Small Favors reminded me a little bit of the movie The Village. Isolation is a physical feeling in this place. And if something horrible happens there's no one to run for help. It's the mental horror of the situation that freezes your blood.

House of Roots and Ruin is the second book in Erin A. Craig's tremendous YA-Fantasy series, Sisters of the Salt. We know a lot of Verity's family history from the first book, and we do get a bit more here, but learning about Alex's family, the Laurents, was so intriguing. Without giving too much away, I sort of feel like their last name should have been Moreau... This is the 1st of October and this book is definitely suitable for this season. It's eerie and spooky but also aesthetically pleasing with the village-esque vibe.

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Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.

If you wanna feel all the creepy, claustrophobic, spooky vibes with an amazing story and a strong heroine, this book is definitely for you.

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Overall, this novel is a masterpiece of gothic fiction that will leave readers captivated and enthralled. Erin A. Craig has proven once again that she is a master storyteller with an incredible ability to weave intricate and compelling narratives. 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. They're afraid to send anyone else for supplies, but with provisions running low and winter approaching, what choice do they have? It’s a fairy tale, a young-adult romance (though gothic enough for adult readers) and a whodunit too.” —The Wall Street Journal