

I have to admit that I judged this book by its cover - its eerie ocean aesthetic and cool font caught my attention. It wasn't until I read its description that told me it was a gothic retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" that I was utterly hooked. Also, being a writer who's focusing on a novel heavily influenced by the timeless mystery and intrigue of the ocean, reading other books that delve into the same kinds of settings and aesthetics can only help! I definitely enjoyed this book, though, funnily enough, I didn't think I liked it very much when I first started it. I couldn't see where the plot was going - aka, it seemed to be leading nowhere, or at least towards what seemed to be an unsatisfactory and confusing ending. But the characters, their individual motives, the awesome sea-related metaphors and descriptions, and the irresistible pull of a murder mystery all combined to keep me reading - and I'm glad I did! The whole story comes to involve more lore and mythology than I'd anticipated, two things which I'm always here for! I thought the creation of a lore/mythology system, including the inclusion of more characters, was very well-written, and the villain of the story is a truly chilling villain indeed, certainly not one I would want to cross. It's undoubtedly an original story birthed from an old but beloved fairy tale; most of the time I forgot it was even based on "The Twelve Dancing Princesses!" I certainly recommend this book to those who also can't resist a haunting, well-written murder - or more like murders- mystery, romance, plot twists, elegant ball and dance scenes, and tales tied to the sea. 



Some of my favorite quotes from House of Salt and Sorrows:

"Nights like this were meant to be shared, remembered, and talked about for years. Skies like this were meant to be kissed under."

"The euphoria was tangible: I could taste it in the air, the sweetness coating my mouth and going straight to my head like champagne."

"All my life has been moonlight and the stars. I can smell the sunlight racing through your veins from across a room."

"It still smelled like autumn here. Pine needles and cold, crisp air, bonfires and moldering leaves, the world dying as it readied to be reborn."

"A midsummer’s night, when the sky is full of sparkling stars and fireflies."

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